Belarus Business Visa

A Belarus visa is a permit to travel to the country, enter and remain for a limited period, under specific purposes. The competent Belarus authorities grant the permit to applicants that meet the criteria and are asserted not to be a threat to the security of Belarus.

Who Needs a Visa for Belarus?

When traveling to Belarus, the nationals of most world countries will need to apply for and get a visa in order to be permitted to enter the country.

However, the Belarus authorities have approved several visa-free travel programs for those traveling to the country under tourism or business purposes.

Belarus Visa Types

Before you start the actual procedures to get a visa to Belarus, you need to check out which visa type you actually need to apply for. If you apply for the wrong visa your application may be rejected, or you may get a visa that is not that useful for you.

There are three types of Belarusian visas according to the intended period of stay:

B – Transit visa.

C – Short-term visa, valid for up to 90 days. This visa can be granted for the following purposes: business, for participation in sport or cultural events, tourism, private purposes, study, employment, religious reasons, implementation of humanitarian programs, visiting the burial places and journalistic activity.

D – long-term visa, valid for up to 1 year with the right to stay up to 90 days, unless otherwise stipulated by the international treaties of the Republic of Belarus.

This visa can be granted for the following purposes: business, participation in sport or cultural events, private purposes, visiting the burial places, religious reasons, implementation of humanitarian programs, journalistic activity or employment.

There are three types of Belarusian visas according to the intended number of entries:

Single entry visa. It enables its holder to enter Belarus only once, stay and depart, within a specified number of days of stay, but not more than 90 days.

Double entry visa. It permits its holder to enter the territory of Belarus up to twice, stay and depart within a specified number of days of stay, but not more than 90 days.

A multiple-entry visa. It entitles its holder to enter Belarus, stay and leave more than two times, the period specified in the visa and within a specified number of days of stay, but not more than 90 days per year, unless otherwise stipulated by the international treaties of the Republic of Belarus.

Required Documents for a Belarus Visa

In order to receive a visa, you must submit the following documents to your local Consular Section or representative office:

Visa application form. Complete the form, without leaving any blank spaces. If a question does not apply to you, type “N/A”. If the answer is no, then write “none”. You should sign the form personally, whereas application forms for minors should be signed by their legal representative. You can find the application form here.

One passport photo. It should be sized 35×45 mm, in high resolution, showing your full face against an even light background.

Your Valid Passport. It must be valid for at least another 90 days beyond your departure from Belarus. It should also have at least two blank pages for the visa.

Original letter of invitation, with the signature and, if a business, seal of the inviting party.

Medical insurance policy. It must be valid for the whole period of your stay in Belarus with a minimum coverage of 10,000 euros.

Other documents stipulated by the Consular office according to the nature of your visit and the type of visa you are applying for.

Required Documents for a Belarus Short-Term Visa

For the purpose of business, participation in sport or cultural events:

An original letter of visa support of a legal entity. The letter must be issued on the letterhead with the full name of the entity, its location and phone number.

For private purposes – one of the following documents:

An original invitation, issued by the local unit of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.

Official confirmation of serious illness or death of a close relative or spouse, if the purpose of your trip to Belarus is to visit a close relative or spouse seriously ill or who died in Belarus.

An original document, confirming the ownership of the real estate property in Belarus.

A letter of visa support of a Belarusian healthcare institution or contract for medical services with a Belarusian healthcare institution, if you are coming to seek medical treatment in Belarus.

For tourism — one of the following documents in original:

A letter of visa support of a Belarusian tourist company, stating that the foreign citizen will respect the rules of stay in the Republic of Belarus. It must be issued on a letterhead with the full name of the tourist company, its location and telephone number.

A letter of visa support of a sanatorium-and-spa resort or recreation center, issued on a letter-head with its full name, location and telephone number, purpose, period of stay of a foreign citizen, services rendered, confirmation of the voucher reservation and full or partial prepayment for the services.

A letter of visa support of a representative of farm tourism business with its name and address, purpose, period of stay of a foreign citizen and the services rendered.

For visiting the burial places:

An original certificate of the local executive committee, confirming the fact of burial in the Republic of Belarus and the maintenance of the graves of close relatives or spouse of a foreign citizen.

To study:

An original invitation of the Belarusian educational institution. The document must be approved by the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

For religious reasons:

An original letter of visa support of a religious association, issued on a letterhead with the full name of the religious association, its location and telephone number.

For the implementation of humanitarian programs, including foreign donations, rest and recreation of children and volunteer work:

A letter of visa support of the Humanitarian Activities Department of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Belarus or another authorized governmental institution of the Republic of Belarus.

For journalistic activity:

Accreditation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.

For employment – one of the following documents:

A copy of a special employment permit, issued by the local unit of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. The permit must be certified by the Belarusian Public Notary.

Relevant confirmation from the local unit of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. This document must be delivered directly to the Embassy/Consulate.

Required Documents for a Belarus Long-Term Visa

For the purpose of business:

An original letter of visa support of a Belarusian legal entity.

A document, that proves the necessity of multiple visits to the Republic of Belarus during the requested period of visa validity.

For participation in sport or cultural events:

An original letter of visa support of a Belarusian legal entity.

A document, that proves the necessity of multiple visits to the Republic of Belarus during the requested period of visa validity.

For private purposes – one of the following original documents:

An invitation, issued by the local unit of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.

A document, that proves the existence of the property right to the house/apartment on the territory of the Republic of Belarus – for the property owner and his/her family members.

A contract for medical services with a Belarusian healthcare institution, prepared in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus – for processing a visa to a foreigner who is in need of medical care, provided in Belarus, as well as to an accompanying person, if required.

For visiting the burial places:

An original certificate, issued by the local executive committee, confirming the fact of burial on the territory of the Republic of Belarus and the maintenance of the grave of a close relative or spouse of a foreign citizen;

For religious reasons:

An original letter of visa support of a religious association, approved by the Commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs.

For the implementation of humanitarian programs, including foreign donations, rest and recreation of children and volunteer work:

A letter of visa support of the Humanitarian Activities Department of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Belarus or another authorized governmental institution of the Republic of Belarus.

For journalistic activity:

Accreditation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.

For employment:

A copy of a special employment permit, issued by the Regional branch of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, certified by the Belarusian Public Notary.

Confirmation from the Regional branch of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, delivered directly to the Embassy/Consulate.

Where to Apply for a Belarus Visa?

To apply for a Belarus visa you will need to submit your application file at one of the following Belarus representative authorities, located in your country of residence:

Diplomatic Representative offices of Belarus.

Consular Centre of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Minsk Airport, in case there isn’t a Belarusian representative office in your country of residence.

Belarus Visa Application Process

When applying for a Belarus visa you will need to complete a few procedures. Once you find out where you need to submit your application, check if you have to make an appointment, or you can submit your application without a prior appointment.

After you figure this all out, continue with further procedures, including collecting the required documents for visa application. You should ask the representative Belarus authorities in your country to provide you with a list of the documents you need to submit.

On the day you submit these documents, you will also need to attend a visa interview with a consular officer, which will ask you a few questions on your intended purpose of traveling to Belarus.

Belarus Visa Processing

A Belarus visa application file may take up to five workdays to be processed. You will get an answer on your application after 5 days of submission, the latest.

Belarus Visa Fees

The Belarus visa fees, regardless of the visa type of the number of entries as €80 individual visa applications and €10 per person for group visa applications.

Belarus Visa fees for nationals of a few countries are a bit different though. Citizens of Japan and Serbia in need of a visa are exempted from consular fees for any kind of visas.

Whereas, nationals of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland need to pay the following fees, when in need of a visa:

Transit visa (type B):

Single – €10

Double – €15

Group single (per person) – €10

Group double (per person) – €18

Multiple-entry – €35

Short-term visa (type C):

Single – €25

Double – €35

Group single (per person) – €10

Group double (per person) – €18

Multiple-entry – €80

Long-term visa (type D) – €80

On the other side, foreigners under the age of 14 years old are exempt from paying Belarus Visa Fees. Foreigner

Applications Subject to Belarus Visa Fee Surcharge

Visa applications will be subject to a specific surcharge in the cases explained below:

Surcharge of 100% – for visa applications handled urgently, within two days, by foreign diplomatic institutions of the Republic of Belarus.

Surcharge of 50% – for visa applications submitted to the central consular affairs office by nationals of the countries where there is no Belarusian diplomatic mission.

Surcharge of 200% – when nationals of the countries where there is a Belarusian diplomatic mission request a visa at the central consular affairs office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In addition, visas processed at Minsk National Airport usually cost double the standard tariff.

Belarus Visa-On-Arrival

Belarus has also made it possible to get a visa-on-arrival at the Minsk National Airport. The application should be submitted not later than 3 business days before the expected arrival date for short-term visas and not later than 5 business days before the expected arrival date for long-term visas.

The application should be made through the Foreign Admissions Division of the Consular Directorate of the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Belarus, which is located at the airport. The required documents should be sent by the inviting company or person or by post taking into account the delivery time, to the following address:

Address: Foreign Admissions Division of the Consular Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, National Airport Minsk, Minsk, 220054.

Phone: +375 17 279 20 58

Belarus Visa from USA

US citizens applying for a Belarus Visa will need to submit their application file at one of the following:

The Embassy of Belarus in the US

Consulate General of Belarus in New York

Those applying for a Belarus visa from US through mail, so they can get their visa upon arrival should enclose a completely addressed and stamped return envelope showing themselves as both shipper and recipient, with a tracking number.

Belarus Visa from UK

Citizens of the United Kingdom wishing to visit Belarus will need to apply for a visa. The application file should be submitted at the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the United Kingdom.

The application file for a Belarus Visa from the US can be brought in person or by visa service company, sent by post to the Consular and Visa Section of the Embassy.

Study in United Sates of America

The USA has the world’s largest international student population, with more than 1,000,000 students choosing to broaden their education and life experience in the United States. Nearly 5% of all students enrolled in higher-level education in the USA are international students, and the numbers are growing. From the mid-1950’s, when international student enrollment was only just reaching 35,000, international education in the USA has come a long way.

We look forward to helping students like you who are considering continuing education in the United States. You will find all the tools you need to compile your necessary research in deciding if the United States is the best place for you — we have gathered valuable information on educational, social, cultural and economic aspects of studying in the U.S.

Every year, the number of international students in the US rises as more and more students choose the Unites States as the place they wanted to broaden their experience and continue their education. In fact, the US is now the most popular country for international students. Why do so many international students choose U.S. colleges and universities?

Academic Excellence

The United States has one of the world’s finest university systems, with outstanding programs in virtually all fields. At the undergraduate level, excellent programs exist in traditional disciplines, as well as in professional fields. At the graduate level, students have the opportunity to work directly with some of the finest minds in their field of study, with the chance to become involved with exclusive research and educational opportunities. U.S. degrees are recognized throughout the world for their excellence.

Variety of Educational Opportunities

The United States is home to several thousand colleges and universities, boasting at least ten times as many campuses as in any other country. As a result, the higher education system in the U.S. has something for everyone. Some U.S. colleges and universities stress broad educational principles; others emphasize practical, employment-related skills; and still others specialize in the arts, social sciences or technical fields. This means that no matter what you plan on studying, you will have a wide variety of programs in your particular field from which to choose.

Cutting-Edge Technology

Universities in the U.S. pride themselves on being at the forefront of technology, research and techniques, and in making the best possible equipment and resources available to their students. Even if your field does not directly involve science or engineering, you will have opportunities to become skilled in using the latest technology to conduct research, as well as obtain and process information. You will find ways to stay connected with researchers, teachers and experts in your field all over the world.

