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Guidelines for foreign citizens about Belarus visa issuance and visa prices

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 witha foreign travel document [ a foreign travel document means a valid passport or another similar document intended for foreign travel and issued by the appropriate authorities of the state of citizenship or residence of a foreigner or by an international organization] if there is a visa, unless otherwise stipulated by international treaties 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 Belarus, the following types 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 consular directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus are the issuing authority for entry visas to the Republic of Belarus.

As visa applications are issued, a consular fee is charged, as set by the Special Part of the Tax Code of the Republic of Belarus of December 29, 2009.

To obtain an entry visa, a foreign citizen should submit the following documents to a visa issuing authority:

1) one copy of a duly completed visa application form [The visa application form is filled out legibly by hand or by using technical means in an official language of the host country of a foreign institution, or in Russian, or in Belarusian, or in English. Answers to the questions of the visa application form must be complete and logically consistent and indicate the real purpose of the trip. The visa application form is signed by the foreign citizen personally. The visa application form for a minor is signed by his or her legal representative.]

2) one photograph; [the photograph must meet certain requirements specified in the international standard ISO / IEC 19794-5: size 35x45 mm, full face, against an even light background, high resolution, no corrugation or ink allowed, 70 — 80 percent of the picture placed vertically, 6 months-older photos not accepted;

3) a foreign travel document; [a foreign travel document, submitted by the foreign citizen, must:

contain a photograph of the owner. In case minors accompanying the foreigner are included into the entry visa, the foreign travel document should contain photographs of those persons;

have at least two blank pages intended for visas;

the document shall be valid as long as at least 90 days after the expected date of departure of a foreign citizen from the Republic of Belarus.

A foreign travel document, submitted by the foreign citizen, must not:

- be dubious in terms of authenticity or ownership,

- contain marks, entries, erasures and corrections that are not certified by the competent authorities of the respective foreign state. There must be no torn pages either.

4) visa support documents (see details below).

For citizens of migration-secure states, a simplified visa procedure is provided, which does not require visa support documents confirming the purpose and conditions of travel, when applying for business or private visas for the period of up to 30 days.

5) additional documents required for issuance of an entry visa (at the request of a consular officer);

6) a confirmation of the consular fee paid.

In the Republic of Belarus, the following types of visas are provided:

B – transit visa;

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 treaties of the Republic of Belarus.

Entry visas may be single-entry, double-entry and multiple-entry.

Single entry visa entitles to a single entry, stay and departure from the Republic of Belarus for the period specified in the visa and within a specified number of days of stay, but not more than 90 days.

Double entry visa entitles to a double entry, stay and departure from the Republic of Belarus for the period specified in the visa and within a specified number of days of stay, but not more than 90 days.

A multiple entry visa entitles to the numerous (more than 2 times) entries, stays and departures from the Republic of Belarus for the period specified in the visa and within a specified number of days of stay, but not more than 90 days per year, unless otherwise stipulated by the international treaties of the Republic of Belarus.

A consular officer makes a decision about granting an entry visa on the basis of the documents submitted, the results of an interview within 5 working days from the date of application (as amatter of urgency — within 48 hours), which is final.

A consular officer may reduce the number of entries granted by the visaand the validity of the visa.

A consular officer is not obliged to indicate the reasons for visa denial.

In the event of visa denial the consular fee is not reimbursed.

To extend the term of stay of a foreign citizen on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, please contact the Citizenship and Migration Department at the place of registration of a foreign citizen to obtain:

an exit visa;

a sojourn permit and, if necessary, an exit-entry visa in addition to it.

Transit visa (type B) is issued for transit through the territory of the Republic of Belarus for the stated period, but not more than for 1 year, and is valid for 2 days from the date of entry of a foreign citizen into the Republic of Belarus.

Transit visa is issued for single, double and multiple transit through the territory of the Republic of Belarus in case the foreigner has the visa of the country of his or her final destination.

If a visa to enter a third country is not required, other grounds for issuance of a transit visa are taken into account, including railroad, motor or airline tickets or booking confirmation.

