Americans Exit Belarus: What's Driving The Exodus?

Americans are leaving Belarus due to the country's deteriorating relations with the US. The US has issued a Level 4 travel advisory, warning its citizens not to travel to Belarus due to the country's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential for civil unrest, and the risk of detention. The US Embassy in Minsk has advised American citizens to depart Belarus immediately and has suspended its operations in the country. There is also a risk of potential harassment specifically targeted at foreigners.

The US Embassy in Minsk has advised Americans to leave Belarus immediately

Furthermore, the presence of Russian military forces and troops belonging to the private Wagner mercenary group in Belarus poses a significant threat to Americans. The unpredictable situation and potential harassment targeted at foreigners make it strongly inadvisable for US citizens to travel to Belarus. The US has previously advised against visiting Belarus, including in January 2022, before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The US Embassy in Minsk's advisory is a serious call to action for Americans in Belarus to depart the country immediately, using the remaining border crossings or by plane, due to escalating tensions and safety concerns.

Belarus has been accused of violating human rights

The US has accused Belarus of:

• Arbitrary or unlawful killings by security forces
• Torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by security forces
• Harsh and life-threatening prison conditions
• Arbitrary arrest and detention
• Transnational repression against individuals in another country
• Serious problems with the independence of the judiciary
• Arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy
• Punishment of family members for alleged offenses by a relative
• Serious abuses in a conflict related to Belarus' complicity in Russia's war against Ukraine
• Serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media, including violence or threats of violence against journalists, and censorship
• Serious restrictions on internet freedom
• Substantial interference with the freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association
• Inability of citizens to change their government peacefully through free and fair elections
• Serious and unreasonable restrictions on political participation
• Serious government corruption
• Serious government restrictions on or harassment of domestic and international human rights organizations
• Lack of investigation of and accountability for gender-based violence, including domestic and intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and other forms of violence
• Trafficking in persons
• Crimes involving violence or threats of violence targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex persons
• Outlawing of independent trade unions and significant restrictions on workers' freedom of association

The US has also accused Belarus of restricting academic freedom and cultural events, and denying freedom of movement and the right to leave the country.

In addition, the US has criticized Belarus for its lack of transparency and accountability, and for its failure to effectively monitor and investigate human rights abuses. The US has also expressed concern over the treatment of refugees and migrants in Belarus, and the country's role in facilitating irregular migration.

The US Embassy in Belarus has advised US citizens to leave the country immediately due to the unpredictable situation, heightened tension in the region, and potential harassment targeted at foreigners.

Americans are required to have a visa to enter Belarus

Americans are currently being advised by the U.S. Embassy in Belarus to leave the country immediately. This is due to the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Ukraine, which has resulted in heightened tensions in the region. The situation is unpredictable, and there is a risk of potential harassment targeted at foreigners.

American passport holders 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 to Belarus over a land border is unlikely to be permitted. Similarly, it is unlikely that individuals will be allowed to exit the country via a land border.

To obtain a Belarusian entry visa, the following documents must be submitted to the Embassy:

• A completed visa application form, which should be filled out in legible handwriting or typing, in English, Russian, or Belarusian. The form should be signed by the applicant personally.
• One colour photograph, taken within the last 6 months, with a plain background, and no sunglasses, hat, or head covering (unless for religious or ethnic reasons).
• A valid original passport, with at least two blank pages for visas, 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, etc.).
• Health insurance, with coverage of at least 10,000 Euros, and valid for the whole period of the stay in Belarus.

The regular visa processing time is 5 business days, and the consular officer has the right to reduce the number of entries and the validity period of the visa. It is recommended that individuals apply for their visa no earlier than six months before their visit to Belarus.

The US has imposed sanctions on Belarus

The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has taken action against individuals, entities, and aircraft pursuant to Belarus-related Executive Order (E.O.) 14038. This action targets persons involved in supporting Russia's war in Ukraine through military resource production and transshipment of goods to Russia, sanctions evasion on behalf of Belarusian defence entities, and revenue generation for Belarusian oligarchs in President Alexander Lukashenko's inner circle.

