Visa Types

Visa Types & Categories to Apply for Belarus

You can realize a planned trip to Belarus by getting a Belarus visa. Foreign nationals can apply for Belarus short-term visas (C-type visa) for temporary reasons (tourism, business, cultural, and other short-term). If you want to stay in Belarus longer for any reason (such as education, work, etc.), you can also apply for Belarus long-term visas (D-type visa).

Visa Free Regime of Belarus

Citizens of the following countries can enter Belarus for an indefinite stay:

  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Georgia
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Moldova
  • Russia
  • Tajikistan
  • Uzbekistan

Citizens of the following countries can enter Belarus for a 90-days stay:

  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Israel
  • Mongolia
  • Ukraine
  • Venezuela

Citizens of the following countries can enter Belarus for a 30-days stay:

  • Albania
  • China
  • Cuba
  • Ecuador
  • Hong Kong
  • Macao
  • Montenegro
  • Qatar
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Serbia
  • Turkey
  • United Arab Emirates
 
Visa-Free Provisions

According to Belarus visa-free regime policy, foreign citizens who travel to Belarus through Minsk International Airport can enter Belarus without a visa. This policy is applicable to the below countries’ citizens:

 

All European Union citizens

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Japan

New Zealand

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

United Kingdom

Albania

Canada

Kuwait

Nicaragua

San Marino

United States of America

Andorra

Chile

Liechtenstein

North Macedonia

Saudi Arabia

Uruguay

Antigua and Barbuda

Dominica

Malaysia

Norway

Seychelles

Vanuatu

Australia

El Salvador

Mexico

Oman

Singapore

Vatican City

Barbados

Iceland

Micronesia

Panama

South Korea

 

Bahrain

Indonesia

Monaco

Peru

Switzerland

 

 

Citizens of Gambia, Haiti, India, Lebanon, Namibia, Samoa, and Vietnam can also enter Belarus without a visa through Minsk International Airport, if they possess multiple-entry C or D visa by Schengen/EU countries, an entry stamp of these countries on their passport and also have a valid return ticket through Minsk International Airport.

 

Brest and Grodno Regions Visa-Free Regime

Same foreign citizens (who are eligible to enter Belarus without a visa through Minsk International Airport, listed above) can also enter Brest and Grodno territories of Belarus without a visa for staying up to 15 days. Prior to travel, visitors must obtain an appropriate document that is issued by a certified local travel agency in Belarus. Possible entry checkpoints are the followings:

  • Brest (Terespol)
  • Bruzgi (Kuznica)
  • Damacava (Slawatycze)
  • Bieniakoni (Salcininkai)
  • Bierastavica (Bobrowniki)
  • Piascatka (Polowce)
  • Pryvalka (Raigardas)
  • Piarerau (Bialowieza)
  • Brest-Uschodini Railway Station
  • Grodno Railway Station
  • Brest Airport
  • Grodno Airport

*All nationals who enter Belarus without a visa under a visa-free regime policy must register themselves at local police departments in Belarus if they plan to stay in Belarus above 5 days.

Belarus Short-term (C-type) Visa

You can apply for a Belarus Short-term visa for realizing your temporary travel to Belarus. Reasons to apply for this type of visa can be tourism, visiting family or friends, business trips, short-term education, exchange programs, short-term work, and many other non-permanent nuances. Belarus Short-term visa’s validity period can be a maximum of 90 days.

 

Required Documents for Belarus Short-term Visa

 

1. Application Form 

  • Fully completed in English and signed and dated by the applicant himself (signed by both parents in case of minors, below the age of 18)

2. Passport

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your departure from Belarus.
  • Signed by bearer
  • Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
  • At least one or two free “visa pages”
  • Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

3. Photo

  • NEW! Should not be older than 6 months.
  • A frontal view of the face-covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo.
  • A uniform and white background.
  • Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame.
  • 3.5x4.5 size

4. ID Card Copy

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your departure from Belarus.

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your departure from Belarus.

