Exploring Belarus Without Citizenship: What You Need To Know

Belarus has become an increasingly popular tourist destination in recent years, with the country offering visa-free travel for citizens of up to 80 countries, including the US, UK, and much of Europe. However, the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Ukraine has led to travel advisories against visiting the country, with the US advising its citizens not to travel to Belarus due to the unpredictable situation and heightened tension in the region. This is further complicated by the fact that American passport holders require a visa to enter Belarus, which can only be obtained from a Belarusian embassy or consulate overseas.

Visa requirements for visiting Belarus

Belarus has different visa requirements depending on the country of origin and the purpose of the visit. Here is a detailed overview of the visa requirements for visiting Belarus:

Visa-Free Entry:

Belarus offers visa-free entry for citizens of specific countries for a limited period. As of February 2017, citizens of 80 countries can enter Belarus without a visa for up to 5 days. This list includes countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, most European countries, and others. However, it is important to note that this visa-free regime only applies when arriving at and departing from the Minsk National Airport. For entry through other border checkpoints, such as by train or car, a visa is required.

Additionally, citizens of certain countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Macau, which already had an existing visa-free travel regime for longer periods, are guided by their previous agreements. They can still enjoy visa-free entry for more than 5 days and are not restricted to using only the Minsk National Airport for entry and exit.

30-Day Visa-Free Entry:

Citizens of 76 countries are eligible for 30-day visa-free travel to Belarus. This includes countries like Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Israel, Malaysia, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, among others. To utilise this visa-free entry, foreign nationals must enter and depart from the following airports: Minsk National Airport, Airport Brest, Airport Gomel, Airport Grodno, or Airport Mogilev. This visa-free entry does not apply to those travelling to or from Russia, as these flights are considered internal and are not subject to border control.

It is important to note that this visa waiver is only for tourism purposes and does not cover work, business, or study activities exceeding 30 days. To qualify for the 30-day visa-free entry, foreign nationals must possess:

• A valid passport or equivalent travel document.
• Sufficient financial means for their stay (at least 2 base amounts per day, in dollars or Belarusian rubles).
• Medical travel insurance valid across Belarus with a minimum coverage of €10,000.

Citizens of certain countries, such as Vietnam, Haiti, Egypt, India, and South Africa, must also hold a valid multiple-entry visa to the EU or Schengen Area and provide proof of their departure from the specified airports within 30 days.

15-Day Visa-Free Entry to the Brest-Grodno Tourist Zone:

Citizens of over 70 countries, including Latvia's non-citizens and Estonia's stateless persons, can visit the Grodno-Brest tourist zone without a visa for up to 15 days. This zone covers popular attractions and cities in the western part of Belarus, including Brest, Grodno, and their surrounding districts. To utilise this visa-free option, foreign nationals must present the following documents:

• A valid passport or equivalent identity document.
• Travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of €10,000, valid in Belarus.
• A migration card, issued upon arrival.
• A document allowing entry to the Tourism and Recreation Zone Brest-Grodno, obtained from a certified tour operator.

Visa Requirements for US Citizens:

American passport holders are generally required to obtain a visa from a Belarusian Embassy or Consulate before entering Belarus. This visa does not guarantee entry, as land border crossings from neighbouring countries may not be permitted. Air travel between Belarus and Russia also requires a visa, and regulations can change unexpectedly. All US citizens staying in Belarus for more than 5 days must register with the local office of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior.

General Visa Requirements:

For citizens of countries that do not qualify for visa-free entry, a valid visa is required to enter Belarus. This can be obtained from Belarusian diplomatic missions or consular offices, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or internal affairs bodies. Belarus offers two types of entry visas:

• Short-term (C-type): Valid for up to 90 days.
• Long-term (D-type): Valid for up to 1 year, with a maximum stay of 90 days, unless otherwise specified by international treaties.

To obtain a visa, foreigners must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover their stay and departure from Belarus. This can be done by providing proof of financial assets, travel bookings, a letter of guarantee, or return travel tickets.

Border crossing rules

The rules for crossing the border into Belarus differ depending on the traveller's nationality and their reason for visiting the country. Here is a breakdown of the requirements and restrictions for foreign citizens:

Documents

When entering Belarus, visitors must present the following documents to the border guard:

• A valid passport intended for crossing the border.
• Insurance for a car registered outside Belarus.
• An electronic control stamp confirming payment for disinfection services.

When departing Belarus, visitors must show:

• 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 in Belarus or abroad.

Visas

Foreign citizens of countries with which Belarus has a visa regime must have a valid visa in their passport. However, citizens of certain countries are exempt from this requirement and can enter Belarus without a visa for a limited period.

Visa-free entry

Citizens of 76 countries can take advantage of the 30-day visa-free travel to Belarus, arriving and departing from Minsk National Airport. This rule does not apply to those flying to or from Russia, as these flights are considered internal and are not subject to border control.

Registration

Foreign citizens who plan to spend more than 10 days in Belarus must register with the police, indicating their address. This can be done online through the portal.gov.by website without visiting a local police office. The registration is free of charge and available to foreigners who arrived through checkpoints on the Belarusian border.

When crossing the border, foreign citizens must:

• Produce a valid visa for the Republic of Belarus, if required.
• Upon entry, receive and fill out a migration card. This is produced with the passport to the border service officer, who will stamp both documents. The foreign citizen will receive part "B" of the migration card.
• Upon departure, hand over part "B" of the migration card to the border service officer.
• Have funds equivalent to at least 2 base values per day of their stay.

