In the Republic of Belarus there are 3 (three) types of visa:

1. The entry visa that allows the person to enter Belarus;

2. The exit visa that allows the person to leave Belarus;

3. The exit-entry visa that allows the person to leave and enter Belarus.

Entry visas may be single-entry, double-entry and multiple-entry. 

Also our legislation divides entry visas into the following types:

1. Type B – transit visa

Transit visa is issued for  transit through the territory of the Republic of Belarus for the defined period, but not more than for 1 year, and is valid for 2 days from the date of entry of a foreign citizen.
Transit visa can be issued for:

– single transit through the territory of the Republic of Belarus;

– double transit through the territory of the Republic of Belarus;

– multiple transit through the territory of the Republic of Belarus.

2. Type C – short-term visa, valid for up to 90 days.

Type C visa can be issued for the following purposes only:

– making a business trip, participating in sports / cultural activities;

– study 

– journalistic activities

– religious reasons 

– tourism 

– for private purposes

– visits to cemeteries

– implementation of humanitarian programs

– journalism 

– employment.

3. Type D – long-term visa, valid for up to 1 year with the right to stay up to 90 days, unless otherwise stipulated by the international treaties of the Republic of Belarus. 

Type D visa can be issued for the following purposes only:

– maintaining business contacts;

– participating in sport/cultural events

– private purposes

– visiting the burial places

– religious reasons

– implementation of humanitarian programs

– journalism 

– employment 

In accordance with Belarusian law diplomatic representative offices and consular institutions of the Republic of Belarus, Foreign Admissions Division of the Consular Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the «National Airport Minsk» are empowered to issue visas.

Issuance of visa in the «National Airport Minsk» 

At the «National Airport Minsk» the entry visa is issued by the Division for the Admission of Foreigners of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DAF). 

In accordance with the law visa support documents should be submitted to the DAF by the inviting organization/person not later than 2 (two) business days before the expected arrival date.

In practice usually companies invite people in this way: before 2 business days they submit all the necessary papers to DAF and then when the invited person is coming DAF issues a visa in the airport.

The inviting person should pay his attention that the visa support papers should be provided to the airport authorities before 2 business days. Of course in practice it is better to submit it in advance before 3-4 business days.

Permission for temporary stay in Belarus

Permission for temporary stay in Belarus allows you to stay on the territory of Belarus the number of days that this permission is valid. As a rule this permission can be issued for 1 (one) year. After one year a person can extend it.

Permission for temporary stay can be issued on the following grounds (these are the most popular grounds):

–          if a person has a living quarters on the territory of Belarus (for example, a person has bought a flat or house)

–          if a person has a permission for work in Belarus

–          if a person came for studying

–          if a person got a refugee status

When a person obtain permission for temporary stay he allowed to stay in Belarus without other formalities. If a person wants to leave Belarus he needs to apply and obtain a visa. As a rule people usually apply for 1 year multiple visa to have the right to travel any time.