Travel advice for Azerbaijan

Reconsider travel to Azerbaijan due to terrorism, armed conflict and landmines. Iranian drone and missile attacks have disrupted flights, and terrorists may strike with little warning. Do not travel to the southern border region due to armed conflict, unless it is the best overland exit from Iran. Do not travel to the Armenia border, Aghdam, Aghdara, Fuzuli, Gubadli, Jabrayil, Kalbajar, Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavend, Lachin, Shusha and Zangilan due to landmines.

Germany advises a high degree of caution for Azerbaijan, and avoiding all travel for parts of it.

Travel to Azerbaijan with increased caution, but avoid travel to the territories recaptured in 2020 and autumn 2023, the seven adjacent regions recovered during the 2020 Karabakh war, and the entire border area between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Travel to these areas is not recommended. The seven regions are Kelbajar, Lachin, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Jebrail, Zangilan and Gubadly.

Evacuate and do not travel to the Armenia border area because clashes between the two countries’ forces continue. Do not travel to Nagorno Karabakh and surrounding areas because sporadic ceasefire violations and mines cause deaths and injuries, and access is strictly controlled. Avoid non-essential travel to specified parts of Goranboy, Barda, Aghjabadi, Tertel, Agdam, Hojavend, Fuzuli and Jebrayil districts while unexploded ordnance remains unconfirmed. Elsewhere, including Baku, take precautions against ordinary crime.

Avoid all travel to the Karabakh region and surrounding districts and to the Azerbaijan-Armenia border area because shelling may occur, Karabakh access requires Azerbaijani permission, and unexploded ammunition and mines are present. The rest of Azerbaijan is yellow, with some terrorism risk but discrimination and aggression, especially outside Baku. Avoid demonstrations, prepare for earthquakes and sudden mountain weather, and observe strict rules on drugs and photography.

Avoid all but essential travel to parts of Azerbaijan and avoid all travel to other parts. The border with Iran is closed, but British nationals may cross at Astara only with special authorisation and confirmation. Leaving Iran is at the traveller's own risk because British passport holders may be detained, while land and sea entry is restricted. Previous unauthorised visits to southwestern Azerbaijan, including Khankendi, may result in denied entry.

Australia advises a high degree of caution for Azerbaijan.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Azerbaijan because of terrorism and possible missile or drone strikes during regional military activity. Avoid all travel to western districts because unexploded ordnance remains, and avoid the area within 1 km of the Armenia border, except the Armenia border with Nakhchivan, where caution is advised. The Astara crossing with Iran is closed, and consular services in western and border areas are extremely limited.

Avoid areas within 5 kilometres of Armenia's border and the entire former conflict zone, including the former Nagorno-Karabakh autonomous region. These areas contain anti-tank and anti-personnel mines and unexploded ordnance, while direct land travel between Armenia and Azerbaijan is impossible. Outside these areas, movement is generally unrestricted except in some protected natural areas; follow safety instructions. Photographing strategic mining and processing facilities, oil and gas pipelines may lead to detention.

Exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to Azerbaijan, and avoid large demonstrations and public gatherings, especially in Baku, where opposition rallies have sometimes involved violence. Do not travel within 5 km of Armenia's border or to some south-western areas, including districts in and around Nagorno-Karabakh. These areas have a strong military presence, require Azerbaijani permission for access, and contain unexploded weapons and landmines.

Exercise increased caution in Azerbaijan. Avoid travel to Nagorno-Karabakh and the entire Armenia border, including the Nakhchivan-Armenia border, because of landmines, explosive devices and unexploded ordnance. Travel and movement are discouraged in Nakhchivan; access is strictly controlled, permits are required for Nagorno-Karabakh, and most crossings are closed to foreigners. Fighting may disrupt flights or close airspace; avoid demonstrations, going out alone at night, and keep valuables secure.

Use normal precautions across most of Azerbaijan, where security is good, and avoid demonstrations. Exercise heightened caution in Karabakh, the Armenian border area, and Nakhchivan, where incidents or escalation remain possible, especially along former contact lines. Landmines and unexploded ordnance are a serious danger, while volatility may disrupt flights. Nakhchivan is isolated and consular assistance is limited; if air services stop, travellers should be prepared to leave overland via Turkey.

Exercise normal precautions when travelling to Azerbaijan, but avoid all travel to Kelbajar and other affected districts and Khankendi, where landmines and unexploded ordnance remain and access is restricted. Avoid both Armenia borders because hostilities may resume. Prior Nagorno Karabakh visitors who entered from Armenia without permission may face prosecution. Land and sea entry is closed, and Belgians cannot currently use the Tbilisi Baku train.

Avoid travelling independently to the Karabakh region and surrounding districts, and to areas near the separation line between Azerbaijan and Armenia, because landmines remain a high risk. Travel there only after coordinating in advance with Azerbaijani authorities. Azerbaijan may refuse an entry visa or entry to people who visited the conflict zone from 1988 to 2023 without Azerbaijani permission.

Hong Kong advises normal precautions for Azerbaijan.

Avoid travel to the Nagorno-Karabakh region and surrounding areas because the security situation is unpredictable and tensions continue along the Azerbaijan-Armenia border. Elsewhere in Azerbaijan, Singapore advises travellers to carry valid travel documents, respect local sensitivities at religious sites, and note that drug offences can bring long prison sentences and heavy fines.