Key Takeaways
• Azerbaijan and North Macedonia ratified a visa waiver for diplomatic and service passports on June 21, 2025.
• Eligible officials can travel visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
• Ordinary passport holders still require visas for travel between these countries.
Azerbaijan and North Macedonia have taken a major step in their diplomatic relationship by removing visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and service passports. This new visa waiver agreement, signed on March 12, 2025, in Baku and ratified by Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis (Parliament) on June 21, 2025, marks a turning point in how officials from both countries can travel for work. The move is designed to make official visits easier, faster, and more efficient, reflecting a growing trend among countries to support smoother government-to-government cooperation.
Let’s break down what this agreement means, who it affects, and how it fits into the bigger picture of international travel and diplomacy.
What Happened: The Key Details
On June 21, 2025, Azerbaijan’s Parliament held an extraordinary plenary session and ratified a visa waiver agreement with North Macedonia. This agreement, originally signed in March 2025, allows holders of diplomatic and service (sometimes called “official”) passports from both countries to travel between Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 and North Macedonia without needing a visa. The change took effect immediately after the ratification, making it much easier for eligible officials to visit each other’s countries.
Who Benefits: Eligible Travelers
The visa waiver agreement is very specific about who can use it. Only people holding diplomatic or service/official passports from Azerbaijan or North Macedonia can travel under this new rule. These passports are usually given to:
- Diplomats working at embassies or consulates
- High-level government officials on official business
- Certain government employees traveling for work
It’s important to note that ordinary passport holders—that is, regular citizens traveling for tourism, business, or family visits—are not included in this agreement. They must still follow the usual visa application process if they want to visit the other country.
How the Visa Waiver Works: Step-by-Step
For those who qualify, the process is now much simpler. Here’s how it works:
- Hold a valid diplomatic or service/official passport from either Azerbaijan or North Macedonia.
- Travel to the other country without applying for a visa in advance.
- Present your passport at border control when you arrive.
- Stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without needing a visa.
- Follow all other entry rules, such as customs checks and health regulations.
This means that eligible officials can enter, leave, and even transit through the other country as long as they don’t stay for more than 90 days in any 180-day window. This rule matches common international standards for diplomatic travel, making it easier for both countries to manage and monitor official visits.
Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture
Visa requirements can be a big barrier for diplomats and government officials. Every time they need to travel, they have to fill out forms, wait for approval, and sometimes face delays. By removing these requirements, Azerbaijan and North Macedonia are sending a clear message: they want to make official cooperation as smooth as possible.
This change is expected to:
- Speed up official visits by removing paperwork and waiting times
- Encourage more frequent meetings between government officials
- Support joint projects in areas like trade, security, and culture
- Show trust and goodwill between the two countries
As reported by VisaVerge.com, such agreements are becoming more common as countries look for ways to build stronger ties and work together more easily.
Background: How Did We Get Here?
Before this agreement, even diplomats and officials needed to apply for a visa before traveling between Azerbaijan and North Macedonia. This could slow down urgent visits or make it harder to plan meetings. Both countries have been working to improve their relationship, and this visa waiver is part of a larger effort to make official travel easier.
The agreement was first signed on March 12, 2025, in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. After that, it needed to be approved by both countries’ governments. Azerbaijan’s Parliament ratified it on June 21, 2025, making it official on their side. While North Macedonia’s ratification status was not detailed in the initial reports, the agreement is expected to be fully operational or soon to be so, given the public announcements and the usual process for such treaties.
This move is in line with what many other countries are doing. Around the world, it’s common for countries to let each other’s diplomats and officials travel without visas. This helps build trust and makes it easier to solve problems together.
What’s in the Agreement: Main Points
The visa waiver agreement between Azerbaijan and North Macedonia includes several key points:
- Who is covered: Only holders of diplomatic and service/official passports from both countries.
- What is allowed: Entry, transit, and stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
- Where it applies: Both Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 and North Macedonia.
- What is not included: Ordinary passport holders, who still need visas.
This agreement is very clear about its limits. It’s designed for official business, not for tourism or private visits.
How Does the 90/180-Day Rule Work?
The “90 days within any 180-day period” rule is a standard way to control how long someone can stay without a visa. Here’s how it works in simple terms:
- You can stay in the other country for up to 90 days.
- The 180-day period is a rolling window, meaning you always look back at the last 180 days to count your days in the country.
- If you reach 90 days, you must leave and wait until enough days have passed before you can return without a visa.
This rule gives officials enough time for meetings, training, or other work, but it also helps both countries keep track of who is coming and going.
Why Only Diplomatic and Service Passports?
Diplomatic and service passports are special travel documents given to people who represent their country or work for the government. These passports are not for regular travel—they’re for official business. By focusing on these passports, the agreement makes sure that only people on government work can use the visa waiver.
