Baku: Azerbaijan is set to expand its visa-free travel regime to include citizens of 34 countries in an effort to promote inbound tourism. According to Azeri-Press News Agency, this initiative is part of the 'State Program on the Development of Tourism in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026-2030,' which was approved by a Presidential Order on August 20, 2026.

The Action Plan outlines that both unilateral and reciprocal visa-free travel arrangements will be pursued for citizens of target tourism countries holding ordinary passports. Initially, the plan aims to establish a visa-free regime with 28 countries, with a final target of extending this to 34 countries by the end of the program.

The implementation of this measure is scheduled for the period from 2026 to 2030, with the Cabinet of Ministers serving as the primary implementing body. Other key agencies involved include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Tourism Agency, State Migration Service, State Security Service, State Border Service, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Ministry of Economy.

In addition to easing visa policies, the State Program also focuses on enhancing the procedures for issuing multiple-entry electronic visas and increasing the number of countries eligible for electronic visa and visa-on-arrival regimes. Updates to the 'ASAN Visa' system are planned to facilitate the issuance of multiple-entry electronic visas.

Furthermore, the plan includes identifying new countries for the electronic visa regime, considering an indefinite application of the visa-on-arrival regime, and enabling citizens of newly designated countries to obtain electronic visas. Implementation of these measures is scheduled for 2026-2027.