Belarus - transiting - but arriving from RUSSIA - by plane

[msmob]

Spent this afternoon trying to get a straight answer to a Q


I am flying with Belavia from Russia to the United Kingdom


Can one fly with Belavia ( National Airline of BY = Belarus ) from Moscow to the UK- via Minsk ?  As a normal transit passenger - this is a no brainier - but I am treated as a DOMESTIC passenger on the flight from Russia to Belarus..

The telephone number listed for the Visa officers at the Airport - no answer

Didn't bother emailing as I needed a prompt response - so rang Belavia in Minsk

She told me I could 'transit' - even thought I will arrive as a domestic passenger ( flights from RU-BY are considered domestic - no passport control ) I am on a ticket with an onward destitution - with the same airline.

So, it looks like I won't 'leave' Russia until I leave Belarus at the BY passport control .....  as they have a customs and immigration agreement

Anyone else done this, recently ?

[Hammer2722]

If I remember right, my girl who is from Minsk stated that now you can stay up to 5 days there without a visa. Not sure if there were any other limitations. Perhaps others can clarify this.

[Nightwish]

If I remember right, my girl who is from Minsk stated that now you can stay up to 5 days there without a visa. Not sure if there were any other limitations. Perhaps others can clarify this.

correct, 5 days without visa if you arrive by plane to Minsk (no other way of transportation)

[BillyB]

- but I am treated as a DOMESTIC passenger on the flight from Russia to Belarus..

The airport you're landing in may not be considered an international airport. International airports wouldn't require people to have visas if they're just stopping for a layover and not leaving the airport. Domestic airports different story. Sounds like Hammer and Nightwish both agree you can be in Belarus 5 days without a visa. If for some reason they put you in jail because you violated the law, just send us a message. You know we'll take care of you. I'll send you a box of slippery soap

[msmob]

Thanks guys

I am WELL aware than arriving from an international destination means a 5 day visa ! ))


However, I am arriving on what is considered a DOMESTIC flight as Belarus and Russia share the migration system ... My landing card/ migration slip that is handed back when I leave Russia states Russian Federation AND Republic of Belarus

So, I will not go through passport control on entering Belarus - only go through on LEAVING ... ))

Transiting normally means you don't GO through passport control )) 

[Nightwish]

well then your f*cked and will get detained and sent to Gulag and spend the rest of our days digging for coal and eating rotten potato..

you will be missed moby 

[msmob]

well then your f*cked and will get detained and sent to Gulag and spend the rest of our days digging for coal and eating rotten potato..

you will be missed moby 

I'm wondering if I'll serve hard labour in BY or RU ?

[BillyB]

I'm wondering if I'll serve hard labour in BY or RU ?

Doesn't matter where you serve prison time, you drop the slippery soap and bend over to pick it up, you will get something hard.


Once I was in Moscow's SVO international airport. Across on the other side of the runway was the SVO's domestic airport. Short drive away. My visa was dated for the next day. Passport control wouldn't let me out of the international airport until past midnight so I had to stay in the international side for hours. Hope you don't get stuck in Belarus! A little drama isn't going to kill you.

[LAman]

You guys are funny.....like throwing darts at a board, no one gave any correct answers( a normal thing here). Moby, you would have got your info if you only went to a place where 'experienced' people are.....living in that 'specific area' of needed info. I always mentioned here that Trip Advisor gives excellent info( travel forums). Your saving grace is you have both flights on Belavia which you can transfer legally BUT do not make wrong turn when transferring in airport and mistakenly enter into Belarus. If you do you'll be detained and possibly miss connecting flight. I did once and talked my way back in.....with a single exit stamp.


Just so you guys know, the 5 day visa free allowance is any intl flight ( other than from Russia) and only flying into Minsk( can't drive into Belarus).

