Obtaining a visa

Anyone who is going to transit or stay in the Republic of Belarus for a certain period of time can apply for a visa.

Foreigners can obtain a visa:

1. before departure at the diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Republic of Belarus (overseas institutions).
   The list of diplomatic missions of the Republic of Belarus abroad can be viewed on the website: http://embassies.mfa.gov.by/;
2. at the Department for Foreigners' Entry Issues of the Main Consular Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus at "National Airport Minsk".

ISSUANCE OF ENTRY VISAS AT "NATIONAL AIRPORT MINSK"

The issuance of entry visas at RUE "National Airport Minsk" is carried out by the Department for Foreigners' Entry Issues of the Main Consular Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DFEI MCD MFA).

Operating hours – around the clock.

Acceptance of visa support documents is carried out at the information point of the DFEI MCD MFA, located on the first floor of the 1/2 sector of the terminal complex of "National Airport Minsk" on weekdays from 10:30 to 13:30 in person. The information point of the DFEI MCD MFA does not operate on weekends and holidays.

Visa support documents can also be sent by post (220054, Minsk, territory of "National Airport Minsk", DFEI MCD MFA of the Republic of Belarus).

If necessary, you can contact the staff of the DFEI MCD MFA by phone: (8 017) 279 20 58, 279 28 72.

Also, visa support documents for obtaining short-term entry visas for private and tourist purposes can be submitted no later than 4 working days before the expected date of arrival of a foreigner to the branch of "Belintourist" of the Republican unitary enterprise "CENTERKURORT" at the address: Minsk, Pobediteley Ave., 19, office 30 (tel.: +375 17 226 91 00, +375 29 384 36 08).

In addition, there is an option to submit applications to regional branches of the Republican unitary enterprise "CENTERKURORT". Documents are accepted no later than 7 working days at the following addresses:

- Bobruisk, K. Marx St., 38, office 6. (tel. (0225) 72-27-51, (0225) 72-27-52)

- Brest, Masherova Ave., 17. (tel. (0162) 22-11-11, (0162) 22-03-93)

- Vitebsk, Zamkovaya St., 4 (tel. (0212) 36-54-84, (0212) 37-06-64)

- Gomel, Lenin Ave., 6. (tel. (0232) 70-00-65, +375 (29) 123-00-76)

- Grodno, Sotsialisticheskaya St., 14. (tel. (0152) 74-45-45, (033) 604-45-45)

- Mogilev, Pervomayskaya St., 8. (tel. (0222) 22-60-04, (029) 108-45-66)

- Orsha, Lenin St., 46. (tel. (0216) 21-00-24, (029) 170-09-25)

Visa support documents (original application and its copy) must be submitted to the Department of Foreigners' Entry Issues of the Main Consular Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance: for issuing short-term and long-term entry visas – no later than 2 working days before the expected date of arrival of the foreign national.

Due to serious illness or death of a close relative or family member of a foreign national, visa support documents may be submitted at the time of submitting documents required for consideration of the application for an entry visa.

Issuance of short-term entry visas for study purposes is carried out only if there is a representative of the organization at RUP "National Airport Minsk", which, in accordance with the legislative acts of the Republic of Belarus, has the right to issue invitations for training.

Foreign citizens arriving by air from the Russian Federation are not issued visas of the Republic of Belarus by the Department for Foreigners' Entry Issues of the Main Consular Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. This category of citizens must contact one of the foreign institutions of the Republic of Belarus before traveling to the Republic of Belarus.

Consular fees for consideration of applications for issuing entry visas to the Republic of Belarus at "National Airport Minsk" can be viewed on the website: http://mfa.gov.by/visa/vjezd/info/df9a3e95a4afe260.html.

FOR INFORMATION:

Consular fees for consideration of applications for issuing entry visas to the Republic of Belarus at "National Airport Minsk" are approximately three times higher than at foreign institutions.

We recommend applying for visas before departure at diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Republic of Belarus (foreign institutions), and using the possibility of issuing entry visas at RUP "National Airport Minsk" only in emergency cases (due to serious illness or death of a close relative), or for citizens of foreign countries where there are no Belarusian foreign institutions, or for foreigners arriving as part of official delegations at the invitation of Belarusian state authorities.

The following types of visas are provided for in the Republic of Belarus:

• visa for entry into the Republic of Belarus (hereinafter referred to as entry visa);
• visa for exit from the Republic of Belarus (hereinafter referred to as exit visa);
• visa for exit from the Republic of Belarus and entry into the Republic of Belarus (hereinafter referred to as exit-entry visa).

