Embassy
Embassy of Belarus in South Africa
164 Orion Avenue
Belarus visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens need a visa for Belarus, from its embassy or consulate.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
BLR
Belarus
Visa needed
A visa for tourists who cannot use a visa-free route.
- Visa
- Required
- Valid for
- 30 days
- Fee
- €60
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Find Belarus's embassy or consulate that covers where you live.
Prepare the application form, photos, bank statements and travel bookings.
Book an appointment early; processing can take several weeks.
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 passportAirport entry with foreign visaPeople from 12 listed countries need an EU or Schengen visa for this route.
- Stay
- 30 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check your EU or Schengen visa and entry stamp.
- Book flights through the named Belarusian airports.
- Confirm any departure airport other than Minsk before travel.
- Bring your departure ticket, passport, funds and insurance.
Documents required
- Ordinary passport
- Passport valid 90 days after departure
- Valid multiple-entry EU or Schengen visa
- EU or Schengen entry stamp
- Confirmed departure ticket within 30 days
- Health insurance and proof of funds
- Return ticket
- Travel insurance
- Enter and leave through the 6 named airports; no flights to or from Russia.
- Sources differ on departure airports: one says Minsk, another allows all 6.
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
Book an appointment before you go.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs C FAdapter for some
- MoneyBYN Br
- Time+1h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- LanguageBelarusian
- 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 Africa passports
Going to Belarus
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Belarus with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do south african citizens need a visa for Belarus?
South African citizens need a visa for Belarus, from its embassy or consulate.
Where do I apply for a Belarus visa?
At Belarus's embassy or consulate that covers where you live. Book an appointment early, as it can take several weeks.
Does a US, UK or Schengen visa help south african citizens enter Belarus?
We have no record of Belarus relaxing its rules for south african citizens who hold another country's visa. Check with the embassy before you rely on one.
Do belarusian citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Belarusian citizens need an eVisa for South Africa. Apply on the official website.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Belarus?
Libya and Seychelles can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Belarus are easier for south african citizens?
Russia, Kosovo, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Belarus?
Find Belarus's embassy or consulate that covers where you live. Prepare the application form, photos, bank statements and travel bookings.
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 South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck