Making Money In Belarus: A Comprehensive Guide

There are many ways to make money in Belarus, both online and offline. Online methods include earning money through social media platforms such as YouTube and Facebook, as well as through Google Adsense, e-commerce websites, data entry work, money-making apps, and selling photos and videos. Foreign investors can also create commercial organizations in Belarus, with various legal forms available. Offline methods include teaching an online course or working as a social media influencer or videographer/photographer.

Make money online

There are several ways to make money online in Belarus, and here is a detailed and direct guide to instruct you on how to do so.

Online Surveys

Online surveys are a popular method to earn money in Belarus. Many companies and market research firms are willing to pay individuals for their valuable consumer insights and feedback. Survey sites such as Toluna, Swagbucks, GlobalTestMarket, and Vindale Research offer opportunities to provide opinions on products, services, and market trends in exchange for rewards or cash. It's important to note that while this method can provide extra income, it may not generate substantial earnings.

Language Teaching

If you are a native speaker, you can teach your language online. Platforms like Justlearn allow you to set your hourly rate, schedule, and teaching methods. You can teach from anywhere in the world, as long as you have a stable internet connection and access to a computer or mobile phone. The income from language teaching can be stable, and it also provides the satisfaction of sharing your knowledge with students worldwide.

Social Media and Content Creation

You can monetise your social media presence and content creation skills on platforms like YouTube and Facebook. To do this, you need to create a channel or page, upload regular content, and build a substantial number of followers and watch hours to meet the monetisation requirements. Once approved, you can set up ads on your content to generate income.

E-commerce and Affiliate Marketing

Creating an e-commerce website can be a way to make money online. You can list products and services on your website and drive sales through affiliate marketing. By joining affiliate programs, you can promote products from other businesses and earn commissions on successful referrals.

Data Entry Jobs

Online data entry jobs are another option for earning money from home. You can find various data entry job websites by searching for "Online Data Entry Jobs from Home on Mobile." These jobs often require basic equipment, such as a smartphone or computer, and an internet connection.

Other Online Opportunities

There are numerous other ways to make money online, such as selling photos and videos, participating in referral programs, or becoming a social media influencer. Additionally, you can explore options like creating a blog, writing e-books, dropshipping, or becoming a content creator or an online course instructor.

Set up a business

Foreign investors have the right to create commercial organisations in Belarus with any amount of foreign investment and in any legal form. The following are the legal forms available:

• Unitary enterprise (UE)
• Limited liability company (LLC)
• Additional liability company (ALC)
• Joint-stock company (JSC): closed joint stock company (CJSC) or opened joint stock company (OJSC)

The minimum authorised capital of a commercial organisation depends on the legal form. Contributions to the authorised capital can be made in cash or non-cash form. Non-monetary contributions are subject to assessment, and the property imported by the participant for the formation of the authorised capital is generally liable to value-added tax.

To register a commercial organisation in Belarus, you need to follow these steps:

• Decision-making by founders to create a commercial organisation in Belarus
• Choice of legal form
• Find a location for the newly established commercial organisation (legal address)
• Form governing bodies and confirm and sign documents
• Submit documents to the registering authority and complete state registration
• Prepare the company seal
• Execute employment relationships with the head and chief accountant
• Open a bank account
• Conclude a contract for depository and consulting services and register shares in an authorised government body

Companies that implement investment projects in Belarus can access various sources of external financing, including standard bank lending, other banking products, and attracting funds from international financial institutions, private equity funds, and foreign credit lines.

Send money to Belarus

If you need to send money to Belarus, it's worth comparing specialist money transfer services instead of going straight to your bank. Money transfer specialists typically offer better BYN exchange rates and lower fees, so your recipient will get more Belarusian rubles for the same amount of US dollars sent.

MoneyGram is one of the cheapest options, with competitive exchange rates and fees starting at $0. They can also deliver money to your recipient in Belarus within minutes.

The best way to send money to Belarus depends on your payment method, how the recipient will access the money, and how fast you need it to arrive. Here are some options:

• Online money transfer provider: Money transfer specialists offer better rates and cheaper fees than local banks.
• Bank transfer: Bank transfers are convenient but often charge extra and are slower than other methods. US banks generally add a 3% to 6% markup on exchange rates.
• Cash pickup: This option gives the recipient instant access to the money from their agent location in Belarus.
• Mobile wallet: This is an electronic wallet service that allows users to store, send, and receive eligible currencies using their phone, often with fees attached.
• Home delivery: If the recipient may not be able to get to a cash pickup location, you may be able to opt for door-to-door cash delivery.

