Foreign nationals deemed to be ‘highly qualified’ can now work without a work permit in any field related to their speciality; whereas previously, this work permit exemption was limited to qualified foreign nationals employed by specific authorities and working in projects of national interest to the government. Additionally, the latest reforms also extend the validity of ‘highly qualified’ status to five years (renewable). To be eligible, applicants must submit proof of their qualifications and must qualify under a points-based system. Standard government processing times for obtaining this status are 20-30 business days. In the future, applicants will be able to apply for this highly qualified status via a digital portal (which is not yet operational). Importantly, ‘highly qualified’ foreign nationals must still apply for a separate residence permit to legally reside in Azerbaijan, regardless of their work permit exemption.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
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