Transit Through Baku Airport 2026: Do You Need a Visa for a Layover?

Usually not. Under the Migration Code, a transit visa is not needed when you change planes within 24 hours and stay inside the transit area of the airport. Citizens of visa free countries never need one.

The airport has its own transfer routes. Passengers arriving on an international flight and leaving on another international flight follow the "Transfer" signs and do not pass immigration or customs.

Baku has two international terminals for transfers: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 North. The airport describes four airside routes, for every pair of terminals. You do not enter Azerbaijan on any of them.

1. 1

   Follow the Transfer signs

   When you leave the plane, look for the English Transfer signs. If you still need a boarding pass, go to the transfer counter.

2. 2

   Go through security

   Transfer passengers pass a security check on level 2, then go up to level 3.

3. 3

   Visa check for your final destination

   Staff may check that you hold the visa needed for the country you fly to next.

4. 4

   Take the shuttle bus if your flight leaves from the other terminal

   From Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 North, go down to the bus gates and board the inter terminal shuttle at gate 16. Leave enough time, as bus frequency can vary.

The airport says immigration and customs are not needed on these transfer routes, but you must hold valid travel documents and any visa needed for your final destination.

Yes, if you can enter Azerbaijan. Once you go through passport control, you are a normal visitor. Visa free passports just enter. Passports on the e visa list need an e visa before arrival. A few nationalities can get a visa at the airport.

For a layover of 8 hours or more, the urgent e visa is issued within 3 hours, also on weekends and holidays, and must be requested at least 3 hours before arrival. The standard e visa takes 3 working days. Apply only on evisa.gov.az and check your passport with the free visa checker.

Plan time to get back: check in, passport control on exit, security and the walk to the gate. Ask your airline when check in closes for your next flight.

Azerbaijan also has a separate transit visa, issued by its embassies. It is valid for 30 days and lets you stay up to 5 days while passing through to a third country. The state fee is USD 20 for a single or double transit visa, and embassies decide within 15 days.

Most travellers never need it. It is useful when you cannot use the e visa and you must pass through Azerbaijan by land or stay longer than 24 hours between flights. See embassy visas.

Self made connections on two tickets are the most common trap. If the first airline cannot send your bag through to the final flight, you have to collect it in the baggage hall, which is after passport control. That means entering Azerbaijan.

Before you book, ask both airlines whether they can transfer your bag. If not, check whether your passport needs an e visa and get it in time, or travel with hand luggage only and use the transfer counter.

• Under 24 hours and staying airside: no visa for Azerbaijan.
• Check the visa rules of your final destination; they are checked in Baku.
• Leaving the airport: entry rules for your passport apply.
• Separate tickets with checked bags: you probably need to enter.
• Over 24 hours: get an e visa or ask an embassy about a transit visa.
• Keep your boarding pass and onward ticket ready to show.