Belarus Extends Visa Free Time Up To 30 Days

The duration of visa-free stay for those coming to Belarus via Minsk National Airport is extended to up to 30 days, the press service of the President of Belarus reports on Tuesday, 24 July.

The document has updated the list of 80 states whose citizens have a right to entre and exit the country without a visa.

It excludes countries with which Belarus has concluded bilateral agreements on the mutual abolition of visas.

For visa-free entry to Belarus, foreign citizens must have:

1) a valid passport or another ID document for traveling abroad

2) money (equivalent to at least two base amounts for each day of stay – about BYN49 or $26 – in the foreign currency or Belarusian rubles)

3) medical insurance active in Belarus for no less than €10,000.

How to count your days?

The term of visa-free stay is calculated in calendar days.

The visa-free stay starts on the day of arrival and finishes on the day of departure (regardless the time of arrival and departure).

Mind that the visa-free stay cannot be extended beyond 30 days.

Visa-free entry does not apply to foreigners coming to Belarus to work, do business, or study, if the period of activity exceeds 30 days.

Note that

There is a mandatory additional requirement for citizens of Vietnam, Haiti, Gambia, India, Lebanon, Namibia and Samoa.

They should have a valid multi-visa to the EU states or the Schengen area with a mark confirming the entry to their territory.

Plus they are obliged to have plane tickets with a confirmation of the departure from Minsk National Airport within 30 days after the entry date.

The visa-free access rules do not apply to persons arriving in Belarus from Russia by air and also those flying to Russian airports. These are internal flights, with no border controls.

As to Chinese citizens, the visa waiver procedure will be applied until 10 August 2018 until the bilateral agreement on mutual visa abolition for holders of ordinary passports.

Registration

Registration is compulsory.

Foreign citizens planning to stay in Belarus over five business days should register with the internal affairs bodies at their place of stay in the country.

When staying at a hotel, hostel, sanatorium or other accommodation facilities, the management of the facilities is responsible for the tourist’s registration during check-in by default.

The decree is intended to contribute to the further development of the Belarusian tourist industry, to promote Belarus’ spa and medical tourism, to stimulate the development of the national economy, to facilitate the inclusion of Belarus into the world economy, to strengthen its position as a convenient venue for international forums, conferences, festivals, sporting events.

The document comes into force after its official publication.

Source: president.gov.by