[mhr7]

Thanks guys

I am WELL aware than arriving from an international destination means a 5 day visa ! ))


However, I am arriving on what is considered a DOMESTIC flight as Belarus and Russia share the migration system ... My landing card/ migration slip that is handed back when I leave Russia states Russian Federation AND Republic of Belarus

So, I will not go through passport control on entering Belarus - only go through on LEAVING ... ))

Transiting normally means you don't GO through passport control ))

Because it's a domestic flight your landing card/migration slip won't be taken when you leave Russia. They will be taken in Minsk when you go through passport control to board your flight to London and serve as evidence that you were transiting from Russia. You'll have no problems, I've been through it a few times.

[jone]

You guys are funny.....like throwing darts at a board, no one gave any correct answers( a normal thing here). Moby, you would have got your info if you only went to a place where 'experienced' people are.....living in that 'specific area' of needed info. I always mentioned here that Trip Advisor gives excellent info( travel forums). Your saving grace is you have both flights on Belavia which you can transfer legally BUT do not make wrong turn when transferring in airport and mistakenly enter into Belarus. If you do you'll be detained and possibly miss connecting flight. I did once and talked my way back in.....with a single exit stamp.


Just so you guys know, the 5 day visa free allowance is any intl flight ( other than from Russia) and only flying into Minsk( can't drive into Belarus).

Can't tell you how many times I've used Trip Advisor.  It is a valuable tool in a traveler's tool chest.

[BillyB]

BUT do not make wrong turn when transferring in airport and mistakenly enter into Belarus. If you do you'll be detained

There you have it Moby. Make one mistake and you could be somebody's bitch for the next 5 years.

[LAman]

Because it's a domestic flight your landing card/migration slip won't be taken when you leave Russia. They will be taken in Minsk when you go through passport control to board your flight to London and serve as evidence that you were transiting from Russia. You'll have no problems, I've been through it a few times.

Not sure if rules changed mhr7, flights leaving Russia to Minsk are are from international area and vise-versa on return. My passport was stamped in Russia and card taken. I am not sure if it was a mistake or not because I have heard it both ways. Most definitely I will not get a migration card in Belarus when I fly back to Russia.... Should be no immigration there for me.

[mhr7]

Not sure if rules changed mhr7, flights leaving Russia to Minsk are are from international area and vise-versa on return. My passport was stamped in Russia and card taken. I am not sure if it was a mistake or not because I have heard it both ways. Most definitely I will not get a migration card in Belarus when I fly back to Russia.... Should be no immigration there for me.

The last time I did it the flight left from the domestic area so there was no passport control to go through. If it is an international flight I imagine passport control in Minsk would just look at the date of the Russian stamp and the boarding pass stub from the Moscow flight. I'm sure they have seen this many, many times. When I flew back to Russia through Minsk I was given an immigration card there as the return flight to Moscow was also considered domestic.

Edit - If it's an int'l flight then you can just go straight to the transit area.

[msmob]

Moby, you would have got your info if you only went to a place where 'experienced' people are.....living in that 'specific area' of needed info. I always mentioned here that Trip Advisor gives excellent info( travel forums).

Conflicting info there, too - hence I asked on here .......

[JayH]

well then your f*cked and will get detained and sent to Gulag and spend the rest of our days digging for coal and eating rotten potato..

you will be missed moby 

You know someone? You can arrange?

[JayH]

I'm wondering if I'll serve hard labour in BY or RU ?

If anyone has read Trenchcoat here they will lock him up with you ! Now-- that would be exceptionally hard labour!!

[msmob]

If anyone has read Trenchcoat here they will lock him up with you ! Now-- that would be exceptionally hard labour!!

But I wouldn't be short of advice on questions he'd just asked and WHAT a sense of humour ...

Back on topic :

Because it's a domestic flight your landing card/migration slip won't be taken when you leave Russia. They will be taken in Minsk when you go through passport control to board your flight to London and serve as evidence that you were transiting from Russia. You'll have no problems, I've been through it a few times.

Well, now.... I have just 'left' Russia - I was directed to a taped off "Flights to Belarus" section in Sector B at DME..My migration card has been removed from my grasp and I'm heading into the 'unknown' )) 

[mhr7]

Well, now.... I have just 'left' Russia - I was directed to a taped off "Flights to Belarus" section in Sector B at DME..My migration card has been removed from my grasp and I'm heading into the 'unknown' ))

Guess they changed protocol. Last time I did it I flew Aeroflot out of SVO.

