Belarus - or Belarus, as the current official name of the country says, has recently become a fashionable tourist destination for Russian citizens. Citizens of various CIS countries also often come to this country - on business or visiting relatives. Moreover, this country borders on Russia and Ukraine, it is easy to get here not only by plane, but by train and even by bus, which greatly reduces the cost of the trip, and, in addition, simplified entry rules exist for citizens of Russia and Ukraine. Nevertheless, a lot of conflicting information circulates around the network about whether a passport to Belarus is needed. Therefore, we will try to understand this issue.
Entry into Belarus for citizens of Russia, Ukraine and many CIS countries is facilitated primarily by the fact that they do not require an entry visa, and this fact is recognized by everyone. However, information about whether a passport to Belarus is needed is somewhat contradictory. Quite often, at various thematic forums on foreign travel, an answer is given that Russian citizens do not need a foreign passport , and even when entering Russia, Russian citizens do not need any document at all, since visiting them is like going to a neighboring region . Many cite personal experience and the fact that border control between Russia and Belarus does not actually exist.
Since there are close ties between the residents of Russia and Belarus, the question of whether you need a passport to enter Belarus after concluding an agreement on the formation of the Union State has become one of the central issues. As a result of this agreement, border control between the two countries was canceled, and all regulatory authorities between the Russian Federation and Belarus were eliminated. In addition, there is a special agreement that provides that citizens of Russia and Belarus have equal rights in both countries to move freely (that is, without applying for a visa and filling out a migration card), and not only enter and leave, but also choose a place of residence in the territory of their countries. The same applies to the situation with transit through Belarus, however, if you have a trip to another country through the territory of Belarus, you should not even ask if you need a passport to Belarus. After all, you will need it to enter the country where you are going.
However, it cannot be said that a trip to Belarus will not require any document from you at all. Despite the fact that when traveling to this country by train, in most cases you just have to fall asleep in one country and wake up in another, the legislation of Belarus requires an identity document - that is, either a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation or a foreign passport. In addition, such a document will be needed when checking into a hotel, as well as when renting a car - after all, traveling by car, rented is considered one of the best options for traveling around the country. A passport will also be needed to visit the bank or to resolve other issues. But you have to choose for yourself which document you will take with you, and whether you need a passport for a trip to Belarus.
As for foreign citizens, including those located on the territory of Russia, the problem here is whether a passport to Belarus is needed, depends on each specific country of residence of the person. Citizens of Ukraine, for example, as well as Russians, need to have an internal passport - and a foreign one only if they wish. After all, stamps are not put in passports. At the same time, if citizens of Ukraine enter Belarus from the territory of Russia, then as a rule, they also do not check any documents. The same requirements exist for citizens of most CIS countries. The remaining foreign citizens should not only have a passport with them, but also apply for a visa in accordance with consular requirements.