Everyone knows that a foreign passport acts as the main document that allows you to travel to different countries of the world. Every year more and more people become interested in tourism, so applications for a foreign passport are steadily growing. Obtaining a document in Belarus is not difficult, the main thing is to take the matter responsibly and follow certain instructions.
Treaty of Union
The main agreement regulating this issue is the Treaty on the Union of Belarus and Russia. This agreement was adopted in 1997 and is still in effect. Thanks to this agreement, citizens of both countries received a lot of benefits and many bureaucratic delays were simplified. In particular, the rules for traveling to Belarus have been significantly simplified.
Thanks to the treaty of union, Russia and Belarus became one union state. The consequence of this agreement was the abolition of customs inspection, which ceased to operate in 2011. The borders between states remain, but for residents of the Russian Federation they are symbolic - border control for them will not take much time if the rules are followed.
Is there a border between Russia and Belarus?
Formally, there is a border between Russia and Belarus, but residents of these countries can easily cross it with virtually no checks. However, in January 2021, a situation arose that forced Russia to introduce border zones. The fact is that a 5-day visa-free regime was introduced in Belarus for 80 countries. This meant that their citizens suddenly had a loophole to enter Russia, where previously they could only enter with a visa.
This situation seemed a completely logical measure to the leadership of the Russian Federal Security Service, but completely unacceptable for the Belarusian leader. Director of the Russian FSB Alexander Bortnikov said that this is only necessary for citizens of other countries, and Belarusians and Russians will cross the border freely, as before. However, Alexander Lukashenko said that when this measure was introduced, no one tried to coordinate it with Minsk.
See also: How to contact the Russian Migration Service - telephone numbers
List of documents for crossing the border
So what exactly documents do Russians need to travel to Belarus? According to the above agreement, you will only need your passport of the Russian Federation, or an international passport as an analogue. A foreign passport is not required. In addition, there is a visa-free regime for citizens of the Russian Federation. Filling out migration cards is also not required, unlike in Kazakhstan. So if you travel lightly and on public transport, you only need your internal passport.
Read also: How citizens of Uzbekistan can obtain a temporary residence permit and registration in Russia
Rules for children under 14 years of age
Similar rules apply to citizens of the Russian Federation under the age of 14. For this category of people, it is enough to have only one birth certificate. This rule does not apply to all countries bound by similar agreements with the Russian Federation - for example, in Abkhazia, children under 14 years old need a foreign passport to cross the border. And if you could simply enter your children into old-style international passports, this cannot be done with biometric documents, and the child needs to apply for his own foreign passport.
Of course, the birth certificate must have a stamp confirming the child’s Russian citizenship. In addition, border services will check the internal passports of parents or official representatives. In order for a child to be able to cross the Belarusian border, he must be included in the parents’ passport, or he must have a notarized parental permission (if he is traveling alone or accompanied by an official representative).
When Russia will open borders for travel to Belarus and entry of Belarusians
Also, the opening of borders depends on Russia’s position. Officially, the border is closed to free travel of Russians to Belarus and other neighboring countries. You can only pass through automobile checkpoints for work, study, treatment or caring for relatives on the territory of Belarus.
There is no border as such along its entire length; Russians do not need to present a foreign passport and put a stamp on it to enter Belarus, so many travel along bypass roads and routes.
The prime ministers of Russia and Belarus on August 19 instructed to begin work on lifting entry and exit restrictions on the Russian-Belarusian border, and are also negotiating the resumption of international flights between the two countries.
For all private personal questions about the possibility of crossing the border of the Russian Federation and Belarus, you should contact the official authorities:
- Russian Embassy in Belarus,
- Border Service of the FSB of Russia,
- Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus.
Border control for motorists
Motorists who prefer to travel by their own transport will have to prepare an additional package of documents. At the border they must make sure that you have the right to drive a car and that the vehicle really belongs to you. Therefore, to successfully cross the border with Belarus, drivers need to prepare the following set of documents:
- Russian passport;
- Driver license;
- Vehicle registration certificate;
- Insurance policy;
- Green card.
Applying for a green card is mandatory, otherwise you will face a hefty fine of $200. There are rumors that in Belarus you will need to take out insurance again, but this is not true - if you order a green card in the Russian Federation before crossing the border, it will also be valid in Belarus. The main thing is not to get confused - you need an international motor third party liability insurance policy.
Read also: How to check the passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation for authenticity and validity
Do Russians need a passport to Belarus?
Recently, Belarus has become a popular destination among Russian tourists who want to visit another country without difficulties with paperwork. The country has affordable prices, excellent service, rich culture, and a wide variety of gastronomic delights. It is also important that the second national language in the country is Russian, so there will be no difficulties with understanding.
Is there a border between Russia and Belarus
The border as such between Russia and Belarus has not existed since 1995. However, in 2014, from Belarus, and then in 2017 from the Russian Federation, a border zone was introduced. A border zone is a special area of terrain adjacent to the state border, within which a special regime for entry, stay, and movement of individuals and vehicles is introduced. The territory of the border zone (usually 30 km inland) is marked with special signs, and control is carried out by border service and internal affairs agencies.
You can enter Belarus from Russia and back through 19 checkpoints.
Rules for entry into Belarus for Russians
Citizens of Russia for tourism purposes for a period of up to 90 days can enter the territory of Belarus only with an identity document (passport or international passport). Those traveling by car will also need:
- driver's license;
- vehicle registration certificate;
- insurance policy (Green card).
Permission will be required for citizens who plan to engage in work or want to get an education in one of the educational institutions of the neighboring country. In order to obtain permission, you need to contact the consular office and fill out an application. It is necessary to indicate the purpose of the trip, as well as additionally attach a foreign passport, color photo and medical insurance. The foreign passport must be valid throughout the entire period of stay on the territory of Belarus. You also need to prepare any document confirming the purpose of your trip to the country, for example, an invitation from an employer or a university with all the information about these institutions.
In all other cases, Russians can cross the border only if they have an internal civil passport. The duties of checkpoint workers include only document verification. There are no stamps placed at the border and migration cards and other papers are not even filled out, so there will be no difficulties.
Do I need a passport?
Russians can visit Belarus using both an internal passport and a foreign one. Please note that having a general passport is sufficient, but there will be no problems crossing the border with a foreign passport. A foreign passport will be required for those who plan to travel from Belarus to other countries, for example, to neighboring Lithuania or Poland.
A package of documents required to enter the country
The fastest and most convenient option to get to Belarus is by plane, and you can also cross the border by train or bus. In these cases, tourists will only need a valid passport of a Russian citizen.
Drivers of cars crossing the border must have additional documents. Thus, Russian drivers must provide a passport, driver's license, car insurance and registration certificate.
Is it possible to enter Belarus with a foreign passport?
Yes. You can enter the country only with a foreign passport. Typically, this option is chosen by Russians who have an urgent need to travel and whose Russian passport is about to expire or has been lost. When crossing the border, the passport is not stamped and there are no restrictions.
Russians also need to have a foreign passport with them in the following cases:
- the purpose of the trip to Belarus is to obtain an education;
- in the case of work in an institution on the territory of the country or for another purpose that forces you to stay in Belarus for a long time;
- if a citizen plans to travel or visit a third state for other purposes.
Traveling with children: what documents do you need for a minor child?
Children under 14 years of age can cross the border on the basis of a birth certificate, since they do not have their own passport. Border guards are required to double-check the presence of family ties, so information about the child must be included in the passports of the parents with whom he is traveling to Belarus. The legal guardian must also provide supporting documentation. This is a necessary safety measure.
If the parents only have a foreign passport, then the child must have his own passport to enter the country.
What to do if you lost your passport in the Republic of Belarus
While traveling around Belarus, such an unpleasant incident as losing your passport or other documents may happen. Each country sets its own rules and Belarus is no exception. First of all, you need to contact the Russian consular office. Let us remind you that Russian representative offices in the Republic of Belarus are located in two cities of the country: Minsk and Brest.
If you lose your passport while leaving the country, you must have one of the following documents:
- service passport;
- seaman's passport;
- diplomatic certificate;
- certificate of return to homeland - this document can be obtained at the Russian consulate in Belarus.
To obtain a certificate of return to the homeland for a Russian citizen, consular officers must present any official document that allows identification. For example, a driver's license, student ID, or other documents with a photo and personal information. If absolutely all documents were lost in Belarus, then you need to bring to the consulate at least two witnesses who are Russian citizens and have passports. The applicant must also bring two photographs. After this, a certificate will be issued to return to Russia. This certificate is issued free of charge based on the applicant’s application and the testimony of witnesses.
You also need to pay attention to the fact that the certificate is valid only for 15 days from the date of issue to the applicant. During this period, a Russian citizen must cross the border in order to restore lost documents in Russia.
In some cases, a certificate is issued on the basis of official responses received from Russia to a request for identification.
Transit
If you find yourself in Belarus in transit, you will not need to apply for a transit visa - you will be allowed through without additional paperwork. If your visit will not last more than a month, you do not need to register. According to Belarusian legislation, registration at the place of stay is required only after 30 days.
In general, crossing the border with Belarus will not take much time and will not require serious effort for residents of Russia. As you can see, you don’t need a foreign passport for this, nor do you need a visa. If you follow our instructions, your trip to Belarus will be without problems with customs services and delays at the border.
