Visa Guide
21 May 2025

Countries Visiting Azerbaijan: Who’s Coming and Why

Author
The countries visiting Azerbaijan range from next-door neighbours to travelers flying in from Seoul. Russians lead the visitors, with over 700,000 last year, and Turks aren’t far behind. Lately, more Indians and Saudis are coming, drawn by Azerbaijan’s mountains and culture. Azerbaijan recorded around 2.6 million foreign arrivals in 2024. It’s a 26% increase compared with 2023.

Panoramic view of Baku Old Town (Icheri Sheher), Azerbaijan, with modern glass Flame Tower skyscraper in background

Azerbaijan e-visa has made traveling to the country much easier. It's a hassle-free and smooth process that saves a lot of time for enthusiast travelers.

The country is also offering business visas to help entrepreneurs establish their businesses. E-visa is accessible to almost every country, including China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Singapore, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Bahrain, and Macau.

The benefit of getting an Azerbaijan e-visa is that tourists can easily meet their family and friends, enjoy sightseeing, learn about different Azerbaijan cultures and traditions, or attend a short event. The country is safe and famous for its natural beauty, mud volcanoes, and historic places like Maiden Tower. So, if you are considering which country to visit to enjoy your vacation, go for Azerbaijan.

If you visit Azerbaijan during tourist season, you will surely encounter the citizens of the following countries. 

Who Shows Up

Now, we’ll look at which nationalities of tourists Azerbaijan receives most often. Russia leads by a mile - 24.4% of everyone who visits. Makes sense when you consider the history, visa-free access, and cheap flights from Moscow. Turkey grabs second place at 17.4%, with people hopping over for businesses or family stuff.

India made up 6.6% of all international visitors in 2025. That’s actually 1.4 times less than they sent the previous year - pretty small regression. We’re also seeing more tourists from other Asian states, including China, than last year. Yet, their overall share remains small. Something’s pulling Asian travellers here, and it’s not just cheap kebabs.

Fresh statistics show who’s actually showing up, and the data reveals why certain nations are most visited by country rankings:

CountryShareWhat changed
Russia24.4Still №1
Turkey17.4Steady
India6.6Reduced by 1.4 times
Iran8.0Border traffic
Saudi Arabia4.3Quick trips
Georgia4.2Gulf boom

Iran sends people over the land border for weekend trips, according to the Azerbaijan tourism statistics. Georgians drive up for shopping. The Saudis discovered this state a few years ago and keep coming back. More visitors came from Gulf countries in 2024. Saudi Arabia leads the way at 3.7% of arrivals.

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Russia

Though Russia is itself super beautiful, its people are the most adventurous. This might be the reason you can find them in Azerbaijan. Russians can travel to Azerbaijan by plane, train, or road. Traveling takes more than a day if you choose to go by car and a few hours by plane. To get an e-visa to Azerbaijan, you will need a copy of your passport, means of payment, active email address, and other things.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabian can reach Azerbaijan in only seven hours on a plane. If you choose to quickest flight, which flies from Dammam Airport, it will take only 5h and 35 mins to reach Azerbaijan. Since Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan have strong currencies, visiting Azerbaijan will not cost you much. Some requirements that Azerbaijan visas online for Saudi Arabian citizens need to meet are submitting a digital passport, a PCR test with negative results, and a COVID-19 vaccination certificate.

Turkey

The total flight duration from Istanbul to Azerbaijan is less than 3 hours. Since you can get an e-visa a couple of days after applying, you can visit Azerbaijan any time you want. But before that, you need to meet specific requirements like submitting an active passport and getting yourself screened for COVID-19. You can stay in the country for 90 days and always extend it to 180 days.

Pakistan

Azerbaijan, especially Bali, is quite popular among Pakistanis. This is probably because of the affordability, as the experience you get is hard to get anywhere else at affordable prices. Many Pakistan travelers who love to explore new places while staying within their budget always have Bali on their bucket list.

Despite being a developing country, getting an Azerbaijan e-visa is relatively easy for Pakistanis. A few requirements for an Azerbaijan e-visa for Pakistani citizens include vaccination test reports, results, certificate, active email address, passport copy, credit or debit card details, and personal information. Note that the traveling distance from Pakistan to Azerbaijan is only 3 hours.

India

Since India is the neighbor of Pakistan, you can expect to reach Azerbaijan in a few hours, i.e., around 5 hours. You can see Indians roaming around in different cities of Azerbaijan. Indian citizens can receive an e-passport in just three days. But if you opt for a special visa, you can get an e-visa in a day or two.

The application requirements for e-visa are also the same as other countries. You must submit a digital copy of your passport, relevant personal information, vaccination certificate, and credit or debit card information. Also, many Indian cities offer a direct flight to Azerbaijan, including Delhi. So, apply for Azerbaijan Visa for Indian citizens today, and pack your back to go on a trip.

