Key takeaway
Polish passport holders can apply for an Azerbaijan e-Visa entirely online. This guide covers every required document, photo spec, and form field so you can submit right the first time.
Who Qualifies: Azerbaijan E-Visa Eligibility for Poland Passport Holders
Poland is on Azerbaijan's list of visa-exempt nationalities — but that exemption only applies to diplomatic and service passports. If you hold a Polish ordinary passport, you must obtain a visa before arrival. The good news is you can do it entirely online through the Azerbaijan e-Visa system without visiting an embassy or consulate.
To qualify for an Azerbaijan e-Visa as a Poland citizen, you need to:
- Hold a valid Polish ordinary passport
- Plan to enter Azerbaijan for tourism, business, or transit purposes
- Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your intended entry date
- Apply before you travel — e-Visas cannot be issued on arrival at Baku Airport
If your trip falls outside standard tourist or business purposes, check whether a different visa category applies before starting the e-Visa application.
Document Checklist: What to Gather Before You Start
Gather every item on this list before you open the application. Having documents ready prevents mid-form pauses that can cause timeouts or data entry errors.
1. Valid Polish Passport
Your passport is the most critical item. The e-Visa system links your application directly to your passport data, so any mismatch between the application and the actual document causes rejection.
Requirements:
- Passport type: Ordinary passport (the standard burgundy booklet most Polish citizens hold)
- Validity: Must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you plan to enter Azerbaijan
- Blank pages: At least two pages free for entry stamps
- Passport number: Enter the number exactly as printed — include no spaces, hyphens, or leading zeros
2. Digital Passport Photo
A recent photograph is required. The e-Visa portal uses facial recognition to verify your identity against your passport, so the photo must meet specific technical criteria.
Photo requirements:
- Format: JPEG or PNG
- Size: Between 30 KB and 7 MB
- Dimensions: Minimum 600 × 600 pixels
- Background: Plain light-coloured wall — no patterns, shadows, or objects
- Face: Full face, front-facing, neutral expression, eyes open
- Headwear: Remove hats, scarves, and headphones unless worn daily for religious reasons — in which case your full face must still be clearly visible
- Age: Must have been taken within the last 6 months
Avoid scanning your existing passport photo. Use a smartphone camera against a plain wall in good lighting. Many applications are rejected because of poor-quality scanned images rather than any issue with the applicant.
3. Proof of Accommodation (Not Always Required, But Recommended)
The e-Visa form asks about your accommodation in Azerbaijan. While not always enforced for Polish applicants, having a hotel booking confirmation or a host's address ready speeds up the process.
If you are staying with friends or family, the address of their residence is sufficient — you do not need a formal invitation letter.
4. Return or Onward Travel Booking
Azerbaijan's border control may ask to see evidence of your departure from the country. While not a strict e-Visa requirement, having a confirmed return flight or onward ticket helps avoid questions at the border.
5. Credit or Debit Card for Payment
The e-Visa fee is paid online during the application. The portal accepts most major cards. Keep your card details accessible when you reach the payment step.
Step-by-Step Form Guide: Field-by-Field Breakdown
The Azerbaijan e-Visa application is a single-page form split into five sections. Here is what each section asks for, with common mistakes flagged.
Section 1: Personal Details
- Full name as in passport: Enter exactly as it appears on the biographical page of your Polish passport. If your passport has a middle name, include it. Do not use nicknames or shortened versions.
- Date of birth: Use DD.MM.YYYY format.
- Place of birth: Enter the city as written on your passport — not a translation.
- Nationality: Select "Poland" from the dropdown. The system pre-fills this for Polish IP addresses, but verify it before proceeding.
- Passport number: Enter all digits and letters. Polish passport numbers contain two letters followed by seven digits (e.g., AB1234567).
- Passport issue date and expiry date: Check your passport's data page carefully. The system will reject passports expiring within 6 months of your intended entry.
- Passport issuing authority: Type the exact authority name as printed — for most Polish citizens, this is "REPUBLIKA POLSKA" or the specific voivodeship office.
Section 2: Contact Information
- Email address: Use an address you check regularly. Your e-Visa will be sent here as a PDF attachment.
- Phone number: Include your Polish mobile number with the country code (+48). The system may send an SMS confirmation.
- Residential address: Your current address in Poland — this does not need to match your registered address on the passport.
Section 3: Travel Details
- Purpose of visit: Choose from tourism, business, or transit. This determines the e-Visa duration and number of entries.
- Intended date of arrival: You can select a date up to 90 days in the future. The e-Visa becomes valid from this date.
- Intended length of stay: Single-entry e-Visas are typically valid for 30 days. State your planned number of days.
- Port of entry: Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) is the most common. The e-Visa is also valid at land borders.
