Belarus's Foreign Ministry says citizens of 38 European states may enter without a visa through all international road and rail border crossings and stay up to 30 days from the date of entry (90 days for citizens of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia), until December 31, 2026 inclusive, with visa-free stays totalling no more than 90 days in a calendar year. Under a separate regime, citizens of 76 countries can enter for up to 30 days and leave only through Minsk National Airport and the airports of Brest, Gomel, Grodno, Mogilev and Vitebsk. Holders of ordinary passports of 68 countries, including the USA, Canada, the EU countries and the United Kingdom, can enter on a single-entry e-visa issued for up to 30 days, and visa applications are also processed at Belarusian diplomatic representations and consular establishments.
Every fact on this page verified on or after: Aug 26, 2026· How this site works
Check requirements for your passport
Requirements differ by nationality. Select your passport above, or scan the full table below.
Visas & entry authorisations
Short-term visa (C)
Fee
60 EUR
Processing
up to 5 business days
Belarus's Foreign Ministry says the consular fee is set by the Tax Code and that special rates for some categories of foreigners are established by the President. Its consular fee page sets 60 Euro for processing a visa application, for all types of visa with any number of entries (35 Euro at diplomatic representations and consular establishments for citizens of the EU states covered by the visa facilitation agreement), and exempts foreigners up to 14 years old. The Foreign Ministry describes the C visa as "valid for up to 90 days".
Long-term visa (D)
Fee
60 EUR
Processing
up to 5 business days
Stay per entry
90 days
Belarus's Foreign Ministry's consular fee page sets 60 Euro for processing a visa application, for all types of visa with any number of entries (35 Euro at diplomatic representations and consular establishments for citizens of the EU states covered by the visa facilitation agreement). Belarus's State Border Committee describes the D visa as "valid for up to 1 year with the right to stay up to 90 days".
E-visa (single entry, issued for up to 30 days)
Fee
60 EUR
Processing
up to 7 days
Entries
single
60 euros for citizens of most states; 35 euros for citizens of the listed EU member states; free for citizens of Japan, for children of those EU states under twelve and for children of other states under fourteen. A 6-euro internet-acquiring and service fee is charged to each applicant. The Foreign Ministry says an e-visa "is issued for a period not exceeding 30 days".
When to apply: Submit the application at least seven calendar days before the date you want to enter Belarus.
Entry requirements
Passport validity
Belarus's State Border Committee says a foreigner may be refused entry if the validity of their travel document does not exceed ninety days before their anticipated departure from Belarus. The UK government tells British nationals their passport must be valid for at least 3 months from the date they arrive.
No official source we read lists a vaccination certificate required for entry.
Travel insurance
Required
Belarus's Foreign Ministry says that when crossing the border foreigners must have a medical insurance document issued by a Belarusian or foreign insurance company, except categories of persons not obliged to possess one. For the airport visa-free regime it requires a medical insurance policy with coverage of at least 10,000 euros, valid in Belarus for the whole duration of the stay.
No official source we could read states an onward or return ticket requirement in itself. Belarus's Foreign Ministry lists vehicle or travel tickets to the state of citizenship, permanent residence or a third country among the ways to show the funds needed for the stay.
Belarus's Foreign Ministry says foreigners must have funds equivalent to at least 50 base values, set on the day of entry, for each month of stay, or at least 2 base values for each day of a stay shorter than a month. It lists Belarusian rubles or foreign currency convertible by the National Bank, a document confirming prepaid accommodation and meals, a letter of guarantee covering the stay and departure, and vehicle or travel tickets to the state of citizenship, permanent residence or a third country.
Under the Code of Administrative Offences, a foreigner who evades leaving Belarus after the set period of stay is fined up to fifty base units or deported; a repeat offence within a year is fined ten to one hundred base units or deported. A deported foreigner may be barred from entering Belarus for six months to five years.
Foreigners arriving in Belarus must register with the registration authority at their actual place of temporary stay within 10 days, unless the law or an international treaty provides otherwise. Registration is not required for foreigners who arrive for no more than 10 days and leave within those days, or for foreigners provided accommodation services in accommodation facilities under a paid contract. Not following the registration procedure is punished by a fine of up to fifty base units or deportation.
If not done: Not following the registration procedure: fine of up to fifty base units or deportation (Code of Administrative Offences, art. 24.35 part 1).
Resort fee (kurortny sbor) — Set by local councils by type of sanatorium or health facility, at most 5%; zero where no council has set a rate. Paid at the accommodation.
Under the Tax Code, individuals who stay at least one day in a sanatorium, health resort or similar health facility pay a resort fee to the facility. Local councils set the rate by type of facility, at no more than 5%, and the rate is zero where no council decision exists.
Exemptions: People sent for free treatment at the expense of the state social protection fund or the budget, people sent under compulsory occupational-injury insurance, children sent to budget-subsidised health or sports camps, and others listed in the Tax Code.