The following types of entry visas are provided for in the Republic of Belarus:

• B – transit;
• C – short-term, valid for up to 90 days;
• D – long-term, valid for up to 1 year with the right to stay up to 90 days, unless otherwise provided by international treaties of the Republic of Belarus.

Entry visas grant the right to enter, stay, and exit the Republic of Belarus during the period specified in the entry visa and for the specified number of days of stay, but not more than 90 days, and are divided into:

• single-entry,
• double-entry,
• multiple-entry.

The decision on a foreigner's application for an entry visa is made by a consular officer based on the submitted documents, the results of the conducted check, and an interview within 5 working days from the date of submission of the application (urgently — within 2 working days, at RUE "National Airport Minsk" — immediately) and is final.

To obtain an entry visa, a foreigner submits the following DOCUMENTS to the authorities issuing entry visas in the Republic of Belarus:

1. one copy of the visa application form on a form according to the approved form (the visa application form is available at the link: http://mfa.gov.by/visa/vjezd/info/faefad5873cc7ea0.html);
2. one photograph (size 35x45 mm);
3. a document for traveling abroad (must contain a photograph, including inscribed children, have at least two blank pages for visas, have a validity period exceeding the date of предполагаемого departure by at least 90 days);
4. health insurance contract (must be valid on the territory of the Republic of Belarus during the period of temporary stay or temporary residence, provide an insurance amount of at least 10,000 euros);
5. visa support documents (submitted to confirm the purpose and conditions of a foreigner's stay in the Republic of Belarus and contain guarantees of compensation for the cost of emergency medical care).
   By decisions of the head of the main consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the head of the department for issues of entry of foreigners of the main consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and their deputies, certain benefits provided for by visa legislation may be applied when considering applications for visas for citizens of states that are благополучных in migration terms.
6. additional documents necessary for making a decision on the issuance of an entry visa (upon request of the consular officer);
7. confirmation of payment of the consular fee (information on the rates of consular fees for issuing visas to certain categories of foreign citizens, issuing visas urgently, and the application of benefits is available on the websites of diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Republic of Belarus in the relevant countries).

Consular fee for consideration of an application of a foreign citizen for a visa of the Republic of Belarus: http://mfa.gov.by/upload/123/1.pdf.

Consular fees for processing applications for entry visas to the Republic of Belarus at Minsk National Airport: http://mfa.gov.by/upload/123/5.pdf.

More detailed information about the documents required for obtaining a visa, the visa application form, as well as visa support documents, can be found at the link: http://mfa.gov.by/visa/.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

When issuing any visa, a consular officer has the right to:

• request additional documents,
• reduce the frequency and validity period of the visa,
• refuse to issue a visa without stating the reasons for refusal (the consular fee for processing the visa request is not refundable).

The grounds for refusing to issue a visa for entry into the Republic of Belarus are similar to the grounds for refusing entry into the Republic of Belarus (found in section REFUSAL TO ISSUE A VISA FOR ENTRY OR ENTRY INTO THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS in clause 1.2. BORDER CROSSING PROCEDURE).

PURPOSES OF VISA ISSUANCE

VISA SUPPORT DOCUMENTS confirming the purpose and conditions of the visit for issuing a short-term visa (type C) for the following purposes:

1. carrying out a business trip, participating in sports/cultural events – an original request from a legal entity, drawn up on letterhead indicating the full name of the legal entity, its location and phone number, as well as the legal entity's obligation to comply with the foreigner's rules of stay in the territory of the Republic of Belarus. Such a request may be accepted in a copy received by fax or other means of communication, or may not be required in cases and in the manner prescribed by law.
2. carrying out journalistic activities – for representatives of mass media of foreign countries in connection with their temporary accreditation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus;
3. study – an original invitation to study, agreed with the relevant department for citizenship and migration of the internal affairs bodies, for the period specified in the invitation, or a notification received by the foreign affairs agency from the department for citizenship and migration on the approval of the invitation to study.
4. maintaining religious ties – a request from a religious association, drawn up on letterhead indicating the full name of the religious association, its location and phone number, as well as the obligation of the religious association for the foreigner to comply with the rules of stay in the territory of the Republic of Belarus, agreed with the Commissioner for Religious Affairs and Nationalities.

To apply for a long-term visa (type D), documents are required confirming the need for multiple trips during the declared period, for the purposes of:

1. business trips,
2. participation in sports (cultural) events,
3. journalistic activities,
4. maintaining religious ties,
5. private matters,
6. visiting places of burial,
7. implementation of humanitarian programs,
8. work.

More detailed information about visa support documents with sample applications is available at the link: http://mfa.gov.by/visa/

Visa support documents for obtaining short-term and long-term entry visas at the National Airport "Minsk" must be submitted in advance – no later than 2 working days before the expected date of arrival of the foreigner (in case of serious illness or death of a close relative or family member, they can be submitted at the time of submitting documents).