6. Photocopies

  • Copy of the main page of your passport
  • Copies of previous visas
  • Copy of visa for the final destination (if any)

7. Travel Itinerary 

  • Flight reservation (return ticket)
  • Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

8. Letter from Local Employer/Sponsor (Proof of Occupation)

  • The letter must include:
    • Name, postal address, and telephone number of sponsor/company
    • Details regarding the applicant’s working position, starting date of the employment, and salary
    • The timeframe of work leave (expected date to resume duties) and purpose of travel
  • Valid trade license copy and company ownership documents (if a person is an owner of the company).
  • Letter from University (if student)
  • Copy of sponsor’s valid passport and residence visa (if any) to be attached to letter from sponsor (if an applicant is a dependent)

9. Medical Insurance

  • It should cover all the duration you intend to stay in Belarus

10. Supporting Documents that Show Your Reason for a Trip

      For tourism (one of the following documents):

      For business/congress/sports travel:

      For private visit:

  • Original invitation letter by inviting person
  • Original document that confirms the ownership of estate (home) of your inviting person, if you are going to stay there
  • Copies of passport, Id card/residence permit of your inviting person

      For studying (short-term):

  • Original invitation letter by the educational establishment in Belarus
  • Acceptance letter to the Belarusian education establishment

      For employment (short-term):

  • Original invitation letter by Belarusian company
  • A copy of the employment permit that is issued for you
  • Confirmation by Citizenship and Migration Department in Belarus

11. For Minors:

  • Copy and English translation of either birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced/death certificate of parent
  • Letter of consent from parent/s or legal guardian/s, if traveling unaccompanied

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.

 

Processing Time for Belarus Short-term Visa

The average processing time for a Belarus Short-term Visa is 3-15 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.

 

Belarus Short-term Visa Fee

Belarus Short-term Visa fee is 35 EUR for single-entry and 60 EUR for a multiple-entry visa (it can vary depending on your country and nationality). Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.

 

Where to Apply for Belarus Short-term Visa?

You will apply for a Belarus Short-term Visa in Belarus visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

Belarus Long-term (D-type) Visa

Even if your country is exempt from visa requirements, if you intend to stay longer in Belarus, you will need to apply for a long-stay visa from your home country before coming to Belarus.

The long-term visa grants entry to Belarus on the basis that you will be applying for a residence permit. It enables you to enter Belarus as a potential resident and stay while you apply for residency.

 

Required Documents for Belarus Long-term Visa

 

1. Application Form 

  • Fully completed in English and signed and dated by the applicant himself (signed by both parents in case of minors, below the age of 18)

2. Passport

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your departure from Belarus.
  • Signed by bearer
  • Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
  • At least one or two free “visa pages”
  • Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

3. Photo

  • NEW! Should not be older than 6 months.
  • A frontal view of the face-covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo.
  • A uniform and white background.
  • Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame.
  • 3.5x4.5 size

4. ID Card Copy

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your departure from Belarus.

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your departure from Belarus.

6. Photocopies

  • Copy of the main page of your passport
  • Copies of previous visas
  • Copy of visa for the final destination (if any)

7. Travel Itinerary 

  • Flight reservation
  • Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

8. Letter from Local Employer/Sponsor (Proof of Occupation)

  • The letter must include:
    • Name, postal address, and telephone number of sponsor/company
    • Details regarding the applicant’s working position, starting date of the employment, and salary
    • The timeframe of work leave (expected date to resume duties) and purpose of travel
  • Valid trade license copy and company ownership documents (if a person is an owner of the company).
  • Letter from University (if student)
  • Copy of sponsor’s valid passport and residence visa (if any) to be attached to letter from sponsor (if an applicant is a dependent)

9. Medical Insurance

  • It should cover all the duration you intend to stay in Belarus

10. Supporting Documents that Show Your Reason for a Trip

      For business travel:

      For private visit:

  • Original invitation letter by inviting person
  • Original document that confirms the ownership of estate (home) of your inviting person, if you are going to stay there
  • Copies of passport, Id card/residence permit of your inviting person

      For studying (long-term):

  • Original invitation letter by the educational establishment in Belarus
  • Acceptance letter to the Belarusian education establishment

      For employment (long-term):

  • Original invitation letter by Belarusian company
  • A copy of the employment permit that is issued for you
  • Confirmation by Citizenship and Migration Department in Belarus

      For family reunion:

  • Original invitation letter by your family member
  • Original document that confirms the ownership of estate (home) of your inviting person, if you are going to stay there
  • Copies of passport, Id card/residence permit of your family member in Belarus
  • Documents proving your ties with your family member in Belarus (such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.)

11. For Minors:

  • Copy and English translation of either birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced/death certificate of parent
  • Letter of consent from parent/s or legal guardian/s, if traveling unaccompanied

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.

 

Processing Time for Belarus Long-term Visa

The average processing time for a Belarus Long-term Visa is 3-15 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.

