Azerbaijan approves a digital nomad visa and wider visa-free entry

Azerbaijan has approved a national tourism strategy that lays the groundwork for a dedicated digital nomad visa and broader visa-free access, according to government records. The 2026-2030 program was adopted on August 20 and signals the country's intent to attract remote workers to Baku and beyond.

What changed

The new tourism plan creates a specific "digital nomad" and "digital traveler" visa subtype within Azerbaijan's electronic visa system. Alongside it, the government intends to expand visa-free entry to 34 designated tourist markets and to upgrade its multiple-entry e-visas and on-arrival processing at border crossings.

Importantly, several key details are still missing. The government has not yet published the list of the 34 countries that will qualify for visa-free entry, nor a formal launch date or filing instructions for the remote work stream. In practical terms, the nomad category exists on paper but is not yet open for applications.

What it means for nomads

Until the new visa opens, remote workers cannot apply for it and must use Azerbaijan's existing entry channels. The current e-visa portal accepts online applications from passport holders of 90 countries, without an embassy visit. Anyone planning a stay should continue relying on standard single-entry or multiple-entry e-visas until official rules for the nomad category are published.

Some nationalities have separate arrangements. Citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain can enter visa-free up to three times between February 15, 2026 and February 15, 2027, with each stay capped at 30 days. A regular visa is required starting with the fourth entry.

The takeaway

This is an early-stage policy announcement rather than an open program. For nomads eyeing the Caucasus, it's worth watching for the eventual publication of the eligible-country list, the launch date, and application requirements. For now, plan any trip around the existing e-visa system and treat the dedicated nomad route as a future option.

Originally reported by Stamped Nomad.