Inviting A Friend From Belarus To The Usa

Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the U.S. government has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Belarus, urging citizens not to travel to the country. The U.S. Embassy in Minsk has also suspended operations, and visa services are not available there. However, U.S. citizens seeking to invite someone from Belarus to the U.S. can refer to the official website of the U.S. Embassy in Belarus for information on visa requirements and application procedures. It is important to note that the process may involve submitting specific documents, paying fees, and undergoing an interview. Additionally, the current political situation between the two countries may impact the feasibility of travel between them.

Visa requirements for Belarusians entering the USA

The U.S. Embassy in Minsk suspended operations on February 28, 2022, due to security and safety issues arising from the attack by Russian military forces on Ukraine from Belarus. As a result, visa services are not available in Minsk. All nonimmigrant visa applicants must apply for a U.S. visa outside of Belarus. The U.S. Department of State has designated the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw to handle immigrant visas for Belarus residents.

A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport. Certain international travellers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel.

The processing fee for tourist, business, and student visas is $160. For petition-based visas, the fee is $190. The fee is payable in cash, in U.S. dollars only, on the day of your appointment. Please note that the fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether your application is approved. The visa fee is non-transferable and cannot be used by another person or in another country.

The U.S. Embassy does not work with any tourist agencies. Every application, whether filed by an applicant themselves or with the assistance of a travel agency, is considered individually based on the applicant’s own merits.

Additional Information

• The U.S. Embassy in Belarus does not process applications for refugee or asylum status in the United States.
• The interview typically lasts just a few minutes. Prior to the interview, staff will collect and review your application and electronically scan your fingerprints.
• Letters of invitation are not required.
• For most applicants, the only documents required are a printed copy of the appointment letter, the DS-160 confirmation page, one 5x5cm photograph taken within the last 6 months, your current passport, and all previous passports (if available).
• It is recommended that you apply well in advance of your intended travel date and do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until you have been issued a visa and are in receipt of your passport.

Visa services for Belarusians suspended in Minsk

Effective February 28, 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Minsk, Belarus, suspended operations due to security and safety issues. This was a result of the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces on Ukraine from Belarus. As a consequence, visa services for Belarusians are not currently available in Minsk.

All nonimmigrant visa applicants must now apply for a U.S. visa outside of Belarus. Information about visa requirements can be found on the website www.USTravelDocs.com. The U.S. State Department has designated the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, Poland, to process immigrant visas for residents of Belarus. Additional information can be found on the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw's website.

The U.S. Embassy in Belarus does not process applications for refugee or asylum status in the United States. For information on seeking refugee or asylum status, refer to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. For more information on the asylum process, visit the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees website.

The United States Embassy in Minsk remains unable to resume routine visa services, including visa renewal services. The appointment calendar is closed, and no specific date has been given for the resumption of services. However, those with an urgent need to travel can email [email protected] to request an emergency appointment.

COVID-19-related suspensions

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, all routine visa services have been suspended. Emergency appointments are currently limited to cases involving life or death emergencies or travel that supports U.S. national interests, such as medical doctors travelling to assist with the pandemic.

US citizens in Belarus should depart immediately

The US Embassy in Belarus has issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory, urging US citizens not to travel to Belarus. This advisory was issued due to the unpredictable situation in the region, with Russia's unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine from Belarus, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws. There is also a potential for civil unrest and harassment targeted at foreigners. Given these reasons, US citizens in Belarus are strongly advised to depart immediately.

If you are a US citizen currently in Belarus, here are some important instructions and recommendations to follow:

• Have a contingency plan that does not rely on US government assistance.
• Keep your passport and visa documentation with you at all times. Ensure that your travel documents are valid and easily accessible.
• Review your personal security situation and be prepared to adjust your plans based on new information. Monitor local and international media for updates.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier for authorities to locate you in case of an emergency.
• Follow the US Department of State on Facebook and Twitter for official updates.
• Review the Country Security Report for Belarus to stay informed about the security situation.
• If you require consular services, try to leave the country as soon as possible and contact a US embassy or consulate in another country.
• Avoid public demonstrations and large gatherings. Authorities have used force to disperse demonstrators, and bystanders may face the risk of arrest or detention.
• Be aware of the risk of arbitrary detention by Belarusian authorities. Tens of thousands of individuals, including US citizens, have been detained for alleged affiliations with opposition parties and participation in demonstrations.
• Do not travel near the borders with Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland due to the volatile security environment and potential border closures.
• If you decide to travel to Russia or Ukraine from Belarus, be aware that US citizens are not permitted to enter Poland overland from Belarus.
• If you have recently travelled to Belarus, regularly reevaluate your departure plans in case of an emergency.
• Be aware of the limited ability of the US Embassy in Minsk to assist US citizens. The embassy has suspended routine and emergency consular services until further notice due to security concerns.
• If you must travel to Belarus, exercise increased vigilance and awareness regarding political and military tensions in the region.
• Be cautious when discussing political views or expressing opinions about the war in Ukraine. Belarus imposes strong penalties for broadly defined and arbitrarily enforced offences, including 'terrorism propaganda' and 'discrediting' the government and security forces.
• If you are a dual citizen of the US and Belarus, be aware that Belarus does not recognize dual nationality. Local authorities will treat you as a Belarusian national, limiting the consular services the US can provide if you are arrested or detained.

