Agreement between Belarus and Russia on mutual recognition of visas

Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Russian Federation on the mutual recognition of visas and other issues related to the entry of foreign citizens and stateless persons into the territories of the states - parties to the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State.

The document regulates the procedure for crossing the joint border of Belarus and Russia by foreign citizens and stateless persons, including its land section, at certain border checkpoints.

In accordance with the Agreement, the parties mutually recognize visas that give the right to enter and stay in the territory of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, as well as marks on crossing the external border of the Union State.

In accordance with the Agreement, the parties mutually recognize visas that give the right to enter and stay in the territory of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, as well as marks on crossing the external border of the Union State.

Foreign citizens and stateless persons who enter, exit, stay and/or transit through the territories of Belarus and Russia under a visa regime and have a visa of one of the two countries, as well as an identity document recognized by both countries, have the right to enter, exit, stay, and transit through the territories of both countries during the validity period of such a visa.

If, in accordance with international treaties, a visa-free entry regime is provided for both Belarus and Russia, then an identity document recognized by both countries is sufficient for entry into both countries and stay there.

The period of stay of foreign citizens and stateless persons in the territories of Belarus and Russia is calculated from the date of entry into the territory of one of the states from the territory of a third state. The Agreement does not apply to foreign citizens and stateless persons whose entry into the territory of one of the two states is restricted.

Entry into the territory of Belarus and Russia is possible both through international checkpoints across the state border, and directly along the used routes of international rail and air communications, as well as along the routes of automobile communications.

The agreement provides for six such sections: Yukhovichi - Dolostsi (Opochka - Novopolotsk), Ezerishche - Nevel (Kyiv - 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 along other routes is not allowed and will be regarded as a violation of the state border.

A special procedure for entry into the territory of the Russian Federation is maintained for citizens of Ukraine. According to the decision of the Government of the Russian Federation, citizens of Ukraine enter Russia through the checkpoint at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport and the Ludonka automobile checkpoint in the Pskov Region.

Each party reserves the right to deny entry or shorten the period of stay on its territory of any foreign citizen or stateless person, as well as to check their compliance with the rules of entry, exit, transit or stay.

Sources: https://mfa.gov.by
               https://gpk.gov.by