Information on Safe Migration
We promote the role of women in society,
revealing her personal potential, professionally
assisting in the realization of civil and social rights
revealing her personal potential, professionally
assisting in the realization of civil and social rights
I want to come from Ukraine to Belarus, where to look for housing and work?
We receive questions about whether it is possible to come to Belarus now, how to get refugee status, who can help with housing and work. In this article, we have collected addresses and phone numbers where refugees from Ukraine can receive assistance.
Are there any entry restrictions?
At the moment, restrictions on entry for foreign citizens and stateless persons have been lifted in the Republic of Belarus. Citizens of Ukraine can come to Belarus, including by transit through Poland. Foreigners need a PCR test (vaccination certificate) to enter, but this requirement does not apply to those foreigners, including Ukrainian citizens, arriving due to the socio-political situation in Ukraine.
How do I get refugee status?
When crossing the border, the border guards of the Republic of Belarus find out the reason for entry from Ukrainian citizens on a case-by-case basis. If you or your friend wants to obtain refugee status in the Republic of Belarus, you need to say so when crossing the Belarusian border.
You can also apply for asylum in the Republic of Belarus (depending on your location in Belarus) to the following authorities:
- divisions of the State Migration Service in Minsk, Minsk, Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno or Mogilev regions;
- to employees of the border service or internal affairs agencies if you are detained for illegally residing in Belarus or illegally crossing the border.
In all cases, it is necessary to indicate that you want to apply for asylum in Belarus.
Where can I get help:
The following organizations provide free information assistance to asylum seekers and refugees:
1. Department of Citizenship and Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus (DGiM).
Phone: 8-017 218-72-68, 8-017 218-72-69 (Asylum Department)
E-mail: dcm@mia.by
DGiM has offices in Minsk, Minsk, Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno and Mogilev regions. You can get their contact information by contacting the phone numbers listed above.
2. The Refugee Counseling Service also provides free legal advice on asylum issues, helps with applying for asylum, and provides other legal assistance related to protection issues.
Phone: 8-017 395 48 62
Hotline: 8-044 753-35-72, 8-033 635-21-66
E-mail: pa.bmmw@gmail.com
SKB also has divisions in all regions of Belarus. You need to call the hotline numbers and get the contact details of the SKB offices in the desired area.
If you are unable to find housing on your own, you may be placed in a temporary settlement facility. Then you can start looking for a job. You can contact the employment center, or use the Internet to find a job yourself.
Where can I get other assistance (for example, grocery, medical, or employment assistance):
The IOM Representative Office in Belarus, with the participation of partners, provides the following types of assistance to migrants from Ukraine (both citizens of Ukraine and citizens of third countries), free of charge and in compliance with confidentiality rules:
- Food, clothing / shoes, hygiene supplies. To get help, you need to contact the regional organizations of the Belarusian Red Cross Society, that is, the Red Cross of the region where you are located (for example, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk, Mogilev, etc.);
- Psychological and psychosocial assistance and support (in Gomel region);
- Assisting in obtaining specialized medical care and medications (in the Gomel region). This type of assistance is provided on an individual basis after reviewing each specific case and concerns the scope of assistance beyond what is provided free of charge by the state at the primary care and emergency care levels;
- Assisting third-country nationals in returning to their home country;
- Assisting with the payment of transportation services within the territory of the Republic of Belarus;
- Employment assistance:
1) payment of the state fee for obtaining a special permit to work in the Republic of Belarus,
2) training on professional courses, as well as retraining/skills upgrading courses,
3) legal assistance on employment issues in the Republic of Belarus, including the cost of document legalization;
- Reintegration assistance for victims of human trafficking, including stay at the IOM Rehabilitation Center. Consultations/providing useful information through the hotline service on safe exit and combating human trafficking
To receive advice, you need to contact the hotline of the Business Women's Club – your problem will be reviewed, and you will be referred to the relevant organizations.
