Since January 11, 2025, Russia and Belarus have mutually recognized each other’s visas, allowing foreign travelers to move freely between the two countries on a single visa.
On January 11, 2025, the agreement on mutual recognition of visas between Russia and Belarus came into force. This long-negotiated text, finalized in 2023, reflects increased cooperation between the two countries, both members of the State of the Union, to simplify travel for foreign nationals on their territory.
The visa mutual recognition agreement now allows foreign citizens and stateless persons with a valid visa from the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus free access to the territory of both countries.
This measure also applies to holders of residence permits issued by either of the two states.
“Foreign citizens and stateless persons entering, leaving, staying in and/or transiting the territory of Russia and Belarus under the visa regime and in possession of a visa issued by one of the two countries, as well as an identity document recognized by both states, are authorized to enter, leave, stay in or transit the territory of the two states for the duration of their visa’s validity,” explains the Russian Foreign Ministry.
How does this mutual recognition of visas between Russia and Belarus work?
Since January 11, 2025, a European citizen holding a Belarusian tourist visa can now include Russia in his or her travel itinerary without needing to apply for an additional visa. A Chinese or Indian businessman, holding a Russian business visa, can attend a conference in Russia, then travel to Belarus to meet business partners, all with a single valid visa.
To benefit from this measure, travelers must meet the following conditions:
- Possess a valid visa or residence permit issued by one of the two countries.
- Present an identity document (passport) recognized by the authorities of both countries.
The length of stay of foreign citizens and stateless persons in Belarus and Russia is calculated from the date of entry into one of the two countries from a third country.
As the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs points out, in cases where travelers benefit from a visa-free regime in one country but are subject to a visa regime in the other, a visa will be required to enter and stay in the latter country, in addition to a passport. It is therefore impossible for Europeans to enter Russia without a visa from Belarus, where they enjoy visa-free entry.
Entry to the territories of Russia and Belarus is possible both via international checkpoints on either side of the national border, and directly via the international rail, air and road links listed in the annex to the agreement.
The agreement currently provides for six such sections:
- Yukhovichi – Dolostsy (Opochka – Novopolotsk),
- Yezeryshche – Nevel (Kiev – St. Petersburg),
- Liozno – Kruglovka (Vitebsk – Smolensk),
- Redki – Krasnaya Gorka (Minsk – Moscow),
- Zvenchatka – Dubovichka (Bobruisk – Moscow),
- Selishche – Novozybkov (Gomel – Bryansk).
Crossing the land section of the Russian-Belarusian border by other means is not permitted and will be considered a violation of the national border.
