United States Visa RequirementsFor Belarus passport holders
Belarusian ordinary passport holders need a US visitor visa. Minsk services are suspended. The State Department lists Vilnius and Warsaw for Belarusian nonimmigrant applicants, with residence-based applications governed by its current policy.
Belarus passport holders require a visa to enter United States.
Choose the appropriate post using the current State Department guidance before paying fees. Complete DS-160, follow that post’s official appointment instructions and pay the USD 185 visitor visa application fee. Fees generally cannot be transferred between posts. An interview is normally required unless a current exemption applies.
Appointment waiting time, any administrative processing and passport return are separate stages. There is no guaranteed completion date. Do not make final US travel arrangements until the visa has been issued.
Entry Requirements
Multiple Entry
Allowed
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Appointment
Per embassy instructions if approved
Entry Conditions
Valid passport and visitor visa, temporary permitted purpose, funds and intent to depart. Check passport validity rules and country-specific exemptions with the responsible post. Follow the I-94 departure deadline.
Required Documents
DS-160 application form
Completed online nonimmigrant visa application at ceac.state.gov
Valid passport
Passport meeting US visitor entry validity requirements, including any applicable country-specific exemption. Check the responsible post’s current guidance and the separate passport rules for travel to the interview.
MRV fee receipt
$185 USD non-refundable machine-readable visa fee, paid before interview
Passport photo
2x2 inch (51x51mm) photo, white background, taken within 6 months
Interview appointment confirmation
Confirmation from the appointment service linked by the specific US embassy or consulate where you are eligible to apply.
Proof of financial means
Evidence of ability to pay for the trip, such as bank statements, earnings or sponsor support. Follow the post’s instructions; there is no universal requirement for a fixed number of bank-statement months.
Proof of ties to home country
Employment letter, property deeds, family ties, or other evidence of return
Travel itinerary Recommended
Intended travel dates, purpose of visit, and accommodation details
Current Travel Situation
Belarus to United States: What You Need to Know
Belarus is outside the US Visa Waiver Program. Ordinary tourism and family visits require the appropriate B visitor visa. The US Embassy in Minsk suspended operations in February 2022 and does not provide routine visa processing.
Current State Department guidance directs applicants to their country of nationality or residence, or the designated posts where routine services are unavailable. The Belarus nonimmigrant visa listing names Vilnius and Warsaw. Applying on a residence basis requires evidence of residence.
The Belarus reciprocity schedule lists B1/B2 visas with multiple entries and 12-month validity, with no additional reciprocity fee. This does not guarantee issuance or a one-year stay. CBP decides admission and the I-94 records the authorised stay.
How to Get There
Check flights for your exact dates with the operating airlines. Confirm transit and entry requirements at every connection, particularly when changing airports, collecting baggage or using separate tickets. Allow for immigration and baggage transfer, and choose flexible bookings while travel documents are pending.
Money & Banking
The United States uses USD. Confirm with your issuing bank that your card can be used in the US and at the post where you will pay application fees. Network branding alone does not ensure that a Belarusian-issued card works abroad. Arrange an alternative payment method.
Practical Tips
A US visa appointment does not grant entry to Poland, Lithuania or any transit country. Verify passport recognition, entry restrictions, border availability and any required visa or residence documents separately. Budget for travel and accommodation while awaiting passport return. Arrange travel medical insurance for the US.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Belarusian citizens need a US visa?
Yes. Ordinary Belarusian passport holders need a visitor visa for tourism or family visits. Minsk visa services are suspended; follow the designated-post or country-of-residence application rules.
Why is the US Embassy in Minsk not processing visas?
The US Embassy in Minsk suspended operations in February 2022. It does not currently process routine visitor visa applications. Follow the State Department instructions for applications elsewhere.
Where can Belarusian citizens apply for a US visa?
The State Department nonimmigrant visa listing directs Belarusian applicants to Vilnius and Warsaw. Applicants residing in another country should consult the country-of-residence policy and that post’s instructions. Confirm eligibility before paying a non-transferable application fee.
Can Belarusians travel to Poland or Lithuania to apply for a US visa?
Only if you separately meet that country’s entry requirements. A US interview appointment, Schengen visa or residence permit does not override passport-recognition rules or other entry restrictions. Check the relevant border authority before booking travel.
How much is a US visitor visa application for a Belarusian citizen?
The standard B visitor application fee is USD 185 and is non-refundable. The Belarus B1/B2 reciprocity schedule lists no additional reciprocity issuance fee. Travel to the interview and passport delivery can create extra costs.
How long is a Belarusian citizen’s US B1/B2 visa valid?
The Belarus reciprocity schedule lists multiple-entry B1/B2 visas valid for 12 months. This is the period for presenting the visa for admission, not permission to stay for 12 months. Follow the authorised stay on your I-94.
How long does it take to get a US visa for Belarusian applicants?
There is no fixed total processing period. Appointment availability, consular review, possible administrative processing and passport delivery all affect the timeline. Check the selected post’s current waiting times and avoid non-refundable travel commitments before issuance.