Belarus guest visa

[xebec]

I have read conflicting information on obtaining a short term guest visa for Belarus. I am a US citizen, and I want to visit my lady in Minsk in July (I am staying at her house). Does anyone here have recent experience with this. I particularly need to know how the hosts letter is created, or whether US citizens even need one to get the visa. Thanks in advance for any info..

[Vaughn]

The most visible member here with recent Belarus experience is viking, and I know he'd be glad to share
advice with you...

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?action=profile;u=714

[viking]

Xebec

You MUST get a visa to visit Belarus. The easiest way to do this is to use a place like www.visahq.com. I have used them several times with zero problems. There is a form you need to fill out where you list your lady's address and reason for traveling to Belarus ( private) and these people take care of the rest. You do not need for her to generate any letter ( preferable) and do not need to register yourself once there.

There are no direct flights to Minsk from the U.S. How do you plan on flying there?

[xebec]

Hey Viking-Thanks for the info. I know I must have a visa, I just was not sure whether I needed her to take a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs- I have read that US citizens simply need a name, phone and address...I think you are indicating that this is correct. I already bought my tickets. My flight goes to Warsaw, and I will take a LOT flight from there to Minsk 2...

Thanks also for the link...it looks like a bargain. But....on their site it indicates a letter is required: "Letter of Invitation. An official letter of invitation approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Belarus."

That's why I find this process a bit confusing.

[viking]

Yes, a letter is needed..but THEY ( visahq)  generate the letter based on your on line info.That letter is "approved" by the Belarus embassy in Washington. You do everything on line, then send in your money and passport and a week later your passport, with visa, is returned to you Fedex. If you have any concerns, just call them. They are great on the phone in helping out.

PS. "approved" means thanks for the money to the Belarussian slush fund/cocktail party that afternoon. You don't think they really read all this stuff..do you?

Your flight plan sounds about right. Warsaw is a good stop. I didn't spend a lot of time in Minsk as my wife lives in another town, but it did not impress me much. Kinda a grey, soviet style city. But I am sure she will find some nice places to take you. They do have a great park. If you are going someplace where tickets are needed, keep you mouth shut and let her do the talking. One word from you and the price triples. And I never had one ounce of problems about police or anything like that. They just leave you alone. Enjoy the ride !!

[xebec]

Thanks Viking....I truly appreciate you help here-It makes a lot more sense now. I think I will actually enjoy the city,but I have looked at some stuff online, and I see what you mean. Thanks for advice about tickets...she wants to go to the opera, so I will stand by and nod sagely while she negotiates for us..hehehe

[Reyan]

I also use VisaHq when I get a private visa to see my fiancee in Belarus. If you are staying 30 days or less a letter in not required. I always get a double entry visa since we like to visit other countries during my visits, and it cost the same as a single entry visa. If you do get a multi entry private visa it does require a letter. When you get there, you are suppose to register within 3 days of arrival. I don't speak/write Russian so my fiancee took care of this (I just went with her and paid the registration fee). One last thing about going to Belarus, you will need to purchase/have medical insurance. If you fly to Minsk Airport, it's easier to just purchase their insurance at the airport (about $.50/day). The first time I went there in March 2010 I felt awkward since many people stared at me (it's probably because I am Asian), but Minsk is a very safe city. Try the street Kvass while you'rethere. I'll be there in late June and then again in late August. Good luck and have fun.

http://www.belarusconsul.org/eng/visas.htm

[viking]

I always entered Belarus by train, from Kiev. Just easier for me. But never registered myself and was never asked about it when leaving. Maybe the airports are different. I never got medical insurance in Belarus either. Who knows what it covers anyway. Yes, it is cheap, but when I applied for my visa, I just put in my medical insurance stuff that I got from work. Seemed to work every time.