 

Belarus Long-term Visa Fee

Belarus Long-term Visa fee is 60 EUR (it can vary depending on your country and nationality). Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.

 

Where to Apply for Belarus Long-term Visa?

You will apply for a Belarus Long-term Visa in Belarus visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

Belarus Transit Visa

Whether or not a foreign citizen needs to meet the transit visa requirements for Belarus depends on a few different factors.

All foreign citizens who need a visa to enter Belarus are able to transit through Belarus without a visa for up to 24 hours, but only if they travel by air and remain within the airport transfer lounge. To transit in Belarus for longer periods and to be able to leave the airport transit lounge, it will be necessary to hold an approved visa for the country.

If you will transit to Belarus by train, car (everything except air), you will need to get a Belarus Transit visa.

Belarus Transit visa is issued for a maximum of 2 days.

 

Required Documents for Belarus Transit Visa

 

1. Application Form 

  • Fully completed in English and signed and dated by the applicant himself (signed by both parents in case of minors, below the age of 18)

2. Passport

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your departure from Belarus.
  • Signed by bearer
  • Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
  • At least one or two free “visa pages”
  • Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

3. Photo

  • NEW! Should not be older than 6 months.
  • A frontal view of the face-covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo.
  • A uniform and white background.
  • Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame.
  • 3.5x4.5 size

4. ID Card Copy

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your transiting through Belarus.

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your transiting through Belarus.

6. Photocopies

  • Copy of the main page of your passport
  • Copies of previous visas
  • Copy of visa for the final destination (if any)

7. Travel Itinerary 

  • Onward ticket (to the next destination)

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.

 

Processing Time for Belarus Transit Visa

The average processing time for a Belarus Transit Visa is 3-15 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.

 

Belarus Transit Visa Fee

Belarus Transit Visa fee is 10 EUR for single-entry and 35 EUR for a multiple-entry visa (it can vary depending on your country and nationality). Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.

 

Where to Apply for Belarus Transit Visa?

You will apply for a Belarus Transit Visa in Belarus visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

FAQ

Where to Apply for a Belarus Visa?

To apply for a Belarus visa, you will need to submit your application file at one of the following Belarus representative authorities, located in your country of residence:

  • Consular sections of Belarus.
  • Diplomatic Representative offices of Belarus.
  • Consular Centre of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Minsk Airport, in case there isn’t a Belarusian representative office in your country of residence.

I am from a country whose citizens do not need a visa to enter Belarus. Can I experience any problems at the border, while entering Belarus?

You must meet certain requirements to enter Belarus, even if you are not required a visa:

  • The purpose of your trip to Belarus must be plausible and comprehensible.
  • Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond your stay in Belarus.
  • You must be able to finance your own living and travel costs.
  • You must hold a confirmed return flight to prove that you are prepared to leave Belarus before the allowed period of stay ends.
  • You must not pose a threat to security or public order.

Is the visa valid for Belarus only?

The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus issues visas for Belarus only.

Can I get a residence permit for Belarus at the Consulate General?

No, you cannot get a residence permit for Belarus at the embassy or consulate of Belarus. You should get a long-term visa, then apply for a residence permit after your arrival in Belarus.

How early can I apply for a Belarus visa?

The Embassy recommends that you apply at least 3 weeks prior to your date of travel to accommodate any unforeseen processing delays.

What happens if my Belarus visa application is rejected?

If your Belarus visa application is rejected, you will be notified by your mission that your application has been unsuccessful. You will be informed of the grounds on which it was rejected and have one month to appeal the decision by writing to the Belarus mission. Your application will then be reconsidered. You can also apply for a visa again if your circumstances have changed.

Will I get my visa at the end of the process?

The issuance or refusal of a visa is the sole prerogative of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus.

Will my fees be refunded if my visa is refused?

All fees are non-refundable and will not be refunded if your visa application is not successful.

Can I extend the validity of my Belarus visa?

The validity of a visa can be extended in some exceptional and force-major cases. You can get information about that directly at the Migration Department of Belarus.

Do I have to participate in the Embassy or Visa Administrative Center in person for applying a Belarus visa?

It depends on your country of residence or the embassy/consulate/Visa Administrative Center’s rules and obligations. In some countries, sending your documents via courier is enough to the embassy/consulate/Visa Administrative Center.

Can I prolong my visa-free days’ duration within Belarus?

No, you can stay in Belarus for the duration of maximum days applicable to your citizenship without visa. For staying longer period in Belarus, you must apply for a Belarus visa in advance.