Green Card Holders: Visa-Free Entry To Belarus?

The visa requirements for entry into Belarus vary depending on the traveller's country of origin and the purpose and duration of their visit. Citizens of 76 countries, including Albania, Argentina, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates, can enter Belarus without a visa for up to 30 days, provided they arrive and depart by air. However, this visa-free entry does not apply to those travelling for work, business, or study purposes exceeding 30 days. Additionally, citizens of Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland can enter Belarus without a visa for up to 90 days, while citizens of 35 European countries can enter visa-free for up to 30 days. It is important to note that the visa-free entry rules are subject to change and may have specific requirements, such as valid travel documents, proof of sufficient funds, and medical insurance. For green card holders, the requirements may differ based on their country of citizenship, and they should refer to the official sources for the latest information.

What documents do I need to enter Belarus?

To enter Belarus, you will need a valid passport with at least two blank pages, which must be valid for at least three months from the date of arrival. If you are a citizen of a country that requires a visa to enter Belarus, you will need to obtain one from a Belarusian embassy or consulate before your trip. Additionally, you will need to provide documentary evidence of medical insurance to the value of 10,000 euros and funds equivalent to 25 euros per day. This can be in the form of cash, credit card, or traveller's cheques in any currency.

If you are a citizen of one of the 76 countries that have a visa-free travel agreement with Belarus, you can enter the country without a visa for up to 30 days. However, you must arrive and depart by air through Minsk National Airport. To qualify for this visa-free entry, you must have the following documents:

• A valid passport or equivalent travel document.
• Financial means (at least two base amounts in dollars or Belarusian rubles for each day of stay, or 50 base amounts for a 30-day stay).
• Medical travel insurance valid across Belarus with a minimum coverage of 10,000 euros.

Please note that citizens of certain countries, including Vietnam, Haiti, and India, must also have a valid multi-visa to the EU states or the Schengen Area, along with plane tickets confirming their departure from Belarus within 30 days of entry.

If you are staying in Belarus for more than 10 days, you must register with the local police, indicating your address. This registration can be done online through the portal.gov.by website or with the local police office (OVIR) in the district where you are staying. If you are staying in a hotel, hostel, or other accommodation facility, the management will usually be responsible for this registration.

For all visitors, it is important to have a migration card, which will be issued upon arrival. This card must be shown to the competent authorities when departing Belarus for another country, such as Russia. Additionally, make sure to comply with any border crossing rules and restrictions, such as those related to photography and offering valuables to officials.

How long can I stay in Belarus without a visa?

The duration of visa-free stays in Belarus depends on the traveller's country of origin and the specific entry requirements for that country. Here is a breakdown of how long citizens of certain countries can stay in Belarus without a visa:

15-day visa-free stay

Citizens of more than 70 countries, including non-citizens of Estonia and Latvia, can visit the Grodno-Brest tourist zone without a visa for up to 15 days. This zone includes popular attractions and major cities in the western part of the country, such as the city of Grodno, the Grodno District, and the Brest Region. To enter the visa-free zone, travellers must present a valid passport, travel medical insurance, and a migration card, among other documents.

30-day visa-free stay

Citizens of 76 countries can take advantage of the 30-day visa-free travel to Belarus. This includes countries like Vietnam, Haiti, Egypt, India, and South Africa. To enter Belarus for 30 days without a visa, foreign nationals must have a valid passport, proof of financial means, and medical travel insurance. However, this visa-free entry is only valid for arrivals and departures through the Minsk National Airport, and does not apply to those travelling to or from Russia.

90-day visa-free stay

Citizens of Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland can enter Belarus without a visa and stay for up to 90 days. This visa waiver was introduced in 2022 and has been extended until the end of 2024. Citizens of 35 other European countries, such as Austria, Belgium, and France, can also visit Belarus without a visa for up to 30 days during this period.

It is important to note that the duration of visa-free stays may vary based on bilateral agreements between Belarus and other countries. Additionally, travellers should ensure they meet all the necessary entry requirements, as failure to do so may result in administrative penalties.

What are the financial requirements to enter Belarus?

To enter Belarus, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay. Here are the financial requirements you need to be aware of:

Minimum Amount Required

The amount of money you need to have will depend on the expected duration of your stay. Here are the specific requirements:

• For a stay of less than one month, you must have funds equivalent to at least two base amounts established in Belarus on the day of entry for each day of your stay.
• For a stay of one month or longer, you must have funds equivalent to at least 50 base amounts for each month of your stay.

Proving Your Financial Means

You can demonstrate your financial means in several ways:

• By having cash in the national currency of Belarus or a foreign currency convertible by the National Bank of Belarus.
• By presenting a document that allows you to receive payment means.
• By providing a document confirming prepaid accommodation and meals in Belarus.
• By obtaining a letter of guarantee from a legal or private person who is inviting you to Belarus. This letter should confirm their commitment to covering all your expenses related to your stay and departure.
• By showing vehicle or travel tickets to your country of citizenship, permanent residence, or a third country.

Additional Information

• The base amount in Belarus is Br40 as of January 1, 2024.
• The required funds can be demonstrated upon arrival in Belarus or during registration.
• If you are entering Belarus under the 30-day visa-free regime, you must have financial means of at least two base amounts per day of stay or 50 base amounts for a 30-day stay. This can be in the form of dollars or Belarusian rubles.

What are the medical requirements to enter Belarus?

To enter Belarus, you must meet the following medical requirements:

Travel Insurance

All foreign nationals must have medical travel insurance valid across Belarus with a minimum medical coverage of €10,000. This insurance must be presented when applying for a visa or upon arrival in Belarus.

Health Status

According to the State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus, a foreigner may be refused entry to the country if they have a disease included in the list of diseases that pose a danger to public health.

COVID-19 Requirements

As of 28 May 2022, Belarus lifted COVID testing and vaccination certificate requirements for foreign visitors. There are currently no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering the country.

What are the rules for leaving Belarus?

To leave Belarus, you must present the following documents to the border guard:

• A valid passport intended for crossing the border.
• Insurance for a car registered outside Belarus.
• A document confirming the payment of a local fee for crossing the border by drivers of vehicles registered both in Belarus and abroad.

When crossing the border, it is obligatory to pass border and customs control, and, if necessary, automobile, veterinary, sanitary-quarantine, and phytosanitary types of control.

At the border crossing points, it is forbidden to:

• Leave money in the documents which are presented for checking.
• Offer and/or hand over valuables, property benefits, or any other form of bribery to officials.
• Take photos, including filming with mobile phones.
• Perform other actions preventing the implementation of border and other types of control.

On the territory between the state border and a checkpoint, it is prohibited to:

• Park vehicles.
• Board or disembark passengers.
• Load or unload vehicles.
• Stay for purposes unrelated to border crossing.

Violations of the above requirements lead to administrative liability, including a warning with or without deportation, or a fine of up to 50 base values.

Foreigners who entered Belarus without a visa can travel in transit, including through checkpoints at airports, to third countries, with the exception of Russia.

Frequently asked questions