11 January 2017, 09:48

Five-day visa-free regime to enter into force in Belarus on 12 February 2017

MINSK, 11 January (BelTA) – The five-day visa-free regime of entry will come into force in Belarus on 12 February 2017, BelTA learned from the Twitter account of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko's decree No. 8 “On the introduction of the visa-free entry and departure for foreign citizens” was officially published on the National Legal Internet Portal on 11 January. The citizens of 80 countries will be able to start using its benefits in the middle of February.

The decree introduces the visa-free entry through the border checkpoint at the Minsk National Airport and the visa-free stay in Belarus for up to 5 days.

Representatives of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Border Committee, the Interior Ministry, the Sport and Tourism Ministry, the National Investment and Privatization Agency spoke about the details and conditions of implementation of the decree at a press briefing at BelTA's press center on 10 January. The decree applies to 39 countries of Europe, including the entire European Union, Brazil, Indonesia, the USA, Japan, and other states.

Belarus introduces five-day visa-free regime for citizens of 80 countries

The document introduces the visa-free entry through the border checkpoint at the Minsk National Airport and the visa-free stay in Belarus for up to 5 days for the citizens of 80 states.

No extra formalities for visiting Belarus for five days without visas

Citizens of 80 countries will be able to enter via the Minsk National Airport and stay in Belarus for at most five days. The countries are Belarus' main partners. The number includes all the European countries, developed economies all over the world, and major developing nations.

Foreigners coming to Belarus via Russian airports still need visas

“It is important to remember that the five-day rule for visa-free travels does not apply to persons, who arrive in Belarus from airports of the Russian Federation or intend to fly to a Russian airport. Such flights are considered domestic and are not subject to border control,” said Igor Fisenko.

Fines, warning for breaking five-day rule during visa-free stay in Belarus

Such actions will be classified as a violation of the legislation on the legal status of foreign citizens and stateless persons. Such violations are punishable by a fine or a warning with or without deportation. The relevant civil servant will decide which punishment to use, explained Alexei Begun.

State Border Committee: No limit on number of visa-free entries to Belarus

Foreign citizens can use this opportunity to visit our beautiful country as many times as they want, provided they follow the established rules, Oleg Lyashuk said.