A complete guide for how to obtain a visa to Belarus in London

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe bordered by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. The capital of Belarus is Minsk. Over 40% of Belarus territory is forested. The Republic of Belarus offers a simple yet attractive landscape of cornflower fields, thick forests and picturesque villages. The country also offers several excellent national parks, and Belarus is home to Europe’s largest mammal – the zoobr (or European bison). While travellers will always be subject to curiosity, they will also receive warm hospitality and a genuine welcome.

This section contains information about visas issued for Belarus. It describes the requirements and explains how and where you can apply for a visa to Belarus in the United Kingdom. The Russian National Tourist Office is happy to help you arrange your visa to Belarus.

DO I NEED A VISA?

Most nationalities need to apply for a Belarus visa before their trip to Belarus.

FIVE-DAY VISA-FREE REGIME FOR CITIZENS OF 80 COUNTRIES

The list of 80 countries in Decree No. 8 “On the introduction of visa-free entry and departure for foreign citizens”:

BELARUS BUSINESS VISAS

What documents do I need?

1. Completed application form (one per person). You can download the application form here.
2. A valid passport which should have at least two blank pages. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the expected departure date from the Republic of Belarus.
3. One recent colour photo of the applicant. See photo specifications below.
4. Valid medical insurance.
5. A letter of invitation in Russian (original) from a company or organisation in Belarus, which is registered as a legal entity by the Belarusian authorities.

• be printed on the official letterhead with a registration number, date of issue, the full name of the company, its location and telephone number
• bear the signature of the official and a corporate seal
• indicate the expected duration of the applicant's stay in Belarus
• state the inviting party’s written guarantees that the invitee will abide by the rules and regulations applied to foreign citizens in the Republic of Belarus
• Please see invitation template here.

1. A written request (original) from a Belarusian company or a written request (original) from a representative office of a foreign company or bank in the Republic of Belarus. Please see invitation template here.
2. Proof of registration of the inviting Belarusian company.
3. A copy of contract (cooperation agreement) between the Belarusian company and the applicant.
4. The applicant’s employment reference letter (original) issued on the company letterhead and signed by its CEO.

• if the applicant is under 18 years old – a copy of their Birth Certificate and copies of the applicant’s parents' passports (legal representatives)
• if the applicant previously had USSR or Belarusian citizenship –  a document certifying loss of USSR or Belarusian citizenship must be submitted to the Embassy

TRANSIT VISAS

What documents do I need?

1. Completed application form (one per person). You can download the application form here.
2. A valid passport which should have at least two blank pages. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the expected departure date from the Republic of Belarus.
3. One recent colour photo of the applicant. See photo specifications below.
4. A valid visa for the country of final destination (e.g. Russian visa) and, if such a visa is not required: a copy of your airplane, bus or train ticket(s) or itinerary from a travel agency or any other documents confirming the applicant's trip to the country of destination.
5. Valid medical insurance (except foreigners who travel to other countries via Belarus by train or by air in trains on the international routes and planes of the civic international air companies).

• if the applicant is under 18 years old – a copy of their Birth Certificate and copies of the applicant’s parents' passports (legal representatives)
• if the applicant previously had USSR or Belarusian citizenship –  a document certifying loss of USSR or Belarusian citizenship must be submitted to the Embassy

VISITOR (PRIVATE) VISAS

What documents do I need?

1. Completed application form (one per person). You can download the application form here.
2. A valid passport which should have at least two blank pages. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the expected departure date from the Republic of Belarus.
3. One recent colour photo of the applicant. See photo specifications below.
4. Valid medical insurance.
5. An original invitation issued by the local office of Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus upon request of the applicant’s relative/friend, an original invitation completed by a Belarus national whose signature is confirmed by a notary public of the Republic of Belarus.

• if the applicant is under 18 years old – a copy of their Birth Certificate and copies of the applicant’s parents' passports (legal representatives)
• if the applicant previously had USSR or Belarusian citizenship –  a document certifying loss of USSR or Belarusian citizenship must be submitted to the Embassy

• not older than 6 months
• size 35x45 mm
• full face (70-80% of the picture) without sunglasses, hat or other head covering unless for ethnic or religious reasons
• plain, evenly lit and light background
• high resolution
• no corrugation or ink is allowed

HOW TO APPLY?

VISA FEES

 

HOW DO I RECEIVE MY PASSPORT BACK?