Border crossing

Border crossing rules for foreign citizens

When crossing the border of the Republic of Belarus regardless of crossing method, it is obligatory to pass: border and customs control and, if necessary, automobile, veterinary, sanitary-quarantine and phytosanitary types of control.

When you enter Belarus, you must present the following documents to the border guard:

  • a valid passport intended for crossing the border;
  • insurance for a car registered outside Belarus;
  • an electronic control stamp confirming payment for disinfection services.

When leaving Belarus, you must present the following documents to the border guard:

  • a valid passport intended for crossing the border;
  • insurance for a car registered outside Belarus;
  • a document confirming the payment of a local fee for crossing the border by drivers of vehicles registered both in Belarus and abroad.

Foreign citizens and stateless persons can cross the State Border of the Republic of Belarus having the following documents:

1. Valid document for traveling abroad (passport) with a visa for citizens of  countries with which Belarus has a visa regime;

2. A document for returning to the state of citizenship or residence (if the passport is lost on the territory of the Republic of Belarus);

List of the countries whose citizens enter the Republic of Belarus without a visa

When crossing the State Border of the Republic of Belarus, a foreign citizens must:

  • produce a document for traveling abroad with a valid visa of the Republic of Belarus (if needed);
  • Upon entry receive and fill in the migration card according to the requirement (stipulated on the backside of “A” part). It is produced with the passport for traveling abroad to the border service officer at the border checkpoint. The border service officer puts in the migration card and the passport a mark of entry of the foreign citizen to the Republic of Belarus. Foreign citizen receives back part “B” of the migration card.
    Example of migration card.
  • Upon departure from the Republic of Belarus a foreigner citizen, except temporarily or permanently residing in the Republic of Belarus, unless otherwise stipulated by the legislative acts and international treaties of the Republic of Belarus, is obliged to hand over a part "B" of the migration card to the official of the border service body of the Republic of Belarus when passing the border control at state border checkpoints.
  • Pay attention!

    The migration card is not filled in when entering the territory of the Republic of Belarus and when leaving the territory of the Republic of Belarus and is not produced by foreign citizens, who cross the State Border of the Republic of Belarus for temporary stay in the Republic of Belarus.

    When departing from the territory of the Republic of Belarus to the Russian Federation, foreign citizens receive a migration card from the competent authorities of the Republic of Belarus. The migration card is filled in before entering the Russian Federation and is produced to the competent authorities of the Russian Federation during their stay in the Russian Federation.

    For violation of rules of staying in the Republic of Belarus (stay in Belarus without a Belarusian visa, migration card, passport or other document for travel abroad, violation of the registration procedure) foreign citizens are subjected to administrative responsibility (a warning or a fine in the amount of 50 base values or deportation) in accordance with the Article 24.35 of the Code of Administrative Offences of January 6, 2021 № 91-3.

  • the driver of the vehicle must have an insurance certificate valid on the territory of the Republic of Belarus and confirming civil liability insurance in a member state of the "Green card" system;
  • Participation in the road traffic in the Republic of Belarus of a vehicle, registered abroad without the effective agreement of compulsory insurance of civil liability of owners of vehicles, results in administrative liability in the amount of 20 base values in accordance with Paragraph 5 of article 18.19 of the Code.

REMEMBER!

At the entrance to the Republic of Belarus for a term of less than one month, foreign citizens should have funds equivalent to at least 2 base values, established in the Republic of Belarus, per each day of stay. At the entrance to the Republic of Belarus for more than a month, foreign citizens should have funds equivalent to at least 50 base values.

Example of migration card.

Example of migration card
Example of migration card
Example of migration card

Citizens at the checkpoints are forbidden:

  • To leave money in the documents, which are produced for checking;
  • To offer and (or) to hand over officials any valuables, offer and (or) provide the property benefitse;
  • To take photos, filming, talking on mobile phones;
  • To perform other actions preventing the implementation of border and other types of controls.

On the territory between the state border and correspondent checkpoint is prohibited:

  • Parking of vehicles;
  • Loading and unloading of passengers;
  • Cargo-handling works;
  • Presence of individuals not related to state border crossing.

For violations of these requirements foreign citizens are subjected to administrative liability (warning with deportation or without deportation, or  a fine of up to fifty base values in accordance with Article 24.21 Code of Administrative Offences dated January 6, 2021 № 91-З (hereinafter - the Code).