Visa support documents confirming the purpose and conditions of the visit include:

for a short-term visa (type C) for the purpose of:

- making a business trip, participating in sports / cultural activities — an original application of a legal entity, issued on the letter-head with the full name of the entity, its location and telephone number, and the commitment of the legal entity that the foreigner shall comply with the rules of stay in the Republic of Belarus, sealed by the legal entity.

If it is necessary to exercise control over the work of a representative office of a foreign enterprise in the Republic of Belarus or to undertake other activities directly related to the work of this office, managers and employees of this office or a foreign enterprise (organization), which has established this office, can be granted a short-term business visa on the basis of the original application of a foreign enterprise office in the Republic of Belarus issued on the letter-head with its full name, location and telephone number, and the commitment of the representative office that the foreigner shall comply with the rules of stay in the Republic of Belarus, sealed by the representative office.

Visa is issued for up to 90 days and may be single-entry, double-entry and multiple-entry.

To provide legal grounds for the issuance of a short-term visa for the purpose of making a business trip or participating in sports / cultural activities to citizens of migration-secure states safe, a copy of the application can be accepted, including facsimiles or copies transmitted by other channels of communication.

To see an application form for issuance of a short-term visa for the purpose of making a business trip, participating in sports / cultural events please click here

[Doc-file, 32Kb] (In Russian)

[Pdf-file, 87kb] (in Russian)

- study — the original invitation from an organization, which, in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Belarus, is entitled to issue such invitations, coordinated with theCitizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in the territory of which the organization is situated, for a period specified in the invitation.

Visa is issued for up to 90 days and may be single-entry, double-entry and multiple-entry. On arrivalin Belarus with a short-term student visa in accordance with the rules a foreign citizen shall seek to receive a sojourn permit and, if necessary, — a multiple exit-entry visa from the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairsof the Republic of Belarus.

To see a sample application for a short-term student visa issuance please click here:

[Doc-file, 33Kb] (in Russian)

[Pdf-file, 80kb] (in Russian)

- religious reasons– an application of a religious association issued on the letter-head with the full name of the religious association, its location and telephone number, and the commitment of the religious association that the foreign citizen shall comply with the rules of stay in the Republic of Belarus, sealed by the religious association and approved by the Commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs.

To provide legal grounds for the issuance of a short-term visa for religious reasons a copy of a duly completed application may be accepted, including a facsimile or a copy transmitted by other channels of communication.

Visa is issued for up to 90 days and may be single-entry, double-entry and multiple-entry.

To see a sample application for the issuanceof a short-term visa for religious reasons please click here:

[Doc-file, 32Kb] (in Russian)

[Pdf-file, 87kb] (in Russian)

- tourism — one of the following original documents for the period specified in the document, but not more than 30 days:

an application of a Belarusian tourist company, issued on the letter-head with the full name of the tourist company, its location and telephone number, and the commitment of the tourist company that the foreigner shall comply with the rules of stay in the Republic of Belarus, sealed by the tourist company;

an application of a treatment center or a health improvement organization, issued on the letter-head indicating its full name, location and telephone number, purpose, period of stay of a foreign citizen, the services provided, confirmation of the voucher reservation and full or partial prepayment for the services, as well as the commitment of the treatment center or health improvement organization that the foreigner shall comply with the rules of stay in the territory of the Republic of Belarus, sealed by the organization;

an applicationof a rural tourist business with its name and address, purpose, period of stay of a foreign citizen, the services provided and the commitment of the rural tourist business that the foreign citizen shall comply with the rules of stay in the Republic of Belarus and copies of the documents confirming the right to provide its services in the sphere of rural tourism.

Citizens of the migration-secure states can obtain short-term tourist visas on the basis of:

a copy of a duly completed application including a facsimile copy or a copy transmitted by other channels of communication;

an accomodation booking confirmation received by facsimile or other communication channels, for a period of the documented reservation, but not more than for 10 days.