Section 4: Accommodation
- Hotel name or host address: Enter the address of where you will stay. If you have multiple stays, enter the address of your first accommodation.
- City and postal code: Provide the Azerbaijan city and its postal code.
Section 5: Declaration
A standard declaration confirming the accuracy of your information. Read each statement and check the confirmation box to proceed.
Photo and Document Tips: Avoiding Common Rejections
Even applicants with valid documents get rejected over preventable photo and data issues. Here is how to avoid the most common problems.
Photo Rejections
The two biggest reasons for photo rejection are poor lighting and incorrect background. To avoid this:
- Photograph yourself against a plain white or light-grey wall — no texture, no windows, no artwork visible behind you.
- Use natural light from a window in front of you, not behind. Harsh overhead lighting creates shadows on your face and around your neck.
- Keep your expression neutral and your face fully visible.
- Do not wear headphones or earbuds.
- Test your photo using the portal's preview tool before submitting if the system offers one.
Passport Data Errors
Before submitting, cross-check every passport field against your actual document. Common errors include:
- Confusing the letter O with the digit 0 in passport numbers
- Entering the issue date in the expiry date field (or vice versa)
- Missing the hyphen in voivodeship names on older passports
- Typing your mother's maiden name or other secondary data not required by the form
The system does not auto-save. If your session times out mid-form, your data may be lost. Complete the form in one sitting or copy your answers into a separate text file before starting.
After You Apply: What Happens Next
Once you submit and the payment processes, you receive a confirmation email with an application reference number. Keep this number — you will need it to check your status and retrieve your e-Visa.
Processing Tiers
| Tier | Processing Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Up to 3 business days | Travellers with flexible itineraries |
| Urgent | 3–6 hours | Business visitors on short notice |
| Super-fast | 1–3 hours | Last-minute travellers |
Fees vary by tier and are displayed on the payment screen before you confirm. [Verify current fees with the team] for the tier that matches your departure timeline.
Receiving Your E-Visa
The approved e-Visa arrives as a PDF attached to an email. Download it to your phone and print a physical copy as a backup. Present both the printed copy and the digital copy on your phone to the airline check-in staff and again to Azerbaijan border control.
Border control officers may scan your passport and compare it against the e-Visa. The data must match exactly — including spelling, passport number, and dates. Any discrepancy can result in denial of entry, even with a valid e-Visa.
Entry Rules
Your e-Visa permits a stay of up to 30 days from the date of arrival. Overstaying without an extension can result in fines or future travel restrictions. If you need to stay longer, contact the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan before your current stay expires.
FAQ
How long does it take to get an Azerbaijan e-Visa as a Polish citizen? Standard processing takes up to 3 business days. If you choose the urgent tier, your e-Visa is ready within 3–6 hours. The super-fast tier delivers a decision in 1–3 hours. Apply as early as possible to keep your options open.
Does my Polish passport need to be valid for a certain period before I travel to Azerbaijan? Yes. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you plan to enter Azerbaijan. It also needs two blank pages for entry stamps.
I have dual nationality — one of them is Polish. Which passport should I use for the e-Visa? Use the passport you will present at the Azerbaijan border. If you hold an Azerbaijani passport as well, you may not need an e-Visa at all. Check with the Azerbaijan border authority or your travel advisor before applying.
What payment methods are accepted for the e-Visa fee? Most major credit and debit cards are accepted through the secure payment portal. Some local Polish banks may flag the transaction — if payment fails, try a different card or contact your bank to authorise the international charge.
Can I use an Azerbaijan e-Visa for business meetings in Baku? Yes. The e-Visa covers business visits including conferences, negotiations, and short-term assignments. For long-term employment or extended business activities, a different visa category through the embassy may be required.
What happens if my application is rejected? Rejections usually result from photo quality issues, passport validity problems, or data mismatches. If you receive a rejection, correct the specific issue flagged and resubmit. The rejection is not permanent, and a new fee applies to each new application.
Key Takeaways
- Polish ordinary passport holders must apply for an e-Visa — diplomatic and service passport holders may be exempt.
- Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity and two blank pages when you enter Azerbaijan.
- A properly lit, correctly sized digital photo is one of the most common rejection points — take two minutes to get it right.
- Enter every form field exactly as printed on your passport's biographical page; the system does not tolerate mismatches.
- Choose your processing tier based on your departure date: standard covers most travellers, but urgent and super-fast options exist for tight schedules.
Apply for your Azerbaijan e-Visa at azerbaijan-visa.com and use the checklist above to submit complete, accurate information the first time.
Azerbaijan Visa Editorial
Writes about Azerbaijan eVisa requirements, traveler tips, and fastest processing routes for visa applicants.
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