Published: July 21, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Azerbaijan Travel Advisory and Azerbaijan Country Information Page.
Embassy Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Baku
111 Azadliq Prospekt, Baku 1007.
Tel: +994-12-488-3300; After-Hours Emergencies: +994-12-488-3333.
Hours: Monday–Friday, 0830-1730.
OSAC Country Chapter
The Country Chapter in Baku meets annually. Contact OSAC’s Europe Team with any questions.
Azerbaijan Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise increased caution in Azerbaijan due to terrorism concerns and areas of armed conflict. Some areas have increased risk.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Baku as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Azerbaijan.
Criminal acts committed against foreigners are infrequent in Baku. Most reported crimes involve Azerbaijani citizen victims, with burglary and assault being the most common. Late-night targeted attacks against lone men are the most common crimes perpetrated against foreigners. Petty thefts (pickpocketing), while not common, sometimes affect foreigners in Baku. Expatriates are at greater risk of being victims of petty crime in areas that attract large crowds or are very isolated.
Financial scams are increasingly common. While most Internet-based scams involve Internet dating, there have been complaints regarding fraudulent real estate sales, licensing requirements, and travel advertisements. Azerbaijan is traditionally a cash society; however, the introduction of credit/bank cards has given rise to burgeoning crime related to their use.
Crime related to credit card use tends to involve end-point user fraud, as opposed to more sophisticated uses of skimmers or card cloning devices. To help protect against credit card fraud, notify your bank and credit card company with the dates and locations of travel, and monitor accounts closely once you have returned from travel. Credit cards typically have more protection than bank debit cards. Avoid using debit cards tied directly to checking or savings accounts.
Expatriates are at greater risk of being victims of petty crime in areas that attract large crowds or are very isolated.
Some women have reported incidents of unwanted male attention while walking alone and taking taxis. Sexual assault may be underreported due to cultural stigma.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Azerbaijan.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Baku as being a HIGH-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Azerbaijan.
Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking soft targets and may attack with little or no warning. They may target high-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.); hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists; places of worship; schools; parks; tourism infrastructure; shopping malls and markets; and public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights).
Azerbaijan maintains strong counterterrorism cooperation with the U.S., and actively opposes terrorist organizations seeking to move people, money, and materiel through the Caucasus region. The country remains focused on counterterrorism efforts to include prosecuting individuals under statutes related to terrorism, arresting foreign terrorist fighters returning to Azerbaijan from conflicts abroad, and conducting special operations against those the government suspected were planning terror attacks.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Baku as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Azerbaijan. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
The political situation in Baku is stable. The election observation mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe concluded that the 2024 early presidential election took place within a restrictive environment, which prevented genuine competition.
The Azerbaijani government reclaimed the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh during Fall 2023. The area is still heavily militarized and movement in the region is restricted. Hostilities have officially ceased, however, the dangers posed by landmine contamination continue.
Avoid travel near and exercise caution near the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Roads near the returned territories may be controlled by checkpoints or closed to travelers without notice. The U.S. Government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in and around Nagorno-Karabakh because Azerbaijan restricts access to the region.
Protests & Demonstrations
Public demonstrations are not permitted. Non-political gatherings are also de facto prohibited. Demonstrations are rare but may be suppressed with force when they occur. The authorities may impose high fines on those found guilty of unauthorized protesting or gathering, sentence them to administrative detention, or criminally prosecute them.
Those who openly question government policy or criticize Azerbaijan’s leadership, including the political opposition, journalists and civil society, are routinely harassed, intimidated and sometimes incarcerated for expressing their views. Even small, peaceful demonstrations are routinely broken up by police. Many activists have left the country because of a well-founded fear for their life. Avoid demonstrations because of the risk of escalation instigated by hostile elements and agitators.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
U.S. nationals of Armenian descent may encounter anti-Armenian sentiments. Even if issued a visa, authorities could deny them entry into Azerbaijan.
Law Enforcement
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Security Service are responsible for security within the country and report directly to the president. The Ministry of Internal Affairs oversees local police forces and maintains internal civil defense troops. The State Security Service is responsible for domestic matters, and the Foreign Intelligence Service focuses on foreign intelligence and counterintelligence matters. The State Migration Service and the State Border Service are responsible for migration and border enforcement. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. There were reports that members of security forces committed numerous abuses.
Police Response
The police presence in Baku is significant, but most officers have little experience in dealing with Westerners; the number of English-speaking police officers is low. Outside the capital and in rural areas, the lack of English is more pronounced. The level of police training and response varies among regions and units. Azerbaijani police response times are variable.
The emergency line for the police in Azerbaijan is 102. Request an English-speaking operator, a service that should be available 24 hours a day.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Azerbaijan, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Azerbaijan.
Be aware of ongoing human rights concerns in Azerbaijan, including reports of arbitrary arrests, restrictions on freedom of expression, and mistreatment of detainees. Journalists and activists may face harassment and imprisonment. Stay informed about local laws and respect local customs to avoid any legal issues. Individuals can be legally detained for up to four days before being charged. Depending on the charges, they may remain in detention for up to 19 months during a pre-trial investigation.
The constitution and law prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention and provide for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of his or her arrest or detention in court. The government generally observes these requirements.
Officials sometimes engaged in corrupt practices, and polling data consistently showed the majority of the public believed corruption was widespread, officials were rarely held accountable, investigation and prosecution of corruption cases were slow, and penalties were mild.
Corruption is a problem. U.S. firms have identified corruption in government procurement, licensing, dispute settlement, regulation, customs, and taxation as significant obstacles to investment.
Cybersecurity
Cybercrimes are not common in Azerbaijan. National law enforcement agencies do not publish these statistics.
Mobile devices can be compromised, stolen, or damaged anywhere in the world. Before traveling abroad, it is best to keep all software (operating system and apps) updated. If possible, use a virtual private network (VPN) and encrypted voice over IP (VoIP) applications. Make sure that all VPN/VoIP are reputable and U.S. based. Download a VPN before arriving in country; Azerbaijani networks often block downloading VPN software or accessing VPN websites. Do not connect to unknown open Wi-Fi.
Import/Export Restrictions
The exportation of any goods deemed “Heritage Items” by the government of Azerbaijan is prohibited. Taking carpets, artwork, and other cultural artifacts out of the country requires an export certificate. Smaller carpets, around prayer rug size, may be excluded from the export restrictions. There are no specific restrictions on the importation and use of satellite phones at this time.
Azerbaijan does not allow the import of drones without prior authorization. Drones brought into the country without authorization are subject to confiscation by customs officials.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
