Azerbaijan Work Permit Process in 2025: What Employers and Expats Need to Know

The Ministry of Labour of Azerbaijan has recently become involved in the work permit approval process. This move aims to streamline the process, enhance transparency and ensure compliance with labour laws. However, it also raises questions about potential hurdles that may appear throughout the immigration process.

New role of the Ministry of Labour in work permit approvals

What has changed?

Previously, work permits in Azerbaijan were primarily handled by the State Migration Service (SMS). With the Ministry of Labour now involved, the process is expected to incorporate a stronger focus on labour market needs and signals a shift toward a more structured and regulated approach to foreign labour.

Key responsibilities of the Ministry of Labour in the work permit process may include:

• • • Labour Market Test: Currently only introduced in the Oil and Gas sphere, this test ensures that hiring of foreign workers does not adversely impact local employment opportunities.
    • Compliance Checks: Assessing employers for adherence to the Azerbaijani labour laws, fair working conditions and contracts.
    • Skill Assessment: Evaluating whether the skills of foreign workers align with the country’s economic priorities and labour shortages.
    • Policy Implementation: Enforcing quotas or restrictions on the number of foreign workers in specific industries.

Challenges for employers and foreign workers

While the involvement of the Ministry of Labour is a positive step toward a more regulated labour market, it may also introduce certain challenges and restrictions.

Potential delays, additional compliance requirements and affected industries:

• • • Even though this has not yet been seen in practice, the introduction of the Ministry of Labour into the process may lead to longer approval times due to additional checks and assessments.
    • Employers may be required to submit additional documents, such as detailed job descriptions, proof of efforts to hire locally and evidence of compliance with labour laws.
    • Sectors employing low-skilled or semi-skilled workers may face greater scrutiny or restrictions.

Best practices for employers and applicants

• • • Stay informed: Keep up to date with latest regulations and requirements on immigration formalities.
    • Plan ahead: Factor potential delays and documentation requests into hiring timelines.
    • Ensure compliance: Make sure that employment contracts align with Azerbaijan’s labour standards.
    • Focus on High-Skilled Workers: Focus on roles that meet labour market requirements.

How can Fragomen help?

As Azerbaijan introduces new layers to its immigration process, strategic guidance is essential to respond effectively. Fragomen helps clients stay ahead of policy shifts and minimise disruption to hiring and mobility plans.

Need to know more?

For questions related to Azerbaijan work permit process, please contact Manager Zaur Gasimov at [email protected].

This blog was published on 9 April 2025, and due to the circumstances, there may be frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.