Get Your Belarus Visa In Nyc: A Step-By-Step Guide

If you're a US citizen looking to travel to Belarus, you'll need to obtain a visa. The process is difficult and time-consuming, so it's important to start well in advance of your trip. The first step is to determine the type of visa you need—whether it's a transit visa, a tourism visa, or a short-term private visit visa. You'll also need to prepay for accommodation in Belarus or sign up for a group tour, as proof of where you'll be staying. Obtaining a letter of invitation from a recognised Belarus authority or tour operator is also necessary, along with a completed visa application form and a passport-size photograph. These documents, along with your valid passport and a money order or cashier's check for the application fee, can be mailed to the Consulate General of the Republic of Belarus in New York. It's important to note that US citizens are currently advised against travelling to Belarus due to heightened tensions and potential harassment of foreigners.

The Belarus Consulate in NYC offers services to US citizens, including passport renewal and emergency certificates

The Consulate General of the Republic of Belarus in New York offers a range of services to local US citizens. These include providing information on the Belarusian economy, culture, sports, and education, as well as details on how to obtain Belarusian citizenship. The consulate also assists with visa applications and passport services for those with a main residence in Belarus or the United States.

To obtain a Belarusian visa, several steps must be followed. Firstly, determine the type of visa required, such as a transit visa, tourism visa, or short-term private visit visa. For a transit visa, purchase your train tickets in advance, and request the necessary documentation from the railroad authorities. For other visa types, prepay for accommodation in Belarus or sign up for a group tour.

The next step is to obtain a letter of invitation from a recognised Belarusian authority, such as a licensed tour operator or another company for a fee. Then, download and accurately complete the official visa application form from the Consulate General's website. Take a passport-sized photograph that meets the specified requirements, including size, lighting, and background.

Finally, gather the required documents, including the completed visa application, letter of invitation, photograph, and valid passport. Submit these, along with a money order or cashier's check for the application fee, either in person or by mail to the Consulate General of the Republic of Belarus in New York. Processing times vary, with standard visas taking up to 15 days, express visas within 48 hours, and expedited processing within 2 business days.

In addition to visa services, the Consulate General can also assist US citizens with Belarusian passport services. The consulate is located at 708 Third Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10017 and can be contacted by email, phone, or fax.

To obtain a visa, submit documents to the Embassy in person or by post

To obtain a visa, submit the following documents to the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the United States of America, in person or by post:

Completed Visa Application Form

• The form should be filled out in legible block letter handwriting or typing, in English, Russian, or Belarusian.
• Ensure that your answers are complete and logically consistent, indicating the real purpose of your visit in detail.
• If a question does not apply, write "N/A". Incomplete forms will be returned unprocessed.
• Check that the information on the form is correct and sign it. If you are signing on behalf of a minor, indicate that you are their legal representative.

One Colour Photograph

• Ensure that the photograph is no older than 6 months and is sized at 35 x 45 mm.
• The photograph should be a full-face image, with the face occupying 70-80% of the picture, without sunglasses, hats, or other head coverings (unless for ethnic or religious reasons).
• The background should be plain, evenly lit, and light-coloured, with the image in high resolution and free of corrugations or ink.

Valid Original Passport

Your passport must:

• Contain your photograph.
• Have at least two blank pages intended for visas.
• Be valid for at least 90 days after your expected departure from Belarus.
• Be free of any doubts regarding authenticity or ownership, with no torn pages, marks, entries, erasures, or corrections that are not certified by the issuing authorities.
• If you are under 18, include a copy of your full Birth Certificate (with parental information) and copies of your parents' passports.
• If you previously held USSR or Belarusian citizenship, submit documentation certifying the loss of this citizenship.

Visa Support Documents

The type of visa support documents you need will depend on the purpose of your visit. This could include a letter of invitation from a recognised Belarusian authority, such as a licensed tour operator or company.

Health Insurance

Your health insurance contract should include the following information:

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

Additional Documents

Upon request, you may be required to submit additional documents for visa issuance.

Envelope (when applying by post)

Include a pre-paid envelope of at least 26 cm x 15.9 cm (USPS, FedEx, or UPS) with the filled return address.

Consular Fee

The consular fee is set by the Tax Code of the Republic of Belarus, with special rates established by the President for some categories of foreigners.

