Visa Costs For Belarus: All You Need To Know

Belarus issues transit, short-term, and long-term visas, each with different rights and lengths of stay. The cost of a visa depends on your citizenship and the type of visa you need. Since 2017, the standard visa fee has been €60 for all types of visas with any number of entries. However, residents of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland can enter for €25, and children under 14 are exempt from the fee. Additionally, citizens of certain countries, such as Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Hungary, pay a reduced fee of €35.

Visa fees for citizens of different countries

The cost of a visa for Belarus depends on the traveller's country of origin and the type of visa they require. Here is a breakdown of the visa fees for citizens of different countries:

Visa fees for most countries

For most countries, the standard fee for processing a visa application is €60 for all types of visas, including transit, short-term, and long-term visas. This fee applies to citizens of countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, among others. This fee must be paid in addition to other expenses, such as medical insurance and proof of funds for the duration of their stay.

Visa fees for select European countries

According to the agreement between Belarus and the European Union, citizens of certain European countries pay a reduced fee of €35 for all types of entry visas. This includes citizens of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. Stateless persons permanently residing in Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania also fall under this category.

Visa fees for minors

Minors under the age of 14 are exempt from paying the visa application processing fee, regardless of their country of origin. Additionally, the age limit for exemption is 12 years for citizens of the countries listed in the European Union agreement.

Visa fees for Japanese citizens

Japanese citizens are exempt from paying any visa fees for Belarus. They do not incur charges for processing their visa applications, regardless of the type of visa they require.

Visa fees for visa-free countries

Citizens of select countries do not require a visa to enter Belarus for short-term visits, usually up to 30 or 90 days. These countries include Albania, Argentina, Brazil, China, Cuba, Ecuador, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and others. However, some of these countries have specific requirements, such as invitation letters or travel vouchers. It's important to check the official sources for the most up-to-date information.

Additional visa fees

There are additional fees for expedited visa processing, obtaining a visa at the Minsk National Airport, and other special circumstances. These fees can range from a 100% increase to a 200% increase in the standard visa fee, depending on the situation.

Visa-free entry for short-term visits

Belarus has approved several visa-free travel programs for those travelling to the country for tourism or business purposes. Here is a list of countries whose citizens can enter Belarus without a visa:

• Albania (up to 30 days from the date of entry, up to 90 days within a current year)
• Antigua and Barbuda (up to 30 days)
• Argentina (up to 90 days—consecutive days from the date of their first entry within a current year)
• Barbados (up to 28 days)
• Brazil (up to 90 days)
• Cuba (up to 30 days)
• Dominica (up to 21 days for tourism, a return air ticket is required)
• Ecuador (up to 30 days)
• El Salvador (with a permanent and temporary residence permit in Russia, valid visa of the USA, Canada or Schengen visa)
• Haiti (up to 90 days)
• Israel (up to 90 days in each period of 180 days)
• Macedonia (an invitation/telegram, referral/invitation of the healthcare institution or invitation letter of the travel agency is required, as well as for visiting burial places)
• Malaysia (up to 30 days)
• Mongolia (up to 90 days)
• Montenegro (up to 30 days)
• People's Republic of China (30 days but no longer than 90 days within one calendar year)
• Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (up to 30 days in each period of stay)
• Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (up to 30 days but no longer than 90 days within one calendar year)
• Mexico (up to 180 days for the purposes of tourism, business, participation in cultural or sporting events, to engage in activities which do not suppose remuneration, with a valid visa to Canada, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom or the Schengen State, or a valid document confirming permanent residence in the mentioned countries, or a valid document confirming permanent residence in one of the countries of the Pacific Alliance)
• Micronesia (Federated States) (up to 30 days)
• Namibia (up to 90 days)
• Nicaragua (up to 90 days)
• Panama (up to 180 days)
• Peru (up to 183 days for tourism purposes)
• Qatar (up to 30 days with additional extension, when required, for up to 30 days while multiple entries; when outside the country since the expiration of the above period, re-entry is available after 60 days; the validity of the passport should be at least 6 months on the day of entry before it expires)
• Saint Kitts and Nevis (up to 30 days)
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (up to 30 days)
• Samoa (up to 60 days, a return ticket and hotel reservation/invitation are required)
• Serbia (up to 30 days)
• Seychelles (up to 90 days, a return ticket and financial guarantees are required)
• Tunisia (up to 90 days)
• Turkey (up to 30 days)
• United Arab Emirates (up to 90 days from the date of entry)
• Vanuatu (up to 30 days)
• Venezuela (up to 90 days)
• Vietnam (up to 45 days)