US citizens need a visa to enter Belarus

To obtain a Belarusian entry visa, the following documents must be submitted in person or by post to the embassy:

• A completed visa application form, written in English or Russian/Belarusian, with complete and consistent answers detailing the purpose of the visit.
• One colour photograph, taken within the last 6 months, with a plain background, no sunglasses or headwear (unless for religious/ethnic reasons), and no ink or corrugation.
• A valid original passport, with at least two blank visa pages, valid for at least 90 days after the expected departure from Belarus.
• Visa support documents for the required visa type (e.g. tourist, business, student, etc.).
• Health insurance covering the entire stay in Belarus with a minimum coverage of €10,000.
• A pre-paid envelope for the return of documents (if applying by post).

The regular visa processing time is 5 business days, with an option to expedite the process within 2 days. The consular officer may request additional documents and has the right to adjust the number of entries, the validity period, and the term of the visa procedure. Visa applicants may also be interviewed by a consular officer if necessary. It is important to note that the visa fee is non-refundable, even in cases of visa denial.

Once issued, a Belarusian visa cannot be extended. If travel plans change, a new visa must be applied for. Additionally, all US citizens staying in Belarus for more than 5 days (excluding Sundays and national holidays) must register with the local office of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior. This requirement applies to both visa holders and those under the 30-day visa-free regime. Registration can be done online through the portal.gov.by website.

Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the US has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Belarus, urging citizens to avoid all travel to the country. US citizens located in or considering travel to Belarus are advised to be aware of the unpredictable situation, heightened tension, and potential harassment targeted at foreigners. Given these risks, US citizens are strongly advised against travelling to Belarus at this time.

Visa requirements for US citizens entering Belarus

To invite someone from Belarus to the USA, they will need to apply for a U.S. visa. Visa services are not currently available in Minsk, so they will need to apply at a U.S. embassy outside of Belarus.

Now, for US citizens entering Belarus, here is some detailed information on the visa requirements:

US citizens located in or planning to travel to Belarus are advised against doing so due to the unpredictable situation and heightened tensions in the region. The US Embassy in Belarus has issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory, recommending citizens not to travel to the country. However, if travel is necessary, here are the visa requirements for US citizens entering Belarus:

• Visa Application: US citizens require a visa to enter Belarus. The visa application should be submitted to the Belarusian Embassy or Consulate before travelling to the country. The application must be filled out in English, Russian, or Belarusian, with complete and consistent answers, specifying the purpose of the visit. Incomplete forms will be returned unprocessed.
• Passport: A valid original passport with at least two blank pages for visas, valid for at least 90 days after the expected departure from Belarus, is required. The passport must contain a photograph of the owner and should not have any torn pages or unauthorised marks, entries, erasures, or corrections.
• Photograph: One colour photograph, not older than 6 months, of size 35 x 45 mm, with a plain background and a full-face view, is needed. The photograph should be high-resolution without any sunglasses, hats, or head coverings (unless for ethnic or religious reasons).
• Visa Support Documents: Depending on the type of visa required (short-term or long-term), additional support documents may be necessary. These could include proof of the purpose of the visit, such as a letter of invitation or proof of accommodation.
• Health Insurance: Proof of health insurance covering the entire stay in Belarus with a minimum coverage of €10,000 is mandatory.
• Processing Fee: A processing fee may be applicable, depending on the type of visa and the applicant's country of citizenship. For citizens of the United States, the processing fee for tourist, business, and student visas is $160, while petition-based visas cost $190.
• Processing Time: The regular visa processing time is 5 business days, with an option for expedited processing within 2 business days. However, the consular officer has the right to adjust the validity period and number of entries, which may impact the processing time.
• Interview: In some cases, the consular officer may request an interview with the applicant. Clear and honest answers about the purpose of the trip and intentions during the stay in Belarus are essential.
• Registration: All US citizens staying in Belarus for more than 5 days (excluding Sundays and national holidays) must register with the local office of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior. This requirement applies regardless of the type of visa or entry under the visa-free regime. Registration must be completed within 5 days of arrival, and failure to do so can result in administrative action, including fines, deportation, and future entry prohibition.

It is important to note that even with a valid visa, entry and exit to/from Belarus over land borders may not be permitted. Additionally, due to the lack of international passport control, US citizens cannot cross the Belarusian-Russian land border by car, train, or on foot. For air travel between Belarus and Russia, a visa is required, and regulations may change unexpectedly.

Please refer to the website of the Belarusian Embassy for the most up-to-date information on entry requirements and travel advisories.

Frequently asked questions