Assessing Travel and Visa Obligations

Whether you can travel lawfully as a business visitor or require a work permit depends on the types of activities you will be conducting during your time in Belarus. If you are not sure whether your activities constitute business or work, please seek advice from your immigration counsel.

Traveling for Business

What sorts of activities can I pursue as a business visitor?

Business travelers to Belarus may engage in the activities below. This list is not comprehensive and other activities may qualify as business.

• Attend business meetings
• Attend conferences
• Develop professional business contacts
• Negotiate contracts

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Belarus?

Most foreign nationals require a visa to travel to Belarus to conduct business activities. A few select nationals from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) do not require a visa to conduct business activities in Belarus. Business visitors that require a visa to enter Belarus must obtain either a Short-Term C Visa or Long-Term D Visa from a Belarusian consulate or embassy prior to travel. Nationals of 74 countries and territories are eligible for visa-free stays of up to 30 days if entering the country through Minsk International Airport (except when entering or exiting Belarus on a flight to or from the Russian Federation). This applies to citizens Australia, Canada, Japan, the United States and all European Union member states.

Working in Belarus

What sorts of activities require a work permit?

The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Belarusian law. This list is not comprehensive and many other professional activities are considered work in Belarus, even if conducted for a short duration.

• Hands-on technical work
• Repairs and maintenance
• Project planning and implementation
• Marketing
• Consulting

If I am traveling to Belarus for work, what type of work permit do I need?

Whether you require a work permit depends on your qualifications, whether your employer has an entity in Belarus and the nature of your work. The most common Belarusian work permit is the Special Work Permit (high-skilled professionals work permit).

Are there any nationals who are exempt from work permit requirements?

Nationals of Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation are exempt from obtaining work authorization in Belarus. Registrations or other formalities may be required before these nationals can work or reside in Belarus.

What else should I know?

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection or visa waiver eligibility entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

Copyright © 2019 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.

Updated Jan. 3, 2019.