Opportunity for Research, Teaching and Training

You may be able to gain valuable experience through teaching and/or research while you help to finance your education in the U.S., particularly if you are a graduate student. Many graduate programs offer training and teaching opportunities that enable students to become teaching assistants to undergraduates and/or research assistants on special projects exploring different aspects of your field of study.

International students are some of the most valued teachers and researchers in U.S. universities because they bring new skills and ideas to the classroom and library or laboratory. This practical component of your education will prove useful in your future career, and may give you insights into your field that would not be possible through course study alone.

Flexibility

Although many programs are highly structured in that specific coursework requirements must be met, you will generally be able to find a wide variety of course choices to meet those requirements. For example, liberal arts coursework for an undergraduate program will include classes in languages and mathematics, but you will be given a wide variety of classes which fit those requirements, and the freedom to decide which classes best match your interests.

At the advanced stages of a degree, or if you are pursuing a graduate degree, you will be able to tailor your coursework to fit your specific academic goals, needs and interests. When you choose topics for independent study for a graduate thesis or dissertation, you can emphasize ideas that are important to you, your field and your country.

Support Services for International Students

Studying in the United States is a rewarding experience, but navigating your way through day-to-day issues can be a challenge. Many international students find that the college and university international student office is a great resource when it comes to adapting to a culturally and academically different environment. The mission of the international student office is to assist students like you, and there is often a wide range of student services that they provide

An orientation program upon your arrival is just the start of the many programs and benefits of the university international student office - throughout your time in the U.S., they can help answer questions you may have regarding your visa status, financial situation, housing, employment possibilities, health concerns and more. If you choose to complete your degree in the United States, this office often provides resume and employment assistance as graduation nears. The international student office will be an invaluable source of information and help as you make the transition into academic and cultural life in the United States.

Global Education and Long-Term Career Prospects

Experience in an international setting is a marketable commodity. Many employers seek the wide range of knowledge, adaptability and experience that international students acquire by studying in the United States. Companies in the U.S. are increasingly seeking to become a strong presence in the global marketplace. They often look to hire employees who not only have multi-cultural language skills, but those who can also help communicate, negotiate and conduct business across different cultures.

The United States is not the only country seeking strong candidates when hiring; international students are in high demand elsewhere, as well. In recent years, international companies have become much more proactive in recruiting from the pool of strong international student graduates. Your long-term career prospects can be enhanced by your experiences through the development of self-confidence, independence and cross-cultural skills - attributes which are in high demand with employers worldwide.

Campus Life Experience

When you continue your studies in the U.S., you are making a choice to broaden not only your educational opportunities, but your cultural experience, as well. Whether you attend a small, private college in a small town or a university situated in the middle of a large urban area, most universities offer a variety of student clubs and organizations to match the wide array of student interests. You can have the opportunity to immerse yourself in American culture, meeting new people and making new friends, through different organizations and associations.

International students often find that the international student office is a good starting point for campus offerings, as well as the campus student center. Your time studying abroad can be enriched by taking part in the social and cultural scene surrounding you, and you will likely find that U.S. campuses provide a rich variety academic, cultural and athletic activities that add new dimensions to your life.

Top 10 universities in the USA

Here are the top universities in the United States, with information on their tuition fees and the number of students:

University	Number of Students	Tuition Fees
Princeton University	4,773	$56,101
Columbia University	6,170	$63,530
Harvard University	5,222	$55,587
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	4,361	$55,878
Yale University	4,703	$59,950
Stanford University	6,366	$56,169
University of Chicago	6,989	$60,963
University of Pennsylvania	9,872	$61,710
California Institute of Technology	901	$58,680
Duke University	6,717	$60,489

10 largest universities in the USA

These are the 10 largest universities in the United States together with the number of students enrolled:

University	Number of Students
University of Phoenix	72,485
Arizona State University	63,124
University of Central Florida	61,456
Grand Canyon University	58,997
Texas A&M University	55,568
Florida International University	48,664
Liberty University	47,988
The Ohio State University	46,984
University of Texas at Austin	40,048
The Pennsylvania State University	39,809