What Changed

The e-Visa system fixed a colossal headache. Apply online, wait three days, and you’re in - no embassy appointments or paper chasing. Budget airlines started flying direct from Delhi and Mumbai. Azerbaijan saw a 15% increase in foreign arrivals in early 2025.

For Saudis and Emiratis, it’s a cooler climate without the party-heavy vibe of European beaches. Azerbaijan expanded the eligibility for its e-visa to more countries in 2025. It simplifies entry for tourists from the Middle East and Asia.

Expert perspective

Spring hits different here - April through June sees the biggest crowds. Summer’s hot in Baku, so everyone heads to mountain resorts instead. Winter drops off except during Nowruz in March, when Iranians cross over for Persian New Year celebrations.

Top Countries Visiting Azerbaijan — Travel Insights

Overview of major nationalities visiting Azerbaijan and their visa/travel details
Country Travel Distance & Flight Info Visa & Entry Requirements Visitor Notes
🇷🇺 Russia Flights or overland routes by train/car. Flight time: ~2–3 h; overland: 1+ day.
  • Apply for e-Visa online (3 days standard, 3 h urgent).
  • Required: passport copy, valid email, online payment method.
One of the largest visitor groups thanks to proximity and cultural ties. Many visit for leisure, business, and family trips.
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Direct flights from Dammam or Riyadh (~5h 35m). Total travel: ~7 hours.
  • e-Visa available for Saudi citizens.
  • Must upload passport, COVID vaccination certificate, and PCR test (if required).
Strong currency advantage makes Azerbaijan a good-value destination for Saudi travelers seeking cool climates and nature.
🇹🇷 Turkey Short flight (~2.5–3 h) from Istanbul to Baku; frequent daily connections.
  • e-Visa approval typically within 2–3 days.
  • Passport and COVID screening documents required.
Turkish tourists enjoy visa ease and cultural affinity; stays allowed up to 90 days (extendable to 180).
🇵🇰 Pakistan Flight time: ~3 hours from major Pakistani cities to Baku.
  • e-Visa accessible via online application form.
  • Documents: passport copy, vaccination certificate, bank card info, email.
Growing in popularity due to affordability and direct flights. Pakistani tourists favor Azerbaijan for short cultural getaways.
🇮🇳 India Direct flights from Delhi (~5 hours). Multiple weekly services.
  • e-Visa for Indian citizens (3 days standard, 1 day express).
  • Passport, vaccination proof, and payment method required.
Indian travelers enjoy Azerbaijan’s mix of culture and affordability. A popular destination for families and short vacations.

Apply for Azerbaijan e-Visa

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FAQ - Countries that most often visit Azerbaijan

General

Russia and other CIS countries still lead in terms of numbers. Yet, Middle Eastern nations and South Asian states are catching up quickly.
Yes to both. But this year, Indian visits were down 1.4 times compared to the previous period; Saudis now make up nearly 4.3% of all visitors.
Massively. Spring peaks, winter drops, except for March festivals.
Easy visa, affordable prices, mountains, culture mix. It’s not overrun with tourists yet.
Yes. Three-quarters of visitors fly into Baku’s airport.

Key Facts

Most people (76%) fly into Baku’s airport. Another 23% drive or take trains from neighboring countries. The Old City walls, fire temples, mud volcanoes near Gobustan – these spots aren’t mobbed yet. You can walk around without getting crushed by tour groups.

The visa process

Traveling to Azerbaijan has become much more convenient thanks to the introduction of the electronic visa (e-Visa) system. With just a few clicks, travelers from around the world can easily secure their entry permit online, avoiding complicated paperwork and embassy visits. Below, we explain the complete process in detail and outline what you need to know about the Azerbaijan e visa processing time and overall Azerbaijan visa processing time.

STEP 1

Check if you need a visa

Before anything else, it’s important to find out whether you actually need a visa to enter Azerbaijan. Some nationalities are exempt from visa requirements, but most visitors do need to obtain one in advance. On our website, you can quickly check if citizens of your country are required to get a visa before traveling.

STEP 2

Verify if you are eligible for an e-Visa

Once you know you need a visa, the next step is to confirm whether your passport qualifies for an electronic visa. Azerbaijan offers e-Visas to citizens of many countries, but there are exceptions that require travelers to apply for a traditional visa through an embassy. This step ensures you don’t waste time or risk a rejection due to ineligibility.

STEP 3

Submit your application on our website

If you’re eligible, you can easily submit your e-Visa application directly through our website. The form is straightforward and designed to save you time. During this stage, you’ll also choose the type of visa and processing speed that best fits your travel plans.

The Azerbaijan e visa processing time depends on the option you select:

This flexibility allows travelers to plan with confidence, whether they have plenty of time or need to travel urgently.

STEP 4

Receive your e-Visa by email

After your application is approved, your e-Visa will be sent directly to the email address you provided during registration. Simply print it out or keep a digital copy to show at the border when you arrive in Azerbaijan.

Thanks to the transparent process and quick Azerbaijan visa processing time, visiting this beautiful country has never been easier. Start your application today and get ready to explore Azerbaijan without stress!