Information for travel to Belarus

Belarus, located in the centre of Europe and being home for many nationalities, can offer a rich history, which began in the Stone Age, a colorful set of customs and traditions and picturesque sceneries and landscapes. Its geographical location is the more interesting that the country is located precisely at the point of collision West and the East. Belarus has international borders with Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. 
Belarus welcomes guests with a moderate continental climate, with cool humid winters and warm summers. 

 Entry visa to Belarus

Most foreign visitors to Belarus require one of a range of available visas.

Visa is not required for: 

• passport holders from CIS states (except Turkmenistan);

• Cuban citizens (for visits up to 30 days);

• citizens from Serbia and Montenegro (for visits up to 30 days);

• Mongolian citizens.

• Visa is not required for diplomatic passport holders from Argentina, Brazil, Chinese People's Republic, Hungary, India, Iran, Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Vietnam.

 All other foreigners need visas to travel to Belarus.

The short-term visa is valid for up to 90 days and suitable for:

• business travellers;

• private travellers on family business.

 Visas are issued by the following bodies:

• Consular sections of Belarus;

• Diplimatic Representative offices of Belarus;

• Consular Centre of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Minsk Airport (for nationals of countries without  Belarusian representative offices).
   

In order to receive a visa, you must submit the following documents to your local Consular Section or representative office:

• completed visa questionnaire;

• 1 photo 35х45mm;

• supporting documents (original letter of invitation with the signature and, if a business, seal of the inviting party);

• other documents stipulated by the Consular office (depending on nature of visit and type of visa required);

• passport (with an expiry date at least 90 days after the expiry of the visa);

• Medical insurance to a minimum value of 5,000 USD.

Getting visa at Minsk Natinal Airport.

For foreigners entering Belarus from a country without a representative office, it is possible to get the visa on arrival at Minsk National Airport.
In order to do this the person or organisation inviting you to Belarus must submit the original invitation to the Department of Citizenship and Migration prior to your arrival.

Period of visa procurement: 5 working days.

Consular charge: 60 euro. Visas processed at Minsk National Airport usually cost double the standard tariff.

 Customs declaration in Belarus.

All people arriving in and leaving Belarus must complete a customs and goods declaration form. These are usually available on the plane and at the airport.
Travellers are allowed to take up to 35 kg of personal luggage with them to Belarus, up to a value of 1,000 euros.
Any items in addition to this are subject to duty at 30% and not less than 2 euros per kilo.

Duty-free limits:

spirits (including beer containing more than 7% Vol. alcohol) - 2 litres
cigarettes - 200 or 200 g tobacco

There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that you can take with you into Belarus.
You must declare amounts over 10,000 USD on entry to Belarus on the declaration form.

The following items can NOT be carried by travellers to Belarus:

• firearms;

• military equipment;

• narcotics;

• poisons;

• radioactive and explosive substances;

• animals and plants can only be brought into Belarus with the appropriate health and veterinary certificates.

 

Attractions in Belarus:

• Nature, national parks:

  • Belovizhskaya Pushcha;

  • Berezina Biosphere reserve;

  • Braslav Lakes Natianal Park;

  • Pripyatsky National Park;

  • Narachansky National Park.

• History and culture:

  • Castle tour (Nesvizh Castle, Mir Castle, Krevo Castle ruins, Lida Castle);

  • Khatyn memorial;

  • Dududki tour;

  • National lilbrary in Minsk.

• Outdoor activities:

  • hunting;

  • fishing;

  • skiing;

  • hiking.

ENJOY BELARUSIAN HOSPITALITY!