Invitation Letter For Belarus: Is It Necessary?

If you're planning a trip to Belarus, you may need to apply for a visa. The type of visa you need will depend on the purpose of your visit and the length of your stay. Most foreign visitors need a visa to enter Belarus, but some nationalities are exempt. Citizens of the EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the US, for example, can obtain a short-term visa for up to 30 days without a letter of invitation. However, if you're planning a longer trip or are from a country that doesn't have a visa-waiver agreement with Belarus, you'll need to apply for a visa and provide supporting documents, which may include an invitation letter.

Invitation letter requirements

An invitation letter is required for some travellers to Belarus. The type of visa and the purpose of the visit will determine whether an invitation letter is necessary.

Tourist Visa

Tourists usually receive a short-term group visa via their travel agency. The letter of invitation is provided to the customer but addressed to the Consulate of Belarus. It contains a formal request from a travel agency to grant a visa to the tourist(s) whose passport details are indicated in the invitation and who have booked travel services. The invitation ends with a statement of undertaking full responsibility for the actions of the tourist(s) during their temporary stay in Belarus.

If you are a citizen of a migration-secure country (e.g. any EU country, Australia, USA or Canada), a booking confirmation from your hotel may be enough to secure a visa for up to 10 days. However, if you are staying for less than 30 days, you must enter and exit through the border checkpoint at Minsk National Airport.

Business Visa

A business cover letter from your US-based company is required for a business visa. The letter must be printed on company letterhead and include a US mailing address.

Private Visa

People who want to travel to Belarus to see a friend, take care of the grave of a relative, or take part in court hearings, for example, need to apply for a private visa. An invitation letter is required, issued by the local unit of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.

Long-Term Visa

If you are applying for a long-term (1-year) multiple-entry visa, you must provide an original letter of invitation from Belarus. This letter must be written in Russian.

Invitation letter format

To visit Belarus, you may need a visa. If you are staying for less than 30 days, you do not need a visa, but you must enter and exit through the Minsk National Airport, and hold a passport valid for at least six months, among other requirements. If you are staying longer than 30 days, you will need to apply for a visa.

For a tourist visa, you will need to submit a copy of a letter of invitation from a Belarusian Travel Agency. The hosting organisation should be registered as a tourist company by the Belarusian authorities. The letter of invitation must include the dates and length of your stay, your name as printed on your passport, and the number of entries you are requesting for your visa.

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

[Email Address]

[Date]

[Recipient's Name]

[Recipient's Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear [Recipient's Name],

I am pleased to invite you to [country/city name] from [date of arrival] to [date of departure]. I hope you will be able to join me for [duration of stay] and I am excited to show you around [city/country name].

Please let me know if there is anything in particular you would like to do or see during your visit, and I will do my best to accommodate your requests.

Kindly confirm your attendance by [date], and let me know if you need any further information or assistance with your travel arrangements.

I look forward to your visit and exploring [city/country name] together.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Invitation letter sample

To visit Belarus, you may need a visa. If you are staying for less than 30 days, you do not need a visa, but you must meet the following requirements:

• Not be arriving from or departing to Russia
• Enter and exit through the border checkpoint at Minsk National Airport
• Hold a passport valid for at least six months with at least one blank visa page
• Hold proof of onward and return flights
• Hold all documents required for your next destination
• Hold proof of sufficient funds relative to your intended length of stay (a minimum of $24 per day)
• Hold proof of medical insurance coverage for Belarus of at least €10,000

If you are staying for longer than 30 days, you will need to apply for a visa. As part of your application, you will need to submit a letter of invitation from your Belarusian travel agency. This letter must be addressed to the Consulate of Belarus and include a formal request for a visa for the tourist(s) whose passport details are indicated. It must also include a statement confirming that the travel agency will be responsible for the actions of the tourist(s) during their stay in Belarus.

Sample Invitation Letter Addressed to the Embassy

[Date]

The Belarus Embassy,

[Address]

Letter of Invitation for [Visitor's Name]: Passport No: [Visitor's Passport Number]

I am writing this letter to support the visitor visa application for [Visitor's Name].

They will be staying with me at my home in [address] from [date of entry] to [date of exit]. I am their [relationship] and I am happy to confirm that I will be responsible for their accommodation and expenses during their stay. I kindly request that you grant them a visa for the duration of their stay.

