Procedure for accreditation of foreign media journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus

Application for press accreditation
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There are two forms of accreditation: permanent and temporary.

Permanent accreditation is valid for up to one year, temporary — for up to two months.

PERMANENT ACCREDITATION

The following documents shall be required in order to consider a foreign journalist's request for permanent accreditation:

1. Original of the application letter for accreditation at MFA of Belarus on the media medium's official letterhead. The letter should be signed by medium's chief and should specify first and family names, date of birth, citizenship, passport number, date of its issue and expiry date, desired duration of accreditation, diplomatic mission where a journalist intends to receive an entry visa as well as aims of his visit.
2. Short background information about a mass medium applying for accreditation, including information about its representations on the territory of Belarus. The document should be signed by the medium's chief.
3. Document certifying that a journalist being accredited has been registered with the state tax administration (for residents of Belarus).
4. Standard application form completed personally by the journalist being accredited.
5. Short background note on professional activities of a journalist being accredited.
6. Two photos of the journalist being accredited (3õ4 cm).

Applications for permanent accreditation of foreign mass media technical personnel shall be processed under the same procedure as applications for accreditation of foreign mass media journalists. Decision on permanent accreditation shall be taken by the MFA of Belarus within two months from the date of the application's receipt.

Upon completion of permanent accreditation procedures by a foreign mass medium's representative, the MFA Consular Department shall send a written confirmation to Belarus foreign representation for issuing a one-year multiple entries service visa.

Representatives of foreign mass media permanently accredited at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus shall receive an appropriate accreditation certificate (accreditation card).

Family members of a permanently accredited journalist shall receive a family member card and a service visa valid for the period of foreign journalist's accreditation.

PROLONGATION OF PERMANENT ACCREDITATION

If permanent accreditation needs to be prolonged, a foreign mass medium editor shall, not later than fifteen days before the expiration of accreditation, send a letter to the MFA requesting to prolong journalist's accreditation. The following documents shall also be required:

1. Application form completed personally by the journalist being accredited;
2. Two photos of the journalist being accredited (3õ4 cm).

TEMPORARY ACCREDITATION

The following documents shall be required in order to consider a request for temporary accreditation:

1. Written application for accreditation at MFA of Belarus on the medium's official letterhead with a request to grant accreditation to persons representing the mass medium in the Republic of Belarus (facsimile transmission is possible). The letter should be signed by the medium's chief and should specify first and family names, citizenship, date of birth, passport number, date of its issue and expiry date, desired duration of accreditation, diplomatic mission where a journalist intends to receive an entry visa as well as aims of his visit.
2. Standard application form completed personally by the journalist being accredited.
3. Two photos of the journalist being accredited (3õ4 cm).

Decision on temporary accreditation shall be taken by the MFA of Belarus within 20 days from the date of the application's receipt.

Upon completion of temporary accreditation procedures by a foreign mass medium's representative, the MFA Consular Department shall send a written confirmation to Belarus' foreign representation on issuing a business visa.

Representatives of foreign mass media temporary accredited at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus shall receive an appropriate accreditation certificate (accreditation cards).