Belarus Long-Term (D-type) Visa

If you are planning to stay in Belarus for a longer period, even if your country is exempt from visa requirements, you will need to apply for a long-stay visa from your home country before coming to Belarus. This type of visa is designed for individuals who intend to reside in Belarus for more than 90 days.

The long-stay visa grants entry to Belarus on the basis that you will be applying for a residence permit. It enables you to enter Belarus as a potential resident and stay while you apply for residency. It is important to note that a long-stay visa does not guarantee residency in Belarus, but rather serves as a temporary permit to stay while you complete the necessary requirements to apply for residency.

In order to apply for a long-stay visa, you will need to provide a variety of documents, including a completed visa application form, a valid passport, a passport photo, proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay in Belarus, and a certificate of good health. Additionally, you will need to provide a letter of invitation from a Belarusian citizen or organization, or proof of your employment or study in Belarus.

Once you have obtained your long-stay visa, you will have 90 days to apply for a residence permit in Belarus. The process for obtaining a residence permit can be lengthy and may require additional documentation, including a police clearance certificate and proof of accommodation. You will also need to register with the local authorities within five working days of arriving in Belarus.

It is important to note that the long-stay visa does not allow you to work in Belarus. If you plan to work in Belarus, you will need to obtain a work permit in addition to your long-stay visa and residence permit. Work permits are issued by the local Citizenship and Migration Department, and the process can take up to two months.

In addition to the documentation required for a long-stay visa, individuals seeking residency in Belarus may be subject to an interview with the local migration authorities. During the interview, you may be asked to provide additional information about your intentions for residing in Belarus and your ability to support yourself during your stay.

Overall, obtaining a long-stay visa for Belarus requires careful planning and preparation. It is important to understand the requirements for residency in Belarus and to ensure that you have all of the necessary documentation before applying for a long-stay visa. With the appropriate documentation and planning, you can successfully obtain a long-stay visa and begin the process of applying for residency in Belarus.

Types of Long-term Visas available for Belarus

There are several types of long-term visas available for Belarus depending on the purpose of your stay. Here are some of the common types of long-term visas:-

• Business
• Private visit
• Studying (long-term)
• Employment (long-term)
• Family reunion

Business

The Belarus Long-term (D-type) Business visa is designed for foreign nationals who wish to visit Belarus for business-related purposes, such as attending conferences, meetings, or exploring investment opportunities. This visa is typically valid for a period of 90 days to one year, and it allows the holder to enter Belarus multiple times during its validity.

To obtain a Business visa, applicants are required to provide a letter of invitation from their Belarusian business partner, along with other supporting documents such as a passport, a completed visa application form, and proof of financial means.

Private visit

The Belarus Long-term (D-type) Private visit visa is intended for foreign nationals who plan to visit their relatives or friends in Belarus for an extended period of time. The visa is typically valid for a period of up to one year and allows multiple entries into Belarus.

To obtain this visa, applicants must provide a letter of invitation from their Belarusian host, along with other supporting documents such as a passport, a completed visa application form, and proof of financial means.

Studying (long-term)

The Belarus Long-term (D-type) Studying visa is intended for foreign students who wish to pursue their education in Belarus. This visa is typically valid for a period of up to one year and allows multiple entries into Belarus.

To obtain this visa, applicants must provide proof of acceptance from their Belarusian educational institution, along with other supporting documents.

Employment (long-term)

The Belarus Long-term (D-type) Employment visa is intended for foreign nationals who have been offered a job by a Belarusian employer. This visa is typically valid for a period of up to one year and allows multiple entries into Belarus.

To obtain this visa, applicants must provide a work permit issued by the Belarusian Ministry of Labor, along with other supporting documents.

Family reunion

The Belarus Long-term (D-type) Family reunion visa is intended for foreign nationals who wish to join their family members who are living in Belarus. This visa is typically valid for a period of up to one year and allows multiple entries into Belarus.

