Embassy
Embassy of Russia, Minsk
Minsk
220053, Мінск, вул. Нававіленская, д.1А
Belarus visa requirements for Russian citizens
Entry to Belarus is restricted for russian citizens: a visa plus special approval.
Passport
RUS
Russia
Going to
BLR
Belarus
Entry is restricted
A visa for tourists who cannot use a visa-free route.
- Visa
- Restricted
- Valid for
- 30 days
- Fee
- €60
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
Special rules for Russian citizens in Belarus
Russians: unlimited stays; Russia–Belarus land travel only at six crossings
- You can use your Russian internal ID.
- Yukhovichi–Dolossy or Yezeryshche–Nevel.
- Lyozno–Kruglovka or Redki–Krasnaya Gorka.
- Zvenchatka–Dubovichka or Selishche–Novozybkov.
What to do
Read the extra conditions for your passport below: Belarus limits where and how you can enter.
Apply for the visa at the embassy well ahead, and expect extra checks.
Enter only through the allowed border points and register with the police if required.
Get your Belarus visa sorted
A visa expert checks the rules and helps you apply. No payment now.
Ways into Belarus
Check visa-free options first, then online or embassy visas.
Visa not required For your passportPassport-based visa-free entrySome passports allow visa-free visits, with different stay limits for each country.
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check your passport's rule in the official entry table.
- Confirm your stay limit and any extra documents.
- Show your documents at the border.
Documents required
- Valid ordinary passport
- Health insurance, unless exempt
- North Macedonia: qualifying visit document
- Limits vary: some allow 30 days, others 90 days, with extra yearly limits.
- A missing stay limit does not mean you can stay forever.
Visa on arrivalAdvance-arranged Minsk airport visaCollect your visa at Minsk National Airport after arranging support documents before travel.
- Fee
- 120 EUR or 180 EUR
How to apply
- Ask your host to submit your invitation before arrival.
- Allow at least 2 working days before arrival.
- Get the airport office's stamped copy from your host.
- Show the stamped copy at airline check-in.
- Apply and pay at Minsk National Airport.
Documents required
- Original invitation and copy submitted beforehand
- Stamped invitation copy
- Passport with 2 blank pages
- Visa form and recent colour photo
- Documents for your visit purpose
- Health insurance, unless exempt
- No flights from Russia; students and groups need their inviting institution's representative present.
- Fee: 120 EUR without Belarusian representation in your country; 180 EUR with representation.
Visa requiredTourist embassy visaA visa for tourists who cannot use a visa-free route.
- Stay
- 30 days
- Valid for
- 30 days
- Fee
- €60
- Processing
- 2–5 days
How to apply
- Get a tourist support letter or accepted hotel booking.
- Fill in and sign the visa form.
- Submit your documents to a Belarusian embassy.
- Pay the fee.
Documents required
- Passport valid 90 days after departure
- 2 blank passport pages
- Signed visa form
- 1 recent colour photo
- Tourist support letter or accepted booking
- Health insurance, unless exempt
- Proof of payment
- Choose 1 or 2 entries; hotel bookings are not accepted for everyone.
- Usually 5 working days; urgent service takes 2. Checks may take longer.
Sources (25)Last updated 11 November 2026
- State Border Committee: European visa-free entry and restrictions
- Entry visas and application procedure
- Visa types and purpose-specific support documents
- Consular fee rates
- Visa-free travel: nationality table
- Airport visa-free entry
- Official 76-country airport exemption list
- Temporary European visa-free scheme
- Brest-Grodno tourism-zone exemption
- E-visa rules, fees and official application link
- Visa issuance at Minsk National Airport
- Transit and airport-transfer exemptions
- Border crossing, insurance and financial requirements
- Belarus–Russia mutual recognition of visas and residence documents
- Registration after arrival
- Embassy in the United States: visa requirements
- Embassy in the United States: Canadian application requirements
- Embassy in the United Kingdom: official consular links
- UK embassy-linked visa application procedure
- UK embassy-linked type B transit visa information
- UK embassy-linked type C visa support requirements
- UK embassy-linked e-visa information
- UK embassy-linked health insurance rules and exemptions
- Embassy in India: appointments and visa checklist
- Embassy in India: student visa checklist
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Coming from Russia
- Plugs C FNo adapter
- MoneyBYN Br
- TimeSame timeSame as home
- DrivingOn the rightSame as home
- LanguageBelarusianSpoken at home too
- Emergency102 police103 ambulance
Planning your Belarus trip
- MinskSee Soviet-era architecture, Independence Square, the Belarus State Museum and the Zaslavsky Jewish Monument.
- Brest FortressThis 19th-century fortress was the site of a major Second World War battle and commemorates Soviet resistance.
- Mir Castle ComplexThis late medieval castle is a World Heritage Site and one of the country's main historic sights.
- Nesvizh CastleThis World Heritage Site is among the country's finest castles.
Scams to watch for in Belarus
- ATM fraudFraud at ATMs is described as common. The exact methods are not given, so a specific trick such as card skimming cannot be confirmed.
- Grocery-store fraudFraud in grocery stores is described as common. No specific method is given.
- Inflated taxi fares at arrival pointsDrivers waiting at the airport and train stations tend to ask for hugely inflated fares. Travellers who get in without checking the price may face a much higher charge than expected.
About Belarus
Belarus is a landlocked republic bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.
- Capital
- Minsk
- Money
- Belarusian ruble (Br)
- Languages
- Belarusian, Russian
- Time zone
- UTC+03:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +375
Other Europe passports
Going to Belarus
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Belarus with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Is entry to Belarus restricted for Russian citizens?
Russian citizens have freedom of movement and can stay without a time limit. Land travel between Russia and Belarus is limited to six listed crossings. Russian citizens have freedom of movement in Belarus. Russian citizens can stay for an unlimited time.
Where can Russian citizens enter Belarus?
Only through: Yukhovichi – Dolossy (Opochka – Novopolotsk), Yezeryshche – Nevel (Kyiv – St. Petersburg), Lyozno – Kruglovka (Vitebsk – Smolensk), Redki – Krasnaya Gorka (Minsk – Moscow), Zvenchatka – Dubovichka (Bobruisk – Moscow), Selishche – Novozybkov (Gomel – Bryansk).
Do russian citizens need a visa for Belarus?
Russian citizens can visit, live and work in Belarus without a visa.
Do belarusian citizens need a visa for Russia?
Belarusian citizens do not need a visa for Russia. Show your passport at the border.
Do other Europe passports get easier entry to Belarus?
Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Belarus are easier for russian citizens?
Moldova, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia Angola, and 3 more let russian citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Belarus?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in Belarus?
Belarusian ruble (Br). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Belarus?
Belarusian and Russian.
How strong is the Russia passport?
It ranks #42 and reaches 109 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck