With a wide range of industries and a growing economy, Belarus is an excellent destination for business expansion.
If your company is planning to expand to Belarus, you’ll need to put together a talented team of employees. Before they can begin working in the country, however, you’ll have to make sure they have the proper visas and permits to do so legally.
Types of work visas in Belarus
Nationals from other countries who wish to enter Belarus may do so after obtaining the relevant visa. Types of visas in the country include:
- Type B visa for transit
- Type C visa for short-term visits up to 90 days
- Type D visa for long-term stays
Some employees may require Type C visas for business during your company’s expansion to Belarus. These visas cover short stays for business meetings, conferences, training, and more. Employees who plan to remain in Belarus for employment on a long-term basis will need to obtain a Type D visa.
International employees will also need a work permit before beginning their employment in Belarus unless their role is included on the government list of unrestricted job categories. This permit is officially known as a “Special work permit in the Republic of Belarus.” For exempted categories of employees that do not require a work permit, which include residents of the Park of High Technologies, EAEU nationals, and internationals who are winners of competitions in the field of their professional activities, the employer is still required to notify the appropriate citizenship and migration office within 3 business days after an employment contract with a non-national is concluded or terminated.
Requirements to obtain Belarus work visas
To obtain a visa to work in Belarus, the following documents must be submitted:
- A completed visa application form
- A passport photo taken within the last 6 months
- A passport containing a photo, a minimum of 2 blank pages, and must be valid for at least 90 days after the applicant intends to depart from Belarus
- Proof of medical insurance
- A certified copy of the applicant’s work permit
- Proof of payment for the visa fee
- Copies of corporate documents confirming the state registration of the local entity
- Employment contract
- A letter of guarantee
Application process
In Belarus, it’s up to the employer to initiate the application process for a work permit. The employer should submit the completed application to the Department of Internal Affairs, along with a copy of the prospective employee’s passport and proof of payment for the processing fee.
The processing time for a work permit is approximately 5 weeks. Upon approval of the work permit, prospective employees can apply for a visa to enter Belarus. A work permit in Belarus is typically issued for 1 year. However, highly qualified employees may be eligible to receive one that’s valid for 2 years.
Other important considerations
While Belarus is a European country, companies should note that it’s not currently a member state of the European Union (EU). As a result, the country’s work visa requirements apply to the majority of nationals from other countries, including those who are citizens of countries within the EU. That said, Belarus does have special agreements with certain countries — including the Russian Federation, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Armenia — that allow citizens to work in the country without a permit.
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