Lyla Lindsey
As of February 28, 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Minsk, Belarus, has suspended operations due to security and safety issues stemming from the attack by Russian military forces on Ukraine from Belarus. As a result, visa services are not available in Minsk, and all nonimmigrant visa applicants must apply for a U.S. visa outside of Belarus. This means that Russian citizens who wish to apply for a U.S. visa while in Belarus will not be able to do so through the U.S. Embassy in Minsk. However, they may still be able to apply for a U.S. visa through other means or in other countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can a Russian citizen apply for a US visa in Belarus? | No |
| US visa services in Belarus | Suspended |
| Where can Russian citizens apply for a US visa? | Outside of Belarus |
| US visa fee | $160 for tourist, business, and student visas; $190 for petition-based visas |
| US visa processing time | 2-5 working days |
| US visa validity | Depends on the visa type |
| US visa interview duration | A few minutes |
| US visa renewal services in Belarus | Suspended |
| US visa renewal processing time | Not provided |
What You'll Learn
US citizens need a visa to enter Belarus.
- A completed visa application form, with a detailed and consistent purpose of the visit.
- A colour photograph, taken within the last 6 months, with a plain background and no head covering.
- A valid original passport, with at least two blank pages for visas and valid for at least 90 days after the expected departure from Belarus.
- Visa support documents for the required type of visa.
- Health insurance, with a minimum coverage of 10,000 Euros and valid for the whole period of stay in Belarus.
- An envelope, when applying by post.
The regular visa processing time is 5 business days, with an option to expedite processing within 2 business days. The consular officer has the right to adjust the number of entries and the validity period of the visa. It is important to note that the visa fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Once issued, the visa cannot be extended, and travel plans must be made accordingly.
Additionally, all US citizens staying in Belarus for more than five days (excluding Sundays and national holidays) are required to register with the local office of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior. This can be done online through the portal.gov.by website. Registration must be completed within five days of arrival, and failure to do so may result in administrative action, including fines, deportation, and future entry prohibition.
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The US Embassy in Belarus is currently closed
The US State Department advised that the situation in Belarus is unpredictable and that there is heightened tension in the region. Potential harassment targeted specifically at foreigners is also possible. Given these concerns, US citizens are strongly advised against traveling to Belarus.
For US citizens requiring consular services, the US Embassy in Warsaw, Poland, has been designated to process immigrant visas for residents of Belarus. The US Embassy in Minsk can be contacted at [email protected] for emergency appointments or other urgent issues.
US citizens in Belarus should be aware of the local situation and follow the advice of the US Embassy and local authorities. It is important to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure safety and security.
Please note that this information is accurate as of February 28, 2022, and may not reflect the current status of the US Embassy in Belarus. For the most up-to-date information, it is recommended to check the website of the US Embassy in Belarus or contact them directly.
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US citizens must apply for a US visa outside of Belarus
US citizens do not need a US visa to enter the US, but they may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country they are visiting.
US citizens seeking a visa to enter Belarus must apply for a visa outside of Belarus. The US Embassy in Minsk suspended operations on February 28, 2022, due to security and safety issues stemming from the attack by Russian military forces on Ukraine from Belarus. As such, visa services are not available in Minsk.
All nonimmigrant visa applicants must apply for a US visa outside of Belarus. Information about visa requirements can be found on the US Travel Docs website. The US Department of State has designated the US Embassy in Warsaw to process immigrant visas for residents of Belarus.
US citizens seeking asylum or refugee status in the US will not have their applications processed by the US Embassy in Belarus. They are referred to US Citizenship and Immigration Services for more information.
US citizens seeking to renew their visas will not be able to do so in Belarus, as the US Embassy in Minsk is still unable to resume routine visa services. The appointment calendar is closed, and there is no specific date for when routine visa services will resume.
US citizens with an urgent need to travel can request an emergency appointment by emailing [email protected]. They must state why their situation is an emergency and provide support for their claim by attaching electronic copies of appropriate documents to their email.
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US citizens need a visa to enter Russia
US citizens may face harassment or detention by Russian security officials, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, limited flights into and out of Russia, and the possibility of terrorism. There is also a continued risk of wrongful detention of US nationals by Russian authorities.
If you are a dual citizen of the US and Russia, or if you have a claim to Russian citizenship, Russia may refuse to recognize your US citizenship. Russia has denied consular officers visits to detained dual US-Russian citizens, and has forced citizens with dual nationality to join the Russian military, preventing them from leaving the country.
To enter Russia, you must have a current US passport with the appropriate visa. Russian visas in expired or canceled passports are not valid. You must obtain a valid visa for your specific purpose of travel before arriving in Russia. Do not attempt to enter Russia before the date shown on your visa. If you are staying in Russia for more than seven days, you must register your visa and migration card with the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Under a bilateral agreement signed in 2012, qualified US applicants for humanitarian, private, tourist, and business visas may request and receive multiple-entry visas with a validity of three years or a single entry, three-month validity visa.
To obtain a Russian visa, you will need to submit the following documents to the Embassy of the Russian Federation:
- A completed visa application form
- One color photograph (passport-sized)
- A valid original passport
- Visa support documents for the required type of visa
- Health insurance information
- An envelope (when applying by post)
The regular visa processing time is 5 business days, and the consular officer has the right to reduce the number of entries and the validity period of the visa. Any applicant may be interviewed by a consular officer if necessary.
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US citizens cannot cross the Belarus-Russia land border
US citizens are required to have a visa issued by a Belarusian Embassy or Consulate overseas to enter Belarus. However, even with a visa, entry into Belarus over a land border is unlikely. Similarly, exiting Belarus over a land border is also typically not permitted.
US citizens who wish to travel between Russia and Belarus by car, train, or on foot will need to obtain Russian or Belarusian citizenship. Alternatively, they may be able to travel by air between the two countries, but this requires a visa and regulations may change unexpectedly. It is recommended to check the websites of the Embassy of Belarus and the Embassy of the Russian Federation for the latest information before planning any travel.
US citizens staying in Belarus for more than five days (excluding Sundays and national holidays) must register with the local office of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior. This requirement applies to both visa holders and those who enter Belarus under the 30-day visa-free regime. Registration must be completed within five days of arrival and can be done online through a single portal of electronic services.
In summary, due to the lack of international passport control capabilities at the Belarus-Russia land border, US citizens are unable to cross by car, train, or on foot. Only Russian and Belarusian passport holders may transit this land border. US citizens wishing to travel between the two countries should consider alternative options, such as air travel, and ensure they have the necessary visas and registrations in place.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the US Embassy in Minsk has suspended operations and visa services are not available. All nonimmigrant visa applicants must apply for a US visa outside of Belarus.
The travel advisory for Belarus is Level 4 - Do Not Travel. US citizens are strongly advised against travelling to Belarus due to the unpredictable situation and heightened tension in the region.
Yes, Russian citizens can enter Belarus with a valid passport. However, they may not be allowed to cross the Belarusian-Russian land border by car, train, or on foot and will need a visa for air travel.