[LAman]

Well, now.... I have just 'left' Russia - I was directed to a taped off "Flights to Belarus" section in Sector B at DME..My migration card has been removed from my grasp and I'm heading into the 'unknown' ))

Card removed, haha, let's see if you get out of free zone and walk around arrivals.....I mean departure area and run around with your head cut off!! Hint for you....remember  letter 'B'....... Very important. Too bad I don't know any officials or else I would have them detain you a week, so this forum can have a relax moment, there couple others I wish would happen too.....but THATS a fantasy.

[msmob]

Card removed, haha, let's see if you get out of free zone and walk around arrivals.....I mean departure area and run around with your head cut off!! Hint for you....remember  letter 'B'....... Very important. Too bad I don't know any officials or else I would have them detain you a week, so this forum can have a relax moment, there couple others I wish would happen too.....but THATS a fantasy.

Well now,  LAmam, 'sorry to disappoint', but for those interested ...

Minsk Intl' is a bit of a misnomer as there is no hub-like transit zone..you enter the terminal through the baggage zone and you are able in arrivals and could take a taxi to the centre !

I had to cleect my boarding card at check-in...Sochi could not issue all three and was asked,. 'Where's is your luggage?'...I explained that it was checked through to be collected at Manchester in the UK..She checked..'Ah yes, all is OK '  and was presented with my boarding card and instructions as to which gate..

Went through security and at passport control chose the queue where I noted smiles on passengers' faces..



My turn..

The guy was young and the first question asked was, 'Where's your migration card?'. )

I pointed out that I had just arrived with Belavia ex DME and had proffered my boarding cards ftlrom Sochi and Moscow and my RU exit stamp with that days stamp...

There followed much checking of my passport...more than I have ever encountered and lots of typing, before and smile and 'Have a good flight'.

Conclusion: Noone was right...that includes LAman... The Russians and Belarusians can't seem to agree on the procedure )

There were folks on my fly to the UK who arrived from other RU airports who had exactly the same experience and stated, 'not doing THAT again'...

I would..I liked the Belavia staff..food..v.iify, though..stale sandwiches from DME to MSQ... everyone.commented on that!

[mhr7]

Minsk Intl' is a bit of a misnomer as there is no hub-like transit zone..you enter the terminal through the baggage zone and you are able in arrivals and could take a taxi to the centre !

So sounds like you left DME from the int'l terminal but arrived as a domestic flight. If you had arrived as an int'l fight you would have been directed to the transit zone.

[Boethius]

well then your f*cked and will get detained and sent to Gulag and spend the rest of our days digging for coal and eating rotten potato..

you will be missed moby 

Have to say, as someone with family who were in gulags, and others in jail for political crimes, I don't find such posts "humorous". 

[Nightwish]

Have to say, as someone with family who were in gulags, and others in jail for political crimes, I don't find such posts "humorous".

ok, noted...
not that I care if you find it humorous or not, but it's noted.
201x the decade everyone gets offended by everything...all the time. I find that very offensive

[BillyB]

One time in Moscow, I couldn't get through passport control because I wasn't supposed to enter into the country until the next day. My flight was supposed to leave before midnight so they told me I couldn't go through passport control until midnight.


When I was at Communist passport control I noticed a lot of passport border agents smoking under a sign that said "no smoking". Young man in the booth looks at my passport and me numerous times. He finally said "YOU have a problem". I said "What do you mean?" He said "YOU have a very big problem" I hate people who don't get to the meat of the problem and maintain the drama.


He calls Aeroflot security over to detain me until I'm legal to get through passport control. They told me they can get me through if the right persons are working the gates for $100. I see they make things easy for terrorists to buy their way to their destination. I waited for hours and getting frustrated and they remained rude everytime I'd ask how much longer. One reason I won't fly Aeroflot anymore.


