Belarus to introduce e-visas for 67 states

Belarus will launch an electronic visa system for citizens of 67 countries, reads Council of Ministers’ Resolution No. 953 as of 16 December 2024 that was officially published on the National Legal Internet Portal, BelTA has learned. The document amends the visa rules for people traveling to Belarus. In particular, electronic visas will be issued in the automated system Consul. The technological process and terms of issuing e-visas, the scope of information to be submitted in electronic form will be determined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Center for Electronic Services. The opportunity to apply for electronic visas will be given to holders of regular passports from 67 countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Austria, Belgium, the UK, Spain, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. To obtain such a visa, foreign nationals will need to submit a visa application in the personal account of the unified portal of electronic services of the OAIS. There will be no fast-track option for processing a visa application. Electronic visas will be single-entry individual visas with a validity period of no more than 30 days. Depending on the purpose of the trip, the following categories of visas will be available: business, participation in sports, cultural, scientific, educational events and internships, private trips, tourism. While entering Belarus and during their stay in the country, foreigners will need to present a copy of the electronic visa in electronic form or on paper at the request of authorities. The new rules will come into force three months after the official publication of the resolution.