In 2018, the President of the Republic of Belarus signed a document giving foreigners the right to stay in the country for 30 days without a visa. But for this, tourists must observe one condition: to enter and exit to Belarus through the border of the Minsk National Airport. This decision was made by the head of the Belarusian state in order to develop the tourism industry. Those who want to stay in the territory of the Republic of Belarus for more than one month must apply for a visa. We will find out for which countries Belarus has a visa-free regime. Let's consider how to get a visa to Belarus for foreigners.
What is a visa and why is it needed?
This is a document giving a foreigner the right to enter the territory of a certain state and stay there for a specified time. Visa processing is a complicated and lengthy procedure. Recently, most developed countries have signed bilateral visa-free agreements. This contributes to the development of not only the tourism industry of partner countries, but also attracts foreign investment. Many businessmen who want to open a business abroad, find an attractive country in which you can stay without a visa for some time.
Visas come in several forms:
- Tourist: open for entry into the country for tourist purposes.
- Guest: allow the emigrant to temporarily stay in the territory of the state (an invitation is required for registration).
- Workers: they issue for official registration a foreigner to work under a contract or employment contract.
- Student: open at the time of study of a foreign citizen abroad.
- Transit: needed to cross the border of a particular state.
Getting a visa to Belarus is easy for foreigners. It is only necessary to determine the purpose of the visit to the country and collect the necessary package of documents.
List of countries that do not require a visa to Belarus
On July 27, 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs updated and approved a list of states whose citizens are not required to apply for a visa upon entry to Belarus. A total of 74 countries are listed. Among them: Austria, Hungary, Great Britain, Vietnam, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Italy Spain, Lithuania, Latvia, Czech Republic, Japan, Chile and others. Citizens of these states can stay in Belarus without a visa for 30 days. But for this they must cross the state border of the Minsk National Airport. In order to stay in the Republic of Belarus without a visa for a month, visitors must have a passport, a medical insurance policy in the amount of 10,000 euros and cash, amounting to 50 basic units.
The days begin from the first hours of arrival. After 30 days, a visa is issued to Belarus for a foreigner.
Who needs a visa?
Citizens of Vietnam, India, Haiti, Lebanon, The Gambia, Namibia, Samoa, when entering Belarus, must have a multiple Schengen visa or European Union states in their passports.
A visa-free regime is not relevant for citizens who arrive in the Republic of Belarus for the purpose of employment, training or commercial activities, as well as for those who intend to stay in the Republic of Belarus for more than one month. In these cases, a visa to Belarus is required for foreigners. How to get it, consider below.
Order of registration
Various types of visas were considered above. For their design requires a different package of documents. A visa is issued to Belarus for foreigners 5 days (workers). There is an accelerated way to get it. But for this, the tourist will need to pay an increased consular fee. In Belarus, only border points of the Minsk National Airport can apply for visas.
To get a business Belarusian visa, a visiting guest must have an original invitation from a legal entity that is officially registered in Belarus.
To obtain a guest visa, an invitation is required from an individual residing in the territory of the Republic of Belarus. The document is ordered by a Belarusian at the Citizenship and Migration Office.
A tourist type visa is issued if there is a contract for tour services (original).
A work visa is issued at the request of a foreign company, which prepares the necessary package of documents. In order to open a work visa to Belarus, a foreign guest must have a passport, an identity document, a photograph, insurance and an official invitation from the employer.
A student visa is issued with a passport, photo and written confirmation of the Belarusian educational institution on consent to enroll a foreigner in the staff of students.
The methods for obtaining a visa to Belarus for foreigners are as follows:
- You can contact a travel company or an intermediary.
- Draw up a document yourself.
The second option is made by a foreign citizen by contacting the Belarusian consulate or embassy. To begin with, you can call and ask specialists what documents are required for applying for a visa. And then you can collect the necessary package.
Invitation to a foreigner
It must be done to get a guest visa. It opens in the Belarusian diplomatic mission, which is located in the country of a foreign guest. But first, the host country in Belarus must issue an official invitation. A visa to Belarus for foreigners can be obtained both in his country and at the border point of the Minsk National Airport. Guest visa is long-term. According to it, a foreigner can stay on the territory of the Republic of Belarus for up to 90 days.
A foreigner can be invited both by his relatives and his friends who are citizens of the Republic of Belarus.
How to issue?
A guest visa to Belarus for foreigners is issued upon availability of an invitation and an established package of documents.
First, a citizen of the Republic of Belarus should contact the department of citizenship and migration of his area. There he needs to issue an official invitation for a foreign guest. Then he sends the received document to his overseas friend or relative.
The foreigner takes the original invitation, his passport, visa application form, receipt of payment of the consular fee, color photo and medical insurance policy in the amount of from 10,000 euros. He carries all the documents to the Belarusian consulate or embassy, if available in his country. Specialists check the provided package of documents and, in the absence of comments, draw up a guest visa to Belarus.