Visitors to Belarus must obtain a visa from one of Belarus’s diplomatic missions unless they hold a passport from a visa-exempt country. Belarus’s migration policies are implemented in coordination with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

In 2024, Belarus received 6.6 million international arrivals, with 80% being Russian nationals. This guide breaks down visa requirements for all countries and territories based on official policy.

Quick Summary: Visa Categories

Belarus visa policy falls into several broad categories:

• Freedom of movement – Russia only (indefinite stay)
• Visa-free (90 days) – Select post-Soviet and allied states
• Visa-free (30 days) – Various countries including China, Turkey, and several others
• Temporary visa-free (30 days until Dec 2026) – EU, UK, and most European nations
• Visa-free by air only (30 days) – 76 countries arriving via Belarusian airports
• E-Visa available – 67 countries, up to 30 days, apply online
• Visa required in advance – All other countries (including the United States since 2021)

Visa Requirements by Country

The table below summarises visa requirements for ordinary passport holders. Health insurance is required for all visitors.

Country / Group	Visa Required?	Stay Duration	Conditions
Russia	No (Freedom of Movement)	Indefinite	Internal passport accepted if arriving directly from Russia or Kazakhstan
Armenia, Georgia	No	90 days
Argentina	No	90 days	Max 90 days within any 1 calendar year
Azerbaijan, Libya, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela	No	90 days
Brazil, Israel, Moldova, Nicaragua, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates	No	90 days	Max 90 days within any 180 days
Colombia	No	90 days	Max 90 days within any 1 calendar year
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan	No	90 days	Via Eurasian Economic Union rules
Albania, Cuba, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Macao, Montenegro, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Serbia, Turkey, Vietnam, China	No	30 days	China: PRC, HK SAR, Macao SAR passports. Vietnam: max 90 days within any 180 days. Macao SAR Travel Permit holders accepted regardless of nationality.
EU Member States (incl. Latvia, Lithuania, Poland*), Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City	No (Temporary)	30 days (Latvia, Lithuania, Poland: 90 days)	Temporary regime until 31 December 2026. Includes non-citizens in Estonia or Latvia.
United States	Yes – Visa Required	N/A	Required since 2021. E-visa available.

Detailed Breakdown by Category

1. Freedom of Movement – Russia

Russian citizens enjoy unrestricted freedom of movement with Belarus under the Union State agreement. There is no time limit on their stay. Russian citizens may use an internal (domestic) passport rather than an international passport when travelling directly from Russia or Kazakhstan.

2. Visa-Free for 90 Days – Ordinary Passports

Without restrictions:

• Armenia
• Georgia
• Azerbaijan
• Libya
• Mongolia
• Tajikistan
• Uzbekistan
• Venezuela

Maximum 90 days within any 1 calendar year:

• Argentina
• Colombia

Maximum 90 days within any 180-day period:

• Brazil
• Israel
• Kazakhstan (also via EAEU rules)
• Kyrgyzstan (also via EAEU rules)
• Moldova
• Nicaragua
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates

3. Visa-Free for 30 Days – Ordinary Passports

The following countries’ ordinary passport holders may visit Belarus for up to 30 days without a visa:

• Albania
• China (PRC passports, Hong Kong SAR passports, Macao SAR passports; max 90 days within 1 calendar year)
• Cuba
• Ecuador
• Hong Kong (SAR passports)
• Macao (SAR passports and SAR Travel Permit holders, regardless of nationality)
• Montenegro
• Qatar
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Serbia
• Turkey
• Vietnam (max 90 days within any 180-day period)

4. Temporary Visa-Free Regime (Until 31 December 2026) – 30 Days

Belarus has extended a temporary visa-free regime to citizens of most European countries. This is valid until 31 December 2026 and applies on arrival for up to 30 days. Note that citizens of Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland may stay for up to 90 days instead of 30.

Countries included in the temporary regime:

• All European Union member states (including non-citizens residing in Estonia or Latvia)
• Andorra
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Monaco
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• San Marino
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City

5. United States – Visa Required

Since 17 October 2021, citizens of the United States are required to obtain a visa before travelling to Belarus. US citizens can apply for a Belarusian e-Visa online (fee: €60 + €6 service charge) for stays of up to 30 days.

Visa-Free Access by Air (30 Days)

Effective 17 October 2021, citizens of 76 countries may enter Belarus visa-free for up to 30 days if they arrive and depart exclusively through one of the following international airports: Minsk, Brest, Gomel, Grodno, Mogilev, or Vitebsk. The 30-day period is counted in calendar days, and the number of entries is unlimited.

Important conditions for the air-only visa-free program:

• Does NOT apply to passengers arriving from or travelling to Russia – a Belarusian visa is required in those cases.
• Travellers must carry a valid passport, proof of medical insurance, and proof of sufficient funds.
• Registration is required for stays exceeding 10 days.
• Departure must also be via one of the participating airports – departure by train or other methods is not permitted under this scheme.

Countries eligible for the air-only 30-day visa-free program include: All EU member states, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, Dominica, El Salvador, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Panama, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City.

Conditional eligibility (requires a multiple-entry Schengen/EU C or D visa and entry stamp from that country): Egypt, Gambia, Haiti, India, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Namibia, Pakistan, Samoa, South Africa.

Electronic Visa (e-Visa)

An e-Visa for stays of up to 30 days is available for citizens of 67 countries. Applications are made online and the visa can be used at all international border checkpoints – not only airports. Processing fees are as follows:

Country / Group	E-Visa Fee
EU Member States (except Denmark and Ireland)	€35 + €6 service fee
Japan	Free + €6 service fee
EU citizens under age 12	Free + €6 service fee
All other eligible countries (incl. USA, UK, Canada, Australia, etc.)	€60 + €6 service fee
Citizens of other regions under age 14	Free + €6 service fee

Countries eligible for the e-Visa include (in addition to EU states): Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City.

Mutual Recognition of Visas: Russia and Belarus

Since January 2025, holders of a valid visa or residence permit issued by either Belarus or Russia (along with a mutually recognised identity document) may enter both countries within the visa’s validity period. Key points:

• This policy does NOT apply to e-visas.
• If one country offers a visa-free regime and the other requires a visa, the traveller must hold both the identity document and a visa for the country that requires one.
• Foreign nationals with temporary residency documents or accreditation for an international event may enter, exit, stay, and transit visa-free within the validity of those documents.
• Stay duration is calculated from the date of entry into one country from a third state.
• Land border crossings between Belarus and Russia are restricted to six designated international crossing points.

Brest–Grodno Visa-Free Territory

Since November 2019, travellers who qualify for the Minsk National Airport visa-free program may also visit a visa-free zone in the Brest Region and Grodno Region for up to 15 days without a visa. Note that as of April 2025, only the Terespol (Poland)–Brest border crossing is open to passenger traffic.

The visa-free territory covers: the city of Brest and Brest, Kamieniec, Pružany, and Žabinka Districts; the city of Grodno and Bierastavica, Hrodna, Lida, Ščučyn, Svislač, Vaŭkavysk, and Voranava Districts. Parts of these regions not listed above are accessible when travelling as part of an organised tour group.

Additional Requirements for All Visitors

Regardless of visa status, all visitors to Belarus must comply with the following:

• Health Insurance: All visitors are required to hold adequate health insurance for the duration of their stay.
• Registration: Visitors staying more than 10 days must register with local authorities.
• Sufficient Funds: Visitors should carry proof of sufficient funds for their stay.
• Valid Passport: A valid passport (or, for certain CIS nationals, an internal passport) is required.

Officials retain the right to deny entry or reduce the duration of stay for any foreign national or stateless person, and may check compliance with entry, exit, transit, or stay regulations.

Diplomatic and Official/Service Passport Holders

Holders of diplomatic or official/service passports generally have more generous or distinct visa-free arrangements compared to ordinary passport holders. Countries with special diplomatic passport agreements with Belarus include, among others: Armenia (180 days), ASEAN member states (90 days, except Brunei and Philippines), Argentina, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary, Mongolia, North Korea, Peru, Slovakia, South Korea, Uruguay, and many others. Citizens should verify their country’s specific diplomatic passport conditions with the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Important Disclaimer

Visa policies are subject to change. Always verify the most current requirements with the official Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mfa.gov.by) or your nearest Belarusian diplomatic mission before travelling.