Visa Requirements For Travel To Minsk, Belarus

If you're planning a trip to Minsk, Belarus, it's important to know the visa requirements for entering the country. As of 2017, citizens of 80 countries can enter Belarus without a visa for a short stay of up to 5 days, and citizens of 76 countries can enjoy a 30-day visa-free stay. However, there are specific conditions and requirements for visa-free entry, such as arriving by air and having a valid passport, sufficient funds, and medical insurance. For longer stays or for certain types of activities, a visa may be required. It's recommended to check the official sources and embassies for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding visa requirements and travel advisories for Belarus.

Visa requirements for US citizens

US citizens require a visa to enter Belarus. This can be obtained from a Belarusian embassy or consulate overseas. The visa is typically a stamp or sticker added to the passport. The regular visa processing time is 5 business days, but expedited processing (within 2 business days) is possible.

To obtain a visa, the following documents should be submitted to the embassy:

Completed visa application form, which meets the following requirements:

• Legible handwriting (in block letters) or typing, in English or Russian/Belarusian.
• Complete and logically consistent answers that indicate the real purpose of the visit.
• A detailed specification of the purpose of the visit.
• "N/A" written for any questions that do not apply; incomplete forms will be returned unprocessed.
• Signed by the applicant personally — failure to do so may result in refusal.
• For minors, the form should be signed by their legal representative.

One colour photograph, which meets the following requirements:

• Taken within the last 6 months.
• Size 35 x 45 mm.
• Full face (70-80% of the picture) without sunglasses, hats, or other head coverings unless for ethnic or religious reasons.
• Plain, evenly lit, and light background.
• High resolution.
• No corrugation or ink.

Valid original passport, which meets the following requirements:

• Contains a photograph of the owner.
• Has at least two blank pages for visas.
• Valid for at least 90 days after the expected departure date from Belarus.
• Contains no torn pages, marks, entries, erasures, or corrections that are not certified by the issuing authorities.
• If the applicant is under 18, a copy of their full Birth Certificate and copies of their parents' passports are required.
• If the applicant previously had USSR or Belarusian citizenship, a document certifying the loss of this citizenship must be submitted.

• Visa support documents for the required type of visa (e.g. tourist, business, student, etc.).
• Health insurance, which should contain the following information:

• Name, address, and phone number of the foreign insurance company.
• Full name of the insured foreign citizen.
• Validity area, including the Republic of Belarus.
• Insurance period covering the entire stay in Belarus.
• Insurance coverage of at least €10,000.

Envelope (when applying by post).

Please note that US citizens are strongly advised against travelling to Belarus due to the unpredictable situation and heightened tensions in the region. Even with a visa, entry to Belarus over land borders is unlikely, and air travel between Belarus and Russia requires a visa and may be subject to unexpected changes in regulations. All US citizens staying in Belarus for more than five days must register with the local Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior.

Visa-free entry for citizens of 76 countries

Belarus has a visa-free entry policy for citizens of 76 countries. This policy allows foreign nationals to visit any place in Belarus within 30 days of their visa-free stay. However, they must arrive and depart the country by air through the following airports:

• Minsk National Airport
• Brest Airport
• Gomel Airport
• Grodno Airport
• Mogilev Airport
• Vitebsk Airport

The visa-free entry rules do not extend to any other international border checkpoints of the country. Additionally, the visa-free entry does not apply to those flying to or from Russia, as these flights are considered internal and are not subject to border control.

To enter Belarus visa-free, foreign nationals must have the following documents:

• A valid passport or equivalent travel document, valid for at least 90 days after the planned date of departure from Belarus.
• Financial means: an amount equivalent to at least two base rates for each day of stay, or 50 base rates if staying for the full 30 days, in Belarusian rubles or foreign currency.
• A medical insurance policy with coverage for at least €10,000, valid in Belarus during the entire duration of the stay.

Citizens of Egypt, Gambia, Haiti, India, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Namibia, Pakistan, Samoa, South Africa, and Vietnam must also have a valid multiple-entry visa to EU states or the Schengen Area, with a stamp confirming entry and plane tickets confirming departure from the above-mentioned Belarusian airports within 30 days of arrival.

Foreign citizens who plan to spend more than 10 days in Belarus must register with the police, indicating their address. This can be done in person at the Department of Citizenship and Migration (OGIM) of the place of residence or online via the Unified Electronic Services Portal: www.portal.gov.by.

Belarus travel restrictions related to COVID-19

As of June 2022, Belarus is open for non-essential travel without restrictions. However, there are still some Belarus travel restrictions related to COVID-19 in place.

Testing and Quarantine Requirements

Unvaccinated travellers over the age of six must present a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. This does not apply to vaccinated travellers who present a certificate of vaccination, in English or Russian, showing that they were fully vaccinated at least one month and no more than 12 months before arrival. Travellers from countries with elevated disease activity must self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival.

Insurance

All travellers must hold medical insurance of at least €10,000 from a foreign insurance company.

Passenger Locator Form

All travellers must submit a Public Health Covid-19 Passenger Self-Declaration Form on arrival.

Domestic Restrictions

Belarus has implemented the following domestic restrictions:

• Restaurants and cafes must place tables at least 1.5 metres apart.
• Spectator events are capped at 50% capacity.
• Hotels must instruct guests to take their temperatures daily.
• Employers must ensure that sick employees do not go to work.
• Face masks are required on all public transport, including flights and metro services.
• Residents are strongly encouraged to observe social distancing, particularly in transport hubs.