Top 10 US business schools 

Here are the top 10 business schools in the US: 

University of Chicago (Booth)

University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)

Northwestern University (Kellogg)

Stanford University

Harvard University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)

Yale University

Columbia University

University of California--Berkeley (Haas)

University of Michigan--Ann Arbor (Ross)

Top 10 US universities for engineering & science 

Here are the top 10 institutions in the United States to study engineering and science subjects:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Stanford University

University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

Harvard University

Georgia Institute of Technology

California Institute of Technology

Carnegie Mellon University

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Princeton University

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Top 10 medical schools

This is a list of the top 10 medical schools in the United States.

Harvard University

Yale University

Stanford University

University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

Columbia University

New York University (NYU)

University of Chicago

Georgetown University

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Top 10 US universities for social sciences

If you're interested in the social sciences, here are the top 10 institutions in the United States to choose from: 

Harvard University

Stanford University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

Yale University

University of California, Los Angeles

University of Pennsylvania

Columbia University

University of Chicago

Princeton University

Top 10 liberal arts colleges

Here are the top 10 liberal arts colleges in the USA: 

Williams College

Amherst College

Swarthmore College

Pomona College

Wellesley College

Bowdoin College

United States Naval Academy

Claremont McKenna College

Carleton College

Middlebury College

QS World University Rankings 2023: Top 100 US Universities
Rank	University
1	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
2	Stanford University
3	Harvard University
4	California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
5	University of Chicago
6	University of Pennsylvania
7	Princeton University
8	Yale University
9	Cornell University
10	Columbia University
11	Johns Hopkins University
12	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
13	University of California Berkeley (UCB)
14	Northwestern University
15	New York University (NYU)
16	University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
17	Duke University
18	Carnegie Mellon University
19	University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
20	Brown University
21	University of Texas at Austin
22	University of Washington
23	University of Wisconsin-Madison
24	University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
25	Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
26	Pennsylvania State University
27	Rice University
28	University of California, Davis (UCD)
29	University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
30	Boston University
31	Washington University in St. Louis
32	Purdue University
33	University of Southern California
34	Ohio State University
35	University of Rochester
36	University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)
37	Emory University
38	Michigan State University
39	Texas A&M University
40	University of Maryland, College Park
41	Case Western Reserve University
42	University of Pittsburgh
43	University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
44	University of Florida
45	Vanderbilt University
46	Dartmouth College
47	Arizona State University
48	University of California, Irvine (UCI)
49	University of Notre Dame
50	Yeshiva University
51	University of Massachusetts, Amherst
52	University of Virginia
53	University of Arizona
54	Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick
55	Georgetown University
56	University of Miami
57	North Carolina State University
58	Tufts University
59	University of Colorado at Boulder
60	University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC)
61	Indiana University Bloomington
62	University of Connecticut
63	George Washington University
64	Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech)
65	University of Kansas
66	University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC)
67	University of Hawai'i at Manoa
68	Northeastern University
69	University of Utah
70	Colorado State University
71	Stony Brook University
72	University at Buffalo SUNY
73	University of Colorado, Denver
74	Wake Forest University
75	Illinois Institute of Technology
76	Washington State University University of New Mexico
77	University of California, Riverside (UCR)
78	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
79	University of Alaska Fairbanks
80	University of Iowa
81	Tulane University
82	Iowa State University
83	Brandeis University
84	Colorado School of Mines
85	Missouri University of Science and Technology
86	Swarthmore College
87	Florida State University
88	University of Missouri, Columbia
89	The New School
90	University of Texas Dallas
91	Boston College
92	University of Delaware
93	University of Massachusetts, Boston
94	Lehigh University
95	Oregon State University
96	Saint Louis University
97	University of Georgia
98	University of Tennessee, Knoxville
99	University of South Florida
100	Wayne State University
101	Wesleyan University

Hopefully, this ranking will help you decide where to study. For more information about US universities, sign up to our site (it's free and takes less than two minutes) and enjoy exclusive member benefits, including access to helpful tips and guides.