Starting January 11, 2025, the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Russian Federation on Mutual Recognition of Visas officially comes into force.
What does the agreement mean for foreign travelers?
Foreign nationals can now enter, stay, exit, or transit through both Belarus and Russia using a single visa issued by either country.
Key Provisions of the Agreement
Mutual recognition of visas: If you have a valid Belarusian or Russian visa, you can travel freely between both countries during the validity of that visa.
Visa-free
If you are eligible for visa-free entry to both Belarus and Russia, your valid travel document (such as a passport) is all you need to cross the internal border. No additional visa is required for travel between the two countries.
Mixed visa requirements:
If you are eligible for visa-free entry to only one of the two countries, you must still obtain a visa to enter the other. A visa is always required for the country where visa-free entry does not apply.
Entry with residence or event-related documents:
Foreign nationals who hold a valid residence permit, temporary stay permit, or an official document for attending an international event issued by either Belarus or Russia are allowed to enter, transit, and stay in the other country without a visa, for as long as their document remains valid.
Please note that e-visas issued by Russia are not accepted for entry into Belarus.
As of March 20, 2025, travelers can also apply for a Belarusian e-visa. However, this visa does not permit entry into Russia.
Entry & Border Crossing Rules
You may cross the Belarus–Russia border through international border checkpoints, approved rail and air routes, or specific designated road routes listed in the annex to the agreement.
Currently, there are six approved road routes:
- Yukhavichy – Dolostsy (Opocheka – Novopolotsk)
- Yezerishche – Nevel (Kyiv – Saint Petersburg)
- Liozno – Kruglovka (Vitebsk – Smolensk)
- Redki – Krasnaya Gorka (Minsk – Moscow)
- Zvenchatka – Dubovichka (Bobruisk – Moscow)
- Selishche – Novozybkov (Gomel – Bryansk)
Crossing the border at non-designated points is not allowed and will be considered a violation of the state border.
Special Entry Rules for Ukrainian Citizens
Entry into the Russian Federation for Ukrainian citizens is limited to specific checkpoints:
Sheremetyevo Airport (Moscow)
Ludonka Road Checkpoint (Pskov Region)
Important Notes
The agreement does not apply to individuals who are banned from entering either Belarus or Russia.
The duration of stay is counted from the date of entry into either country from a third country.
Both Belarus and Russia reserve the right to:
- Refuse entry to any individual
- Shorten the allowed period of stay
- Conduct checks on compliance with entry, exit, transit, and stay regulations
For more details, visit the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus