Start your business

• Organization registration
• Getting financing
• Obtaining the visa

Registration of commercial organizations in the Republic of Belarus

Steps to register commercial organizations in the Republic of Belarus:

Getting financing

Companies that implement investment projects in the territory of Belarus have access to various sources of external financing for their activities. This can be both standard bank lending and other banking products at local banks and representative offices of foreign banks in Belarus, and attracting funds from international financial institutions, private equity funds, and foreign credit lines.

In most cases, companies to finance their activities attract loans from Belarusian banks on the security of real estate or other fixed assets. However, when implementing major investment projects, special tools and forms of attracting investments are needed.

International financial institutions and investment funds work with companies in the Belarusian market through the following financial instruments:

Along with financing, international financial institutions provide companies with access to new technologies, assist in developing a business strategy, and introduce international corporate governance standards in the company.

A number of foreign states through their financial institutions provide targeted financing to borrowers. It is possible to use the foreign credit line either directly or through Belarusian partner banks, subject to certain conditions.

Obtaining the visa

Visa-free travel

There is no need in obtaining a visa for the following groups of travelers:

According to the Presidential Decree “On establishment of visa-free entry and exit of foreign nationals”, foreign citizens of the listed above 80 countries can enter Belarus for up to 5 days including dates of arrival and departure and exit from the territory of Belarus only through the State border checkpoint of the Republic of Belarus “Minsk National Airport”.

The given order of visa-free movement through the airport does not extend to persons coming to Belarus by plane from the Russian Federation, as well as to those who intend to fly to the airports of the Russian Federation (such flights are considered as internal ones and do not have border control).

The Decree also does not apply to foreigners paying official visits. Diplomatic, official, special and other passports equal to them are not covered by the above Decree.

To enter the Republic of Belarus in the visa-free regime via the checkpoint “Minsk National Airport”, foreign nationals should have the following documents:

• a valid passport or another substituting document for traveling abroad;
• financial means: at least 25 Euro (or equal amount in dollars or Belarusian rubles) for each day of stay;
• medical insurance with coverage for at least 10,000 Euros that covers the territory of Belarus.

Getting a visa

For travels other than listed above foreign nationals should get a visa. There are two types applicable for business visits.

SHORT-TERM VISA C

• valid for up to 90 days;
• permits a stay in Belarus of up to 90 days;
• permits a single, double or multiple entry;
• most suitable for tourist and private visits
  • visa for tourist purposes allows up to a 30 day stay in Belarus and permits only single or double entry;
• also issued for business, study, religious or humanitarian purposes; participation in sport or cultural events; visiting burial places; journalism and employment

Documents required:

• an original letter of visa support of a legal entity, issued on the letter-head with the full name of the entity, its location and telephone number and the obligation of the legal entity to assure a foreign citizen observance of the rules of stay in the Republic of Belarus, sealed by the legal entity;
• one copy of a duly completed application form;
• one photograph;
• a foreign travel document (passport);
• medical insurance contract concluded with RUE“Belgosstrakh“or“Beleximgarant“or medical insurance contract concluded with any foreign insurance organization;
• a confirmation of the consular fee paid.

LONG-TERM VISA D

• valid for up to one year;
• permits a stay in Belarus of up to 90 days per year;
• permits multiple entries;
• issued for business, private, religious or humanitarian purposes; participation in sport or cultural events; visiting burial places; journalism and employment.

Documents required:

• an original letter of visa support of a Belarusian legal entity;
• a document, that proves the necessity of multiple visits to the Republic of Belarus during the requested period of visa validity, i.e. a copy of a contract (cooperation agreement) between a Belarusian legal entity and foreign citizen or foreign organization where he/she works, that confirms the existence of stable business connection, or document of a Belarusian legal entity (including the founding documents), confirming that the foreigner is a founder of a Belarusian commercial organization or an employee of a foreign company, that has established the commercial organization in Belarus;
• by the decision of the consular officer – other documents, confirming the information, contained in the letter of visa support, and the existence of business contacts;
• one copy of a duly completed application form;
• one photograph;
• a foreign travel document (passport);
• medical insurance contract concluded with RUE “Belgosstrakh“ or “Beleximgarant“ or medical insurance contract concluded with any foreign insurance organization;
• a confirmation of the consular fee paid.

A long-term visa for a purpose of business can be issued on the basis of a letter of visa support of a representative office of a foreign company in the Republic of Belarus to founders, managers and employees of the foreign company, which has established this office, in order to supervise the work of the representative office or to carry out activities, directly related to the work of the representative office.