Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the city of Nakhchivan had operated under the various respective administrative names during the first period of our independence - Consular Office of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nakhchivan, Consular Section of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nakhchivan and the Consular Department in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan is located in the city of Nakhchivan and was established on 31 October 2005, in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was established in order to ensure implementation of streamlined foreign policy course of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the light of expanding economic, trade, scientific-technical and cultural relations of the Republic of Azerbaijan with the neighboring and other states and international organizations, and participation of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in these relations, and to attain continuous and consistent fulfillment of relevant responsibilities and functions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

The Department conducts its activity in conformity with the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Diplomatic Service” and other laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan, decrees and orders of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, resolutions and orders of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, The Statue of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, normative legal acts of the Ministry, as well as the present Statute.

The Department coordinates its activities with the central executive bodies, local executive bodies and municipalities of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, as well as functioning legal entities and residents of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and consulates of foreign states and the representatives of international organizations functioning in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Participation of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in the foreign relations of the Republic of Azerbaijan on economic, trade, scientific-technical and cultural issues of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic within the framework of conditions, rules and competences set by the laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan is secured through coordination with the Ministry, and in necessary situations through participation of the Department and/or another section of the Ministry.

The Head of Department appointed to and dismissed from the position by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan upon the written proposal of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic leads the activity of the Department.

The Head of Department has 2 deputies appointed to and dismissed from the position by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The structure of the Department is composed of Political Affairs Division, State Protocol Division, Consular Division and Technical Services Division.

Visa Sections of the Department are also operating at customs checkpoints in Julfa, Shahtakhti and Sadarak, railway stations in the city of Nakhchivan and Julfa and West and East Terminals of Nakhchivan International Airport.