Belarus temporarily visa free 2024

[123JonathanS]

It seems Belarus will temporarily become truly visa free for European citizens. I know rejections are quite common at the border, so I would love to hear more if anyone tries once it is implemented.

https://mfa.gov.by/press/news_mfa/aee00d8f7556b38e.html

[sketchymarco]

It seems Belarus will temporarily become truly visa free for European citizens. I know rejections are quite common at the border, so I would love to hear more if anyone tries once it is implemented.

https://mfa.gov.by/press/news_mfa/aee00d8f7556b38e.html

I'll cross from Poland in the 1st week of August. Just booked a flight to Warsaw on a whim. Wish me luck.

[Minnesinger]

This is great news! Thanks for the info.

[sketchymarco]

Crossed into Belarus yesterday successfully, you just need some patience because waiting times can be very long (5-6 hours is the average).

Opened a new thread on the PL-BY crossing.
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=16371&p=53524#p53524

[paintsniffer]

Does anyone know if foreigners can cross the Medininkai border between Lithunania and Belarus? Eyeing up flights to Vilnius

[sketchymarco]

Does anyone know if foreigners can cross the Medininkai border between Lithunania and Belarus? Eyeing up flights to Vilnius

Yes, but average waiting times are reported to be even longer.

[123JonathanS]

We just returned from a week in Belarus under the new temporary visa-free regime, and in many ways, the trip was a lot simpler than I had anticipated.

We flew into Warsaw Chopin Airport, where we had pre-booked a direct bus from the airport to Brest. The bus fare was 90 BYN (~$28) and could be booked online using European cards at https://infobus.by/. The bus drove all the way to Minsk for an additional 10 BYN, but we planned to explore Brest first.

Online reviews warned that the bus might be late, but it arrived only five minutes behind schedule, and we quickly set off for the border. At the Terespol border, the bus queues had improved considerably from previous reports, with just three buses ahead of us. However, the queues for cars were still long. The Polish side of the border was straightforward and took about an hour to cross.

On the Belarusian side, however, the process was a bit slower. As soon as we entered Belarusian territory, a soldier boarded the bus to check our passports. Most of the passengers were Ukrainian, with a few Belarusians and Russians, along with us and a Spaniard. The soldier looked through our passports a few times before handing them back without issue. He did the same with the Spaniard's passport but then asked him to get off the bus. I think I overheard the soldier mention Ukraine, but I'm not certain.

The bus then proceeded to the main border checkpoint. At the border booth, the border guard asked us who we were visiting in Belarus. A bit confused, we explained we were tourists and weren't meeting anyone in particular. She made a call and redirected us to the neighboring booth. There, a second border guard asked how many days we'd be in Belarus and which cities we'd visit. After another phone call, were she said "Мама, папа и дети" ("Mom, Dad, and kids"), she stamped our passports, and we were allowed to enter without any phone search or further questioning. Many of the Ukrainians, however, had to go through an interview.

After about three hours in total at the Belarusian border, the final Ukrainian passengers cleared, and in total, we spent roughly four hours crossing both sides.

We had anticipated that our Western cards might not work in Belarus, so we brought cash. Surprisingly, we were able to use our cards (payments and withdrawal) about 2/3 of the time. There were no issues, anywhere that used a Belarusian bank, however vendors with Russian banks did not work.

For accommodation, we booked apartments through Ostrovok. However, only one of the three places we stayed actually registered us. If you're planning to stay for 10 days or more, keep in mind that registration then is a requirement.

We left Belarus by bus from Minsk to Vilnius. The Belarusian side of the border was smooth and quick, with no questions asked. We were the only bus at the border. The Lithuanian side was also fast, and the entire border crossing took less than two hours.

Overall, I highly recommend visiting Belarus. There's much to see, the cost of travel is very affordable. We easily could have spent another week exploring. The locals were friendly and seemed pleasantly surprised to see tourists, in fact, it was the first time we hadn't encountered any other Western tourists (only Russian and Chinese), even at tourist attractions.

However, I think our experience was a lot easier because we were traveling as a family and had never been to Ukraine. If you're interested in an unsuccessful attempt, take a look at Britannica's latest video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l1tOcblOjw.

[Traveller8890]

Just returned from a 3 day trip to Belarus under the land border visa free scheme thought I would write a trip report.

I flew at 08:00am from Luton to Vilnius landing at Vilnius at 12:45pm. I had a bus booked from Vilnius Airport to Minsk at 13:45pm. Which I felt confident with as I had no luggage and I could change the bus to another time if I have 30 minutes notice.

But the flight arrived on time and I was sat waiting for bus by 13:15pm. Bus arrived about on time 13:50pm I think and we arrived at the border around 14:15pm - 14:20pm. Border was very quick and cleared Lithuania side by between 14:35pm - 14:40pm. Briefly stopped at duty free shop where I got a hot sandwich before heading towards the Belarusian side. Belarusian passport control was relatively easy I was asked how long I was staying and I showed my return ticket. I also showed my insurance.

In total for crossing both border was 3 1/2 hours which was ok. With the delays I understood to have occurred in the summer I was not overtly disappointed. The bus did not stop in Ashmyany and after 2 hours the bus arrived in Minsk. At around 20:30pm Minsk Time.

I stayed at the Hampton by Hilton in Minsk cards worked fine to pay on arrival. I was very surprised how well the cards worked I was under the assumption it was 50/50 at best but they worked almost everywhere.

My card was only rejected at 2 cash machines and a card machine in the Minsk metro Also for some reason at Mak.by my card only worked at the manned till and not the self service machines. But overall my Virgin Money card worked very well. I used it in many restaurants and supermarkets and the Stalin line. Apple Pay also worked. I took cash as well Euros and Sterling and I am not recommending anyone not to take cash but I find the cards overall a lot more reliable than expected.

I spent 2 nights in Minsk. I saw all the main sights in the city on my first full day. And my second full day I visited the Stalin line by marshrutka.

I returned on 27/11 16:00pm Eurolines bus from Minsk to Vilnius Airport. Bus left on time and stopped only at Ashmyany. Arriving at the border at 18:40pm ( Belarus Time ) Belarusian passport control was quick and I cleared in about 10 minutes but it took another 30 minutes for everyone else on the bus to clear passport control and bus to get moving again. ( 40 minutes total on Belarusian side )

Moved towards the Lithuanian side where we had to wait a short while behind a red light until the bus was called up to to passport control. I quickly cleared it by 20:00pm ( Belarus time ) but it took some time until the bus was ready to go. The bus finally left at 20:40pm ( Belarus time ) for a total of 2 hours. Which overall I was reasonably happy with.

Arrived at Vilnius Airport at 20:10pm ( Lithuanian Time ) where I stayed in the air Inn Vilnius for night ready for my 06:15am flight to Luton.

I had a great time in Belarus.

Hope this trip report helps
British Citizen

[Schraverus124]

I'm eyeing a trip for somewhere next year. However the visa free thing is only till dec this year.

The previous visa rules would either require you to fly in or get a visa at embassy. Flying in is wayyyy more expensive so not really viable. I will wait with flight bookings till I know what the rules will be. So if anyone sees anything for it lmk.