Belarus Visa: Easy Or Difficult To Get?

Belarus has different visa requirements depending on the traveller's country of origin and purpose of visit. Most foreign travellers need a visa to enter Belarus, which can be obtained from a Belarusian diplomatic mission, and there are several visa-free travel programs for tourists. Citizens of certain countries are exempt from needing a visa, and there are also exceptions for diplomatic passport holders from a number of states.

Visa requirements for US citizens

US citizens are required to have a visa to enter Belarus. This must be issued by a Belarusian embassy or consulate overseas. Even with a visa, entry and exit over a land border is unlikely to be permitted.

Visa Application

To obtain a visa, applicants must submit the following documents:

• A completed visa application form, filled out in legible block capitals in English, Russian or Belarusian. The form must be signed by the applicant personally.
• One colour photograph, taken within the last 6 months, measuring 35 x 45 mm, with the applicant's full face taking up 70-80% of the picture.
• A valid original passport, with at least two blank pages, valid for at least 90 days after the expected departure date from Belarus.
• Visa support documents for the required type of visa.
• Proof of health insurance, valid for the Republic of Belarus and covering the applicant for at least €10,000.
• Proof of payment of the visa fee.

Visa Processing

Applications are typically processed within 5 working days, with an expedited option available within 2 working days. The visa fee is €60 for all types of visas with any number of entries. Applicants under the age of 14 are exempt from the visa fee.

Registration

All US citizens staying in Belarus for more than 5 days (not including Sundays or national holidays) are required to register with the local office of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior. This must be completed within 5 days of arrival. Registration can be completed online through a single portal of electronic services. Failure to register or remaining in Belarus for longer than 30 days may result in administrative action, including fines, deportation, and future entry bans.

Visa-free access through Minsk National Airport

Overview

The President of Belarus signed Decree No. 8 "On the introduction of the visa-free entry and departure for foreign citizens" on 9 January 2017, which came into force on 12 February 2017. This decree allows citizens of designated countries to enter Belarus without a visa through Minsk National Airport, except for flights to and from Russia. The allowed length of stay is up to 30 days, with registration required for stays exceeding 5 days.

Eligibility

Citizens of the following countries are eligible for visa-free access through Minsk National Airport:

• All European Union member states
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Non-citizen residents of Estonia and Latvia

In addition, citizens of the following countries must have a multiple-entry visa to the EU or Schengen area with a mark confirming entry and tickets with a confirmed departure from Minsk National Airport within 5 days of arrival:

• Vietnam
• Haiti
• The Gambia
• Honduras
• India
• China
• Lebanon
• Namibia
• Samoa

Requirements

To enter Belarus through Minsk National Airport without a visa, eligible citizens must have the following documents:

• A valid ordinary passport, valid for at least 90 days beyond the intended date of departure from Belarus.
• Financial means: an amount equivalent to at least 2 base rates for each day of stay, or 50 base rates for a full 30-day stay, in Belarusian rubles or foreign currency.
• A medical insurance policy with coverage of at least €10,000, valid in Belarus for the duration of the stay.

Registration

Foreign citizens staying in Belarus for more than 10 working days 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 carried out by the accommodation facility upon check-in.

Visa-free access to Brest-Grodno tourist zone

Visa-free access to the Brest-Grodno tourist zone

The Brest-Grodno tourist zone in Belarus offers visa-free access to citizens of 73 countries for up to 15 days. This zone was established by a presidential decree in August 2019 and has been in effect since 10 November 2019.

Who can enter the Brest-Grodno zone without a visa?

Citizens of the following countries can enter the Brest-Grodno zone without a visa:

• All European Union member states
• Albania
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Brazil
• China
• Cuba
• Ecuador
• Hong Kong
• Israel
• Macao
• Macedonia
• Mongolia
• Montenegro
• Nicaragua
• Qatar
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Serbia
• Türkiye
• United Arab Emirates
• Venezuela

How to enter the Brest-Grodno zone without a visa

To enter the Brest-Grodno zone without a visa, foreign visitors must:

• Possess a valid passport or another valid document for travelling abroad.
• Obtain a document issued by a Belarusian tourist agency, confirming their right to enter the Brest-Grodno zone without a visa.
• Have health insurance for the duration of their stay in Belarus.
• Present the above documents, as well as proof of insurance, at a Belarus state border checkpoint.
• Register with the local police department within five days of arrival. This is usually handled by hotels, resorts, and landlords.

