
Effective July 16, 2025, Azerbaijan and China have implemented a mutual visa-free regime, allowing nationals of either country to enter the other country for visa-free stays of up to 30 days per visit (for a maximum of 90 cumulative days within any 180-day period) as long as they are not engaged in activities that require a visa (such as work, study or journalism, among other activities). Those seeking to enter to conduct such activities, or stay for longer than the maximum duration of stay, must obtain a visa. Under this new regime, Chinese nationals may not enter Azerbaijan visa free for business purposes; whereas Azerbaijani nationals may enter China visa free for business purposes (although the legislation does not mention this in particular). Those seeking to enter to conduct such activities, or stay for longer than the maximum duration of stay, must obtain a visa. Additionally, this new visa exemption regime does not apply to nationals traveling to either Hong Kong SAR or Macau SAR.
Fragomen in China is Fragomen (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., operating exclusively as an immigration consultancy and not as a law firm in China. 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] and [email protected].
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