Firstly, these are favourable in terms of migration countries, strategic partners of Belarus and the States, which have unilaterally determined visa-free regime for Belarusian citizens. The new rules also cover such categories as non-citizens of Latvia and stateless persons of Estonia.

For the visa-free entry it is required to have a valid passport or other equivalent valid document for travelling abroad, cash (for each day of stay the amount of currency or Belarusian roubles, equivalent to not less than two base units), a medical insurance policy for the amount of no less than 10 thousand Euros operating in Belarus.

For the citizens of Vietnam, Haiti, Gambia, Honduras, India, China, Lebanon, Namibia, Samoa a compulsory additional requirement is the possession of a valid multiple visa of the EU member states or Schengen area on the document for going abroad with a mark on the entry into their territory, as well as tickets confirming their leave from the Minsk National airport within 5 days from the date of entry.

The established procedure of visa-free travel does not apply to persons arriving in Belarus through the flights from Russia and intending to fly back to the airports of Russia (these flights are considered internal and not due to border control).

The decree will come into force within one month after its official publication.

Material was prepared by the Centre of geopolitical studies referring to the article from “TUT.BY” of 09 01 2017