The US has also imposed visa restrictions on 19 regime officials and their affiliates for their involvement in undermining democracy in Belarus, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 8015.

The US has designated the following individuals and entities under the sanctions:

• Peleng JSC (Peleng): A leading design enterprise in Belarus’ optoelectronic industry, producing components for spacecraft, satellites, and sights with thermal imagers for military vehicles.
• LLC Laboratory of Additive Technologies (LAT): A Belarus-based entity focused on research and development in the natural sciences that generates revenue by supplying components to companies that produce weapons for the Russian Federation.
• LLC Ruchservomotor (Ruchservomotor): A Belarusian developer and manufacturer of precision coordinate systems, including high-precision milling and engraving products and services.
• AlYurTekh, ALC Diskoms, LLC MOT, LLC Grosver Grup, and Limited Liability Company Tochnaya Mekhanika: These companies have signed contracts committing to supply Peleng with goods or services.
• Aviakompaniya Rada LLC (Rada) and UE RubiStar (RubiStar): Two private Belarusian cargo airline companies that have provided support to Russian defence activities, including moving Wagner Group personnel and supplies to and from Africa.
• Aviakompaniya Belkanto LLC (Belkanto): A Belarus-based private cargo airline company that has taken ownership of one of Transaviaexport’s planes and begun leasing other aircraft from the company, focusing on the transshipment of goods to Russia.
• Ruzekspeditsiya LLC (Ruzekspeditsiya) and VLATE Logistic LLC (VLATE): Two Belarus-based logistics entities involved in the management of border crossing logistics and transportation services through Belarus to Russia, including the re-export of machinery, hydrocarbons, and Western European goods. They are controlled by U.S.-designated Lukashenka ‘wallets’, who are Belarusian oligarchs with close ties to the government.
• Joint Stock Company Plant Legmash (Legmash): A Belarus-based manufacturing plant that has shifted its operations to produce artillery ammunition to supply the Belarusian and Russian armed forces.
• KB Unmanned Helicopters (UAVHeli): A Belarusian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developer and manufacturer that produces drones for use in the security and defence sectors, selling its products to the Belarusian and Russian defence sectors.

The US has also identified a Boeing 767-32K(ER) aircraft, EW-001PB, as property in which Lukashenko has an interest.

As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests of the designated persons and entities in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. Financial institutions and other persons that engage in transactions or activities with the sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to enforcement actions.

The US has designated Belarus as a Level 4 country, meaning Americans are urged to leave immediately

The US has designated Belarus a Level 4 country, meaning that Americans are urged to leave the country immediately. The US Embassy in Minsk has issued advisories in April and August 2023, stating that US citizens in Belarus should "depart immediately" and those planning a trip to the East European country should not go. The US State Department has also suspended operations at the US Embassy in Minsk and ordered the departure of US government employees.

The US has warned its citizens against travelling to Belarus due to the country's facilitation of Russia's war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential for civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the limited ability of the US Embassy to assist US citizens. There is a risk of potential harassment specifically targeted at foreigners. US citizens are advised to avoid public demonstrations as authorities have used force to disperse demonstrators, and bystanders may face the possibility of arrest or detention.

US citizens should regularly reevaluate their departure plans in case of an emergency. Border crossings with neighbouring countries may be closed with little notice, and additional closures of crossing points with Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, and Ukraine are possible. Belarus enforces special restrictions on dual US-Belarusian nationals and may refuse to acknowledge their US citizenship, including denying or delaying consular assistance.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an advisory notice prohibiting US air carriers, airmen and airwomen, and registered aircraft from operating in the Minsk Flight Information Region. US citizens are advised to have a contingency plan that does not rely on US government assistance and to enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate them in an emergency.

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