Lukashenko upholds visa waiver for citizens of 35 European countries entering Belarus by land

July 17, 2024 15:42

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has supported the proposal to waive visas for citizens of 35 European countries traveling via all road and railway checkpoints, reads a statement of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, BelTA has learned, Report informs.

“Continuing to demonstrate the openness and peacefulness of our country, being committed to the principles of good-neighborliness, facilitating people-to-people contacts and improving freedom of movement, the Belarusian president has supported the proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other state bodies to allow citizens of 35 European countries to enter, exit the Republic of Belarus through all road and railway checkpoints,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added.

Thus, starting from July 19 morning, citizens of all European countries entitled to this visa waiver will be able to enter and exit Belarus through all land and air international checkpoints of the Republic of Belarus upon presenting valid travel documents. They will be able stay on the territory of Belarus for up to 30 days from the date of entry.

The new entry and exit rules will be in effect until December 31, 2024.

The current visa-free scheme for citizens of Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and other countries who enter Belarus through land checkpoints will remain in place.

Along with this, Belarus retains the previous visa waiver program that permits citizens of participating countries to come to Belarus without visas if they enter and leave through air checkpoints. This will give foreigners more options to visit Belarus in the wake of artificial obstacles and restrictions imposed by neighboring Western countries.

List of countries covered by the new rules on visa-free entry to Belarus through road and rail border crossings includes:

1. Austria

2. Andorra

3. Belgium

4. Bulgaria

5. Bosnia and Herzegovina

6. Vatican

7. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

8. Hungary

9. Greece

10. Denmark

11. Ireland