Start a business in Azerbaijan as a foreigner
Opening an LLC, branch, representative office or sole trader business as a foreigner, step by step.
Without a residence permit you can start with an LLC, or, if a foreign company sends you, with its branch or representative office. A sole trader needs a residence permit first. If the business is meant to give you a permit, check the ground and its conditions before you register.
Choose your form
- LLCLimited liability company (LLC)
- BranchBranch of a foreign company
- Representative officeRepresentative office of a foreign company
- Sole traderSole trader (individual entrepreneur)
Full guide: open a company in AzerbaijanAll residence permit grounds
LLCLimited liability company (LLC)
A foreigner can found an LLC with foreign investment; it is registered within 2 days. If you head it or own at least 51 percent and the paid charter capital is at least AZN 50,000, it can be the ground for a residence permit (45.1.6-1). The head of such a company and a founder with 51 percent do not need a work permit.
Steps
- 1
Prepare the company papers
The founder signs a decision to set up the company, approve its charter and appoint its management. Documents made abroad that need notarising must carry an apostille, or be legalised where the apostille does not apply. Capital must be paid before registration unless the charter sets a term, which cannot be longer than 3 months.
Documents
- Founder decision on setting up the company, approving the charter and appointing management
- Charter approved by the founder or an authorised representative
- Copy of the founder’s passport
- Copy of the director’s identity document
- Proof the charter capital is paid (bank receipt), unless the charter sets a term
- Independent auditor’s opinion if capital is paid in property
- If a foreign company is a founder: its registration certificate and trade register extract, with apostille
- Power of attorney and the representative’s ID copy, if someone applies for you
- 2
Register the LLC in person
Without an enhanced electronic signature you file on paper. The application and its annexes are signed before a notary, and the state fee is paid. Registration is done 2 working days after the documents arrive.
Documents
- Notarised application for state registration of a commercial entity, with annex 1 and or annex 2
- The company papers from the previous step
- State fee receipt (not needed when paid at an Asan Pay terminal in ASAN)
- Where
- State Tax Service: taxpayer service centres, ASAN service centres or SME houses (KOB evləri)
- Fee
- AZN 15 state fee (AZN 5 for farming), plus AZN 3 per notarised signature
- Time
- 2 working days
- 3
Or register the LLC online
With an enhanced electronic signature you fill in the online form on e-taxes.gov.az and sign it. The system builds the charter from your answers and you approve it with the signature. Online registration of an LLC is free.
Documents
- Enhanced electronic signature
- Scan of the document proving the legal address in Azerbaijan, with an Azerbaijani translation
- Where
- Internet Tax Office, e-taxes.gov.az
- Fee
- Free
- Time
- 2 working days for an LLC with foreign investment
Open the service: e-taxes.gov.azOfficial source: taxes.gov.az
- 4
Get the registration papers
On the day of registration the certificate of state registration, the extract from the state register and the charter are sent to the company’s electronic cabinet. Keep them: they are the proof of your company for the bank, for hiring staff and for the residence permit.
- Where
- Electronic cabinet on e-taxes.gov.az
Open the service: e-taxes.gov.azOfficial source: taxes.gov.az
- 5
Open the company bank account
With the registration you can ask the tax authority for a duplicate of the registration certificate for opening a bank account. For the 45.1.6-1 permit the paid charter capital must reach at least AZN 50,000.
Documents
- Application for a duplicate certificate to open a bank account
- 6
Get a business ASAN İmza
Labour contracts and most tax services need an enhanced electronic signature. For a foreigner, ASAN asks for a temporary or permanent residence permit card, so this usually comes after your permit. The certificate is free and issued at once.
Documents
- Residence permit card
- Asan İmza SIM card and the contract with the mobile operator
- Company seal
- Power of attorney if a representative applies
- Where
- ASAN service centre
- Fee
- Free
- Time
- Immediately
- 7
Register your staff
An employment relationship starts only after the labour contract notice is entered in the electronic labour system with an enhanced electronic signature and registered. Do not let anyone start work before that. If your permit will be as an entrepreneur (45.1.7), you need at least 5 full time or 10 part time staff, at least 80 percent of them citizens.
- Where
- Electronic labour contract system
- 8
Work permits for foreign staff
The company, as employer, applies for a work permit for each foreign worker. A permit lasts up to 1 year and can be extended each time for up to 1 year. You do not need one yourself if you head the company with a foreign founder or own at least 51 percent, or work as an entrepreneur.
Documents
- Application form
- Copy of the worker’s passport
- Notarised proof of the worker’s qualification
- Reference explaining why a foreigner is needed for the job
- Notarised copies of the company charter and registration certificate
- Medical certificate (dangerous infectious diseases)
- Where
- State Migration Service, ASAN service centres or online
Checked October 28, 2026 · Official source
BranchBranch of a foreign company
A branch is a separate unit of a foreign company that carries out all or part of its functions, including representation. It is registered on paper within 2 working days for a AZN 300 state fee. Its head and deputy head can get a residence permit on that ground (45.1.6); the Migration Service lists no capital or turnover rule for it, and they need no work permit.