Come to find out, there is a government office at the airport that can issue visas for $50 which Aeroflop failed to disclose. Hot looking middle aged woman working there in a Communist inspired outfit asked me why I came into the country with a visa not valid as if I wanted to cause myself aggravation. After waiting there for a long time, she finally agreed to issue me a visa. If I had more time, I'd ask her out on a date. I paid the money and the process to print a visa took a long time. When  I was legal to get through passport control, I was running through the airport to get there. When there, forgot which pocket my documents were in. I was then surrounded by 6 police officers who were wanting to see my documents. I had four pockets in my pants and two on my shirt. I was sweating from running and I began to pull out a wad of cash from one pocket. They all turned their heads away. I said "wrong pocket". I pull out some papers and money from another pocket and they all turn their heads away quickly. Bunch of people in line at passport control watching this and I think the police know they have a reputation for collecting bribes. They turned their heads away about 5 times until my last pocket had the documents they wanted to see. I got through passport control but I missed the flight. Had to sleep in the airport hugging my luggage to prevent theft until the next flight left for Novosibirsk half a day later.


After getting to the SVO's terminal for domestic flights, I noticed a guy 7 seats away sleeping and a couple of cops start poking him hard with their batons to wake him up. They later escort him away.

[Boethius]

ok, noted...
not that I care if you find it humorous or not, but it's noted.
201x the decade everyone gets offended by everything...all the time. I find that very offensive

I didn't post that I was offended.   I just find it odd that people who supposedly have an interest in the FSU would find gulags a source of humour.

[msmob]

Lest anyone would wish to try what I did - a word of caution:

Something is defo going down re Belarus allowing the 5-day Visa and the 'risk' of a foreigner simply driving into Russia ...   

From the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advisory site:

" If you’re travelling immediately from/to a Russian airport or entering Belarus at any other border point other than Minsk International Airport then this visa-free arrangement doesn’t apply and you’ll need a visa. "


 From the BL govt site:

"Type B visa ( Transit)
 

transit visa through the territory of Belarus (e.g. the UK — Belarus — Russia). Please note that entry to Belarus from one country and returning to the same country from Belarus without going to a third country is not a transit (e.g. the UK — Belarus — the UK).

The visa-free regime does not apply to people arriving to Belarus by plane from Russia and planning to go to the airports of Russia (these are internal flights with no border control)."

http://uk.mfa.gov.by/en/consular_issues/visas/

[LAman]

Lest anyone would wish to try what I did - a word of caution:

Something is defo going down re Belarus allowing the 5-day Visa and the 'risk' of a foreigner simply driving into Russia ...   

From the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advisory site:

" If you’re travelling immediately from/to a Russian airport or entering Belarus at any other border point other than Minsk International Airport then this visa-free arrangement doesn’t apply and you’ll need a visa. "


 From the BL govt site:

"Type B visa ( Transit)
 

transit visa through the territory of Belarus (e.g. the UK — Belarus — Russia). Please note that entry to Belarus from one country and returning to the same country from Belarus without going to a third country is not a transit (e.g. the UK — Belarus — the UK).

The visa-free regime does not apply to people arriving to Belarus by plane from Russia and planning to go to the airports of Russia (these are internal flights with no border control)."

http://uk.mfa.gov.by/en/consular_issues/visas/

This has been discussed in Trip Advisor 'Belarus forum' since earlier this year. And you say something is 'def going down'?
5 day visa is for anyone coming/leaving Belarus from any country OTHER than Russia AND only landing in Minsk airport. Been this way all year!!!

[msmob]

This has been discussed in Trip Advisor 'Belarus forum' since earlier this year. And you say something is 'def going down'?
5 day visa is for anyone coming/leaving Belarus from any country OTHER than Russia AND only landing in Minsk airport. Been this way all year!!!

Ah, says the man who knows it all - but keeps it to himself ( Temp changes in RU visa registration - during sporting events ) ..

*I* did the research, thanks and BELARUS' airline (Belavia)  and the BY Visa folks confirmed I could do as I did - before I booked ...

It is clear that BY was happy to accommodate the 13 passengers transiting and we all noted the exasperation that Russia had removed our Migration slips.