This is a common practice worldwide. Many countries have similar agreements with each other, allowing diplomats and officials to travel more freely while keeping regular visa rules for everyone else.
Implications for Stakeholders
The new visa waiver agreement has several important effects for different groups:
For Diplomats and Officials:
- Easier travel: No need to apply for a visa before each trip.
- Faster response: Can travel quickly for urgent meetings or emergencies.
- Lower costs: No visa fees or paperwork.
For Governments:
- Stronger ties: More frequent visits help build trust and cooperation.
- Better coordination: Easier to organize joint projects or respond to shared challenges.
- Positive image: Shows both countries are open to working together.
For Ordinary Citizens:
- No immediate change: Regular travelers still need to apply for visas.
- Possible future benefits: If the agreement works well, it could lead to more relaxed rules for other types of travelers in the future.
For Employers and Businesses:
- Indirect benefits: Easier official visits can help with trade talks, business agreements, and investment projects.
How to Use the Visa Waiver: Practical Steps
If you are a diplomat or government official from Azerbaijan or North Macedonia, here’s what you need to do:
- Check your passport: Make sure you have a valid diplomatic or service/official passport.
- Plan your trip: You do not need to apply for a visa for trips up to 90 days.
- At the border: Show your passport to the border officer. Be ready to explain the purpose of your visit if asked.
- During your stay: Follow all local laws and rules, just like any other visitor.
- Keep track of your days: Remember the 90-day limit within any 180-day period.
If you’re unsure about your eligibility or need more information, you can visit the Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs for official guidance.
Expert Views: Why This Agreement Matters
Immigration and diplomatic experts see this agreement as a smart move for both countries. By making official travel easier, Azerbaijan and North Macedonia can:
- Respond faster to international events
- Hold more face-to-face meetings
- Build stronger partnerships in areas like security, trade, and education
The 90-day rule is seen as a good balance. It gives officials enough time to do their work but also helps both countries keep control over who is entering and for how long. Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that while the agreement only covers a small group of travelers, it sends a strong signal that both countries are serious about working together.
Media Coverage and Official Sources
The agreement has been widely reported by local media and official news agencies, including AZERTAC, Caliber.az, Trend.az, News.az, and APA. These sources have quoted government officials and provided updates on the ratification process. For the most up-to-date information, the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis website and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan are reliable resources. North Macedonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the main authority on their side.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
With the agreement now in effect, diplomats and officials from Azerbaijan and North Macedonia can travel more freely for their work. This is likely to lead to:
- More frequent official visits
- New joint projects and agreements
- Stronger diplomatic ties
There is also the possibility that, if the agreement works well, both countries might consider similar deals for other types of travelers, such as businesspeople, students, or tourists. For now, though, the focus is on making official travel as smooth as possible.
Possible Future Developments
- Monitoring and review: Both countries will likely watch how the agreement works in practice and make changes if needed.
- Expansion: If things go well, the visa waiver could be extended to other passport categories.
- Deeper cooperation: Easier travel could lead to more joint projects in areas like trade, education, and security.
Summary and Takeaways
- Azerbaijan and North Macedonia have signed and ratified a visa waiver agreement for diplomatic and service/official passport holders.
- Eligible officials can travel visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
- The agreement took effect after Azerbaijan’s Parliament ratified it on June 21, 2025.
- Ordinary passport holders are not included and must still apply for visas.
- The move is expected to strengthen diplomatic ties and make official cooperation easier.
If you are a diplomat or government official from either country, this agreement means you can now travel for work with much less hassle. For everyone else, it’s a sign that Azerbaijan and North Macedonia are working to build a closer relationship—one that could bring more opportunities in the future.
For official updates and more information, visit the Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This visa waiver agreement is a practical step forward, showing how countries can work together to make official travel easier and support stronger partnerships. As more countries adopt similar policies, the world of diplomacy continues to become more connected and efficient.
Learn Today
Visa Waiver Agreement → A treaty allowing certain passport holders to enter a country without a visa for specific purposes.
Diplomatic Passport → A special passport issued to diplomats and government officials for official international travel.
Service/Official Passport → A passport granted to government employees traveling on official duty other than diplomats.
90/180-Day Rule → Permits stays up to 90 days within a rolling 180-day period without a visa.
Ratification → The formal approval of a treaty or agreement by a country’s legislative body.
This Article in a Nutshell
Azerbaijan and North Macedonia established a visa waiver on June 21, 2025, allowing diplomats to travel visa-free for official visits up to 90 days, boosting bilateral cooperation and easing government-to-government travel between the two nations for work-related purposes.
— By VisaVerge.com
