Azerbaijan Announces Visa Waiver for Travelers from South Korea

On June 17, 2026, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov welcomed a delegation led by South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Eui-hae in Baku. Following the meeting, the Azerbaijani government announced a significant easing of travel restrictions: Holders of South Korean passports will be able to enter Azerbaijan visa-free in the future. The planned exemption is to apply to all types of passports issued by the Republic of Korea.

The announcement comes at a time when Azerbaijan and South Korea are seeking to deepen their cooperation in numerous areas—including tourism, trade, investment, transportation, energy, digital development, and education. Until now, South Korean travelers were among the nationals who required an electronic visa to enter Azerbaijan. With the announced visa waiver, this requirement would be eliminated in the future, which is expected to significantly simplify entry for tourists, business travelers, and participants in institutional and academic exchange programs.

For travelers who currently still need a visa for Azerbaijan, applying online remains the standard procedure until the new regulation is officially implemented. Anyone planning a trip should find out about the appropriate visa type well in advance—such as the e-visa for Azerbaijan for shorter tourist or business stays. Depending on the purpose of the trip, other categories may also be applicable, such as a tourist visa for Azerbaijan or a business visa for Azerbaijan, in cases where the visa-free regulation has not yet taken effect or certain exceptions apply.

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs justifies the measure as an effort to expand tourism cooperation and strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries. At the same time, the announcement aligns with Baku’s efforts to consolidate its position as a regional hub between Europe and Asia—particularly within the framework of the so-called “Middle Corridor,” a transport and connectivity route that Azerbaijan is increasingly promoting.

The meeting between the two delegations went beyond the topic of travel facilitation. They also discussed trade, investment, digital transformation, high technology, education, transportation, and energy security. This broad agenda suggests that the visa waiver is part of a broader strategic rapprochement between Baku and Seoul that extends beyond mere tourism.

For travelers currently planning a trip to Azerbaijan, it is still advisable to carefully review the current entry requirements as long as the new regulation has not yet been officially implemented. If you need assistance selecting the appropriate visa type and completing the application, you’ll find all relevant information on deadlines, requirements, and costs in our visa overview for Azerbaijan.