Travel Report for Azerbaijan

Country Profile for
Azerbaijan

TRAVEL REPORTS:

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TRAVEL REPORT

Last Updated: November 15, 2006 16:19 EST
Still Valid: December 8, 2006 22:04 EST

Azerbaijan

1.	INTRODUCTION
2.	ATTENTION
3.	SAFETY AND SECURITY
4.	LOCAL TRAVEL
5.	NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
6.	LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
7.	ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
8.	ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
9.	MONEY

10.	GENERAL INFORMATION
11.	TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
12.	ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
13.	RETURNING TO CANADA
14.	INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
15.	TRAVEL TIPS
16.	HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
17.	FOR MORE INFORMATION
18.	ANNEX

1. INTRODUCTION

The level of Travel Warning in this report has not changed. Section 7 has been updated.

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2. ATTENTION

See our Current Issues page for information on Avian Influenza.

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the region(s) specified below. (IDW5)

You are advised against all travel to Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas due to heightened tensions resulting from the political situation. The border with Armenia is closed because of the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. A cease-fire has been in effect since May 1994, however armed clashes along the border and cease-fire line continue. Travel to certain areas of the country is restricted. Visitors should not attempt to enter or leave Azerbaijan via land borders with Russia (i.e., Dagestan) or Armenia. The conflict zones are heavily mined, and civilians are regularly maimed or killed by unmarked mines. It is not possible to enter the self-proclaimed "Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh" from Azerbaijan. Moreover, the Government of Canada does not recognize the sovereignty of Nagorno-Karabakh and is extremely limited in its ability to provide consular assistance to Canadians there.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Canadians who choose to travel to the region(s) specified despite this warning should register with the responsible Canadian government office in this country. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form. Canadians visiting other areas of the country for three months or more should also register. Canadians visiting for less than three months are strongly advised to: (a) leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact information with family or friends in Canada; (b) provide family with the emergency number for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (1 800 267-6788 or 613-944-6788); and (c) keep the phone number of the responsible Canadian government office on hand (see Section 7 below).

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

Most Canadian visitors to Azerbaijan do not experience problems. The rate of violent crime is low. Street crime, such as pick-pocketing, and attacks on foreigners, occur. Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings of a political nature. Ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure. Do not show signs of affluence. Avoid walking alone after dark. Use only officially marked taxis and do not share them with strangers. Dial 02 for police, 01 for the fire department, and 03 for emergency services. Canadians should carry identification at all times.

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4. LOCAL TRAVEL

Public transportation is poorly maintained, often overcrowded, and unsafe, especially outside of Baku. Avoid the Baku metro, especially after dark. Avoid long-distance travel by train. If it is necessary to travel by train, store personal belongings in a safe place and do not leave the compartment unattended. Ensure the door is secured from the inside. Domestic air travel is not recommended due to insufficient airplane safety checks, delays, and flight cancellations. Flights are often overcrowded, and some passengers remain standing in the aisle. Airplane seatbelts are sometimes missing. Reputable international carriers are more reliable.

Drive defensively, as traffic accidents are a common cause of death and injury. Poor driving standards, badly maintained cars, inadequate road signals, hazardous road conditions, and insufficient lighting make highway travel dangerous.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.

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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Azerbaijan is subject to periods of drought. It is located in an active seismic zone. Canadians should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Ankara, Turkey (see Section 7 below), in the event of an emergency.

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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Azerbaijan are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Azerbaijan to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Azerbaijani authorities.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.

The penalty for drug offences is strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

There is zero tolerance for drinking and driving.

While Azerbaijan is a secular state, Islamic practices and beliefs are closely adhered to in many parts of the country. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour to avoid offending local sensitivities. Women should avoid clothing that could be construed as revealing, particularly when travelling outside of major cities.

Photographing or visiting military depots or equipment can lead to arrest.

Customs authorities may strictly enforce regulations concerning the import or export of such items as firearms, religious materials, objects of art and antiquities.

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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD

There is no Canadian consular service in Azerbaijan. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Turkey - ANKARA, Embassy of Canada
Address: Cinnah Caddesi No. 58, Çankaya 06690, Ankara, Turkey
Tel.: 90 (312) 409-2700
Fax: 90 (312) 409-2712
E-mail: ankra@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/ankara

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Ankara and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Azerbaijani authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on April 6, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.

It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Azerbaijan. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa. Transit or short-stay visas, valid for up to 30 days, are available upon arrival at the international airport in Baku. However, to avoid complications upon arrival, Canadians are advised to obtain visas from the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, by mail or in person, prior to departure. Double-entry and multiple-entry visas are only available through an Azerbaijani embassy. To obtain a visa, you will require a letter of invitation from a contact in Azerbaijan, such as an employer or educational institution. Holders of valid visas should be able to cross the land borders with Georgia and Iran.

Register with police upon arrival if you plan to stay for more than 30 days and ensure that they stamp your passport.

Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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9. MONEY

The economy is cash-based. The currency is the Azerbaijani manat (AZM). Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not accepted, and U.S. dollar travellers’ cheques are not widely accepted. Arrive with cash in U.S. dollars. Torn dollar bills are not easily exchangeable; all notes should be in pristine condition. Visitors must declare foreign currency upon entry and cannot leave with more than was brought in. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels, some restaurants, and all banks in Baku. It is essential to carry local or US currency outside of Baku, as few establishments accept credit cards. Several ATMs in Baku dispense both U.S. dollars and Azerbaijani manat.

Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. GENERAL INFORMATION

Azerbaijan (capital: Baku) is located in the South Caucasus and borders the Caspian Sea, Iran, Armenia, Georgia, and the Russian Federation. The Nakhichevan enclave is bordered by Armenia, Turkey, and Iran. Tourist facilities are limited, except in some areas, such as downtown Baku, Kuba, Lenkoran, and the Apsheron Peninsula on the coast of the Caspian Sea. The official language is Azeri/Azerbaijani; Russian is widely spoken. English is spoken at major hotels in Baku.

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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site. For more information, see our Current Issues on Avian Influenza.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Consumption of untreated water and water-based foods greatly increases your chance of illness. Do not drink tap water. Travellers should drink only bottled water, peel all fruits and vegetables, and avoid undercooked meat, dairy products, and most food sold in the streets.

It is best to avoid older medical clinics dating from the Soviet era, as they often lack basic drugs and equipment and have poor hygiene standards. Medical facilities outside Baku are very limited. Check with local authorities for a list of "Western-type" medical clinics recently opened in Baku.

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13. RETURNING TO CANADA

Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.

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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS

Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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15. TRAVEL TIPS

Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.

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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION

N/A

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18. ANNEX

N/A

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