Almost everyone in Azerbaijan knows the answer to «do I need a Georgia visa»: you do not. What far fewer people know is that Georgia gives citizens of Azerbaijan much more than the 90 days written into the bilateral agreement — a full year without a visa. That is the longest stay available on an Azerbaijani passport anywhere in the world.
This article covers the terms of the one-year regime, what to expect at the land crossings, the train and bus options, and the single rule that can close Georgia’s door to you: the Abkhazia question.
Do you need a Georgia visa?
No. Under a decision of the Georgian government, citizens of Azerbaijan may stay in the country for up to one continuous year without a visa. This is Georgia’s own unilateral decision and it goes well beyond the 90 days set out in the bilateral agreement. Tourism, family visits, business meetings and long stays for remote workers all fall within it. The official list is published on Georgia’s official tourism portal.
| Visa required? | No |
| How long can you stay? | Up to 1 continuous year |
| Document | A valid passport |
| Land borders | Red Bridge, Balakan–Lagodekhi and other crossings, open 24 hours |
| Train | The Baku–Tbilisi night train |
| Flights | AZAL Baku–Tbilisi daily, 1 hour |
| The rule that matters most | Anyone who has entered Abkhazia or South Ossetia from the Russian side is refused entry to Georgia |
The one rule that closes the border
Under Georgian law Abkhazia and South Ossetia are occupied territory, and entering them from the Russian side counts as illegal entry into Georgia. If your passport carries a trace of such a visit, or the border officer establishes it some other way, you will not be let into Georgia and criminal proceedings are possible. Be wary of agencies offering tourist trips to Abkhazia from Russia: they shut the Georgian door behind you.
How to get from Baku to Georgia
Georgia offers more ways out of Baku than any other country, and each has its own advantage.
- Plane. AZAL flies Baku–Tbilisi every day; the flight takes an hour. Direct summer flights to Batumi open as well.
- Train. The Baku–Tbilisi night train leaves in the evening and arrives in the morning. Border checks happen on board, which makes it one of the most comfortable options.
- Car. The Red Bridge crossing is about five hours from Baku and works around the clock. Balakan–Lagodekhi suits anyone coming from the Sheki–Zaqatala side. If you drive, bring the car’s documents and green-card insurance.
- Bus. Daily buses run from Baku to Tbilisi; this is the cheapest option.
In summer, Baku–Batumi fares run higher than the Tbilisi flights, so flying to Tbilisi and taking the five-hour train on to Batumi is sometimes the better deal.
Read next: Do you need a visa for Albania? A full guide for citizens of Azerbaijan
What do they ask at the border?
In practice, only for your passport. The Georgian border moves quickly for citizens of Azerbaijan: you get a stamp and the permitted stay is automatically set at one year. In theory you could be asked for a return ticket and the address where you will be staying, but that is rare. Your passport has to cover the length of the trip; there is no six-month validity requirement, though a newer passport still makes life easier.
For those staying a long time
The one-year regime suits remote workers and anyone who wants to live in Georgia for a while: there is no registration requirement, and opening a bank account or renting a flat is straightforward. But working officially, drawing a salary from a company you have set up, or studying all require a residence permit. When the year is up, leaving and re-entering resets the clock — although border officers do ask questions of people who do this too often.
Worth knowing before you go
- Money. The lari. You can change manat in Tbilisi, but dollars are easier. Cards work everywhere.
- Insurance. Not required, but sensible for mountain and ski trips.
- Crossing by car. If you are not the registered owner, a notarised power of attorney is required at the border.
- Season. June to September for Batumi, December to March for the Gudauri ski resort, May and October for Tbilisi and Kakheti.
In winter, a tour of Georgia to the Bakuriani and Gudauri ski resorts costs a fraction of the Alps, and with no visa to arrange you can plan it a week ahead.
Frequently asked questions about travel to Georgia
Can you cross into Georgia on an ID card?
It is allowed in some cases, but in practice a passport is expected and airlines accept nothing else. Travel on your passport.
Can you continue from Georgia into Turkey?
Yes. From Batumi you can cross into Turkey by land at Sarp, and Turkey also admits citizens of Azerbaijan without a visa. It is the cheapest overland route from Baku to Turkey.
Do children need extra documents?
A child needs their own passport. When travelling with one parent, the other parent’s notarised consent may be requested on the way out of Azerbaijan.
In closing
No Georgia visa is needed, you may stay a year, and there are four different ways to get there from Baku. The only thing to keep in mind is the Abkhazia rule. The Viza.az team helps with tickets and hotel bookings and arranges ski and beach tours.
Read more about Georgia as a destination, or fill in the application form.
Note: the information here is accurate as of the publication date. A visa-free regime can be changed unilaterally, so check the official sources again before you travel.
