Azerbaijan TRC Grounds: All 18 Reasons for a Residence Permit

A ground is the legal reason you are allowed to live in Azerbaijan. Article 45.1 of the Migration Code lists every ground for a temporary residence permit. You apply on one ground, you prove it with a document (Article 46), and the permit lasts only while that ground exists.

The current article has 18 sub points. The English Code PDF on migration.gov.az uses old numbering and misses some grounds, so rely on the State Migration Service guide pages and the Azerbaijani text on e-qanun.az.

For full time study at a higher or secondary specialised institution, and at vocational and general education institutions. Proof is a letter from the university or school, or a letter from the Ministry of Science and Education. The university usually files the application for you, and students pay a lower fee.

Universities ask their foundation year students to hold a TRC, but the law does not name a preparatory year. Confirm with your university's international office. A private language course usually does not qualify. More in study in Azerbaijan.

On a work permit ground, the employer must apply to extend the work permit at least 30 days before it ends. If the job ends early, you must leave within 10 working days unless you have another ground. Digital nomads join ground 45.1.4-1 from 1 January 2027, and will need proof of income from abroad.

If you still need to set up the company, read open a company in Azerbaijan as a foreigner.

• Entrepreneur (45.1.7): you run your own business here with at least 5 full time or 10 part time staff, at least 80 percent of them citizens. After the first year, renewal also needs the turnover set by the Ministry of Economy.
• Company director or owner (45.1.6-1): you lead, or own at least 51 percent of, an Azerbaijani company with a foreign founder. The company must meet the minimum capital, and after the first year the turnover set by the government.
• Head of a branch office (45.1.6): you head, or are deputy head of, the branch or representative office of a foreign company. Proof is the order that appoints you.

The bank reports to the Migration Service if a deposit ends or drops below AZN 100,000, and that can end your permit. The English SMS page leaves out the bank funds part of 45.1.3, but the law, the form and ASAN include it. Investors get permits of up to 3 years each time.

Family members often come later than the main permit holder. See bring your family to Azerbaijan for the visa and the order of steps.

• Family of a foreign resident (45.1.5): your spouse, parent or child is a foreigner with an Azerbaijani residence permit. Family means a spouse, children under 18, adult children unable to work and dependent parents. Proof is a marriage or birth certificate and the notarised consent of the family member who holds the permit. Your card does not last longer than theirs.
• Relative of a citizen (45.1.1): you are a close relative of an Azerbaijani citizen. Proof is a document showing the relationship and the notarised consent of your relative.

• International agreement (45.1.11): an agreement Azerbaijan signed gives you the right to live here. You bring the document the agreement asks for.
• Victim protection (45.1.10-1): the authorities ask for the permit to protect you. They apply for you and no state fee is paid.
• Helping an investigation (45.1.10-2): the investigating body applies for you because you help them. No state fee is paid.

Not in the list? Refugees have their own status and card, and being a former citizen, being born in Azerbaijan or volunteering is not a ground by itself. The State Migration Service decides which ground fits your case.

In the Sroky app you pick your ground in two plain steps when you add your permit, and the app adds the deadlines that come with it, such as the end of a work permit, a sponsor's card or a deposit.