To see a sample application for a short-term tourist visa please click here:

[Doc-file, 38Kb] (in Russian)

[Pdf-file, 90kb] (in Russian)

- for private purposes — one of the following documents:

an original invitation issued by the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus;

a written communication confirming the need for an urgent trip to the Republic of Belarus, in case of serious disease or death of a close relative or a family member of the foreign citizen, including the one transmitted by facsimile or other means of communication;

a subpoena, including the one received by facsimile or other means of communication;

an original document confirming the availability of a housing facility in the territory of the Republic of Belarus for issuance of an entry visa to the owner of the housing facility and his or her family members;

an application of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus in accordance with a specified form, whose signature is certified by: [The application of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus is valid for 90 days from the date of the notarial certification of the signature of the citizen of the Republic of Belarus.]

-a foreign official authorized to perform notarial acts;

- a notary public of the Republic of Belarus, unless entry visas are issued to citizens of migration-insecure states.

Visa is issued for up to 90 days and may be single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry.

To see a sample invitation for the receipt of visa for private purposes please click here:

[Doc-file, 43Kb] (in Belarusian)

[Pdf-file, 114kb] (in Belarusian)

To see a sample application of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus please click here:

[Doc-file, 53Kb] (in Belarusian)

[Pdf-file, 56kb] (in Belarusian)

- visits to cemeteries — an original certificate of the Belarusian Red Cross Society or a local executive committee confirming the fact of burial in the Republic of Belarus and the maintenance of the graves of close relatives or a husband (wife) of a foreign citizen.

Visa is issued for up to 90 days and may be single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry.

- implementation of humanitarian programs, including foreign donations, children’s rest and recuperation and voluntary gratuitious works - an application of the Humanitarian Activities Department of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Belarus or another governmental body authorized by the laws of the Republic of Belarus, regional executive committees and Minsk City Executive Committee, including applications received by facsimile or other channels of communication;

- journalism – a journalist visa is issued to mass media representatives of foreign states on the written order of theMain Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in connection with their temporary accreditation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus;

- employment (hire entitlement) — one of the following documents:

a notarially certified copy of a special employment permit of a migrant in the Republic of Belarus issued by the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Directorate of Internal Affairs of Minsk City Executive Committee, Department of Internal Affairs of a Regional Executive Committee;

an original application of a commercial organization with foreign investments, issued on the letter-head with the full name of the commercial organization, its location and telephone number, and the commitment of the commercial organization that the foreign citizen shall comply with the rules of stay in the Republic of Belarus , sealed by the commercial organization, and certified copies of the articles of incorporation or appointment orders for the founders and managers of commercial organizations with foreign investments.

Visa is issued for up to 90 days and may be single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry. On arrival in Belarus with a short-term employment visa in accordance with the rules a foreign citizen shall seek to receive a sojourn permit and, if necessary – a multiple exit-entry visa from theCitizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.

To see a sample application for a an employment visa please click here:

[Doc-file, 32Kb] (in Russian)

[Pdf-file, 87kb] (in Russian)

For issuance of a long-term multiple-entry visa (type D) effective, as a rule, for one year with the right to stay up to 90 days per year, unless otherwise stipulated in the international treaties of the Republic of Belarus, for the purpose of:

- maintaining business contacts, participating in sports / cultural events:

1) an original application of a legal entity, issued on the letter-head with the full name of the entity, its location and telephone number, and the commitment of the legal entity that the foreign citizen shall comply with the rules of stay in the Republic of Belarus, sealed by the legal entity;

2) Original Extract about a Belarusian legal entity from the Unified Governmental Register of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Belarus [Extracts from the Unified Governmental Register of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Belarus are issued by the registration authorities (regional executive committees, Minsk City Executive Committee, district executive committees, free economic zones in a local place of the applicant’s registration) and Ministry of Justice in line with the Guidelines on keeping records of the Governmental Register of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs as enacted by Bylaw of the Ministry of Justice of Belarus No. 25 dated 10 March 2009 or a notarized copy of the certificate of governmental registration of the legal entity in Belarus, valid for 90 days from the date of notarization;

3) copies of the contract (cooperation agreement) between the Belarusian legal entity and a foreign citizen or foreign organization in which he works, confirming the existence of stable business relationship, or any documents of the Belarusian legal entity (including the articles of incorporation) confirming that the foreign citizen is a CEO or founder of a commercial organization with foreign investments (a foreign organization or a joint venture), sealed by the Belarusian legal entity or the organization in a contractual relationship with the Belarusian legal entity, or a copy verified by the consular officer against the original document;

4) in case the foreign citizen is employed by the organization that signed a contract (cooperation agreement) with the Belarusian legal entity — a document confirming employment issued on the letter-head of the foreign organization and signed by its CEO;

5) if necessary, where decided by the consular officer — other documents confirming information contained in the application and the existence of business contacts must be submitted.