Points of entry

The Brest-Grodno zone can be entered through the following checkpoints with Poland and Lithuania:

• Brest (Terespol)
• Bruzgi (Kuźnica)
• Damačava (Sławatycze)
• Bieniakoni (Šalčininkai)
• Bierastavica (Bobrowniki)
• Piasčatka (Połowce)
• Pryvalka (Raigardas)
• Piareraŭ (Białowieża)
• Liasnaja (Rudawka)
• Pryvalka (Švendubrė)
• Brest-Uschodni Railway Station
• Grodno Railway Station
• Brest Airport
• Grodno Airport

Where can I go in the Brest-Grodno zone?

The Brest-Grodno zone includes the following territories:

• The city of Brest and Brest, Zhabinka, Kamenets, Pruzhany districts of the Brest region.
• The city of Grodno and Grodno, Berestovitsa, Volkovysk, Voronovo, Lida, Svisloch, Shchuchin districts of the Grodno region.

When visiting as part of an organised group, tourists can also visit other areas of the Brest and Grodno regions, provided it is part of a planned tour route.

Visa fee exemptions

Citizens of the Following Countries

Citizens of the following countries are exempt from paying the visa fee:

• Albania
• Argentina
• Brazil
• China
• Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
• Macao Special Administrative Region
• Cuba
• Ecuador
• Israel
• Macedonia
• Mongolia
• Montenegro
• Nicaragua
• Qatar
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Serbia
• Türkiye
• United Arab Emirates
• Venezuela

Citizens of the above countries can enter Belarus without a visa, for varying lengths of stay and under certain conditions. For example, citizens of Albania can stay for up to 30 days during one trip, not exceeding 90 days per year. Meanwhile, citizens of Israel can stay for up to 90 days in each period of 180 days.

Investors and Employees of the Hi-Tech Park

Investors and other people included in the lists compiled by the administration of the Industrial Park Great Stone can stay in Belarus for 180 days without a visa. Additionally, foreigners employed by resident companies of the Hi-Tech Park and the founders of these companies can enter Belarus without a visa.

Diplomatic Passport Holders

There are also visa fee exemptions for diplomatic passport holders from a number of states.

Japanese Citizens

Japanese citizens are exempt from paying for any type of Belarusian visa.

Children

In accordance with the Tax Code of the Republic of Belarus, foreigners up to 14 years old are exempt from the visa application fee.

Visa application process

The visa application process for Belarus depends on the purpose and length of your visit. Belarus issues transit (B), short-term (C), and long-term (D) visas. These visas can be single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry. Here is a detailed guide on the visa application process:

Step 1: Determine Visa Type

First, determine the type of visa you need based on your purpose of visit and intended duration of stay. Belarus offers:

• Transit Visa (B): Valid for up to 2 days, for those transiting through Belarus to another destination.
• Short-Term Visa (C): Valid for up to 90 days, suitable for private travellers on family business.
• Long-Term Visa (D): Valid for 90 days to 5 years, allowing multiple entries, suitable for business travellers and those seeking an extended stay.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

The following documents are typically required for a Belarusian visa application:

• Completed and signed application form.
• One recent passport-size photograph (3.5 cm by 4.5 cm), taken no earlier than 6 months prior, with the applicant's face covering 70-80% of the photograph.
• Valid passport with at least two blank pages and validity for at least 90 days after the intended stay.
• Supporting documents depending on the purpose of the visit (e.g., formal request, invitation letter, proof of accommodation, etc.).
• Medical insurance valid in Belarus with coverage of at least €10,000.
• Proof of visa fee payment.
• Additional documents may be requested by the consular service.

Step 3: Submit Application

Submit your application and supporting documents to one of the following authorities:

• Embassies of Belarus.
• Consulates of Belarus.
• Consular Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Minsk National Airport.

Step 4: Wait for Processing

Visa applications are typically processed within 5 working days. For urgent cases, processing can be expedited to 2 working days for an additional fee.

Step 5: Receive Visa

Upon approval, you will receive your visa. The standard visa fee is €60 for all types of visas, but there are exemptions and discounts for certain nationalities.

Visa-Free Entry

It is important to note that citizens of certain countries, such as Albania, Argentina, Brazil, China, and others, may be exempt from visa requirements for stays of up to 30 or 90 days, depending on bilateral agreements. Additionally, Belarus offers visa-free travel programs for tourists, providing simplified entry procedures for eligible travellers.

Frequently asked questions