United States Visa RequirementsFor Belarus passport holders
Belarusian passport holders require a B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa to enter the United States. The US Embassy in Minsk has severely curtailed visa services due to diplomatic tensions. Most Belarusian citizens must apply for a US visa at a US Embassy in a third country such as Poland, Lithuania, or Latvia.
Belarus passport holders require a visa to enter United States.
Apply at a US Embassy in a third country. Warsaw (Poland), Vilnius (Lithuania), and Riga (Latvia) are the most practical options for most Belarusians. Complete DS-160 at ceac.state.gov, pay the $185 MRV fee, and schedule your interview at the chosen embassy. Processing time after a successful interview is typically 3 to 10 business days. Check the current status of Minsk Embassy services at by.usembassy.gov before assuming you must travel; services may change.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
DS-160 application form
Completed online nonimmigrant visa application at ceac.state.gov
Valid passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay in the US
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
Scheduled via the US Embassy appointment system (ais.usvisa-info.com)
Proof of financial means
Bank statements for the past 3 to 6 months, pay stubs, or tax returns
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 not part of the US Visa Waiver Program, and its citizens require a B1/B2 visa for tourism, business, or family visits to the United States. Following a dramatic deterioration in US-Belarus diplomatic relations after the disputed 2020 election and subsequent crackdown on protesters, both countries expelled most of each other's diplomatic staff.
The US Embassy in Minsk is technically open but operates with a skeleton staff and provides only emergency services for US citizens. It does not currently process routine nonimmigrant visa applications for Belarusian nationals. Belarusians seeking a US visa must travel to a third country with a functioning US Embassy.
The most common locations for Belarusians to apply for a US visa include Warsaw (Poland), Vilnius (Lithuania), Riga (Latvia), and Warsaw. Note that traveling to these countries from Belarus has also become more complicated due to cross-border tensions; some Belarusians use third-country transit options via Moscow or direct routes where available.
US sanctions on Belarus and Belarus-related entities are extensive. Belarusians traveling to the US should ensure they are not on any US sanctions list, which would complicate travel authorization regardless of visa status.
How to Get There
Direct air connections between Belarus and the United States are extremely limited due to sanctions and airspace restrictions. Most routes go through third countries; Istanbul, Dubai, and Warsaw are common connection hubs. Belavia, the Belarusian national airline, operates limited international routes. Turkish Airlines and FlyDubai offer connections through their respective hubs. Total travel time from Minsk to New York is approximately 14 to 18 hours with connections.
Money & Banking
The United States uses the dollar (USD). Cards are accepted widely. ATMs are available at airports and city streets throughout the US. Note that Belarusian cards (particularly those on the Mir network) may not function abroad due to sanctions; ensure you have a card operating on Visa, Mastercard, or another internationally accepted network. Daily costs in US cities average $130 to $250 USD.
Practical Tips
Factor in the cost and logistics of traveling to a third country for your visa interview. If traveling to Warsaw or Vilnius for your interview, you will need a valid travel document accepted for entry into those countries. Bring full documentation of financial stability, employment, and purpose of travel. In the US, 911 is the emergency number. US healthcare is not publicly funded; comprehensive travel insurance is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Belarusian citizens need a US visa?
Yes. Belarusian citizens are not part of the US Visa Waiver Program and must obtain a B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa to visit the United States. Due to severely limited US Embassy services in Minsk, most Belarusians must apply at a US Embassy in a third country such as Poland, Lithuania, or Latvia.
Why is the US Embassy in Minsk not processing visas?
Following the disputed 2020 Belarusian election and the government's subsequent crackdown on protesters, US-Belarus diplomatic relations deteriorated significantly. Both countries expelled most of each other's diplomatic personnel. The US Embassy in Minsk operates with minimal staff and provides only emergency services for US citizens. Routine visa processing for Belarusian nationals is currently not available in Minsk.
Where can Belarusian citizens apply for a US visa?
The most practical options are the US Embassy in Warsaw (Poland), the US Embassy in Vilnius (Lithuania), and the US Embassy in Riga (Latvia). Each of these embassies processes nonimmigrant visa applications from Belarusian nationals. You will need to schedule an interview appointment through ais.usvisa-info.com for your chosen embassy location.
Can Belarusians travel to Poland or Lithuania to apply for a US visa?
This depends on the individual's situation. Belarusians need a valid visa or entry permit for Poland or Lithuania to travel there. EU Schengen visas are required. If you already have a valid Schengen visa or residence permit, you can travel to those countries for your US visa appointment. If not, obtaining travel documents to reach a third-country US Embassy is an additional step to factor into your planning.
Do US sanctions on Belarus affect individual travelers?
US sanctions primarily target the Belarusian government, state-owned entities, and named individuals. Most ordinary Belarusian citizens are not directly sanctioned. However, Belarusians should ensure they are not on any US sanctions list (OFAC SDN list) and that any financial transactions related to their US visa application comply with US regulations. Belarusian Mir network cards may not work abroad due to secondary sanctions.
Is there any special humanitarian visa pathway for Belarusians?
The US has provided some support to Belarusian civil society members and journalists facing persecution, but there is no broad special visa category for Belarusians as a group. Individuals facing political persecution may seek asylum in the US, but this is a complex separate process. Standard B1/B2 visa applications follow the normal process regardless of political context, unless the applicant has a specific humanitarian case.
How long does it take to get a US visa for Belarusian applicants?
Processing time after a successful interview is typically 3 to 10 business days. However, the full timeline includes obtaining permission to travel to the third country, scheduling the interview, and traveling there. Total time from starting the process to having a visa can be 2 to 5 months or more depending on appointment availability and logistics.