In addition, citizens of the following countries can enter Belarus without a visa if they enter through Minsk National Airport:

• All European Union citizens
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• The Gambia
• Haiti
• India
• Lebanon
• Namibia
• Samoa
• Vietnam

However, citizens of the above countries must also possess:

• A multiple-entry visa or a national visa granted by an EU/Schengen Member State (residence permits are not accepted in such cases)
• An entry stamp from one of these countries in their passport
• A valid return ticket from Minsk National Airport

Furthermore, citizens of the above countries, as well as citizens of Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia, can enter Belarus without a visa for up to 10 days when visiting the Brest region and the Grodno region. They must obtain a special document issued by a certified travel agency in their home country and enter through one of the following checkpoints:

Tourism and Recreation Zone Brest:

• Automobile checkpoints Brest (Terespol), Domachevo (Slawatycze), Peschatka (Polowce)
• Small border traffic checkpoint Pererov (Bialowieza)
• Railway border checkpoint Brest (Terespol)
• Brest Airport border checkpoint

Augustow Canal Park:

• Automobile checkpoints Bruzgi (Kuznica Bialostocka), Privalka (Raigardas)
• Small border traffic checkpoints Lesnaya (Rudawka), Privalka (Svendubre)
• Railway border checkpoint Grodno (Kuznica Bialostocka)
• Grodno Airport border checkpoint

Please note that all those entering Belarus visa-free and planning to remain for a period longer than 5 days must register within 5 days of arrival in Belarus with the local police department.

Visa-free entry via Minsk National Airport

Visa-free entry is available for citizens of 74 to 80 states, depending on the source. This includes citizens of the United Kingdom, Brazil, Indonesia, the USA, Japan, and the entire European Union. The visa-free regime does not apply to holders of diplomatic, service, or special passports.

The visa-free stay is for a maximum of 30 days, with the first day being the date of arrival and the last day being the date of departure, regardless of the time of arrival or departure. This cannot be extended beyond 30 days.

To enter Belarus via Minsk National Airport without a visa, foreign nationals should have:

• A valid ordinary passport, valid for at least 90 days beyond the intended date of departure from Belarus.
• Financial means: at least 25 Euros (or the equivalent in dollars or Belarusian rubles) for each day of stay, or 50 base rates for a full 30-day stay.
• A medical insurance policy with coverage for at least 10,000 Euros, 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-entry visa to EU member states or the Schengen Zone, with a mark in their passport confirming entry. They must also have tickets with a confirmed departure from Minsk National Airport within 30 days of entry.

When staying in Belarus for more than 10 working days, foreign citizens need to register with the divisions on citizenship and migration of the territorial bodies of internal affairs or via the unified portal for electronic services portal.gov.by. Registration is carried out by the administrations of hotels, hostels, and other collective accommodation facilities by default upon check-in.

Visa-free entry via a Belarusian travel agency

Visa-free entry to Belarus via a Belarusian travel agency

Citizens of 74-76 states can enter Belarus without a visa for a short-term stay of up to 30 days. This visa-free travel is only valid when arriving and departing from the following airports: Minsk National Airport, Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, and 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.

To enter Belarus without a visa, foreign nationals must have the following documents:

• A valid national passport or equivalent travel document.
• A return plane ticket.
• Medical insurance with a minimum coverage of €10,000 that is valid in Belarus.
• Financial means: at least €25 (or the equivalent in another currency) for each day of 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 Belarus within 30 days.

Foreign citizens who plan to spend more than 10 working days in Belarus must register with the divisions on citizenship and migration of the territorial bodies of internal affairs or via the unified portal for electronic services portal.gov.by. Registration is typically arranged by hotels, hostels, and other accommodation providers.

