On-arrival visas granted for F1 Grand Prix spectators in Baku

Azerbaijan’s president has issued a decree allowing foreign nationals and stateless persons to obtain visas on arrival at international airports between 25 August and 30 September 2026 if they hold a Formula 1 Grand Prix Baku ticket or accreditation—regardless of nationality.

What the decree says

The decree is concise, covering four key points. The first clarifies that foreign nationals and stateless persons entering Azerbaijan for the 2026 Grand Prix may receive a visa on arrival at the country’s international airports between 25 August and 30 September 2026, provided they present one of the documents listed in the next point.

The second point specifies the closed list of acceptable documents. Three mutually exclusive options apply:

• an accreditation card, or equivalent document issued under the rules of Formula One Management Limited or the Fédération internationale de l'automobile (FIA);

• an accreditation card issued by the operator of the Baku City Circuit;

• a ticket for the 2026 Formula 1 Grand Prix Baku, including an e-ticket, or a document confirming purchase of such a ticket.

The third point instructs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform Formula One Management, the FIA, the International Air Transport Association, and relevant foreign-country authorities, then publish the information on its website and those of Azerbaijani embassies and consulates.

The fourth assigns the State Migration Service to brief airlines serving Azerbaijan. That step matters: the airline decides at check-in whether a passenger without a visa can board.

An exceptional but conditional arrangement

Outside this event window, Azerbaijan’s on-arrival visa is narrowly granted. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists only 11 nationalities who qualify for a 30-day visa on arrival: citizens of Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Japan, Indonesia, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Israel.

Other exceptions exist—holders of a Gulf-state residence permit valid for over six months, holders of a six-month-plus UAE residency visa, U.S. travellers on direct New York-Baku flights, or nationals of countries linked to Azerbaijan by a direct airline route but lacking an accredited Azerbaijani embassy or consulate.

For the five weeks governed by the decree, a Formula 1 ticket or accreditation gives a Cameroonian, Vietnamese, Brazilian or Moroccan visitor the same airport visa facility.

Without a ticket or accreditation, ASAN Visa remains the default route

The decree does not replace the ordinary regime. Travellers heading to Baku for any other purpose—or hoping to follow the race without a ticket—must still apply for a visa before departure.

The usual channel is the ASAN Visa system run by the State Agency for Public Services and Social Innovations. An e-visa for a single entry, issued within three working days, permits a stay of up to 30 days; a multi-entry e-visa allows up to 90 days. A three-hour fast-track service operates even on weekends and public holidays.

Important caveat: only nationals of countries appearing on an Azerbaijani government list can apply for the single-entry e-visa. Those from other countries must apply through an embassy or consulate.

The state fee is 20 USD €17.42 for a single-entry visa and 350 USD for a multi-entry visa. The Ministry notes that the fee is non-refundable even if the application is refused, and group bookings are charged per person.