Us Citizens Visiting Belarus: Do You Need A Visa?

US citizens require a visa to enter Belarus. The US Embassy in Belarus has suspended its operations since February 28, 2022, due to security and safety issues. However, US citizens can obtain a Belarusian entry visa from the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the United States of America. The required documents include a completed visa application form, a colour photograph, a valid original passport, visa support documents, health insurance, and an envelope if applying by post.

Visa requirements for US citizens travelling to Belarus

US citizens are required to have a visa to enter Belarus. This can be obtained from a Belarusian Embassy or Consulate overseas. However, due to the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Ukraine, the US government has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Belarus, advising US citizens not to travel to the country.

Visa Application Process

To obtain a visa, US citizens must submit the following documents to the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus:

• A completed visa application form, including a detailed purpose of the visit and signed by the applicant.
• One colour photograph, taken within the last 6 months, with a plain background, no sunglasses or hats, and with the full face showing.
• A valid original passport, with at least two blank pages and valid for at least 90 days after the expected departure date from Belarus.
• Visa support documents for the required type of visa (e.g. tourist, business, student).
• Health insurance covering the entire stay in Belarus with a minimum coverage of €10,000.
• A prepaid envelope for postal applications.

The regular visa processing time is 5 business days, or 2 business days for expedited processing. The consular officer may request additional documents and has the right to reduce the number of entries or the validity of the visa. It is important to note that the visa fee is non-refundable, even in cases of visa denial.

Additional Considerations

• US citizens should be aware that even with a visa, entry into Belarus over land borders may not be permitted. Similar restrictions apply when exiting the country.
• All US citizens staying in Belarus for more than 5 days must register with the local office of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior. This includes visa holders and those under the 30-day visa-free regime.
• Foreign citizens entering Belarus on a tourist or business visa cannot stay for more than 90 days in any calendar year.
• US citizens requiring an immigrant visa must apply at the US Embassy in Warsaw, Poland.

Visa application process for Belarus

US citizens do need a visa to enter Belarus. Here is a step-by-step guide to the visa application process for US citizens wishing to visit Belarus:

Step 1: Prepare the necessary documents

• Completed visa application form, filled out in legible handwriting or typing, in English, Russian, or Belarusian. The form must include complete and consistent answers, a clear purpose of the visit, and the signature of the applicant (or their legal representative, in the case of minors).
• One colour photograph, taken within the last 6 months, sized 35 x 45 mm, with a plain, light background, and a full-face view (without sunglasses, hats, or head coverings, unless for religious or ethnic reasons).
• Valid original passport, with at least two blank pages for visas, valid for at least 90 days after the expected departure date from Belarus, and containing a photograph of the owner.
• Visa support documents for the required type of visa (e.g. tourist, business, student, etc.).
• Health insurance information, including the name, address, and phone number of the insurance company, the name of the insured, the validity area including Belarus, the insurance period covering the entire stay in Belarus, and a minimum coverage of 10,000 Euros.
• If applying by post, a pre-paid envelope with the filled return address.

Step 2: Submit the application

Submit the above documents to the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus, either in person or by post. The address is: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009.

Step 3: Wait for processing

The regular visa processing time is 5 business days, or within 2 business days for expedited processing, after all necessary documents are submitted. The consular officer may request additional documents or conduct an interview if necessary.

Step 4: Receive the visa

Once the visa is issued, it cannot be extended. If your travel plans change, you must apply for a new visa.

Step 5: Register your stay (if applicable)

If you are staying in Belarus for more than 5 days (not including Sundays or national holidays), you must register with the local office of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior. This can be done online through the portal.gov.by website or in person. Registration must be completed within 5 days of arrival. If you are staying in a private home, you must complete the registration yourself.

Please note that US citizens are advised against travelling to Belarus due to the unpredictable situation and heightened tensions in the region. Even with a visa, entry and exit over land borders may not be permitted.

