Belarus Travel requirements, advice , Coronavirus status and Visa Policy
2023-04-12 16:19:02
Belarus is located in Eastern Europe. It is a developed country. Current Travel Advice to visitors travelling to Belarus is Do Not Travel. Check Belarus Travel Advisory, visa Requirements below.
Travel advice and advisories
Published 08.04.2022
1. Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 4 days before arrival. The test result must be issued in Belarusian, English or Russian.
This does not apply to:
- nationals and residents of Belarus;
- passengers with a diplomatic or service passport;
- passengers younger than 6 years:
- passengers with a printed COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated at least 1 month and at most 12 months before arrival. The vaccination certificate must be in Belarusian, English or Russian;
- passengers with a Laissez-Passer issued by the United Nations or by the European Union and their family members;
- passengers traveling on business with an invitation letter from a company in Belarus;
- nationals of the Russian Fed. entering Belarus to transit by land to the Russian Fed. for a maximum of 24 hours.
2. Passengers must have health insurance to cover COVID-19 expenses.
- This does not apply to nationals and residents of Belarus.
Travel Advisory By USA
Wed, 12 Apr 2023
Reissued after periodic review with updates to risk indicators, information on border crossings, the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus, and the “If you decide to travel” section.
Do not travel to Belarus due to the Belarusian authorities’ continued facilitation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus. U.S. citizens in Belarus should depart immediately.
On February 28, 2022, the Department of State ordered the departure of U.S. government employees and the suspension of operations of the U.S. Embassy in Minsk. All consular services, routine and emergency, are suspended until further notice. U.S. citizens in Belarus who require consular services should try to leave the country as soon as possible and contact a U.S. embassy or consulate in another country.
Due to Belarusian authorities’ continued facilitation of Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine and given the heightened volatility and unpredictable nature of the regional security environment, do not travel to Belarus. Potential harassment targeted specifically at foreigners is also possible.
Exercise increased awareness and vigilance regarding political and military tensions in the region. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid public demonstrations. Authorities have used force to disperse demonstrators, including those peacefully demonstrating. Bystanders, including foreign nationals, may face the possibility of arrest or detention.
U.S. citizens should regularly reevaluate possible departure plans in the event of an emergency. Border crossings with neighboring states are sometimes closed with little notice. Additional closures of crossing points along Belarus’ borders with Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, and Ukraine are possible.
Country Summary: Belarusian authorities have detained tens of thousands of individuals, including U.S. citizens, for alleged affiliations with opposition parties and alleged participation in political demonstrations. U.S. citizens in the vicinity of demonstrations have been arrested. Some have been victims of harassment and/or mistreatment by Belarusian officials. Belarusian authorities have targeted individuals associated with independent and foreign media. On May 23, 2021, Belarusian authorities forced the landing of a commercial aircraft transiting Belarusian airspace in order to arrest an opposition journalist who was a passenger.
Belarus enforces special restrictions on dual U.S.-Belarusian nationals and may refuse to acknowledge dual U.S.-Belarusian nationals’ U.S. citizenship, including denying or delaying U.S. consular assistance to detained dual nationals.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an Advisory Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) prohibiting all U.S. air carriers and commercial operators, U.S. airmen and airwomen, and U.S. registered aircraft from operating at all altitudes in the Minsk Flight Information Region (UMMV). For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Belarus.
If you decide to travel to Belarus:
- Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
- Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
- Monitor local and international media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans based on the new information.
- Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
- Review the Country Security Report for Belarus.
- Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before planning any international travel and the Embassy's COVID-19 page for country-specific COVID-19 information.
- Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
Visa Policy for Visitors travelling to Belarus
Visa required
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Visa free access
- Croatia
Visa Requirements for Belarus Citizens
References
- U.S Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs
- Systematic dataset of Covid-19 policy, from Oxford University
- International Air Transport Association (IATA)