Mar 10, 2017, 7:52 pm
Last edit by: muji
Belarus
proof of medical insurance is required
To get the visa at the airport upon arrival a traveler must show proof of "medical insurance in the amount of at least €10,000 operational in Belarus". If the traveler does not have such documentation available, they can easily purchase insurance upon arrival, at a a kiosk to the left as you enter the Immigration hall: €2 for 1 or 2 days, €4 for 3 or 4 days, or €6 for 5 days. (see posts #16, #25)
visa policy of Belarus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Belarus
Lonely Planet - Belarus: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/belarus
proof of medical insurance is required
To get the visa at the airport upon arrival a traveler must show proof of "medical insurance in the amount of at least €10,000 operational in Belarus". If the traveler does not have such documentation available, they can easily purchase insurance upon arrival, at a a kiosk to the left as you enter the Immigration hall: €2 for 1 or 2 days, €4 for 3 or 4 days, or €6 for 5 days. (see posts #16, #25)
visa policy of Belarus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Belarus
Lonely Planet - Belarus: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/belarus
Visa Free Travel to Belarus
Jan 9, 2017, 9:07 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: ATL/MOO (Many Others Often)
Programs: DL GM (2MM), Lifetime Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,456
Visa Free Travel to Belarus
Wow. Did not see this coming. If you've never been there, check it out. It's a truly unique place. Visa free travel for 80 countries that did not enjoy it before is quite a big deal.
http://belarusfeed.com/breaking-bela...for-80-states/
http://belarusfeed.com/breaking-bela...for-80-states/
Feb 19, 2017, 11:39 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SEA
Posts: 2,556
proof of "medical insurance in the amount of at least €10,000"
To get the visa at the airport upon arrival a traveler must show proof of "medical insurance in the amount of at least €10,000 operational in Belarus".
Like many people I have medical insurance (from a standard "health maintenance organization") through my employer.
Would anyone know how one would prove having medical insurance, especially proving the "at least €10,000" coverage part?
Is showing a letter from one's HMO the normal way?
Just want to make sure that the visa upon arrival is not denied due to not having the type of documentation that they wish to see.
Like many people I have medical insurance (from a standard "health maintenance organization") through my employer.
Would anyone know how one would prove having medical insurance, especially proving the "at least €10,000" coverage part?
Is showing a letter from one's HMO the normal way?
Just want to make sure that the visa upon arrival is not denied due to not having the type of documentation that they wish to see.
Feb 19, 2017, 10:33 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 602
It's a welcome development but I don't think it's going to increase tourist numbers much. Flight options to MSQ seem very limited. From the EU it's either FRA/VIE/WAW 2x daily each on *A, RIX on BT every other day or Belavia.
I recall they briefly lifted visas in the past for a hockey tournament and even now some border areas can be entered visa-free (although not the capital). Alternatively, group visas can be had for €10/person for 5+ people crossing together. I'd expect the visa regime to be further relaxed soon, perhaps unless Russia objects to it.
I recall they briefly lifted visas in the past for a hockey tournament and even now some border areas can be entered visa-free (although not the capital). Alternatively, group visas can be had for €10/person for 5+ people crossing together. I'd expect the visa regime to be further relaxed soon, perhaps unless Russia objects to it.
Last edited by ProleOnParole; Feb 19, 2017 at 11:09 pm
Feb 21, 2017, 8:46 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 602
Some people did appear to use the visa-free entry at MSQ:
Mostly Germans And Poles. Over 200 Visa-Free Travelers Visit Belarus In 3 Days
The citizens of Germany and Poland have so far made up the majority of visa-free tourists to Belarus since the country introduced new visa rules on 12 February, the media report citing the State Border Committee.
As of 10:00 on 14 February, a total of 281 people crossed the border checkpoint in Minsk National Airport visa-free.
The very first visa-free tourists arrived from China, Finland and Italy. Visa-free travelers came mostly from Germany (48 people), Poland (41) and Italy (34).
Belarus also welcomed 16 UK citizens and 16 citizens of the Netherlands, and even traveles from very distant countries – two citizens of Australia and of Mexico, and one tourist from South Korea and from Japan.
The citizens of Germany and Poland have so far made up the majority of visa-free tourists to Belarus since the country introduced new visa rules on 12 February, the media report citing the State Border Committee.
As of 10:00 on 14 February, a total of 281 people crossed the border checkpoint in Minsk National Airport visa-free.
The very first visa-free tourists arrived from China, Finland and Italy. Visa-free travelers came mostly from Germany (48 people), Poland (41) and Italy (34).
Belarus also welcomed 16 UK citizens and 16 citizens of the Netherlands, and even traveles from very distant countries – two citizens of Australia and of Mexico, and one tourist from South Korea and from Japan.
Feb 23, 2017, 12:15 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: AMS
Programs: Flying Blue Gold
Posts: 1,849
Some people did appear to use the visa-free entry at MSQ:
http://belarusfeed.com/200-visa-free...ers-in-3-days/
http://belarusfeed.com/200-visa-free...ers-in-3-days/
Some suggestions that the visa free period could be extended to two weeks http://eng.belta.by/politics/view/mf...ks-98760-2017/
Feb 25, 2017, 4:11 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: CPH
Posts: 106
Well, it's the only international airport in Belarus; even their website address, www.airport.by, reflects that. Or do you mean why it doesn't extend to land crossings? That would be a huge change for them and also a significant loss of visa fee revenue, it's unlikely to happen at once. Also, the other, "larger half" of the Union State might not be comfortable with it.
Some people did appear to use the visa-free entry at MSQ:
http://belarusfeed.com/200-visa-free...ers-in-3-days/
Some people did appear to use the visa-free entry at MSQ:
http://belarusfeed.com/200-visa-free...ers-in-3-days/
I hope this regulation is not withdrawn as quickly as it arrived, I'd definitely be interested in giving at try later this year.
Feb 28, 2017, 11:52 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SEA
Posts: 2,556
Same here. Hopefully someone can let us know.
As I posted earlier: How would one prove having medical insurance, especially proving the "at least €10,000" coverage part?
Is showing a letter from one's HMO the normal way?
As I posted earlier: How would one prove having medical insurance, especially proving the "at least €10,000" coverage part?
Is showing a letter from one's HMO the normal way?