It is not possible to enter the self-proclaimed "Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh" from Azerbaijan. The Government of Canada does not recognize the sovereignty of Nagorno-Karabakh and is extremely limited in its ability to provide consular assistance to Canadians there.

Canadians travelling with a passport that contains a stamp from Nagorno-Karabakh may encounter serious difficulties at Azerbaijani border controls including, but not limited to, refusal of entry.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Travellers are responsible for their own personal safety. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provides credible and timely advice in its Travel Reports. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. Canada will assist Canadians in leaving a country or a region as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at the individual’s personal expense. Situations vary from one location to another, and there may be constraints on government resources, which can limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries or regions where the potential for violent conflict or political instability are high.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations may occur in Azerbaijan. Canadians are advised to avoid political gatherings and demonstrations, and to stay away from areas where they may take place, as they could turn violent without warning. Canadians should also monitor news reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

General Safety Information

To reduce the risk of being targeted by street crime do not show signs of affluence and avoid walking alone after dark. Ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure. It is advisable to carry a photocopy of your passport and to leave another one with a relative or a friend at home. Canadians should carry identification at all times.

The emergency number for police is 102, ambulance 103 and fire department 101.

Tourist facilities are limited, except in some areas, such as downtown Baku, Kuba, Lenkoran, and the Apsheron Peninsula on the coast of the Caspian Sea.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Azerbajani authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Azerbaijan. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country.

Tourist Visa: Required
Business and Education Visa: Required
Visitor Visa: Required
Transit Visa: Required

Transit or short-stay visas, valid for up to 30 days, are available upon arrival at the international airport in Baku. However, to avoid complications upon arrival, Canadians are advised to obtain visas from the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, by mail or in person, prior to departure. For transit visas, you should provide a copy of your round-trip ticket. Double-entry and multiple-entry visas are only available through an Azerbaijani embassy. To obtain such visas, you must provide the Embassy with an invitation duly confirmed by the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. To obtain any other visa, you will require a letter of invitation from a contact in Azerbaijan, such as an employer or educational institution. Holders of valid visas should be able to cross the land borders with Georgia, Iran and Turkey. Visas to Russia cannot be obtained at the border with Azerbaijan. Even visa holders may encounter difficulties getting through the border because of social unrest and occasional border closures.

A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s license, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

There is no resident Canadian government office in Azerbaijan. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Turkey - ANKARA, Embassy of Canada
Address: Cinnah Caddesi No. 58, Çankaya 06690, Ankara, Turkey
Tel.: 90 (312) 409-2700
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 00800-14-220-0149
Fax: 90 (312) 409-2712
E-Mail: ankra@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.turkey.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Ankara and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site. For more information, see our Global Issues page on Avian Influenza.

Since 2006, there have been several confirmed human deaths due to avian influenza in Azerbaijan, according to the World Health Organization. There have been no deaths reported since 2007. There is a very low risk for humans to be affected. Travellers should avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live-food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from poultry or other animals.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Consumption of untreated water and water-based foods greatly increases your chance of illness. Do not drink tap water. Travellers should drink only bottled water, peel all fruits and vegetables, and avoid undercooked meat, dairy products, and most food sold in the streets.

It is best to avoid older medical clinics dating from the Soviet era, as they often lack basic drugs and equipment and have poor hygiene standards. Medical facilities outside Baku are very limited. Check with local authorities for a list of "Western-type" medical clinics recently opened in Baku.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Azerbaijan are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Azerbaijan to request to be transferred to Canada in order to serve the remainder of his/her sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Azerbaijani authorities.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Dual nationality is not legally recognized, which may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services. Canadians with Azerbaijani citizenship may also be subject to national obligations, such as taxes, and should check their status with the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Canada. The Department publishes a booklet entitled Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know, specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality.

Homosexual activity is legal but is not widely accepted in Azerbaijani society.

The penalty for drug offences is strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

There is zero tolerance for drinking and driving.

Photographing or visiting military depots or equipment can lead to arrest.

Customs authorities may strictly enforce regulations concerning the import or export of such items as firearms, religious materials, objects of art and antiquities.

Religion

While Azerbaijan is a secular state, some people closely adhere to Islamic practices and beliefs. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour to avoid offending local sensitivities. Women should avoid clothing that could be construed as revealing, particularly when travelling outside of major cities.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Public transportation is poorly maintained, often overcrowded, and unsafe, especially outside of Baku. Avoid the Baku metro, especially after dark.

Avoid long-distance travel by train. If travel by train is necessary, store personal belongings in a safe place and do not leave the compartment unattended. Ensure the door is secured from the inside.

Only use officially marked taxis. Fares should be pre-negotiated as taxis are usually not equiped with meters. It is advisable to avoid shared taxis.

Poor driving standards, badly maintained cars, inadequate road signals, hazardous road conditions, and insufficient lighting make highway travel dangerous. Pedestrians should also exercise caution.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.

Domestic air travel is not recommended due to insufficient airplane safety checks, delays, and flight cancellations. Flights are often overcrowded, and some passengers remain standing in the aisle. Airplane seatbelts are sometimes missing. Reputable international carriers are more reliable.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

The economy is cash-based. The currency is the Azerbaijani manat (AZN). Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not accepted, and U.S. dollar travellers’ cheques are not widely accepted. Arrive with cash in U.S. dollars. Torn dollar bills are not easily exchangeable; all notes should be in pristine condition. Visitors must declare foreign currency upon entry and cannot leave with more than was brought in. Credit cards are accepted only in few major hotels, some restaurants, and all banks in Baku. It is essential to carry local or US currency outside of Baku, as few establishments accept credit cards. Several automated banking machines (ABMs) in Baku dispense both U.S. dollars and Azerbaijani manat.

Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Azerbaijan is subject to periods of drought and it is located in an active seismic zone. You should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Ankara, Turkey, in the event of an emergency.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

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TRAVEL REPORT Azerbaijan

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TRAVEL REPORT
Azerbaijan