Belarus introduces five-day visa-free regime for citizens of 80 countries
09.01.2017MINSK, 9 January (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko signed Decree No. 8 “On the introduction of the visa-free entry and departure for foreign citizens”.
The document introduces the visa-free entry through the border checkpoint at the Minsk National Airport and the visa-free stay in Belarus for up to 5 days for the citizens of 80 states starting from 12 February 2017.
These are 39 countries of Europe, including the entire European Union, Brazil, Indonesia, the USA, Japan, and other countries.
First of all, these are favorable countries in terms of migration, Belarus' strategic partners which have introduced visa-free regimes for Belarusian citizens on a unilateral basis. New regulations also apply to the non-citizens of Latvia and stateless persons of Estonia.
The document aims to raise the number of business trips, tourism and private visits of people with regular passports and will not apply to foreigners on official trips with diplomatic, service, special and similar passports.
Important requirements!
A valid passport or other document permitting foreign travels, money (around 20 British Pounds for each day as for 09.01.2017), medical insurance in the amount of at least €10,000 operational in Belarus will be needed for the visa-free entry.
The citizens of Vietnam, Haiti, Gambia, Honduras, India, China, Lebanon, Namibia, Samoa should also have a valid multi-visa to the EU states or the Schengen Area with a mark confirming the entry to their territory, plane tickets with a confirmation of the departure from the Minsk National Airport within 5 days after the date of the entry.
The visa-free regime does not apply to people arriving to Belarus by plane from Russia and planning to go to the airports of Russia (these are internal flights with no border control).
The decree will enter into force in a month after its official publication (12 February 2017).
See also: Visa free entry to “Awgustow Canal” park and Grodno
Catalogue of recommended tour operators
Minsk And Around: 11 Ideas And Tips For Your 5-Day Visa-Free Stay In Belarus
How Much Does It Cost To Fly To Belarus From Europe And America? INFOGRAFIC
FAQ: How to Come to Belarus?
Belarus has recently lowered the cost of long-term visas for European citizens.
Last year, Belarus continued steps in facilitating visa procedures for foreign tourists. In April it granted visa-free entry for citizens of the UAE; in August to Chinese tourists arriving in groups. In the end of November, visa-free trips to Belarus opened for Brazilian citizens. In October 2016, the Augustow Canal park in Hrodna region became visa-free for visits lasting up to 5 days, which has attracted tourists from over 20 countries.
