Belarus travel advisory today

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK who choose to travel against FCDO advice. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Belarus set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how Belarus’s entry requirements apply to you, contact the Embassy of Belarus in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

To visit Belarus, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months from the date you arrive.

Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual Citizenship.

Children of Belarusian passport holders

Children aged 15 and under who do not have a Belarusian passport but have a parent who does, must have a travel certificate issued by a Belarusian embassy or consulate to enter Belarus. Parents of children entering on this document should contact the State Border Committee, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make sure their children also have the relevant documentation to exit Belarus.

Visa requirements

The Belarusian authorities have announced that until 31 December 2026 all British nationals (except those entering on a diplomatic or official passport) can enter Belarus for up to 30 days without a visa, limited to a total of 90 days per calendar year.

If you want to stay longer than 30 days during a visit, or for a total period exceeding 90 days per calendar year, you must have a visa. You can find more information from the Embassy of Belarus in the UK.

If you’re travelling directly from or to Russia, the visa-free arrangement does not apply and you must have a visa. As of 11 January 2025, foreign citizens with a Belarusian or Russian visa may enter, leave, stay or transit through either Belarus or Russia during the period of validity of the visa. This is limited to certain international border crossing points. For more information, please see the website of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Visas for travelling through Belarus

You do not need a visa to transit Belarus by air, but the maximum period you can remain airside (in the airport without going through border control) is 24 hours.

Travelling by air between Belarus and Russia

FCDO is not aware of any difficulties for British nationals travelling by air between Belarus and Russia. However, make sure you get an exit stamp in your passport when you leave Belarus. If you have no stamp, you will not be allowed back in on your next visit.

Land borders

The land border with Ukraine is currently closed to British nationals. The border with Poland reopened on 25 September 2025. Other land borders have restrictions. See Safety and security.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Belarus guide.

Insurance requirements

When you apply for your visa or when you arrive in Belarus, you will need to show both:

• documentary evidence of medical insurance to the value of 10,000 euros
• funds equivalent to 25 euros per day

This can be in the form of cash, credit card or travellers cheques in any currency. Contact the Embassy of Belarus for full details.

Journalists

If you plan to work as a journalist in Belarus, you must get accreditation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus before you travel.

Registering with the authorities

Accommodation providers must register any foreign guests staying for more than 10 days in Belarus. Registration will normally be arranged by your hotel. If you’re staying with someone, check that they’re doing this. You can register with the authorities online (this page may not be accessible from all countries) or with the local police office (OVIR) in the district where you’re staying. There are fines for not registering in time. See the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for more details.

Customs rules

If you are carrying cash or travellers cheques worth more than 10,000 US dollars, you must complete a currency declaration form and get it stamped by a customs officer.

You are not allowed to take more currency out of Belarus than you declared when you arrived. Keep your entry declaration form for the duration of your visit. When you leave Belarus, you must complete a new form and show the entry form. If you do not, you could be delayed and fined.

Importing goods for charitable purposes

If you want to import goods or services for charitable purposes, consult the Embassy of Belarus in the UK for advice about local procedures and tariffs. If you think your goods will be exempt from Belarusian taxation, get written confirmation from the embassy.

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Heightened scrutiny

You may face added scrutiny at the border or be denied entry to Belarus with no reason provided. Even if you meet entry requirements, local authorities may deny you entry to Belarus if they consider your travel to be non-essential.

Before you travel:

• confirm the entry and exit requirements with the regional migration office
• confirm the status of the border checkpoints
• monitor local media for the latest information

Information portal – State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the date you expect to leave from Belarus.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for stays of up to 30 days
Private visa: not required for stays of up to 30 days
Business visa: not required for stays of up to 30 days
Student visa: required
Transit visa: not required

Visa-free entry

You can enter Belarus without a visa for a period of up to 30 days if you enter the country by flying into certain airports, including Minsk National Airport. This visa-free period cannot be extended. You must also meet the following conditions:

• You must have a regular passport valid for at least 90 days beyond the date you expect to leave Belarus
• You must show a proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay in Belarus (Br 49,000 (approx. CAD$30) for each day of stay)
• You must have a medical insurance coverage of at least €10,000

Those conditions don’t apply if you are flying in from or to Russia as these flights are considered internal flights with no border control.

Useful links

• Obtaining a visa for Belarus– Belarus Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Information on visa-free travel – Belarus Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Land border crossings

Local authorities in Poland, Latvia and Lithuania have shut down certain border crossings with Belarus and may close additional border crossings with little or no warning. If you intend to travel to Poland from Belarus, you must apply for a humanitarian reasons permit.

If you plan to cross from Belarus into Poland, Lithuania or Latvia, only the following border crossings remain open to cars and buses:

• Poland:
• Brest/Terespol
• Lithuania:
• Medininkai/Kamienny
• Šalčininkai /Beniakoni
• Latvia:
• Paternieki/Grigorovshchina

Other entry requirements and EU sanctions may apply at the border with these countries. You should consider travelling by bus instead of in a personal vehicle to avoid certain restrictions.

Useful links

• Border crossing information – State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus
• Entry to Poland through external borders - Polish Border Guard
• Border crossing information – Polish National Customs Administration

Entering Belarus by car

If you enter Belarus with a private vehicle, you must fill out a customs card and show proof of ownership documents or a power of attorney letter at the border crossing.

These documents must be translated into Belarusian and certified at a Belarusian embassy. You must also have third-party car insurance that can only be purchased in Belarus.

Registration

If you’re staying in Belarus for more than 10 business days, you must register with the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior (formerly OVIR) office in the district in which you are staying. You must register within three working days after arriving in Belarus.

Your hotel usually arranges your registration on your behalf. If you are not staying in a hotel, contact your host to ensure that they register your stay.

You could be fined or face difficulty at the border when you leave if you are not registered.

Health insurance

You must present proof of valid medical insurance translated into Belarussian or Russian to enter Belarus. In addition, you will be required to purchase mandatory state insurance at the port of entry.

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).