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Belarus requires UK passport holders to obtain a visa prior to travel for tourism. There is no visa-free entry for tourism, except for specific limited circumstances such as arriving and departing from Minsk National Airport, which has its own strict conditions. For most tourist visits, a pre-arranged visa is necessary.

Key facts

For UK British Citizen passport holders, tourism or short business trips.

You may need a visa if…

• Specific visa-free entry through Minsk National Airport exists, but it has strict conditions (e.g., maximum 30 days, entry/exit only via Minsk, no transfers to/from Russia), and applies to specific nationalities, verify if this applies to UK citizens.
• Visa applications typically require an invitation letter or tourist voucher from a Belarusian travel agency.
• Travel insurance covering the entire period of stay with a minimum coverage of €10,000 is mandatory.
• While the airport visa-free option exists, for more flexible travel or longer stays, a traditional visa is needed.
• Entry/Exit to Belarus via Russia is strictly prohibited without a valid Belarusian visa, even if you are visa-free for Belarus, as there are no international border crossings between Belarus and Russia.

Before you travel

• ✓Confirm the latest visa requirements and application process through the Embassy of Belarus in the UK.
• ✓Obtain an invitation letter or tourist voucher from a licensed Belarusian travel agency.
• ✓Purchase mandatory travel insurance that meets Belarusian requirements.
• ✓Complete the visa application form and gather all required documents (passport, photos, invitation, insurance, itinerary, fee).
• ✓Submit your visa application to the Embassy of Belarus in the UK well in advance of your travel date.
• ✓Ensure your passport meets the validity requirements (at least 3 months beyond visa expiry, two blank pages).

Common questions