Prohibited actions at the border

Citizens are forbidden from:

• Leaving money in documents that are produced for checking.
• Offering or providing valuables or benefits to officials.
• Taking photos, filming, or talking on mobile phones.
• Performing other actions that prevent the implementation of border control.

Prohibited actions between the border and the checkpoint

In the territory between the state border and the corresponding checkpoint, the following actions are prohibited:

• Parking vehicles.
• Loading or unloading passengers.
• Cargo-handling work.
• The presence of individuals not related to state border crossings.

Transit travel

Foreign citizens travelling in transit through Belarus must enter and depart on a valid passport or equivalent document and may need a transit visa, depending on their nationality. They must also have health insurance and sufficient funds to cover the cost of their transit (at least 5 base values per day). The transit period should not exceed two days unless there are unforeseen circumstances, such as natural disasters or vehicle damage.

Registration requirements

All foreign citizens staying in Belarus for more than five days (not including Sundays or national holidays) are required to register with the local office of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior. This requirement applies to visa holders and those who enter Belarus under the 30-day visa-free regime.

Registration must be completed within five days of arrival (excluding Sundays and national holidays). If you are staying in a hotel, the hotel will complete the registration for you. If you are staying in a private home, you must complete the registration process yourself.

Foreign citizens who plan to spend more than 10 days in Belarus must register with the police, indicating the address they are staying at. If foreign visitors are staying in a hotel, hostel, health resort, or another facility of collective accommodation, the management of the above-mentioned facilities shall be responsible for the registration with the police.

Foreign nationals and stateless persons who are temporarily staying in Belarus can register online through a single portal of electronic services at portal.gov.by, without visiting the internal affairs agency in person. This administrative procedure is free and can be used by foreigners who entered Belarus at any checkpoint.

Foreigners who arrived in Belarus through the border with the Russian Federation should apply for registration in person at the Citizenship and Migration Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs responsible for the place of their stay in Belarus.

If you plan to move to another location after registering, you must register anew with the Citizenship and Migration Department office in your new locale before you move.

If you fail to register or if you remain in Belarus longer than 30 days, you will face administrative action, which may include a fine of up to €550, deportation, and prohibition from entering Belarus in the future.

COVID-19 travel advice

As of April 2022, Belarus has lifted all pandemic-related travel restrictions. However, it is important to note that the situation can change rapidly, and travellers are advised to stay updated with the latest information. Here is some COVID-19 travel advice for those planning to visit Belarus:

Before Your Trip:

Before travelling to Belarus, it is recommended that you have valid medical insurance and are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. You will be required to provide proof of your insurance when you apply for your visa or upon arrival at Minsk, Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, and Mogilev airports under the 30-day visa-free regime. Additionally, foreign visitors must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, unless they have a medical certificate showing a negative COVID-19 test result within the last 48 hours. Please note that the self-isolation requirement for arrivals has been removed, but all arrivals over six years old must be fully vaccinated or provide a negative PCR test certificate at the border.

During Your Trip:

It is important to follow local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations while in Belarus. This includes adhering to any mask mandates, social distancing requirements, and capacity limits that may be in place. Additionally, foreign citizens who plan to spend more than 10 days in Belarus must register with the police, indicating the address they are staying at. This can be done on the website portal.gov.by.

Returning Home:

Please be aware of the COVID-19 requirements for returning to your home country. For example, if you are returning to the UK, you must follow the rules for the country you travelled from or transited through. If this country is on the red list, you must book a hotel quarantine package before travelling back to the UK. Additionally, you will need to take a pre-departure test and PCR tests on days 2 and 8 while in quarantine.

Please note that the information provided here may not be up-to-date at the time of your travel. It is essential to check the latest travel advice from official government sources before planning your trip.

Risks for American visitors

The US Department of State has issued a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Belarus, citing the country's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential for civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the US Embassy's limited ability to assist US citizens.

US citizens are strongly advised against traveling to Belarus due to the unpredictable situation and heightened tensions in the region. Potential harassment targeted specifically at foreigners is also possible. The US Embassy in Minsk has been closed since February 2022, and all consular services have been suspended.

American passport holders are required to obtain a visa from a Belarusian Embassy or Consulate overseas to enter Belarus. However, even with a visa, entry and exit over land borders are highly unlikely. Air travel between Belarus and Russia also requires a visa, and regulations can change unexpectedly.

All 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 includes visa holders and those under the 30-day visa-free regime. Registration must be completed within five days of arrival, and failure to do so can result in administrative action, including fines, deportation, and future entry prohibition.

Foreign citizens entering on a tourist or business visa cannot stay in Belarus for more than 90 days in a calendar year, including entry and exit dates. Additionally, Belarus enforces special restrictions on dual US-Belarusian nationals and may refuse to acknowledge their US citizenship, impacting their access to consular assistance.

US citizens should be aware of the risk of arbitrary detention and arrest, particularly near demonstrations. Authorities have used force to disperse demonstrators, and bystanders, including foreign nationals, may be at risk of arrest or detention. Belarusian authorities have detained tens of thousands of individuals, including US citizens, for alleged affiliations with opposition parties and participation in demonstrations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has prohibited US air carriers, operators, airmen, and registered aircraft from operating in Belarusian airspace.

If travel to Belarus is necessary, US citizens should have a contingency plan that does not rely on US government assistance. They should also avoid demonstrations and crowds, monitor local media, ensure valid travel documents, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and follow recommendations from the Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Frequently asked questions