Baku: Azerbaijan has introduced specific visa regulations to facilitate the entry of international participants attending the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the country is offering a complimentary ‘WUF13 Special Visa’ to those registered through the UN-Habitat system. This visa allows a single entry and a maximum stay of 30 days.
Applications for the WUF13 visa can be submitted electronically or through Azerbaijan’s diplomatic missions and consulates. Electronic applications require applicants to fill out an online form and upload necessary documents. Once approved, the visa can be downloaded via a link sent to the applicant. Consulate applications require submission of a completed form, a valid passport, two photographs, and an electronic confirmation email. Processing is completed within three working days, with the visa’s validity period clearly stated.
Participants are urged to ensure their passports are valid for at least three months beyond the visa expiry. Those wishing to re-enter Azerbaijan after departure must apply for a new visa. The application deadline is set for May 22, and participants are advised to meet this deadline punctually.
Azerbaijan has a visa-free regime with certain countries, exempting their citizens from applying for a WUF13 visa. For other participants, a 24/7 support service is available via email and telephone for any inquiries.
The simplified visa process is aimed at making travel arrangements more efficient for international guests, enabling them to secure their visas promptly and plan their trips smoothly. This system also alleviates the administrative burden on consulates by streamlining document processing through electronic means, thus facilitating a more organized management environment for large-scale events.
The visa system increases accessibility to WUF13 by easing the participation process for experts, researchers, and officials worldwide, thereby enhancing global participation and fostering more extensive discussions at the forum. Overall, this initiative contributes significantly to the event’s successful execution and the expansion of international engagement.