Rules of stay in the Republic of Belarus for foreign citizens

A foreign citizen or a stateless person, who arrived in the Republic of Belarus, is obliged to register in a registration authority at place of actual temporary stay within ten days, except for Sundays, public holidays and high days.

Since 2 January 2019 foreign nationals and stateless persons who are temporarily staying in Belarus will be able to get registered on the website portal.gov.by without having to visit a local police office. This service is free of charge and will be available to foreigners who arrived in Belarus through checkpoints on the Belarusian border. To find out the details, please, click here.

  • Electronic Registration

    of Foreigners Temporarily Staying in the Republic of Belarus


    Article 41 of the Republic of Belarus Act of 4 January 2010 “On the legal status of foreign citizens and stateless persons in the Republic of Belarus” establishes the obligation of foreign citizens and stateless persons (hereinafter referred to as foreigners) temporarily staying in the Republic of Belarus, to register in a registration body at the place of actual temporary stay within ten days, unless otherwise specified by this Act, other legislative acts and international treaties of the Republic of Belarus.

    Electronic registration of foreigners is carried out through the unified portal for electronic services (portal.gov.by) free of charge.

    This administrative procedure is available for foreigners who entered the Republic of Belarus crossing points of the state border of the Republic of Belarus. Foreigners arriving in the Republic of Belarus through the state border with the Russian Federation should apply in person to the citizenship and migration unit of the internal affairs body at their place of residence in Belarus for registration.

    The Republic of Belarus has signed the agreements with Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates and Russia, ensuring a special mode for citizens of these countries who can stay in Belarus for up to 30 or 90 days without registration, respectively. If a foreigner intends to exceed this period, it is necessary to obtain a permit for temporary or permanent residence depending on the purpose of entry. The period of registration for a foreigner is regulated by international treaties concluded with various countries

    To register, one will need a computer, mobile phone or tablet with Internet access. Using any browser, go to the website of the unified portal for electronic services portal.gov.by, choose the language of work, create a personal account using the email address. Then, in your account, in the tab “Available services” select the category “Citizenship and migration”, order the service, fill out the application (foreigner registration code 200.12.14.1.).

    The application should contain the surname and name of a foreigner in Latin or Cyrillic as indicated in the passport (one option is sufficient), passport information, insurance, date of entry into the country, address of temporal stay. There is also a column for the information about the visa, but if, for example, a foreigner arrives in Belarus under the visa-free mode, there is no need to fill it out. It is also necessary to pay attention to the correct filling of all fields obligatory for filling out.

    Then one needs to check all the data entered and click the button “Send application”. After a few seconds, one should receive a message about the successful registration or the system will recommend contacting the citizenship and migration unit if the information does not match.

    In case of personal appeal of temporarily staying foreigners to the citizenship and migration units of the internal affairs bodies, registration is carried out in the previously established order.

    One will have to apply personally to the citizenship and migration unit at the place of residence in two cases: if a foreigner wants to renew registration at the same address, which he/she indicated in the electronic application, or if he/she arrives in Belarus through the border with Russia.

    A foreigner does not have to carry proof of electronic registration. It is enough to report this, for example, to a border guard officer when leaving the country. If one has necessary technical means, one can save a screenshot of the answer about the successful registration or print the registration form, this will speed up the verification process.

    It you have any issues of concern regarding the implementation of the specified administrative procedure, contact our technical support service of the National Center for Electronic Services by phone 311-30-00, ext. 713 and the Department of Citizenship and Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs by phone 218-55-08, 218-52- 51.


Obtaining registration of temporary stay in electronic form does not grant the right of entry, temporary stay and movement in the border zone.

Registration authorities of the Republic of Belarus are:

  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
  • Bodies of internal affairs;
  • Hotel;
  • Health resort and wellness organization;
  • Subject of agro-ecotourism;

Attention!

Foreigners temporarily staying in the Republic of Belarus, who stay in hotels, sanatorium-resort and health-improving organizations, or who live in agroecotourism entities, are exempted from the registration, as the above entities independently submit information about foreigners to the internal affairs bodies.

Registration is made on the basis of the application for registration or a written request of the receiving organization.

Application forms:

The period of temporary stay of a foreigner- his actual stay in the Republic of Belarus. If between his entry and departure from the country passed less than 24 hours, each such period is counted as one day in the period of his temporary stay.

Registration of a minor is made on the basis of documents submitted by his representative.

If a foreigner departed from the Republic of Belarus during the registration period, upon his subsequent registration within a calendar year upon the application and the documents that confirm the crossing of Belarus border, the period of staying abroad is not included in his registration period.

When changing the place of stay the foreigner (except for tourists traveling within the country), within 10 days (except for Sundays, state holidays and high days) must apply for registration to the registration authority at the new place of temporary stay.

Specific aspects of transit travel of foreign citizens and stateless persons through the territory of the Republic of Belarus

Foreign citizen travelling in transit through the territory of the Republic of Belarus, enters the Republic of Belarus and departures from the Republic of Belarus on a valid passport or other replacing document, suitable for traveling abroad and issued by the relevant authority of the state of citizenship or habitual residence of the foreigner or an international organization, with transit visa or another visa of the Republic of Belarus, granting a foreigner the right to cross the state border of the Republic of Belarus, unless otherwise provided by international treaties of the Republic of Belarus.

Documents for transit travel through the territory of the Republic of Belarus

  • passport for traveling abroad;
  • transit visa of the Republic of Belarus (except when a transit visa is not required) ;
  • health insurance contract (except for persons who are not subjected to compulsory insurance);
  • document allowing to return to the state of citizenship or residence (if passport is lost on the territory of Belarus);
  • the driver of a motor vehicle should have an insurance certificate valid on the territory of Belarus and confirming  liability insurance in the member-state of the Green Card System ;
  • to have the means to cover the cost of your transit (at least 5 base values for each day of transit);

REMEMBER!

Transit of foreign citizens through the territory of the Republic of Belarus is carried out in a period not exceeding two days from the date of their entry into the Republic of Belarus, except in cases of forced stop.

Forced stop is recognized in following cases

  • natural disasters, accidents and other natural and man-caused emergencies which delay the movement of the vehicle;
  • the vehicle is damaged and needs repairing;
  • illness or a health state if, in accordance with the medical conclusion issued by a health institution of Belarus, further traveling of the foreign citizens and/or the accompanying person seems dangerous for their life and health;
  • unforeseen delays during transfer from one type of transport to another at the point of transfer;
  • occurrence of other unforeseen circumstances preventing further traveling of the foreign citizen.

Transit travel (transit) of foreign citizens through the territory of the Republic of Belarus without transit visas is possible:

  • when foreign citizens have other visas of the Republic of Belarus granting them the right to cross the State border of the Republic of Belarus;
  • if foreign citizens are air travelers performing a direct flight through the territory of the Republic of Belarus;
  • when traveling to the country of destination by international airlines with a transfer at the airport of the Republic of Belarus, provided that the passengers have documents granting entry to the country of destination and air tickets with the confirmation of the departure date  from the transfer airport, if the period of stay on the territory of Belarus does not exceed 24 hours. At the same time, the passengers are not allowed to leave  the territory of the airport specially allocated for them;
  • for citizens of the states with which Belarus has relevant agreements on visa-free travel;
  • when the President of the Republic of Belarus establishes  visa-free transit travel (transit) through the territory of the Republic of Belarus;

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE RULES AND THE ORDER OF CROSSING THE STATE BORDER PLEASE CALL

24-hour hot line  for the state border crossing +375 17 329 18 98

24-hour helpline of the personal security service if wrong acts were committed against you by border service officers +375 17 224 50 08

24-hour helpline of the personal security service if wrong acts were committed against you by customs officers +375 17 218-92-92

24-hour hotlines of the operational services of the military units of the border  services of the Republic of Belarus:

  • Polotsk +375 214 45-20-75;
  • Smorgon' +375 159 29-33-01;
  • Lida +375 154 55-10-20;
  • Grodno +375 152 47-71-12;
  • Brest ;+375 162-21-08-04;
  • Pinsk +375 165 35-84-14;
  • Gomel +375 232 43-42-64;
  • Mozyr +375 236 34-17-60;

You can also contact the administration of the State Border Committee and the territorial bodies of the Border Guard sService of the Republic of Belarus.

PLEASE REMEMBER!

The Republic of Belarus has a BelToll collection system

BelToll – is an electronic toll collection system , which operates on the territory of the Republic of Belarus since the 1st of July, 2013. The system is based on the use of specialized radio technology over short distances. This technology allows road users to pay for travel without stopping vehicles at collection points.

Map of toll roads

The drivers of the following vehicles types must pay for driving toll roads, which are included in BelToll system:

  • motor vehicles with the technically permissible total weight exceeding 3.5 tons;
  • motor vehicles with the technically permissible total weight not exceeding 3.5 tons, registered outside the Customs Union.

The drivers of  vehicles with technically permissible total weight not exceeding 3.5 tons, registered in the member-states of the Customs Union, do not pay for driving toll roads.

Toll road users who drive:

  • route vehicles, engaged in urban transportation of passengers;
  • vehicles used for emergency recovery;
  • vehicles used for transportation of humanitarian aid to the population of the Republic of Belarus and other countries.

must conclude an agreement with the State Institution "Belavtostrada" for use of a toll road without the payment. After signing the contract, it is necessary to obtain the appropriate on-board device and fix it on the windshield in accordance with the supplied instruction.

For timely payment for travel by foreigners and LBG who entered the territory of the Republic of Belarus on a vehicle not registered in the Customs Union, it is necessary to contact one of the nearest border points.

Foreign citizens and stateless persons who have entered the territory of the Republic of Belarus on the vehicle not registered in the Customs Union, must apply to the nearest border points for timely payment

In borde service points you can:

  • get full information about BelToll system;
  • check the status of your account (profile);
  • get a full range of services for registration and conclusion of the contract, termination of the contract, return the on-board devices, etc. for the prepaid contracts;
  • refill your account, make a deposit for the on-board device usage, etc. for prepaid contracts;
  • get or replace on-board device (including a verification of the onboard devices);
  • get information on tariffs, road network (booklets, maps, brochures);
  • file a complaint about the BelToll system.

About visa rules of the Republic of Belarus

Visas are issued to foreigners by diplomatic missions or consular offices of the Republic of Belarus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, internal affairs bodies, border guard bodies of the Republic of Belarus (hereinafter referred to as border guard bodies), unless otherwise specified by legislative acts of the Republic of Belarus.

The following types of entry visas are provided in the Republic of Belarus:

  • B - transit;
  • C - short-term, valid for up to 90 days;
  • D - long-term, valid for up to 1 year with the right to stay up to 90 days, unless otherwise provided by international treaties of the Republic of Belarus.

Foreigners, who are applying for a visa or entering the Republic of Belarus are obliged to have the funds necessary to cover the costs of their stay in the Republic of Belarus and departure from the Republic of Belarus.

Foreigners must have funds in the amount equivalent to not less than 50 base valuesб ​​established in the Republic of Belarus on the day of entry into the Republic of Belarus, for each month of stay.

When entering the Republic of Belarus for a period of less than one month, foreigners must have funds in an amount equivalent to at least 2 base values, ​​established in the Republic of Belarus on the day of entry into the Republic of Belarus for each day of stay.

The availability of funds can be confirmed by producing:

  • national currency of the Republic of Belarus or foreign currency, convertible by the National Bank;
  • the document on the basis of which it is possible to receive payment means;
  • the document confirming the booking and payment of accommodation and meals in the Republic of Belarus;
  • a letter of guarantee from a legal or private person, who applying for a foreigner’s entry to the Republic of Belarus, residence in the Republic of Belarus, confirming the payment of all expenses related to his stay and departure from the Republic of Belarus;
  • vehicle or travel tickets to the state of citizenship, permanent residence or to a third country.

Features of issue of entry visas at the «National Airport Minsk»

The issuance of entry visas at RUE “National Airport Minsk” is carried out by the Foreign Admissions Division of the Head Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Belarus

Acceptance of documents is carried out in the information point, located on the first floor of the 1/2 sector of the airport complex of the National Airport "Minsk" on working days from 10-30 to 16-30.

Visa support documents are submitted in advance: for registration of short-term and long-term entry visas - not later than 2 working days before the expected date of arrival of the foreigner.

Visa support documents can also be sent by mail (220054, Minsk, the territory of the National Airport "Minsk" UVV GKU Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus). If necessary, you can contact the staff of the UVV GKU Foreign Ministry of Belarus by phone: 279 20 58, 279 28 72.

In case of serious illness or the death of a close relative or a member of an foreigner’s family, visa support documents may be submitted at the time of application of the documents, which are required to process the application for entry visa.

Registration of short-term entry visas for study purposes is carried out only in the presence of a representative of the organization (at RUP “National Airport Minsk”), which in accordance with the legislative acts of the Republic of Belarus has the right to issue invitations for study.

Attention!

Foreign Admissions Division of the Head Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Belarus does not issue visas of the Republic of Belarus to the foreigners, who arrive with flights from the Russian Federation.

Consular fees for consideration of applications for entry visas of the Republic of Belarus at the National Airport of Minsk

You can find out more information at:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

  • Lenin St., 19, Minsk 220030, Republic of Belarus
  • tel. (+375 17) 327 29 22
  • fax (+375 17) 210 42 50, 327 45 21
  • mfa.gov.by/visa/

Other information of interest can be obtained by contacting your consular offices located in the Republic of Belarus

Grounds for refusal and prohibition of entry to the Republic of Belarus

A foreigner may be refused of entry to the Republic of Belarus, if:

  • a foreigner at the checkpoint at the State Border violated the rules of crossing the State Border, customs rules - until the violation is eliminated;
  • the validity of the document for traveling abroad does not exceed ninety days before the anticipated departure of a foreigner from the Republic of Belarus;
  • a foreigner was convicted in the Republic of Belarus or another state for committing a crime recognized as such in accordance with the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, and his conviction was not cleared or settled;
  • a foreigner during his stay in the Republic of Belarus was repeatedly (five or more times) brought to administrative responsibility in the course of one year and the period not expired, at the end of which he was considered not subjected to an administrative penalty;
  • a foreigner who was subjected to administrative penalty in the form of a fine during his stay in the Republic of Belarus, who failed to pay it within the period stipulated by the legislative acts of the Republic of Belarus for the execution of the decision on imposing an administrative penalty in the form of a fine;
  • a foreigner cannot confirm the availability of funds necessary to cover the costs of his stay in the Republic of Belarus and departure from the Republic of Belarus, or submit assurances of presentation of such cash assets in the manner and the amount established by the Council of Ministers;
  • the period of temporary stay of a foreigner in the Republic of Belarus, stipulated by the first and second parts of Article 39 of this Law, has expired;
  • there are reasonable grounds to assume that the foreigner may avoid leaving the Republic of Belarus at the end of the period of temporary stay or temporary residence or uses the territory of the Republic of Belarus for illegal migration to a third country;
  • the stay of a foreigner in the Republic of Belarus is contradicts the interests of the national security of the Republic of Belarus, public order, protection of morality, public health, rights and freedoms of citizens of the Republic of Belarus and other persons;
  • the entry of a foreigner into the Republic of Belarus must be restricted in order to implement international treaties of the Republic of Belarus;
  • the foreigner, who is subject to compulsory health insurance in accordance with the legislative acts of the Republic of Belarus, does not have a compulsory health insurance contract with a Belarusian insurance organization or a health insurance contract entered into with a foreign insurance organization, valid on the territory of the Republic of Belarus;
  • there is no place in the foreigner's document for traveling abroad to place a mark on the entry of a foreigner into the Republic of Belarus and (or) marks on his departure from the Republic of Belarus.

A foreigner is prohibited from entering the Republic of Belarus if:

  • when presenting documents necessary for obtaining a visa to enter the Republic of Belarus or making a decision on his entry into the Republic of Belarus to the relevant state bodies of the Republic of Belarus, the foreigner reported false information, provided documents and (or) information that do not correspond to the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Belarus, including forged, fake or invalid documents;
  • a foreigner is included in the List of persons whose entry into the Republic of Belarus is prohibited or undesirable;
  • a foreigner is included in the List of persons whose entry into the Republic of Belarus is prohibited or undesirable;
  • there is the evidence available that the foreigner is or was a person carrying out an extremist, including terrorist, activities, was or is connected to extremist, including terrorist, smuggling, and (or) other activities aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus, to the illicit trade in arms, ammunition or explosives, illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, illegal migration of foreigners, human trafficking;
  • a foreigner has a disease included in the list of diseases that pose a danger to public health.

If a decision was taken to refuse entry into the Republic of Belarus, the visa previously issued to the foreigner for the entrance into the Republic of Belarus shall be cancelled. Border control authorities do not provide to the foreign citizens information concerning the reason for the refusal of entry into the Republic of Belarus.

On the basis of the decision to refuse entry into the Republic of Belarus the foreigner in accordance with order established by the legislation of the Republic of Belarus may be included in the list of persons, whose entry into the Republic of Belarus is prohibited or undesirable. The term of prohibiting to enter the Republic of Belarus is from six months to five years.

A foreigner who stays in the Republic of Belarus and is included in the List of persons whose entry into the Republic of Belarus is prohibited or undesirable, with the exception of foreigners previously deported or expelled from the Republic of Belarus, is obliged to leave the Republic of Belarus within the period established by the body authorized to make a decision to refuse entry into the Republic of Belarus and identified such a foreigner on the territory of the Republic of Belarus.