I have enclosed all the necessary documentation, including my passport and proof of address. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Host's Name]

[Host's Address]

[Host's Phone Number]

[Host's Signature]

Where to buy an invitation letter

To enter Belarus, you may need a visa. The type of visa you need depends on the purpose of your visit and the length of your stay. For example, if you are visiting for tourism purposes, you may not need a visa if you are staying for fewer than 30 days and entering and exiting through the Minsk National Airport. However, if you are staying longer than 30 days, you will need to apply for a visa.

To obtain a visa, you will need to submit several documents to a Belarusian embassy or consulate, including a letter of invitation from a Belarusian travel agency or tourist company. This letter should be addressed to the Consulate of Belarus and include a formal request to grant a visa to the tourist(s) whose passport details are indicated. It should also include information such as the dates and length of your stay, your name as printed on your passport, and the number of entries requested for your visa.

You can obtain a letter of invitation from various sources, including:

• Belarusian Travel Agencies: These agencies can provide you with the required letter of invitation, which will be addressed to the Consulate of Belarus. The letter will include a formal request to grant you a visa, along with your passport details and the travel services booked with the agency. This option may be more convenient if you plan to use their services during your stay.
• Belarusian Tourist Companies: Registered Belarusian tourist companies can issue a letter of invitation on their letterhead, including information such as the company's name, address, and phone number, along with your personal information and the period of your stay. Prime Tour is one such company that offers visa support services.
• Online Agencies: There are online agencies, such as Hotels-Pro.com (for Russia) and onairtrip.com, that may provide invitation letters for a fee. However, it is essential to carefully research the legitimacy and reliability of such agencies before making any purchases.
• Direct Contact: If you have specific plans or connections in Belarus, you may be able to obtain an invitation letter directly from the organization or individual you plan to visit. For example, if you are visiting for business purposes, the company you will be working with is responsible for providing the invitation.

It is important to note that the requirements and procedures for obtaining a Belarusian visa may vary depending on your country of origin and the specific circumstances of your visit. Therefore, it is always recommended to consult official sources and embassies for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Visa-free entry to Belarus

As of July 27, 2018, citizens of 74 countries can enter Belarus for up to 30 days without a visa. This is provided that they enter and exit through the Minsk National Airport and do not fly to or from Russia. The visa-free stay does not apply to diplomatic, service, special, or equivalent passport holders.

Visa-free entry requirements:

• A valid passport with at least 90 days' validity beyond your intended departure date.
• Proof of sufficient funds: at least 2 base rates per day of stay or 50 base rates for a full 30-day stay.
• Medical insurance with coverage of at least €10,000, valid in Belarus for the duration of your stay.
• Citizens of Vietnam, Haiti, Gambia, India, Lebanon, Namibia, and Samoa must also have a valid multiple-entry visa for EU/Schengen countries and proof of departure from Minsk National Airport within 30 days of arrival.

Registration

If you are staying in Belarus for more than 5 working days, you must register with the divisions on citizenship and migration of the territorial bodies of internal affairs. If you are staying in a hotel, hostel, sanatorium, or similar, the administration will register you upon check-in.

Visa-free entry for specific countries:

• Albania: visa-free for up to 30 days during one trip, not exceeding 90 days per year.
• Argentina: visa-free for up to 90 days during one trip per year.
• Brazil: visa-free for up to 90 days.
• China: visa-free for up to 30 days, not exceeding 90 days per year.
• Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions: visa-free for up to 30 days during one trip, not exceeding 90 days per year.
• Cuba: visa-free for up to 30 days.
• Ecuador: visa-free for up to 30 days.
• Israel: visa-free for up to 90 days in each period of 180 days.
• Macedonia: visa-free with a private invitation, tourist voucher, invitation from a healthcare facility, or to visit burial sites.
• Mongolia: visa-free for up to 90 days.
• Montenegro: visa-free for up to 30 days.
• Nicaragua: visa-free for up to 90 days.
• Qatar: visa-free for up to 30 days.
• Saint Kitts and Nevis: visa-free for up to 30 days.
• Serbia: visa-free for up to 30 days.
• Türkiye: visa-free for up to 30 days.
• United Arab Emirates: visa-free for up to 90 days.
• Venezuela: visa-free for up to 90 days.

Visa-free entry for specific groups:

• Investors and others included in lists compiled by the administration of the Industrial Park Great Stone can stay visa-free for up to 180 days.
• Employees of resident companies of the Hi-Tech Park and founders of resident companies of the Hi-Tech Park can enter without a visa.
• Diplomatic passport holders from a number of states are also exempt from visa requirements.

Frequently asked questions