Procedure for obtaining visas to enter the Republic of Belarus
According to the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On Legal Status of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons in the Republic of Belarus” of January 4, 2010 a foreign citizen may enter the Republic of Belarus, leave the Republic of Belarus and transit through the territory of the Republic of Belarus with a foreign travel document (?), if there is a visa of the Republic of Belarus (?), unless otherwise stipulated by the international agreements of the Republic of Belarus or by the decisions of the President of the Republic of Belarus.
Visa regulations of the Republic of Belarus, approved by the decree of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of July 15, 2010 No.1065, established types of visas and issue procedures
In the Republic of Belarus, the following categories of visas are provided:
- visa for entry into the Republic of Belarus (hereinafter — the entry visa);
- visa for exit from the Republic of Belarus (hereinafter — the exit visa);
- visa for exit from the Republic of Belarus and for entry into the Republic of Belarus (hereinafter — the exit-entry visa).
Diplomatic representations and consular institutions of the Republic of Belarus, as well as the Foreign Admissions Division of the Consular Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus at the «National Airport Minsk» are the issuing authorities of entry visas to the Republic of Belarus.
As visa applications are issued, a consular fee is charged. The rates of the consular fee set by the Tax Code of the Republic of Belarus. Citizens of some countries enjoy special rates, established by the President of the Republic of Belarus.
In the Republic of Belarus, the following types of entry visas are provided:
- B – transit visa, valid for up to 2 days;
- C – short-term visa, valid for up to 90 days;
- D – long-term visa, valid for up to 1 year with the right to stay up to 90 days (?), unless otherwise stipulated by the international agreements of the Republic of Belarus.
Entry visas may be single-entry (?), double-entry (?) and multiple-entry (?).
To obtain an entry visa, the following documents should be submitted to an entry visa issuing authority:
- one copy of a duly completed visa application form (?);
- one photograph (?);
- a foreign travel document (?);
- visa support documents. Entry visa applications for a purpose of business, private or for participation in sport or cultural activities for the period of up to 30 days of the citizens of Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland , France, Germany, Greece, SAR PRC Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Latvia , Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, SAR PRC Macau, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and Uruguay could be considered by the consular officer without visa support documents, that confirm the purpose and conditions of the visit.
- additional documents required (by request of the consular officer);
- medical insurance contract concluded with RUE“Belgosstrakh“or“Beleximgarant“or medical insurance contract concluded with any foreign insurance organization (?);
- a confirmation of the consular fee paid.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not provide any assistance in reviewing and delivering abroad of visa support documents.
The term of visa procedure is 5 working days (as a matter of urgency — within 2 working days) from the date of application. Decision is taken by the consular officer on the basis of the submitted documents and the results of the interview is final.
The consular officer has the right to reduce the number of entries and the validity of the visa, increase the term of visa procedure.
The consular officer is not obliged to indicate the reasons for visa denial.
In case of visa denial, the consular fee does not reimbursed.
To extend the term of stay on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, foreigner should contact the local unit of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior at the place of ones registration to obtain:
- an exit visa;
- a residence permit and, if necessary, an exit-entry visa in addition to it.
Foreigners are entitled to travel freely within the territory of the Republic of Belarus except for places, that require a special permit issued by authorized State organs or other organizations of the Republic of Belarus, and facilities that requires a special permit issued by administrations of these facilities. Border zone and Border line are on the list of such places (to prepare visit to such areas, please serf the website of the State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus)