To obtain this visa, applicants must provide proof of their relationship with their Belarusian family member, along with other supporting documents such as a passport, a completed visa application form, and proof of financial means.

Requirements for a Belarus Long-term (D-type) Visa

If you plan to apply for a long-term visa to Belarus, you need to provide the following documents:

Application Form

• The application form must be fully completed in English and signed and dated by the applicant. If the applicant is below 18 years old, the form must be signed by both parents.

Passport

• Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the date of your departure from Belarus. It should be signed by the bearer and not older than ten years. It must have at least one or two free visa pages, and undamaged pictures securely affixed to it.

Photo

• Your photo should not be older than six months, and it must be a frontal view of your face, covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo. The background should be uniform and white. Your facial features and eyes should not be covered by hair or glasses frames. The size of the photo should be 3.5x4.5.

ID Card Copy

• Your ID card should be valid for at least three months beyond the date of your departure from Belarus.

Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if applicable)

• If your country of residence and citizenship are different, you must provide a copy of your residence permit or visa.

Photocopies

• You need to provide photocopies of the main page of your passport, previous visas, and the visa for the final destination (if any).

Travel Itinerary

• You need to provide a flight reservation and a valid hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address, contact information, and booking reference.

Letter from Local Employer/Sponsor (Proof of Occupation)

• If you are employed, you need to provide a letter from your local employer/sponsor that includes their name, postal address, and telephone number. It must also provide details about your working position, starting date of employment, salary, timeframe of work leave, purpose of travel, valid trade license copy, and company ownership documents (if applicable).
• If you are a student, you need to provide a letter from your university.
• If you are a dependent, you need to provide a copy of your sponsor's valid passport and residence visa (if any).

Medical Insurance

• Your medical insurance should cover the entire duration of your stay in Belarus.

Supporting Documents that Show Your Reason for the Trip

• Depending on the reason for your trip, you may need to provide supporting documents such as -
• A letter of visa support by a Belarusian company,
• An original invitation letter by the company,
• An original invitation letter by the inviting person,
• An original document that confirms the ownership of the estate of the inviting person, copies of the passport and ID card/residence permit of the inviting person,
• An original invitation letter by the educational establishment in Belarus, an acceptance letter to the Belarusian education establishment,
• An original invitation letter by a Belarusian company,
• A copy of the employment permit issued for you,
• A confirmation by the Citizenship and Migration Department in Belarus,
• An original invitation letter by your family member, and documents proving your ties with your family member in Belarus.

For Minors

• If you are traveling with a minor, you need to provide a copy and English translation of either a birth certificate, proof of adoption, custody decree (if parents are divorced), or death certificate of the parent.
• You also need to provide a letter of consent from the parent/s or legal guardian/s if the minor is traveling unaccompanied.

Application Process for a Belarus Long-term (D-type) Visa

The application process for a Belarus long-term (D-type) visa involves several steps. Below is a general outline of the process:

Gather Required Documents

Collect all the necessary documents listed by the Belarusian Embassy or Consulate in your home country, including your application form, passport, photo, ID card copy, residence permit or visa copy, photocopies, travel itinerary, letter from local employer/sponsor, medical insurance, and supporting documents that show your reason for the trip.

Schedule an Appointment

Contact the Belarusian Embassy or Consulate in your home country to schedule an appointment for submitting your application and supporting documents.

Submit Your Application

At your appointment, submit your completed application form and all supporting documents. The Embassy or Consulate may ask for additional documentation or clarification at this stage.

Pay Fees

Pay the visa fee, which varies depending on your nationality and the length of your stay. You may also have to pay an additional fee for expedited processing.

Wait for Processing

The processing time for a Belarus long-term visa can vary from several weeks to several months, so it is important to apply well in advance of your intended travel dates.

Collect Your Visa

Once your visa application is approved, you will receive your passport with the visa affixed to it. Make sure to check the visa for accuracy and validity dates before leaving the embassy or consulate.

