How do I become a temporary resident in Belarus? (2023)

How do I become a temporary resident in Belarus?

In order to obtain a temporary residence permit in the Republic of Belarus, a foreigner must go to the department of citizenship and migration of the internal affairs body at the place of intended temporary residence.

Citizenship of Belarus by naturalization

Citizenship by naturalization can be gained if the applicant: had permanent residence in Belarus for 7 years preceding the application; has enough knowledge of one of state languages (Belarusian or Russian);

US citizens who arrive in Belarus without the proper visa will be subject to sanctions, arrest, and deportation and potentially banned from returning to Belarus for up to ten years. To avoid such situations, be sure to work with a travel document expert to obtain the proper visa before your trip.

Visa for tourist purposes can be single- or double-entry and is issued for the period not longer than 30 days; for permanent residence: the decision of the regional branch of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.

To extend the term of stay on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, foreigner should contact the local unit of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior at the place of ones registration to obtain: an exit visa; a residence permit and, if necessary, an exit-entry visa in addition to it.

Upon arrival in Belarus and settling at a certain address, you need to contact a special authority - the Department of Citizenship and Migration (OGiM) and obtain a temporary registration of the place of residence. The same department is responsible for issuing a residence permit.

In order to process your application, the authorities require your passport, a photograph and medical insurance in addition to a completed application form. Other stipulations vary depending on your nationality, so you should contact your nearest consulate to clarify exactly what is required before attending.

The European countries that are not part of the Schengen zone are Albania, Andora, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Ireland, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, The United Kingdom and Vatican City.

A Belarus visa application file may take up to five workdays to be processed. You will get an answer on your application after 5 days of submission, the latest.

Foreign nationals may visit any place in Belarus within 30 days of their visa-free stay. However, they must arrive and leave the country only through Minsk National Airport. The visa-free entry rules do not extend to any other international border checkpoints of the country.

How long can I stay in Belarus without a visa?

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements. U.S. passport holders traveling to Belarus via Minsk International Airport may enter visa-free for up to 30 days (the 30-day limit includes the day of arrival and the day of departure) for tourism or business.

Citizenship by birth can be acquired by a child if one of the parents is a Belarusian citizen or both of them are permanent residents of Belarus. Citizenship by naturalization can be gained if the applicant: had permanent residence in Belarus for 7 years preceding the application.

Employees who plan to remain in Belarus for employment on a long-term basis will need to obtain a Type D visa. International employees will also need a work permit before beginning their employment in Belarus. This permit is officially known as a “Special work permit in the Republic of Belarus.”

Foreign nationals living in Russia can apply for citizenship by naturalization if they meet the following requirements: they hold a valid permanent residence permit. they have lived as a permanent resident in Russia for five years (with no periods living outside Russia exceeding three months in any one year)

Acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship can be initiated only by individuals. Such request may be submitted not only by a stateless person, but also by a foreigner who pledges to terminate his/her foreign citizenship within 2 years of his/her registration as a citizen of Ukraine.