The agreement on the facilitation of the issuance of visas is aimed at facilitating the issuance of visas to citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the EU member states basing on mutual principles, the Foreign Ministry’s press service told APA.
The agreement on the facilitation of the issuance of visas will open up opportunities for cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU in this area. The readmission agreement will strengthen cooperation in combating illegal migration.
According to the agreement, the facilitation of the issuance of visas is to be carried out in following directions:
1. Issuance of multiple-entry visas with a term of validity of 5 years
2. Fees for processing visa applications
3. Length of procedures for processing visa applications
4. Diplomatic passport holders
1. Issuance of multiple-entry visas with a term of validity of 5 years
Multiple-entry visas with a term of validity of 5 years shall be issued to the following categories of citizens:
- Spouses, children (including adopted), who are under the age of 21 or are dependant, parents (including custodians), visiting citizens legally residing in the territory of the member states;
- Permanent members of official delegations are to participate regularly in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programmes, as well as in events held in the territory of the member states ;
Multiple-entry visas with the term of validity of one year shall be issued to the following categories of citizens, provided that during the previous year they have obtained at least one visa, have made use of it in accordance with the laws on entry and stay of the visited State:
- Students, post-graduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, including in the framework of exchange programmes;
- Journalists and technical crew accompanying them in a professional capacity;
- Participants in official exchange programmes organised by twin cities;
- Drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services between the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Member States of the European Union;
- Persons traveling for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons;
- Members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events;
- Representatives of civil society organizations traveling regularly for the purposes of educational trainings, seminars, conferences, including in the framework of exchange programmes;
- Persons participating in scientific, cultural and artistic activities, including university and other exchange programmes;
- Participants in international sports events and persons accompanying them in a professional capacity;
- Members of official delegations who, following an official invitation, shall participate regularly in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programmes, as well as in events held in the territory of the Member States by intergovernmental organizations;
- Business people and representatives of business organizations;
The persons from this category shall be issued multiple-entry visas with the term of validity of a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 5 years provided that during the previous 2 years they have made use of the one year multiple-entry visas in accordance with the laws on entry and stay of the visited State. The agreement envisages visa issuance for citizens of European Union and the Republic of Azerbaijan for the period of stay that doesn’t exceed 90 days per period of 180 days. Visas are issued for these persons according to the simplified procedure in case that they travel not for the purpose of journey but related to their professions or with valid reasons (that is treatment or participation.
2) Fees for processing visa applications
The fee for processing visa applications shall amount to EUR 35. If the member states cooperate with external service providers in the issuance of visas, these companies may demand additional fees for services. In these cases, the amount of payment for services shall not exceed EUR 30.
Fees for processing the visa application are waived for the following categories of persons:
- Close relatives - spouses, children under 21 years of age, parents, grandparents and grandchildren of citizens legally residing in the territory of the Member States;
- Members of official delegations;
- pupils, students, post-graduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake trips for the purposes of study or educational training, including in the framework of exchange programmes as well as other school related activities;
- Persons with disabilities and persons accompanying them, if necessary;
- Participants in international sports events and persons accompanying them in a professional capacity;
- Persons participating in scientific, cultural and artistic activities, including university and other exchange programmes;
- Persons who have presented documents proving the necessity of their travel on humanitarian grounds, including to receive urgent medical treatment and the person accompanying such person, or to attend a funeral of a close relative, or to visit a seriously ill close relative;
- Representatives of civil society organizations when undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, including in the framework of exchange programmes;
- Pensioners;
- Children under the age of 12;
- Journalists and technical crew accompanying them in a professional capacity;
3) Length of procedures for processing visa applications
Azerbaijan shall take a decision on the request to issue a visa within 10 calendar days. The period of time for taking a decision on a visa application may be extended up to 30 calendar days in individual cases, notably when further scrutiny of the application is needed.
4) Diplomatic passport holders
Persons who are holders of valid diplomatic passports may enter, leave and transit through the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan or the member states without visas. The provisions of this Agreement do not apply to the EU member states - Denmark, Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland that have signed the Schengen Agreement.
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