Relocation to Belarus
The main reasons for relocation to Belarus
The Republic of Belarus is a fairly favorable country to live in. That is why many foreign citizens are taking measures to relocate to Belarus. They are attracted by the relative cheapness of housing and food, a peaceful and safe life, as well as the absence of coercive measures for the population due to the spread of coronavirus infection.
Housing prices in Belarus are significantly lower than in neighboring countries. So, to rent a one-room or two-room apartment will cost $ 200-300 per month. In addition, the Republic of Belarus has low utility bills. Public transport and food are also relatively inexpensive (in comparison, for example, with Poland or Ukraine).
Security, public order and tranquility on the streets of Belarusian cities also attract foreigners. At night, the cities are well lit, so you can not fear for your own safety and take walks around Belarusian cities at any time of the day.
There are no coercive measures against residents in Belarus in connection with the coronavirus pandemic. So, vaccination is not mandatory, although it is extremely desirable. Also recently, the mandatory mask regime was abolished in the country.
Relocation to the Republic of Belarus: how to start
Before taking action to move to Belarus, it is necessary to decide for how long the relocation will be carried out. It can be a period of 3 months, six months, a year, several years, or moving forever.
Depending on the planned period of stay in the Republic of Belarus, it will be necessary to obtain legal grounds for residence in the country. So, relocation for 3 months will require obtaining temporary registration in Belarus, and residence for a period of one year or several years will require obtaining a temporary residence permit in the Republic of Belarus.
If the transfer is carried out from the Russian Federation, then a visa to the Republic of Belarus is not required, since an agreement on visa-free movement of citizens is in force between Belarus and Russia. The countries whose citizens do not require a visa to enter Belarus also include Argentina, Brazil, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Turkey and other states. Belarus has concluded bilateral agreements on mutual recognition of visas with these States.
In addition, before relocation, it is necessary to study the legislation regulating the legal status of foreign citizens in the Republic of Belarus. Such legislation primarily includes the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On the Legal Status of foreign citizens and stateless persons in the Republic of Belarus” dated January 04, 2010 No. 105-3 (hereinafter referred to as the Law). The law stipulates that all foreign citizens are obliged to comply with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus.
If you stay in Belarus for more than 90 days, you must obtain a temporary residence permit in the Republic of Belarus. This is a document that is issued by the citizenship and migration unit of the internal Affairs body, if there are grounds. The grounds for obtaining a temporary residence permit are, in particular:
– getting an education in the Republic of Belarus;
– the presence of a close relative – a citizen of the Republic of Belarus (for example, marriage with a citizen of Belarus);
– Belarusian nationality;
– other grounds.
A temporary residence permit is issued for a period of 1 (one) year.
A permanent residence permit in Belarus is issued by the internal affairs body or the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Republic of Belarus. To do this, the foreigner must submit to the relevant authority a package of documents, including a certificate of the presence or absence of a criminal record.
At the same time with a permanent residence permit, it is necessary to obtain a residence permit in the Republic of Belarus. In this case, the foreigner will permanently reside in Belarus legally.
To obtain a permanent residence permit, it is necessary to have achievements in the field of science, sports, culture, professional education, or to invest significant funds in Belarus.
If a foreigner wishes to obtain citizenship of the Republic of Belarus, then he needs to contact the Citizenship and Migration Department of the internal Affairs body at the place of registration. Consideration of the application for citizenship may take up to one year. The requirements for a person applying for Belarusian citizenship are as follows:
– respect and observe the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus and its laws;
– to live in the territory of Belarus for the last 7 (seven) years;
– possess a sufficient level of the Belarusian language (a foreigner must pass a language test);
– renounce the citizenship of another country;
– be of legal age;
– have a stable official income;
– not to leave Belarus for more than 3 (three) months.
In order to work legally in Belarus, a foreign citizen must obtain a work permit. Legal entities and individual entrepreneurs who have a permit to attract foreign labor have the right to hire foreign citizens for work.
A condition for obtaining a work permit is that a foreigner has a temporary residence permit in Belarus. To obtain a work permit, you must submit a number of documents, which includes an application, an autobiography, a medical certificate of health, a certificate of no criminal record and other documents.
Transportation of children to Belarus: features
To obtain a temporary residence permit for a minor foreign citizen, two conditions must be met:
– the legal representative of the child must apply for a temporary residence permit (as a rule, this is the parent);
– the legal representative of the minor himself must obtain a temporary residence permit in Belarus.
Minors under the age of 14 are exempt from paying the state fee for applying for a temporary residence permit.
Medical care, both urgent and planned, can be provided to minors temporarily residing in Belarus, both on a paid and free basis. It should be borne in mind that minors temporarily residing in Belarus are provided with medical insurance.
The legislation of Belarus establishes that minor citizens who have a temporary residence permit in the Republic of Belarus have the right to receive preschool, general secondary and higher education on an equal basis with citizens of Belarus.
Transportation of elderly parents to the Republic of Belarus: grounds for stay
A person who has received a temporary residence permit in Belarus has the right to transport his close relatives, in particular, disabled parents, to the Republic of Belarus. In this case, the foreigner must apply for a temporary residence permit for his disabled parents.
It should be borne in mind that in order to obtain such a permit, it is necessary to submit to the citizenship and migration authority a document confirming the existence of a stable and legitimate source of income in the amount not lower than the subsistence minimum, so that a foreigner temporarily residing in Belarus can financially provide for the residence of disabled parents.
A temporary residence permit obtained by children is one of the grounds for obtaining such a permit for their elderly parents.
Transportation of personal belongings to the Republic of Belarus. Transportation of a car to the Republic of Belarus
All personal cars crossing the border of the Republic of Belarus undergo mandatory registration in the customs database. If a person arrives in Belarus for permanent residence, then (if he is not a citizen of the state with which a Customs agreement has been concluded) it is necessary to clear the car and pay a recycling fee.
Transportation of other personal items to the Republic of Belarus
For the transportation of bulky items when moving to the Republic of Belarus, it is advisable to conclude a contract of carriage with a company engaged in international cargo transportation. Furniture is disassembled and carefully packed during transportation.
To transport goods on a trailer weighing from 3.5 tons, the organization will need to obtain a special license for the transportation of goods. Items imported into the Republic of Belarus are subject to customs inspection and registration of relevant documentation for them.
If you decided to relocate to Belarus and you don’t know how to start – our law office will be glad to advise you on the whole process of relocation to Belarus. More then 200 family relocated to Belarus with our help between 2020 and 2021. Contract us to get additional information.