Visa support documents can also be sent by post (220054, Minsk, territory of the National Airport "Minsk" UVV SKhU MFA of the Republic of Belarus). If necessary, you can contact the staff of the UVV SKhU of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry by phone: + 375 (17) 279 20 58, 279 28 72.

Short-term entry visas for study purposes are issued only if there is a representative of the organization at the National Airport "Minsk", which, in accordance with legislative acts of the Republic of Belarus, has the right to issue invitations for study.

ISSUANCE OF INVITATIONS

An application for the issuance of an invitation to a foreigner to the Republic of Belarus is considered by the department for citizenship and migration at the place of temporary or permanent residence of the inviting person.

To apply for an invitation, you must provide:

• an application;
• a passport;
• a document confirming the availability of funds to cover the expenses for the stay of the invited foreigner and his departure from the Republic of Belarus – in case of inviting a foreigner from a country with migration problems;
• a document confirming payment (2 base units, for multiple invitations - 6 base units).

For reference: a document confirming the availability of funds to cover the expenses for the stay of the invited foreigner and his departure from the Republic of Belarus is also required – in case of inviting a foreigner from a country with migration problems.

Only citizens of the Republic of Belarus can apply for multiple invitations for foreigners to the Republic of Belarus, and at the same time submit additional documents:

• confirming the presence of grounds for issuing a multiple invitation (close kinship, marriage and adoption):
• birth certificate,
• marriage certificate,
• adoption certificate,
• certificate of change of surname, first name, patronymic.
• documents or information about previous visas issued and entries into the Republic of Belarus over the past three years - for other foreign citizens and stateless persons.

Foreigners temporarily or permanently residing in the Republic of Belarus have the right to apply for a single invitation and must submit to the department for citizenship and migration at their place of residence:

• an application,
• a document for traveling abroad – for foreigners temporarily residing in the Republic of Belarus,
• refugee certificate – for foreigners granted refugee status,
• residence permit – for foreigners permanently residing in the Republic of Belarus,
• a document confirming the availability of funds to cover the expenses for the stay of the invited foreign citizen or stateless person in the Republic of Belarus and his departure from the Republic of Belarus – in case of inviting a foreign citizen or stateless person from a country with migration problems,
• a document confirming payment (3 base units).

For reference: you may need a document confirming the availability of funds to cover the expenses for the stay of the invited foreigner and his departure.

Foreigners temporarily staying in the republic do not have the right to apply for an invitation.

The period for considering an application for an invitation is 10 days, in case of expedited processing – 5 days, in case of issuing a document urgently – 1 day.

TRANSIT VISA

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

A transit visa is issued for single, double, and multiple trips through the territory of the Republic of Belarus if the foreign citizen has a visa for the country they are traveling to via the territory of the Republic of Belarus.

If a visa for traveling to a third country is not required, other grounds for obtaining a transit visa are taken into account, including tickets for traveling by rail, air, or road, or confirmation of their booking.

EXIT AND EXIT-ENTRY VISAS

Exit and exit-entry visas (including multiple-entry) are issued by the departments of citizenship and migration at the place of temporary stay or residence of foreigners on the territory of the Republic of Belarus.

An exit visa grants the right to leave the Republic of Belarus within the сроки specified in the exit visa and is issued:

• if a foreign citizen needs it to leave the Republic of Belarus (for example, a foreign citizen is issued a visa to leave the Republic of Belarus if a transit passenger makes an unscheduled stop, if the period of validity of the issued visa has expired, or when extending the period of temporary stay);
• if a decision has been made regarding the deportation or expulsion of a foreign citizen from the Republic of Belarus or in connection with the extradition of a foreign citizen to a foreign state for criminal prosecution and/or serving a sentence.

An exit-entry visa (including multiple-entry) grants the right to leave the Republic of Belarus and subsequently enter the Republic of Belarus within the сроки determined by this exit-entry visa.

An exit-entry visa is issued:

• to foreigners who have arrived in the Republic of Belarus for the purpose of study and have received permission to temporarily reside from the departments of citizenship and migration of the internal affairs directorates of regional and Minsk City Executive Committees at the request of the educational institution, for the period of entry and exit, but not more than 90 days;
• Double-entry and multiple-entry exit-entry visas are issued to other categories of foreigners who have received permission to temporarily or permanently reside in the Republic of Belarus in the established manner, do not have a valid residence permit, for a period of up to 3 months and 1 year, respectively, but not exceeding the period of validity of the temporary residence permit or document for traveling abroad.