Steps
- 1
Get the parent company’s papers
The foreign company decides to set up the branch or representative office, approves its regulations and appoints its head. It also gives the head a power of attorney to run the office. Its own registration papers prove the parent exists.
Documents
- Decision of the foreign company to set up the office and appoint its head, original or notarised copy, with a copy of the head’s ID
- Regulations of the branch or representative office approved by the foreign company, in 2 copies
- Notarised copy of the parent’s registration certificate or register extract and other company papers
- Power of attorney from the foreign company to the head, original or notarised copy
- 2
Apostille or legalise the foreign papers
Papers made abroad that need notarising are legalised by the Azerbaijani embassy in that country. Azerbaijan is party to the 1961 Hague Convention, so from a member country an apostille replaces legalisation. Papers sealed by an authorised body of a country party to the 2002 Chisinau CIS Convention are accepted without further certification.
- Where
- In the parent company’s country
- 3
Register the branch or representative office
The application and its annex 2, on the founding legal entity, are signed before a notary. The service standards list only this paper route; there is no online form for a foreign company’s office. Registration is done 2 working days after the documents arrive.
Documents
- Notarised application for state registration of a commercial entity, with annex 2
- The parent company papers from the first step, apostilled or legalised
- Document proving the legal address of the office in Azerbaijan
- State fee receipt (not needed when paid at an Asan Pay terminal in ASAN)
- Applicant’s ID, and a power of attorney if a representative signs
- Special tax regime notice, only if the office will work under one
- For a foreign bank or insurer: prior approval of the competent authority
- Where
- ASAN service centres in Baku, or the State Tax Service of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic
- Fee
- AZN 300 state fee, plus AZN 3 per notarised signature
- Time
- 2 working days
- 4
Get the registration papers
You receive the certificate of state registration, one copy of the regulations and the extract from the state register, which is sent to the electronic cabinet. With the same application you can also ask for VAT registration and a duplicate certificate for opening a bank account.
Documents
- Optional: application for VAT registration
- Optional: application for a duplicate certificate to open a bank account
- Optional: application for electronic document exchange
- Where
- Electronic cabinet on e-taxes.gov.az
- 5
Get a business ASAN İmza
Labour contracts and most tax services need an enhanced electronic signature. For a foreigner, ASAN asks for a temporary or permanent residence permit card, so this usually comes after your permit. The certificate is free and issued at once.
Documents
- Residence permit card
- Asan İmza SIM card and the contract with the mobile operator
- Company seal
- Power of attorney if a representative applies
- Where
- ASAN service centre
- Fee
- Free
- Time
- Immediately
- 6
Register your staff
An employment relationship starts only after the labour contract notice is entered in the electronic labour system with an enhanced electronic signature and registered. Do not let anyone start work before that.
- Where
- Electronic labour contract system
- 7
Work permits for foreign staff
The head of a branch or representative office of a foreign company and the deputies do not need a work permit. Other foreign staff do: the office applies as employer, may employ them only at its own workplace, and signs a labour contract for the term of the permit.
Documents
- Application form
- Copy of the worker’s passport
- Notarised proof of the worker’s qualification
- Reference explaining why a foreigner is needed for the job
- Notarised copies of the regulations and registration certificate
- Medical certificate (dangerous infectious diseases)
- Where
- State Migration Service, ASAN service centres or online
Checked October 28, 2026 · Official source
Representative officeRepresentative office of a foreign company
A representative office is a separate unit that represents and protects the interests of a foreign company. It goes through the same registration as a branch: on paper, 2 working days, AZN 300 state fee. Its head and deputy head can get a residence permit on that ground (45.1.6) and need no work permit.
A representative office is registered with exactly the same steps as a branch. See the branch steps
Checked October 28, 2026 · Official source
Sole traderSole trader (individual entrepreneur)
A foreigner registers as a sole trader with the tax authority and must attach a copy of a temporary or permanent residence permit card. So this form is open only once you already hold a permit on another ground. A residence permit as an entrepreneur (45.1.7) also needs at least 5 full time or 10 part time staff, at least 80 percent of them citizens.
Steps
- 1
Hold a residence permit first
For a foreigner, the tax registration of an individual asks for a copy of a temporary or permanent residence permit card issued by the State Migration Service. So you need a permit on another ground first, such as work, study or family.
- 2
Register with the tax authority
Register before you start trading. At a service centre it takes 1 day after the documents arrive. Online it is immediate: on e-taxes.gov.az with an enhanced electronic signature, or through the 195 call centre with Asan İmza.
