Indians In Belarus: A Community Overview

There are more than 1,000 Indians in Belarus, including businessmen, company representatives, and other professionals. Indian citizens can enter Belarus without a visa and stay for up to 30 days, as long as they depart from Minsk National Airport. There are also around 839 Indian students in Belarus, most of them medical students.

Indian expats in Belarus

The Indian diaspora in Belarus is relatively small, with around 1000 Indians in the country. This includes 102 permanent Indian nationals and 88 temporary residence permit holders, comprising businessmen, company representatives, and other professionals. There are also 839 Indian students, most of whom are medical students spread across four colleges in Minsk, Gomel, Grodno, and Vitebsk.

Visa Requirements

Indian citizens require a visa to enter Belarus, which can be obtained from the Embassy of Belarus in India. However, Indian nationals can enter Belarus visa-free for up to 30 days, as long as they exit through Minsk National Airport. This exemption does not apply to those coming from or intending to travel to the airports of the Russian Federation. To qualify for this visa exemption, Indian nationals must have:

• A valid ordinary passport for travelling abroad, valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay.
• Financial means: at least 25 Euros (or the equivalent in dollars or Belarusian rubles) for each day of stay.
• Medical insurance (which can be provided by Indian companies or bought at Minsk Airport upon arrival) with coverage of at least 10,000 Euros valid in Belarus.
• A valid multiple-entry visa from a European Union or Schengen Area member state, with an entry stamp.
• Flight tickets with confirmation of departure from Minsk National Airport within 30 days.

Indian Community in Belarus

There is also a WhatsApp group called "India in Belarus", created by the Embassy of India in Minsk, to bring together the Indian community in the country.

Visa-free travel to Belarus for Indian nationals

Indian citizens can enter Belarus without a visa for up to 30 days, but there are some conditions. Entry is only via Minsk National Airport, and visitors must exit from the same airport within 30 days. This visa-free travel does not apply to those arriving from or departing to the airports of the Russian Federation.

To enter Belarus visa-free, Indian nationals must carry:

• A valid ordinary passport for travelling abroad.
• Proof of financial means: at least 25 Euros (or the equivalent in dollars or Belarusian rubles) for each day of stay.
• Medical insurance with coverage for at least 10,000 Euros for Belarus. This can be provided by Indian companies or bought at Minsk Airport on arrival.
• A valid multiple-entry visa from a European Union or Schengen Area member state, with a border entry stamp. This visa must have been used at least once before entering Belarus.
• Flight tickets with confirmation of departure from Minsk National Airport within 30 days of entry.

If staying in Belarus for more than five days, visitors must register with the territorial departments of the Ministry of Home (Internal) Affairs. If staying in a hotel, the management will handle this. If staying in private accommodation, the visitor or their host must register with the local Home Affairs office within five days of arrival.

There are over 1000 Indians in Belarus, with Indian expat communities in Minsk, Brest, and Hrodna.

Indian students in Belarus

There is a small Indian diaspora in Belarus, with 102 permanent Indian residents and 88 temporary residence permit holders. In addition, there are 839 Indian students in Belarus, most of whom are medical students spread across four medical colleges in Minsk, Gomel, Grodno, and Vitebsk.

Visa Requirements for Indian Students

Indian students wishing to study in Belarus are required to obtain a visa. The most commonly used visa is the short-term visa, which is valid for up to 90 days. However, Indian citizens can enter and stay in Belarus for up to 30 days without a visa if they enter through the Minsk National Airport. To qualify for this visa exemption, Indian citizens must have:

• A valid ordinary passport
• Proof of financial means: at least $25 per day of stay
• A valid multiple-entry visa of a European Union or Schengen Area member state
• Flight tickets with confirmation of departure from Minsk National Airport within 30 days
• Medical insurance with coverage of at least €10,000

Life in Belarus for Indian Students

Religion for Indian Students in Belarus

Hinduism in Belarus has a small following, with three main groups: ISKCON, Brahmakumaris, and The Light of Kailasa. ISKCON, which has six registered communities across Belarus, has faced severe pressure from the Belarusian government. The Light of Kailasa is banned in the country.

Indian community in Belarus

The Indian diaspora in Belarus is relatively small, with around 1000 Indians in the country. This includes permanent residents, temporary residence permit holders, students, businessmen, and representatives of Indian companies. The Indian community is spread across various cities in Belarus, including Minsk, Brest, Hrodna, Gomel, and Vitebsk.

Indian Expats in Belarus

Indians in Belarus can connect with fellow Indian expats through InterNations, an international networking platform. InterNations hosts regular events and activities for Indians in Belarus, providing opportunities to socialize, make friends, and receive support and advice from other Indian expats. The platform also has a dedicated group for Indians in Minsk, the country's capital.

Visa Requirements for Indian Nationals

Indian citizens require a visa to enter Belarus, which can be obtained from the Embassy of Belarus in India. However, Indian nationals can also take advantage of visa-free entry to Belarus for up to 30 days. This visa-free entry is valid only for entry through the Minsk National Airport and requires specific documents, including a valid passport, proof of financial means, medical insurance, a valid multiple-entry visa of a European Union or Schengen Area member state, and flight tickets confirming departure from Minsk within 30 days.

Indian Students in Belarus

There is a significant number of Indian students in Belarus, with around 839 students spread across four medical colleges in Minsk, Gomel, Grodno, and Vitebsk. The Embassy of India in Minsk provides important information and guidelines for Indian students planning to study in Belarus, including visa requirements, cultural, and educational cooperation between the two countries.

Indian Culture and Religion in Belarus

Indian culture and religion have a presence in Belarus, with three main Hindu groups in the country: ISKCON, Brahmakumaris, and The Light of Kailasa. However, Hinduism has a very small following in Belarus, and these groups face challenges due to religious intolerance and government pressure.

Indian culture and religion in Belarus

There are more than 1000 Indians in Belarus, with the Indian expat community spread across the country, including in Minsk, Brest, and Hrodna. While the Republic of Belarus provides visa-free entry to Indian nationals for up to 30 days, Indian culture and religion have a very small presence in the country.

Belarus is a multi-faith state with no religious conflicts, and the country's legislation ensures and guarantees everyone's rights to freedom of conscience and freedom of religion. The Belarusian religious landscape is dominated by the Belarusian Orthodox Church, which has 1,737 communities, followed by the Roman Catholic Church, with 500 communities. Protestant religious organizations represent 1,038 communities, and there are also 24 Muslim communities and 23 Jewish communities.

Hinduism in Belarus has a very small following, with three main Hindu groups: ISKCON, Brahmakumaris, and The Light of Kailasa. ISKCON, which has six registered communities across the country, is under severe pressure from the government, and The Light of Kailasa is banned. Brahmakumaris has two centres in Belarus.

Despite the small number of Indians in Belarus, there are Indian expat communities and groups that connect Indians living in the country. These communities provide a way to meet fellow Indians, socialize, and get accustomed to Belarusian culture and people.

Frequently asked questions