[SomeGuy]

I always entered Belarus by train, from Kiev. Just easier for me. But never registered myself and was never asked about it when leaving. Maybe the airports are different. I never got medical insurance in Belarus either. Who knows what it covers anyway. Yes, it is cheap, but when I applied for my visa, I just put in my medical insurance stuff that I got from work. Seemed to work every time.

This is interesting.  If you had attempted to register and did not have medical insurance, you likely would have been sent off to purchase it - this did indeed happen to me; I did purchase it, but it didn't have the right dates/full coverage.  I wouldn't advise against registering, as this could cause issues if stopped by police/militia, as well as at the airport.  Did VisaHQ tell you not to register for some reason?

The rest of the thread is spot on - don't worry about a private invitation unless trying to stay over 30 days, let a company handle it instead.

[viking]

Someguy

It's been awhile but I do not remember VisaHQ telling me anything about registering once I got there. My now wife rented a flat and that was it. Back and forth between her town and Minsk, numerous train rides/taxis/walks , six times thru customs and....nothing. Honestly, registering did not even enter my mind. In fact I rarely even saw a policeman. Moscow however was a totally different matter. All the flats I rented required my having to register. ( although no one ever looked at these papers when I left). Go figure.

[mendeleyev]

Yes, it is cheap, but when I applied for my visa, I just put in my medical insurance stuff that I got from work. Seemed to work every time.

Viking, good info for the Op!
 
As you say, the Medical insurance info is all that is required. In earlier days most FSU countries required travelers to purchase a policy/insurance card at entry. For a few bucks every 30 days you actually got quite a deal with full state medical coverage.
 
For the original poster: I still purchase a travelers Medical insurance for a couple of reasons. First, I get one that pays immediately. A typical employer medical policy may take months to pay and most FSU medical facilities are not used to waiting months for what ends up being just a percentage of the full charge. This could make exit from a country a bit dicey. Second, I want coverage for evacuation if necessary and most work related policies don't cover this. Should I need some really complicated procedure I'd rather have the choice of the American Clinic in Moscow or Kyiv or even back to the USA instead of a rural Russian hospital.
 
Google online for travel medical policies. Costs are usually very low and vary by age.
 
 

[BoozeBaron]

What's the diff between 'tourist' and 'visitor' visas?

http://belarus.visahq.com/

For those asking about the letter bit - just saw this:
"Citizens of United States applying for a 30 day visa DO NOT require an invitation from Belarus.  The full name and address of the inviting party in Belarus must be provided on the application form."

[viking]

Look at 2(c). Visahq can provide the "invitation" if necessary. It's really all a lot of BS anyway.

[xebec]

Well, I'm back now from six weeks in Belarus, and I have some (small amount of) real experience.that my add some clarity.
 
1) For a visitor's visa (hosted by an individual Belarus citizen) 30 days or less, no letter is needed. Simply put the person's name and address on your application through VisaHq...That's how I did it, and registration in country was no problem.
 
2) You may have to buy Belarus insurance at the airport, before going through passport screening....I did. The Woman checking the passports would not let me through without Belarusian insurance.
 
3) I would definately register your stay in Belarus. While driving there, I got flagged aside for a minor traffic violation.... All turned out well, but it would have been a problem, I think, if I were not registered.
 
4) I'm returning in November, and Again in December... I'll use a single visa, multiple entry for both trips...also using the remaining 45 days that I am allowed to hold a visa this year. For this visa application, I will need the Belarus citizen to attain a registered invitation letter...
 
HTH

[ecr844]

I know this thread is getting cobwebs but thought this may help those considering making a trip to BY.

It's helpful for the average short term traveler to note that the 'National Health Insurance' you purchase the airport only covers Urgent care and emergency care issues. If you need any 'non-urgent care' or PCP type visit stuff. You'll be paying cash..

If you purchase foreign supplementary travel insurance be sure to confirm it's valid in BY and not null and void due to any of the many 'travel warnings' out there and or it's not been 'exempted' for any reason. be sure to read the 'fine print' carefully.