Quota System Implemented for Work Permits

Azerbaijan

A work permit quota system has been implemented in Azerbaijan. Prior to the start of each new year, the Cabinet of Ministers will announce the quota for foreign workers for the following year.

Quota Process

To comply with the new law, employers that intend to hire foreign nationals in Azerbaijan must follow the below process:

• Submit an estimate of their foreign workers to the State Migration Service (SMS) by May 1^st of each year. 
• Based on the estimate, the Commission will review the employer’s need and present a decision to the Cabinet of Ministers by September 1^st of each year.
• Employers can provide an amended report to SMS for any changes in its estimate, but SMS reserves the right to reject proposed amendments.

Background

The annual quota will be based on projections/information provided by employers of foreign nationals and a special Commission composed of representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education and SMS. The Commission also has the authority to request that the Cabinet of Ministers review the existing quota in August of each year if the Commission considers that the quota does not meet the needs of the labor market in Azerbaijan.

What This Means for Employers

Employers seeking to send foreign workers to Azerbaijan are now subject to another administrative hurdle and must comply with the requirement to submit a foreign worker estimate by May 1^st of each year.  Employers should contact their immigration professional to discuss the effect of the quota on future applications.

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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