Baku: More than 4,000 illegal migrants have been detained in Azerbaijan as part of ongoing efforts by the State Migration Service to combat unregulated migration. The State Migration Service has reported that in the first half of 2025, a total of 9,714 decisions were made concerning the stay, residence, and employment of foreigners and stateless persons in the country, as well as other administrative violations.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, 4,246 of the foreigners who were subject to administrative decisions were detained for living in the country without proper documentation. These individuals were found to be engaging in activities that were not aligned with the purpose of their visit, involved in illegal labor activities, or not residing at their registered addresses.
Out of those detained, 1,007 foreigners were administratively expelled from Azerbaijan, with restrictions placed on their re-entry for a legally determined period. The remaining individuals were either legalized for their stay in the country or opted for voluntary departure.
The investigations during this period uncovered 11 instances of organized unregulated migration. These cases involved attempts to bring foreigners into Azerbaijan under false pretenses, organize their transit to third countries, and illegally secure work and temporary residence permits. The collected evidence has been forwarded to appropriate law enforcement agencies for further legal action.
The State Migration Service continues to implement measures against unregulated migration to uphold the country’s migration laws and regulations.