Border crossing between Belarus and Russia

US citizens are required to have a visa to enter Belarus. This visa must be issued by a Belarusian Embassy or Consulate overseas. Even with a visa, entry to Belarus over a land border is unlikely. The same applies when exiting the country.

US citizens and other foreigners are unable to cross the Belarus-Russia land border by car, train, or on foot. This is because Belarus and Russia do not have international passport control capabilities at the land border. The only people who can cross the land border are those with Russian or Belarusian passports.

To travel by air between the two countries, US citizens require a visa. Travel regulations between the two countries can change unexpectedly, so it is recommended to check the Embassy of Belarus and the Embassy of the Russian Federation websites for the latest information.

Registration requirements for US citizens in Belarus

US citizens who plan to stay in Belarus for more than five days (excluding Sundays and national holidays) are required to register with the local office of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior (formerly OVIR). This requirement applies to both visa holders and those who enter Belarus under the 30-day visa-free regime.

Registration must be completed within five days of arrival (excluding Sundays and national holidays). The registration fee is approximately $6, regardless of the duration of the stay.

If you are staying in a hotel, the hotel staff will complete the registration for you at check-in, free of charge. If you are renting an apartment or house, check with the rental agent as they may be able to assist with the registration process.

If you are staying in a private home, you must complete the registration process yourself. In such cases, you can register online through the portal.gov.by website, without visiting the internal affairs agency in person. This is a free service available to foreigners entering Belarus through any checkpoint.

If you plan to move to another location after registering, you must register anew with the Citizenship and Migration Department office in your new locale before you move.

Failure to register within the stipulated time or remaining in Belarus longer than 30 days can result in administrative action, including a fine of up to €550, deportation, and prohibition from entering Belarus in the future.

US Embassy in Belarus

The U.S. Embassy in Belarus is located at 46 Starovilenskaya St. Minsk 220002, Belarus. The phone number is +375 17 210-12-83 / 217-7347 / 217-7348, and the fax number is +375 17 234-78-53. The email address is [email protected]. The Embassy's working hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 17:30, excluding Belarusian and American holidays.

The U.S. Embassy in Minsk suspended its operations on February 28, 2022, due to security and safety issues arising from the unprovoked and unjustified 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, Poland, to process immigrant visas for residents of Belarus.

U.S. citizens located in or considering travel to Belarus should be aware of the unpredictable situation and heightened tensions in the region due to Russia's attack on Ukraine. Potential harassment specifically targeted at foreigners is also possible. Given these concerns, U.S. citizens are strongly advised against travelling to Belarus.

American passport holders are required to obtain a visa from a Belarusian Embassy or Consulate overseas before entering Belarus. It is important to note that even with a visa, entry into Belarus over a land border is unlikely. Similarly, exiting the country over a land border will probably not be permitted.

When travelling between Belarus and Russia, it is important to remember that Belarus and Russia do not have international passport control at their land border. Consequently, U.S. citizens and other foreigners, even those holding valid visas, may not cross the border by car, train, or on foot. Only individuals with Russian or Belarusian passports may transit the land border.

For air travel between Belarus and Russia, U.S. citizens require a visa. The regulations regarding travel between the two countries can change unexpectedly, so it is recommended to check the websites of the Embassies of Belarus and the Russian Federation for the latest information before planning a trip.

All U.S. citizens staying in Belarus for more than five 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 entering under the 30-day visa-free regime. Registration must be completed within five days of arrival, excluding Sundays and national holidays. If staying in a hotel, the hotel will handle the registration process. For short-term rentals, it is recommended to check with the rental agent to see if they can assist with registration.

Failure to register or remaining in Belarus beyond 30 days can result in administrative action, including a fine of up to €550, deportation, and a ban from entering Belarus in the future. Foreign citizens entering Belarus on a tourist or business visa may not stay for more than 90 days in total during any calendar year, including entry and departure dates.

Frequently asked questions