Belarus introduces double-entry Visa for foreign residents
BelarusFeed
6 February 2017, 21:06
Departments on Citizenship and Migration will be issuing double-entry visas for foreigners living in Belarus in addition to single and multiple visas, TUT.BY reports on 26 January with a reference to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The change was introduced by presidential decree No 21, and has entered into force on 1 January 2017. Double-entry visas will be granted only to foreigners and persons without citizenship who are permanently or temporarily living in Belarus and do not have a residence permit.
For example, it may be granted to students from other countries who are studying in Belarus and entered the country with the Belarusian visa.
When they enter a Belarusians university, they receive a temporary residence for one year, and a special mark is put in their passport. Once their Belarusian visa expires, they can not leave the country without an exit visa, and can not enter the country again – so they need to re-apply for a visa.
Now such foreign nationals will be able to apply to a double-entry visa, in addition to single and multiple visas.
“We came to the conclusion that there’s a need for a double-entry visa. For example, a student who is studying in Belarus, wants to go on vacation in Lithuania or another country. They do not need a multiple entry visa, now they will have an opportunity to request a double-entry visa. They go to Lithuania, return and can still still visit another country”, representatives of the Department of Citizenship and Migration of the Interior Ministry explained.
The double-entry visa will cost three basic amounts, or 69 Belarusian rubles (~$36). The application will be processed within 10 days after filing.
Starting 26 April, 2017 all Departments on Citizenship and Migration will also be able to process visa applications from foreigners, stateless persons, and foreigners who do not have an invitation to Belarus urgently – within 1 day from the date of application. The service will cost extra three basic amounts.
6 February 2017, 21:06
Photo: TUT.BY
The change was introduced by presidential decree No 21, and has entered into force on 1 January 2017. Double-entry visas will be granted only to foreigners and persons without citizenship who are permanently or temporarily living in Belarus and do not have a residence permit.
For example, it may be granted to students from other countries who are studying in Belarus and entered the country with the Belarusian visa.
When they enter a Belarusians university, they receive a temporary residence for one year, and a special mark is put in their passport. Once their Belarusian visa expires, they can not leave the country without an exit visa, and can not enter the country again – so they need to re-apply for a visa.
Now such foreign nationals will be able to apply to a double-entry visa, in addition to single and multiple visas.
“We came to the conclusion that there’s a need for a double-entry visa. For example, a student who is studying in Belarus, wants to go on vacation in Lithuania or another country. They do not need a multiple entry visa, now they will have an opportunity to request a double-entry visa. They go to Lithuania, return and can still still visit another country”, representatives of the Department of Citizenship and Migration of the Interior Ministry explained.
The double-entry visa will cost three basic amounts, or 69 Belarusian rubles (~$36). The application will be processed within 10 days after filing.
Starting 26 April, 2017 all Departments on Citizenship and Migration will also be able to process visa applications from foreigners, stateless persons, and foreigners who do not have an invitation to Belarus urgently – within 1 day from the date of application. The service will cost extra three basic amounts.