Visa options for longer stays

For stays longer than 30 days, or for a total period exceeding 90 days per calendar year, a visa is required. The most common type of visa is the short-term visa (C), which is valid for up to 90 days and suitable for private travellers on family business. Long-term visas (D) are usually valid for 90 days to five years and allow multiple entries to Belarus. These visas are suitable for frequent business travellers or private travellers wishing to stay longer. Transit visas (B) are valid for up to one year and allow travellers to stay in Belarus for up to two days when passing through the country.

Visa costs

Since 1 January 2017, applicants have needed to pay a visa fee of €60 for all types of visas with any number of entries. This fee is waived for foreigners under the age of 14. In line with the visa facilitation agreement between Belarus and the European Union, citizens of certain European countries pay a reduced fee of €35 for all types of entry visas. Japanese citizens are exempt from paying for any type of Belarusian visa.

Visa registration

The cost of a visa for Belarus varies depending on the type of visa and the nationality of the applicant. Since 1 January 2017, applicants have needed to pay a visa fee of €60 for all types of visas with any number of entries. However, there are some exemptions and special rates for certain categories of travellers. For example, foreigners under the age of 14 are exempt from the visa fee, and Japanese citizens are exempt from paying for any type of Belarusian visa. In addition, Belarus has a visa facilitation agreement with the European Union, which reduces the visa fee to €35 for citizens of certain European countries.

Now, let's discuss the visa registration process for Belarus in detail. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Determine Your Visa Requirements: Before applying for a visa, it is important to check the visa requirements for your specific nationality. Citizens of certain countries, such as Albania, Argentina, Brazil, China, and Cuba, among others, may be eligible for visa-free travel to Belarus for a specified duration. The official website of the Republic of Belarus provides detailed information on visa-free travel and visa requirements for different nationalities.
• Gather Necessary Documents: To obtain a visa for Belarus, you will typically need to submit several documents, including a completed visa application form, a recent passport-size photograph, a valid passport, and supporting documents depending on the purpose of your visit. A medical insurance policy with coverage of at least €10,000 and proof of financial means of at least €25 per day are also required.
• Submit Your Application: You can submit your visa application to various authorities, depending on your specific situation. This includes Embassies or Consulates of Belarus in your country, the Consular Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Minsk National Airport, or, if you are already in Belarus, the local Citizenship and Migration Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It is recommended to submit your application at least five working days in advance, as the standard processing time is within this timeframe.
• Pay the Visa Fee: Along with your application, you will need to pay the applicable visa fee. The fee varies based on the type of visa and your nationality, as mentioned earlier. You may also incur additional fees for expedited processing or obtaining a visa at Minsk National Airport.
• Wait for Processing: The standard processing time for a Belarus visa is five working days. However, if you require urgent processing, it can be expedited to within two working days for an additional fee. The consular officer has the right to make decisions regarding the number of entries, the validity of the visa, and the processing time.
• Receive Your Visa: Once your application is approved, you will receive your visa, which will be valid for the specified duration and purpose of your visit. Remember to carefully review the details of your visa, including the number of entries and the validity period.
• Register Upon Arrival: Upon arriving in Belarus, all foreign citizens, including those from the US and the UK, are required to register with the local authorities within a specified timeframe. This can usually be done online through the official portal or, in some cases, in person at the Citizenship and Migration Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Registration fees may apply, and failure to register on time can result in fines.
• Comply with Entry Requirements: When entering Belarus, ensure that you comply with all entry requirements, including having a valid passport, return plane ticket, and mandatory medical insurance. Additionally, if you are carrying cash or traveller's cheques worth more than $10,000, you must complete a currency declaration form and have it stamped by a customs officer.
• Extend Your Stay if Needed: If you wish to extend your stay beyond the validity of your visa, you must contact the local Citizenship and Migration Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. They will provide guidance on obtaining the necessary permits and exit-entry visas.
• Comply with Exit Requirements: When exiting Belarus, ensure that you have all the required documentation, including proof of registration and, if applicable, the necessary exit stamps in your passport. Failing to do so may result in delays or fines upon departure.

By following these steps and staying informed about the latest visa requirements and regulations, you can successfully navigate the visa registration process for Belarus. For the most up-to-date and official information, it is always recommended to refer to the websites of the Belarusian government and diplomatic missions.

Frequently asked questions