Unlike Georgia and Armenia, Azerbaijan requires US and UK citizens to get an e-visa in advance, currently costing $29 total ($20 service fee plus $9 consular fee) for a 30-day single-entry visa, applied for online via evisa.gov.az. Standard processing takes about 3 working days, with an urgent 3-hour option available for a higher fee. Beyond the visa step, Azerbaijan pairs a modern, oil-funded capital in Baku with dramatic landscapes — mud volcanoes, mountain villages, and a Caspian Sea coastline — that most visitors haven’t seen elsewhere in the region.
E-visa basics
US and UK citizens need an e-visa to enter Azerbaijan — there is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival option. The e-visa costs $29 total, covers a single entry, and is valid for a 30-day stay. Standard processing is about 3 working days; an urgent service processes applications in around 3 hours for an additional fee. Apply directly through the official government portal, evisa.gov.az, and make sure your passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your visa’s expiry date. For the complete process and requirements, see our dedicated Azerbaijan visa guide.
Currency and costs
Azerbaijan’s currency is the manat (AZN). Baku is noticeably more expensive than Tbilisi or Yerevan for hotels and dining, reflecting its oil-driven economy, though public transport and food outside the capital remain inexpensive. Cards are widely accepted in Baku; carry cash for smaller towns, mud volcano taxis, and local buses.
Getting around Baku
Baku’s metro runs 06:00-00:00 with a fare of 0.60 AZN per ride, paid with a rechargeable BakıKart (3 AZN for the card itself; top-ups are cash only, no credit). For full neighborhood and sightseeing details, see our Baku guide.
FAQ
Do US and UK citizens need a visa for Azerbaijan?
Yes — an e-visa is required in advance, costing $29 total for a 30-day single-entry visa, applied for at evisa.gov.az.
What currency is used in Azerbaijan?
The Azerbaijani manat (AZN). Cards work widely in Baku; carry cash outside the capital.
Is Azerbaijan expensive to visit?
Baku is pricier than Tbilisi or Yerevan for hotels and dining, but regional towns and public transport remain affordable.
Photo: Rufatazizzade, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons