Visa-free entry program launched for nationals of 80 countries

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Belarus will soon implement a visa-free entry program for tourists and business travelers from nearly 80 countries, including Brazil, Canada, Japan, the United States and all European Union member states.

What does the change mean? Effective Feb. 12, nationals of the countries covered by the program will be granted visa-free entry for stays of up to five days, provided they enter the country through Minsk International Airport.

• Implementation time frame: Feb. 12.
• Visas/permits affected: Tourist and business visas.
• Who is affected: Nationals of the countries/areas listed below who are traveling to Belarus through Minsk International Airport for stays of up to five days.
• Impact on processing times: The program will save travelers the time it takes to obtain a visa.

Background: The visa-free scheme was created by Presidential Decree No. 8, which was signed earlier in January and will apply to the following countries:

Australia	Cyprus	Ireland	Monaco	Saudi Arabia
Austria	Czech Republic	Italy	New Zealand	Seychelles
Albania	Denmark	Japan	Netherlands	Singapore
Andorra	Dominica	Kuwait	Nicaragua	Slovakia
Antigua and Barbuda	El Salvador	Latvia **	Norway	Slovenia
Argentina	Estonia *	Liechtenstein	Oman	South Korea
Barbados	Finland	Lithuania	Order of Malta	Spain
Bahrain	France	Luxembourg	Panama	Sweden
Belgium	Germany	Macao	Peru	Switzerland
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Greece	Macedonia	Poland	United Kingdom
Brazil	Hong Kong	Malaysia	Portugal	United States
Bulgaria	Hungary	Malta	Romania	Uruguay
Canada	Iceland	Mexico	St. Vincent and the Grenadines	Vanuatu
Chile	Indonesia	Micronesia	San Marino	Vatican City
Croatia

*Including stateless persons permanently residing in Estonia.
** Including persons having status of noncitizens of Latvia.

Travelers taking advantage of visa-free travel must have (1) a valid passport or other acceptable travel document; (2) sufficient funds (at least € 25 for every day of the stay, or the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars or Belarusian rubles); and a medical insurance plan that covers Belarus and provides up to € 10,000 (or the equivalent) in care.

In addition to the visa-free program, Belarus will also launch an “entry in special order program” for nationals of nine additional countries. Nationals of these countries will not need to obtain a Belarusian visa if they have a valid multiple-entry visa issued by an EU or Schengen Area member state, as well as a passport, sufficient funds, health insurance and airplane tickets to leave Belarus. This program will apply to nationals of the following countries:

China	Honduras	Namibia
Gambia	India	Samoa
Haiti	Lebanon	Vietnam

Travelers should note that the rules described above do not apply to diplomatic travel or travel on service passports. The regime is also not applicable to foreign nationals on flights to or from Russia, which are treated the same as domestic travel.

BAL Analysis: The visa-free policy is designed to ease business travel and encourage investment. Travelers are reminded that work is not allowed while on a visa waiver and that those intending to perform work activities must obtain work authorization.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Belarus. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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