Entry to Belarus

As of January 2017, citizens of 76 countries can enter Belarus without a visa for up to 30 days, through the following airports: Minsk National Airport, Brest Airport, Gomel Airport, Grodno Airport, Mogilev Airport, and Vitebsk Airport. To enter without a visa, foreign nationals must have:

• A valid ordinary passport, valid for at least 90 days beyond the intended date of departure.
• Proof of financial means: an amount equivalent to not less than two base rates for each day of stay or 50 base rates for a full 30-day stay, in Belarusian rubles or foreign currency.
• A medical insurance policy with coverage for at least €10,000, valid in Belarus for the duration of the stay.

Citizens of Egypt, Gambia, Haiti, India, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Namibia, Pakistan, Samoa, South Africa, and Vietnam must also have a valid multiple visa for EU member states or the Schengen zone, with a mark in their passport on crossing the border of these states, as well as tickets with confirmation of departure from the above-mentioned Belarusian airports within 30 days of entry.

Exit from Belarus

Belarusian nationals and permanent residents are barred from exiting the country via land borders, with some exceptions, including foreign nationals and those with work or student visas.

What documents are required for visa-free entry?

The documents required for visa-free entry to Belarus vary depending on the traveller's country of origin and the intended length of stay. Here is a breakdown of the requirements:

30-Day Visa-Free Entry:

Citizens of 76 countries can take advantage of the 30-day visa-free entry to Belarus. To be eligible, foreign nationals must:

• Arrive and depart by air through designated airports, including Minsk National Airport, Airport Brest, Airport Gomel, Airport Grodno, Airport Mogilev, and Airport Vitebsk.
• Hold a valid ordinary passport, valid for at least 90 days beyond the intended date of departure from Belarus.
• Have sufficient financial means: an amount equivalent to at least two base rates for each day of stay or 50 base rates for a full 30-day stay, in Belarusian rubles or foreign currency.
• Have a medical insurance policy valid in Belarus for the entire duration of their stay, with a minimum coverage of €10,000.

Citizens of certain countries, including Vietnam, Haiti, India, and South Africa, must also present a valid multiple visa to the EU member states or the Schengen zone, along with confirmation of their departure from the aforementioned Belarusian airports within 30 days of entry.

5-Day Visa-Free Entry:

Citizens of 80 countries can visit Belarus without a visa for up to 5 days. This applies only when arriving at and departing from the Minsk National Airport. The required documents include:

• A valid passport (ID cards are not accepted) with designated pages for entry and exit stamps.
• Sufficient funds to cover their stay, approximately €22 per day.
• A medical insurance policy valid in Belarus with a minimum coverage of €10,000. This can also be purchased at the Minsk National Airport upon arrival.

For citizens of specific countries, such as Vietnam, India, and Lebanon, a valid multiple Schengen visa or a multiple-entry visa to the UK or Ireland is required, along with confirmation of departure from Minsk National Airport.

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

Citizens of over 70 countries can visit the Brest-Grodno tourist zone in western Belarus without a visa for up to 15 days. To be eligible, foreign nationals must present the following documents:

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

It is important to note that the visa-free entry requirements and eligible countries may change, so it is recommended to check the official sources for the most up-to-date information.

How to obtain a visa for Belarus

The process of obtaining a visa for Belarus depends on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to obtain a visa:

Step 1: Determine Your Visa Type

Before applying for a visa, you need to determine the type of visa you require. Belarus issues several types of visas, including transit (B), short-term (C), and long-term (D) visas. The type of visa you need will depend on the purpose of your visit and the length of your stay.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Once you know the type of visa you need, you must gather the required documents for your application. The standard documents required for a Belarusian visa include:

• A completed and signed application form
• A recent passport-size photograph (taken no earlier than 6 months prior to the application)
• A valid passport (valid for at least 90 days after the intended stay and with at least two blank pages)
• Supporting documents (such as a formal request, an invitation letter, proof of accommodation, judicial summons, or a job offer)
• Medical insurance from an accepted provider, with coverage of at least €10,000
• Proof of paying the visa fee

Step 3: Submit Your Application

You can submit your visa application to the following:

• Embassies of Belarus
• Consulates of Belarus
• Consular Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Minsk National Airport

It is recommended to submit your application at least two days before your arrival in Belarus. You can submit the documents in person or by post. If submitting by post, keep in mind that delivery may take some time.

Step 4: Pay the Visa Fee

A visa fee of €60 is applicable for all types of visas with any number of entries. However, there are reduced fees for citizens of certain countries, such as Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, and others. Japanese citizens are exempt from paying any visa fees. Additional fees may apply for expedited processing or for obtaining a visa at the Minsk National Airport.

Step 5: Wait for Processing

Successful visa applications are typically processed within five working days. For urgent cases, the processing time can be reduced to two working days.

Step 6: Collect Your Visa

After your application has been approved and processed, you can collect your visa from the relevant embassy, consulate, or the Consular Center at Minsk National Airport.

Visa-Free Entry

It is important to note that citizens of certain countries are eligible for visa-free entry to Belarus for a limited period. For example, citizens of the United States can enter Belarus without a visa for up to 30 days if they arrive and depart via the Minsk International Airport. However, this option has certain restrictions, such as not travelling directly to or from the Russian Federation. Always check the latest information on the official website of the Republic of Belarus to determine your eligibility for visa-free entry.

Frequently asked questions