On simplification of visa procedures

On February 10, 2012, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on holding on Eurovision-2012 song contest.

Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the simplification of visa procedures the foreigners and stateless persons visiting the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with holding of Eurovision-2012 song contest.   

The decree reads: “Being guided by the paragraph 32 of Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I hereby decide:

1. The citizens of and the stateless persons residing permanently in the countries participating in the “Eurovision Song Contest-2012”, who visit the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with the Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Baku shall be entitled to obtain a visa at the structural units of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan functioning at the international airports of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 

2. The following documents shall be regarded as a ground for issuing a visa:

An official invitation letter issued by the Organizing Committee of the “Eurovision Song Contest-2012”;

A document confirming the accreditation in accordance with the relevant rules of the European Broadcasting Union; 

A ticket for the “Eurovision Song Contest-2012” or a document confirming the obtaining of a ticket.

3. The persons indicated in the paragraph 1 of the Decree shall be entitled to apply for obtaining a visa within the following time-limits:

The persons visiting the country upon the official invitation letter issued by the Organizing Committee of the “Eurovision Song Contest-2012”, as well as the participants and members of the delegations accredited in accordance with the relevant rules of the European Broadcasting Union – from 15 April till 1 June 2012;

The journalists and members of the fun clubs accredited in accordance with the relevant rules of the European Broadcasting Union, as well as the persons, who obtained tickets for the “Eurovision Song Contest-2012” – from 10 May till 1 June 2012. 

4. The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan:

Shall solve the matters of logistical support of the process of issuing visas at the international airports of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the persons visiting the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with the “Eurovision Song Contest-2012”;

Shall solve the other matters arising from the Decree. 

5. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan:

Shall provide the European Broadcasting Union and the relevant agencies of the foreign countries with the information on simplification of the procedures for issuing visas to the persons visiting the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with the “Eurovision Song Contest-2012”;

Shall ensure that the information on simplification of the procedures for issuing visas to the persons visiting the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with the “Eurovision Song Contest-2012” is posted on the websites of the Ministry, as well as the Embassies and Consulates of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the foreign countries. 

6. The State Migration Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan shall provide the airline companies carrying out flights to the Republic of Azerbaijan with the information on simplification of the procedures for issuing visas to the persons visiting the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with the “Eurovision Song Contest-2012”.