Belarus's State Customs Committee says that, under the Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union, cash and/or traveller's cheques must be declared in writing when their total, brought in or taken out at one time, exceeds the equivalent of USD 10,000, as must monetary instruments other than traveller's cheques.
The UK government says almost no major banks in Belarus accept foreign cards, that many ATMs limit cash withdrawals, particularly for foreign cards, and that UK banks may block cards used in Belarus because of sanctions; it suggests considering taking US dollars or euros and using government-licensed currency exchanges. Canada's travel advice says you must pay for goods and services in Belarusian rubles.
Safety — High risk
The UK government advises against all travel to Belarus. It says you face a significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention if you have engaged in any political activity related to Belarus, including having donated to organisations or supported activity now considered illegal by the Belarusian regime, and that laws can be applied retroactively.Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: gov.uk (opens in a new tab) · archived copy Aug 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) Aug 2, 2026
Power plugs
C, F · 220V 50Hz
Emergency numbers
Police: 102 · Ambulance: 103 · Fire: 101
Languages
Belarusian, Russian
Time zone
UTC+3
International Driving Permit
The UN treaty records list Belarus as a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 18 June 1974). Belarus's Law on Road Traffic (Article 5) says persons temporarily staying or temporarily residing in Belarus may drive on a valid foreign licence that meets the 1968 Convention on Road Traffic, or one written in a state language of Belarus, or one accompanied by a translation into a state language of Belarus certified in the established manner. Canada's travel advice says Canadians must carry an international driving permit. No official source we could read states for how long a visitor may drive on a foreign licence.
No official source we could read gives a best time to visit Belarus.
Tips & warnings
The UK government advises against all travel to Belarus, and Canada says to avoid all travel. The UK says you face a significant risk of arrest if you have at any time engaged in any activity now considered illegal by the Belarusian regime.
The UK government says the land border with Ukraine is closed to British nationals and other land borders have restrictions, and that if you travel directly from or to Russia the visa-free arrangement does not apply and you must have a visa.
The UK government says almost no major banks in Belarus accept foreign cards and suggests considering taking cash in US dollars or euros. It says to use government-licensed currency exchanges and have your passport with you: if you exchange money elsewhere, you could be fined or arrested and the currency confiscated.
The UK government says accommodation providers must register any foreign guests staying for more than 10 days, that your hotel will normally arrange it, and that if you stay with someone you should check that they do. Belarus's State Border Committee says violating the registration procedure can bring a warning, a fine of 50 base values or deportation.
Canada's travel advice says photography of military installations, public buildings and monuments may result in a penalty, and to seek permission from local authorities before taking photographs.
Visa requirements by nationality
Visa requirements by nationality. Stay lengths are for ordinary tourist visits. Click a nationality for its full guide.
It depends on your passport. Belarus's Foreign Ministry says citizens of 38 European states may enter without a visa through all international road and rail crossings and stay up to 30 days (90 days for Poland, Lithuania and Latvia) until December 31, 2026, with no more than 90 days of visa-free stays in a calendar year. Citizens of 76 countries, among them Canada, Japan and Australia, may enter for up to 30 days and leave only through Minsk National Airport and five regional airports. Holders of ordinary passports of 68 countries, including the USA, can enter on a single-entry e-visa issued for up to 30 days, applied for on the E-Pasluga website. Visa applications are also processed at Belarusian diplomatic representations and consular establishments.
Can EU citizens still enter Belarus visa-free?
Belarus's Foreign Ministry says citizens of 38 European states may enter without a visa through all international road and rail border crossings and stay up to 30 days from the date of entry (90 days for Poland, Lithuania and Latvia), until December 31, 2026 inclusive, with visa-free stays totalling no more than 90 days in a calendar year.
Can I enter Belarus overland from Russia?
Only with a visa. The UK government says that if you travel directly from or to Russia the visa-free arrangement does not apply and you must have a visa, and that since 11 January 2025 foreign citizens with a Belarusian or Russian visa may enter, leave, stay in or transit through either country during the visa's validity, at certain international border crossing points.
Do foreign bank cards work in Belarus?
Often not. The UK government says almost no major banks in Belarus accept foreign cards, that those that do may charge a higher commission, and that because of sanctions your UK bank may block your card if you use it in Belarus. It suggests considering taking cash in US dollars or euros.
Is travel insurance required for Belarus?
Yes. Belarus's Foreign Ministry says that when crossing the border foreigners must have a medical insurance document issued by a Belarusian or foreign insurance company, except categories of persons not obliged to possess one. For the airport visa-free regime it requires a medical insurance policy with coverage of at least 10,000 euros, valid in Belarus for the whole stay.
Is it safe to visit Belarus?
The UK government advises against all travel to Belarus and Canada says to avoid all travel. The UK says you face a significant risk of arrest if you have at any time engaged in any activity now considered illegal by the Belarusian regime, and that there is a low risk that direct conflict linked to the war in Ukraine may spread to Belarus.
Sources & verification
Every fact on this page is compiled from and periodically re-checked against these official sources:
Belarus visa and entry requirements
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