There is defo a rift between Moscow and Minsk over this - which I'm guessing is Minsk's 5-day Visa regime and the risk of folks tipping up in Russia without the appropriate Visa.



 

[southernX]

not sure id class minsk airport as truly international 

given the operating procedures and transit style it is somewhat lacking imo

SX

[ML]

not sure id class minsk airport as truly international 

given the operating procedures and transit style it is somewhat lacking imo

SX

Any airport that has arrivals and departures from any other country is de facto an international airport.

Now . . . are they all up to general international standards?  Definitely not!!

[LAman]

Any airport that has arrivals and departures from any other country is de facto an international airport.

Now . . . are they all up to general international standards?  Definitely not!!

Can standards be accomplished when traffic is up 70%...... scurrying to keep up I think!!!

[msmob]

Once again, the issue is how Minsk and Moscow perceive the flights between the nations

Minsk believes these flts are DOMESTIC - as they are part of a 'union' ...   

Not having flown from Minsk to Moscow, I cannot be sure - but having been stamped out - I'm pretty sure THEY think I'm an international passenger

Having gone the other way - Belarus treats arrivals as DOMESTIC....  I could have simply picked up a taxi to Minsk - No passport control..

BIZARRE

[LAman]

Once again, the issue is how Minsk and Moscow perceive the flights between the nations

Minsk believes these flts are DOMESTIC - as they are part of a 'union' ...   

Not having flown from Minsk to Moscow, I cannot be sure - but having been stamped out - I'm pretty sure THEY think I'm an international passenger

Having gone the other way - Belarus treats arrivals as DOMESTIC....  I could have simply picked up a taxi to Minsk - No passport control..

BIZARRE

I must say it is much smoother going from Mink to Moscow.....it is a international-international connection.

[Strider]

So, if I were to fly from Moscow to Minsk, I could then take a train to Poland or Lithuania without needing a Belarusian visa?

Once again, the issue is how Minsk and Moscow perceive the flights between the nations

Minsk believes these flts are DOMESTIC - as they are part of a 'union' ...   

Not having flown from Minsk to Moscow, I cannot be sure - but having been stamped out - I'm pretty sure THEY think I'm an international passenger

Having gone the other way - Belarus treats arrivals as DOMESTIC....  I could have simply picked up a taxi to Minsk - No passport control..

BIZARRE

[mhr7]

Not having flown from Minsk to Moscow, I cannot be sure - but having been stamped out - I'm pretty sure THEY think I'm an international passenger
BIZARRE

When you arrive in Minsk from a non-Russian city, you go to a special transit area where they will give you a migration card and stamp your passport before proceeding to Russia.

[mhr7]

So, if I were to fly from Moscow to Minsk, I could then take a train to Poland or Lithuania without needing a Belarusian visa?

Trains are stopped at the border before leaving Belarus to check/stamp passports. Without a Belorussian visa you might be in big trouble.

[southernX]

Any airport that has arrivals and departures from any other country is de facto an international airport.

Now . . . are they all up to general international standards?  Definitely not!!

   yes one does realise that fact ...hence why i said ''truly ''international !!

it is in name and function , but sure has long way to go compared with others for service and layout as well as style of disembarkation etc

SX

[Terryrnz]

I flew to Minsk from Moscow going to Kyiv there was 2 hour stop over I walked straight out of the front of the airport for a cigarette with no checks hung around out front and went for a walk for a bit and then went through passport control fine to get my next flight with no Belarus visa. I just assumed you didn't need one if you have a Russian visa.

[msmob]

I flew to Minsk from Moscow going to Kyiv there was 2 hour stop over I walked straight out of the front of the airport for a cigarette with no checks hung around out front and went for a walk for a bit and then went through passport control fine to get my next flight with no Belarus visa. I just assumed you didn't need one if you have a Russian visa.

That USED to be the case, but on exiting RU ( by air ) they stamp your passport as exiting RU and remove the  'joint immigration slip' 

This was in response to BL offering 5 day visas at the airport and the Russians being scared that one can now enter Russia by road - without a visa