In 2010, every eighth resident in Azerbaijan was a migrant, of whom more than 90% of them are Azerbaijanis and 70% are internally displaced persons from the territories occupied by Armenia.
The main reasons of this emigration were difficulties in the transition and economic crisis as Azerbaijan was in the state of war.
[5] The specialists define three groups of immigrants in Azerbaijan such as ethnic Azeris who resided in other republics of the USSR for a long time (mostly Russia and to a less extent Ukraine), but move to the country most often (Talysh, Lezghins, Avars, etc.
), ethnic Azeries, mostly coming from Georgia, and labor immigrants from different countries (Turkey, India, Pakistan, etc.
)[6] In 1990s, refugees from other countries began to immigrate to Azerbaijan, especially from Russia (Chechens), as well as from Afghanistan and Iraq regarding to various conflicts in these regions.
In parallel, religious missionaries and migrant workers from Eastern countries, among which Turks and Iranians were dominated, immigrated to Azerbaijan.
In Azerbaijan everyone can practice religion and carry out rites on his/her own will.” Immigrants from different nationalities do not face any difficulties in adapting to the country.
As different cultural communities such as Russians, Ukrainians, Lacs, Lezgins, Slavians, Tats, Tatars, Georgians, Ingiloys, Talishians, Avars, Meskhetian turks, European and mountain Jews, Germans and Hellenes exist in all regions of Azerbaijan, rich cultural and spiritual heritage was formed in Azerbaijan throughout the centuries.
[10] Immigration to Azerbaijan as a foreign citizen is limited to skilled workers (individuals with either a university or polytechnic degree or at least 3 years of training together with job experience), students and their immediate family members.