Required documents include a valid passport, letter of invitation, visa application, photograph, and payment

To obtain a visa to Belarus in NYC, you must submit the following documents to the Consulate General of the Republic of Belarus in New York or the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Washington, DC.

Firstly, you will need a valid passport. Your passport must contain your photograph, have at least two blank pages for visas, be valid for at least 90 days after your expected departure from Belarus, and not be dubious in terms of authenticity or ownership.

Secondly, you must obtain a letter of invitation from a recognised Belarusian authority. Tour operators licensed in Belarus usually take care of this for their clients. If you plan to travel independently, several companies can provide letters for a fee. For a transit visa, ask the railroad authorities to provide the necessary documentation.

Thirdly, you will need to download and fill out a visa application form. This should be filled out in legible block letters, in English, Russian, or Belarusian. Your answers should be complete and logically consistent, indicating the real purpose of your visit in detail. If a question does not apply, write "N/A". It is your responsibility to check that the information you have given is correct, and the form should be signed by you personally. If the applicant is a minor, their legal representative should sign the form.

Fourthly, you will need to provide a photograph. This should be a colour photo taken within the last six months, sized 35 x 45 mm, with your full face (70-80% of the picture) without sunglasses, a hat, or other headwear unless for ethnic or religious reasons. The background should be plain, evenly lit, and light-coloured, with the photo in high resolution and free from corrugation or ink.

Finally, you will need to include a payment for the visa processing fee. This can be in the form of a money order or cashier's check.

Processing time is 5 business days, with express visas available within 48 hours for double the cost

To get a visa to Belarus in NYC, you must submit your application to the Consulate General of the Republic of Belarus in New York. The address is 155 East 44th Street Floor 20 New York, NY 10017. The Consulate offers services to US citizens as well as citizens of Belarus in the US.

The processing time for a standard visa is 5 business days, but if you need your visa sooner, you can opt for an express visa, which is available within 48 hours for double the cost of a standard visa.

To apply for a visa, you will need to submit the following documents:

• A completed visa application form, either filled out in legible handwriting (in block letters) or typed, in English, Russian, or Belarusian.
• One colour passport-size photograph, taken within the last 6 months against a plain, light background.
• Your original, valid passport, with at least two blank pages for visas and valid for at least 90 days after your expected departure from Belarus.
• Visa support documents for the required type of visa (tourist, transit, short-term private visit, etc.).
• Proof of health insurance that covers the entire period of your stay in Belarus and has a coverage of at least 10,000 Euros.
• A money order or cashier's check to cover the application fee.

Please note that additional documents may be requested by the consular officer, and the processing time may be extended in some cases. It is recommended that you start the visa application process well in advance of your trip, as obtaining a Belarus visa can be challenging and time-consuming.

US citizens must register with the Citizenship and Migration Department within 5 days of arrival

To obtain a visa to Belarus, US citizens must submit the following documents to the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the United States of America:

• A completed visa application form, which meets specific requirements, including legible handwriting or typing in English, Russian, or Belarusian, consistent and detailed answers, and a clear purpose for the visit.
• One colour passport photograph, taken within the last six months, with a plain background, no head coverings (unless for religious or ethnic reasons), and a high resolution.
• A valid original passport, with at least two blank pages, valid for at least 90 days after the expected departure from Belarus, and containing a photograph of the owner.
• Visa support documents for the required type of visa (e.g., tourist, business, or transit visa).
• Proof of health insurance that covers the entire period of stay in Belarus and has a validity area that includes the country.
• A confirmation of the consular fee paid.

Once you have obtained your visa and arrived in Belarus, you must register with the local office of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior (formerly OVIR) within five business days of your arrival, excluding Sundays and national holidays. This requirement applies to both visa holders and those who enter Belarus under the 30-day visa-free regime.

If you are staying in a hotel, the hotel staff will typically register you free of charge. However, if you are renting an apartment or house, you may need to check with the rental agent for assistance. If you are staying in a private home, you must complete the registration process yourself.

It is important to note that failure to register within the specified time frame or remaining in Belarus for more than 30 days can result in administrative action, including fines, deportation, and future entry prohibition.

Frequently asked questions