Applying for a Visa

OBTAINING AN ENTRY VISA TO BELARUS

Entry to and exit from Belarus, as well as transit in travel through the territory of the country is possible only with a valid passport (any other appropriate document meant for leaving abroad), as well as a visa.
It is possible to receive a Belarusian entry visa by applying to any diplomatic mission and consular institution of Belarus (when applying abroad — www.embassies.mfa.gov.by/), as well as to the Chief Consular Directorate of the MFA of Belarus (in Minsk).
If there is no Belarusian embassy or consulate on the territory of the foreign state, the citizens of this country have an opportunity to get an entry visa upon arrival at the National Airport “Minsk-2”.
Other foreigners arriving in Belarus should apply for a visa to diplomatic missions. Exclusions are foreign citizens arriving to Belarus as members of official delegations, by invitation of government agencies, as well as in connection with illness or death of a close relative or family member (on presentation of official documents, confirming such circumstances).

ENTRY VISAS
Belarusian entry visas include the following types:

TRANSIT VISA (TYPE B)
The transit visa is meant for travel in transit through the territory of Belarus. It is issued for a term of over one year and is valid within two days since the day of entry to the territory of Belarus. Exit by this type of visa should be effectuated from the country not later than two days after entry. More details in the section “Visa”.

SHORT-TERM VISA (TYPE C)
The short-term visa is the main type of visa issued to foreign citizens and is meant for education, business travel, tourism, private visit and other purposes. The validity of this type of visa is limited to 90 days. More details in the section “Visa”.

LONG-TERM VISA (TYPE D)
The long-term visa is issued only if the overall duration of stay of a foreigner in Belarus implies over 90 days (the validity of the visa is limited to one year) and is meant for business contacts, participation in sports/cultural events, journalistic activities and other purposes. More details in the section “Visa”.

Visas, depending on the number of permitted entries, are divided into:

• single (their holders have a right to a single entry, stay and exit from Belarus within the period indicated in the entry visa and within the indicated number of days, but not more than 90 days);
• two-time (give the right to a two-time entry, stay and exit from Belarus within the period indicated in the entry visa and within the indicated number of days of stay, but not more than 90 days);
• multiple (allow a multiple (more than two times) entry, stay and exit from Belarus within the period indicated in the entry visa and within the indicated number of days of stay, but not more than 90 days).

HOW FAST DO I GET FEEDBACK REGARDING MY APPLICATION?
The time for consideration of documents for receiving an entry visa is limited to five business days (since the moment of supplying the whole set of documents). In case of urgent procedure, the decision on issuance/denial of an entry visa can be made within two working days (48 hours).
The department issuing the visa has a right not to state the reason for the denial of a visa. The decision on the issuance of an entry visa is final and is not subject to revision. More details can be found in the “Visa” section.

CONSULAR FEE
The payment of the consular fee is accepted only by cashless settlement by using electronic payment cards, bank transfer to the account of the embassy (consulate), check book and other possibilities specified by each specific diplomatic mission of Belarus abroad. Consular fee rates and payment details can be found in the “Visa” section .

CONSULAR SUPPORT
If you have any questions regarding the issuance of visas, citizenship and other consular questions, you can contact the automated call center of the Chief Consular Directorate of the MFA of Belarus, which is available 24 hours a day, by calling:

+375 17 222 26 75
+375 17 222 31 52
+375 17 222 31 59