It is important to note that this is a general outline of the application process, and specific requirements and procedures may vary depending on your country of residence and the purpose of your trip.

Processing Time & Fee for Belarus Long-term Visa

The processing time for a Belarus Long-term Visa is typically 3-15 calendar days, although this can vary depending on your visa application country. It is recommended to apply well in advance of your intended travel dates to allow for any unforeseen delays.

The Belarus Long-term Visa fee is generally 60 EUR, although this can vary depending on your country and nationality. Additionally, you may also need to pay other administrative fees, such as the Visa Application center fee or courier service fee, depending on the country and location of your document submission

Validity and Duration of a Belarus Long-term (D-type) Visa

A Belarus Long-term (D-type) Visa allows you to stay in Belarus for a period longer than 90 days. The validity and duration of the visa depend on the purpose of your travel and the decision of the consular authority.

The maximum validity of a Belarus Long-term Visa is up to 1 year, with the possibility of a single or multiple entries. However, the duration of your stay in Belarus per entry may not exceed 90 days during a 180-day period.

It is important to note that the actual validity and duration of the visa are subject to the discretion of the consular authority, who may issue a visa for a shorter period depending on the purpose of your trip, your individual circumstances, and other relevant factors.

Therefore, it is recommended to carefully plan your trip and apply for the appropriate type of visa that meets your specific needs and requirements. It is also advisable to check the visa's validity and duration before traveling to avoid any inconvenience or legal issues.

Renewal and Extension of a Belarus Long-term (D-type) Visa

If you need to extend your stay in Belarus beyond the duration allowed by your Long-term (D-type) Visa, you must apply for an extension at the Citizenship and Migration Department of Belarus no later than 15 days before the visa expires. The decision to extend the visa is at the discretion of the department.

The extension of a Long-term (D-type) Visa can be granted for a period up to 180 days. To apply for an extension, you will need to submit a new set of documents that demonstrate the reasons for your prolonged stay in Belarus, such as medical treatment, work, study, or family reasons.

It is important to note that the extension of a Long-term (D-type) Visa does not guarantee a new visa's issuance, and you will have to comply with the new visa application process if you need to return to Belarus after leaving the country.

In case your Long-term (D-type) Visa has expired, and you need to stay in Belarus for an extended period, you must leave the country before the visa's expiration date and apply for a new visa from outside Belarus. You cannot extend or renew a Long-term (D-type) Visa while in Belarus after its expiration date.

Restrictions and Limitations of a Belarus Long-term (D-type) Visa

A Belarus Long-term (D-type) Visa allows the holder to enter and stay in Belarus for a specific purpose, as stated in the visa. The visa also has some restrictions and limitations that the holder must follow. These may include:

• Purpose of stay: The holder must adhere to the specific purpose for which the visa was issued, such as work, study, family reunion, etc.
• Duration of stay: The holder must not exceed the allowed duration of stay in Belarus, as specified in the visa. Overstaying in Belarus may result in fines, deportation, or future visa denials.
• Travel to other countries: A Belarus Long-term (D-type) Visa does not permit the holder to travel to other countries. If the holder needs to travel outside of Belarus, they must apply for a separate visa from the relevant embassy or consulate.
• Change of purpose: The holder must not change the purpose of their visit while in Belarus. If the holder needs to change their purpose of stay, they must apply for a new visa.
• Registration: The holder must register with the local authorities within five working days of their arrival in Belarus. Failure to register may result in fines or other penalties.
• Employment: If the holder's purpose of stay is work-related, they must obtain the appropriate work permit and adhere to the labor laws of Belarus.
• Behavior: The holder must respect the laws and customs of Belarus and avoid any activities that may be deemed illegal or offensive.

It is essential to adhere to the restrictions and limitations of a Belarus Long-term (D-type) Visa to avoid any legal or immigration-related issues while staying in Belarus.

Frequently asked questions