Visa-free stay in Belarus extended to 30 days

25/07/20180 views

The visa-free stay period for foreign citizens in Belarus has been extended to 30 days, provided they enter and subsequently exit the country through the State Border at Minsk National Airport. The corresponding decree was signed by the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, on July 24, as reported to BELTA by the press service of the head of state.

The document updates the list of countries whose citizens are eligible for visa-free entry and exit: countries with which Belarus has concluded bilateral agreements on mutual visa abolition have been excluded from it.

For visa-free entry into Belarus, foreign citizens must have a valid passport or a substitute document intended for foreign travel, funds (an amount in currency or Belarusian rubles equivalent to at least two basic units for each day of stay, or 50 basic units if the stay is for the full 30 days), and a valid medical insurance policy in Belarus for at least 10,000 euros.

For citizens of Vietnam, Haiti, Gambia, India, Lebanon, Namibia, and Samoa, an additional mandatory requirement is a valid multiple-entry visa of EU or Schengen Area states in their passport, with an entry stamp to their territory, as well as air tickets confirming their departure from Minsk National Airport within 30 days from the date of entry.

For citizens of China, this visa-free entry procedure to Belarus will apply until August 10, 2018 – until the entry into force of the bilateral agreement on mutual visa-free regime for holders of ordinary passports.

The visa-free travel procedure through the airport does not apply to persons arriving in Belarus on flights from Russia, or planning to depart to Russian airports, as these flights are domestic and border control is not carried out on them.

The visa-free regime also does not apply to foreign citizens traveling to Belarus for employment, commercial activities, or study, the duration of which exceeds 30 days.

The visa-free stay period is calculated in full calendar days. The first day corresponds to the date of arrival, and the last day corresponds to the date of departure (regardless of the time of arrival or departure). The visa-free stay period cannot be extended beyond the established 30 days.

Foreign citizens planning to stay in Belarus for more than five working days must register with the internal affairs bodies at their place of stay in the country. When staying in hotels, hostels, sanatoriums, and other collective accommodation facilities, registration is carried out by the administrations of these institutions by default upon check-in.

The adoption of the decree is intended to further develop the Belarusian tourism industry, ensure the accessibility of sanatorium and medical tourism in Belarus, become one of the important factors in promoting the country's economic development, integrate Belarus into global economic relations, and strengthen its position as a convenient platform for organizing international forums, conferences, festivals, and sports competitions.

The document enters into force after official publication.

News of Belarus (BELTA)