Documents
- Application for registration of an individual
- Copy of your temporary or permanent residence permit card
- Special tax regime notice, only if you will work under one
- Notarised power of attorney and ID copy if a representative applies
- Where
- Taxpayer service centres, ASAN service centres, SME houses, or e-taxes.gov.az
- Time
- 1 day at a centre, immediate online
Open the service: e-taxes.gov.azOfficial source: taxes.gov.az
- 3
Get your registration certificate
The certificate of registration of an individual, with your tax ID (VÖEN), is sent to your electronic cabinet, and also on paper if you ask for it in the application. With the same application you can ask for VAT registration and a duplicate certificate for opening a bank account.
Documents
- Optional: application for VAT registration
- Optional: application for a duplicate certificate to open a bank account
- Where
- Electronic cabinet on e-taxes.gov.az
Open the service: e-taxes.gov.azOfficial source: taxes.gov.az
- 4
Get an ASAN İmza
Labour contracts and most tax services need an enhanced electronic signature. For a foreigner, ASAN asks for the residence permit card, which you already hold on this path. The certificate is free and issued at once.
Documents
- Residence permit card
- Asan İmza SIM card and the contract with the mobile operator
- Where
- ASAN service centre
- Fee
- Free
- Time
- Immediately
- 5
Staff, and a permit as entrepreneur
An employment relationship starts only after the labour contract notice is registered in the electronic labour system. To move your permit onto the entrepreneur ground (45.1.7) you need at least 5 full time or 10 part time staff, at least 80 percent of them citizens. As an entrepreneur you need no work permit yourself.
- Where
- Electronic labour contract system
Open the service: taxes.gov.azOfficial source: migration.gov.az
Checked October 28, 2026 · Official source
Residence permit on a business basis
When the company or office is registered, it can be the ground for your temporary residence permit. These are the steps with the Migration Service.
- 1
Pick your business ground
45.1.6-1: you head an Azerbaijani company with a foreign founder whose paid charter capital is at least AZN 50,000, or you own at least 51 percent of it. 45.1.7: you work as an entrepreneur with at least 5 full time or 10 part time staff, at least 80 percent citizens. 45.1.6: you head, or are deputy head of, a branch or representative office of a foreign company.
- 2
When the capital and staff rules do not apply
The capital rule of 45.1.6-1 and the staff and turnover rules do not apply to businesses with an investment promotion document or a Startup certificate operating in economic regions set by the President. They also do not apply to non profit legal entities and to residents of industrial parks, industrial districts and agroparks.
- 3
Prepare the permit documents
These are the documents of Article 46.1 of the Migration Code. Copies are shown together with the originals, which are returned to you. The proof of the ground must be notarised or certified in an equal way.
Documents
- Application form
- Passport copy, valid at least 3 months beyond the permit you ask for
- Notarised proof of the ground: papers showing you head the company, the branch or the representative office, or own at least 51 percent
- Medical certificate (HIV, hepatitis B and C)
- Copy of your current visa or stay document
- Two photos 3.5 x 4.5 cm
- Housing document (title extract, rent contract or similar)
- Application and ID copy of the person who gives you the housing, if it is not yours
- 4
Apply in time
Apply at least 30 days before your current stay or permit ends. Apply in person or through a legal representative.
- Where
- ASAN service centres, regional migration offices or eservice.migration.gov.az
Open the service: eservice.migration.gov.azOfficial source: migration.gov.az
- 5
Fee and processing time
The first permit is for up to 1 year; extensions up to 2 years each. The fee is paid when you collect the card; if it is not paid within 30 days, the permit is cancelled.
- Fee
- For 1 year: AZN 160 (15 working days) or AZN 120 (20 working days)
- Time
- 15 or 20 working days, by the fee paid
- 6
After the first year: turnover
After at least 1 year on the permit, the ground counts only if turnover meets the Ministry of Economy level. On 45.1.6-1 the company needs AZN 100,000 turnover in the last year, with the AZN 50,000 capital. On 45.1.7 an entrepreneur needs AZN 50,000.
Documents
- Document from the tax authority based on the turnover declaration for the last year
- 7
Towards permanent residence
Years on 45.1.6-1 and 45.1.7 count toward permanent residence. For a permanent permit as company head or 51 percent owner, the paid capital must be AZN 100,000 and turnover AZN 200,000 in the last year. As an entrepreneur, turnover must be AZN 100,000.
Checked October 28, 2026 · Official source
How to check a lawyer
Lawyers in Azerbaijan are members of the Bar Association (Azərbaycan Respublikasının Vəkillər Kollegiyası). Open its register of practising lawyers and find the name: it shows the licence number, the law office, the contacts and the languages. If the name is not there, ask the Bar hotline, +994 12 594 08 70.
Bar AssociationRegister of lawyers
Checked October 28, 2026 · Official source
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Sroky is a private service and is not part of the government of Azerbaijan. This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules change: the official source always applies.