When choosing a money transfer provider, it's important to consider the cost, how the recipient will access the funds, and the turnaround time. Here are some other features to review:

• Exchange rates: Compare the BYN offered to you with the mid-market rate and look for the smallest difference.
• Transfer fees: Check whether you're being charged a flat fee or a percentage of the transfer amount.
• Transfer type: Different transfer types have different fees. For example, instant cash pickups tend to be more expensive than bank transfers.
• Transfer speed: You can pay for express delivery if you need your transfer to arrive quickly.
• Transfer limits: Find out the minimum and maximum transfer amounts for each service.
• Discounts: Some providers may offer a free transfer for signing up or a discount for transferring a certain amount.

To send money to Belarus, you'll need the necessary documentation, recipient details, and a way to pay. Here are the steps:

• Compare your options: Find a money transfer provider that suits your requirements, such as cash pickup or bank transfer.
• Provide your details: Give your name, address, contact details, proof of ID, and payment method.
• Provide recipient details: Enter the recipient's name, contact information, and bank account details if sending to their account.
• Enter the transfer amount: Check the fees, exchange rates, and transfer speed, then enter the amount you wish to send.
• Complete your transfer: Send the money and keep the transaction reference number to track your transfer.

Note that Western Union stopped its money transfer service in Belarus on March 24, 2022.

Earn via social media

YouTube

To make money on YouTube, you must first create a Google account and a new YouTube channel. Upload a profile photo and a cover photo, and verify your channel. Once you've done that, start uploading videos that are at least five minutes long. To monetise your channel, you need to meet the requirement of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time. After that, you can apply for YouTube channel monetisation and set up Google ads on your videos.

Facebook

Facebook is the most popular social media platform globally, and you can make money by creating a page and uploading regular videos. To get started, create a Facebook account and page, then customise your page with profile and cover photos. Upload videos that are five or ten minutes long and build a following. Once you reach 10,000 followers and 60,000 hours of watch time, you can apply for Facebook Page Monetisation and set up Facebook ads on your videos.

Instagram

Instagram is one of the most visited social media platforms in Belarus, with over 26% of social media site visits in the country. You can build a following on Instagram and work with brands on sponsored content or product promotions. You can also use Instagram to promote your own products or services if you have a business. Additionally, you can become an influencer and earn money through brand collaborations and sponsorships.

TikTok

TikTok is another popular social media platform in Belarus, ranking second in the country. Similar to Instagram, you can use TikTok to build a following and work with brands or promote your own products or services. Becoming a TikTok influencer can also lead to earning opportunities through brand collaborations and sponsorships.

Telegram

Telegram is a messaging app that was widely used during the mass street protests in Belarus. While it has been labelled as "extremist" by the government, some channels have a large number of subscribers. However, it is important to note that subscribing to certain Telegram channels can lead to legal repercussions, so use this platform with caution.

Pinterest

Pinterest is the second most visited social media platform in Belarus, with over 17% of social media site visits. You can use Pinterest to drive traffic to your blog or website, especially if your content is visually focused. Building a following on Pinterest can also lead to influencer opportunities and brand collaborations.

Make money via an app

Making money via an app is a convenient way to earn some extra income in Belarus. Here are some options to consider:

Survey Apps

Participating in online surveys can be a great way to make money by providing feedback on products, services, and market trends. Survey sites connect individuals with companies and market research firms, who value consumer insights for their business decisions. While the income may not be substantial, it can still provide a nice boost. Some reputable survey sites include Toluna, Swagbucks, GlobalTestMarket, and Opinion Outpost. These platforms offer various rewards, such as cash payments, gift cards, vouchers, and sweepstakes entries. It's important to choose reputable sites and consider factors like survey availability and payment options.

Passive Income Apps

You can also earn passive income by utilising apps that run in the background of your device. For example, the Pawns.app allows you to earn money by sharing your internet connection and completing short surveys. The app pays $1 per survey on average, and you can also earn by inviting others through their referral program. Other similar apps may be available, offering easy ways to make money without much effort.

Social Media and Content Creation

Building a presence on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube can be a path to income. Becoming a social media influencer requires dedication and time to build a following, but it can lead to monetisation through sponsored posts, affiliate links, and creating online stores. Similarly, starting a YouTube channel and creating informative, educational, or entertaining content can attract subscribers and lead to monetisation opportunities.

Selling Photos and Videos

If you have a creative eye, you can sell your photos and videos online. There are websites dedicated to this, where you can upload your content, set a price, and make money when someone purchases your work.

These are just a few ways to make money via apps in Belarus. Each option requires different levels of effort and time investment, but all can provide opportunities for earning income.

Frequently asked questions