A long-term visa for the purpose of business contacts maintenance can be issued on the basis of an application of a representative office of a foreign company or bank in the Republic of Belarus for an entry visa:

to managers and employees of the representative office of a foreign company or bank in the Republic of Belarus;

to founders, managers and employees of a foreign enterprise (organization), which has established this office — in order to supervise the representative office or any activities directly related to the work of the representative office.

To see a sample application for a multiple-entry long-term visa for the purpose of maintaining business contacts or participating in sports / cultural events please click here:

[Doc-file, 35Kb] (in Russian)

A multiple-entry long-term visa is also issued on the order of theConsular Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the basis of the applications from the governmental authorities, regional executive committees and Minsk City Executive Committee, receivedby the Consular Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

for private purposes – on the basis of one of the following original documents:

an invitation issued by the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus;

application of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus — husband (wife) or a close relative of the foreign citizen whose signature is certified by a foreign official authorized to perform notarial acts, in accordance with a specified form.

To see a sample invitation for the receipt of a visa for private purposes please click here:

[Doc-file, 32Kb] (in Belarusian)

To see a sample application of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus please click here:

[Doc-file, 32Kb] (in Belarusian)

[Pdf-file, 87kb] (in Belarusian)

Religious reasons – on the order of the Consular Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs based on the application of a religious association, issued on the letter-head with the full name of the religious association, its location and telephone number, sealed by the religious association, and the commitment of the religious association that the foreign citizen shall comply with the rules of stay in the Republic of Belarus sealed by the religious association and approved by the Commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs;

To see a sample application for issuance of a multiple-entry long-term visa for religious reasons:

[Doc-file, 32Kb] (in Russian)

[Pdf-file, 87kb] (in Russian)

Issue of entry visas at the airports of Minsk

Entry visas at the National airport “Minsk” and airport “Minsk-1” are issued by the Foreign Admissions Division of the Consular Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Short-term visas at the Foreign Admissions Division of the Consular Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be issued when the original visa support documents are presented. Where decided so by a consular officer it may be possible to issue visas to citizens of migration-secure states for the period of up to 30 days for the purpose of a business trip, participating in sports / cultural events and for private purposes without presenting visa support documents.

Visa support documents for long-term visas shall be submitted to the Consular Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minsk, ul. Karla Marxa, 37a) after the list of due documents is provisionally agreed (contact phone number 222 26 61) no later than 5 working days before the expected date of arrival of the foreign citizen.

Short-term student visas are issued only in the event of personal presence of a representative of the organization authorized by law to issue invitations for study at the National airport “Minsk” and airport “Minsk-1”.

Short-term tourist visas shall be issued when one of these original documents is presented:

a services contract issued in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Belarus;

an application of a Belarusian tourist company, issued on the letter-head with its full name, location and telephone number, and the commitment of the tourist company that the foreign citizen shall comply with the rules of stay in the Republic of Belarus, sealed by the tourist operator;

an application of a treatment center or a health improvement organization, issued on the letter-head indicating its full name, location and telephone number, purpose, period of stay of a foreign citizen, services provided, confirmation of the voucher reservation and full or partial prepayment for the services, as well as the commitment of the treatment center or health improvement organization that the foreign citizen shall comply with the rules of stay in the Republic of Belarus, with the seal of the organization;

an application of a rural tourist business with its name and address, purpose, period of stay of a foreign citizen, services provided and the commitment of the rural tourist business that the foreign citizen shall comply with the rules of stay in the Republic of Belarus and copies of the documents confirming the right to provide its services in the sphere of rural tourism.

To see the rates of consular fees for the issue of Belarus visa applications in the airports of Minsk please click here. (in Russian)

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