Belarus attracts expats every year with its affordable living costs and employment opportunities. Find out more about who is eligible for Belarusian citizenship, the grounds for obtaining citizenship by naturalization, and the list of documents required

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Belarus is a very colorful, interesting, incredibly beautiful country conveniently located between the countries of the European Union and the CIS. Local residents are famous for openness, friendliness and hospitality. The country itself attracts expats with its picturesque nature, impressive historical sites, modern buildings, low cost of living and employment prospects.

Every year, about 5,000 people receive citizenship in the Republic of Belarus. The procedure for obtaining a Belarusian passport is not too complicated, but it takes a long time.

How can an expat apply for Belarusian citizenship in 2024? A detailed guide for foreigners follows.

Advantages of obtaining citizenship of the Republic of Belarus

Citizens of Belarus receive the following rights and benefits:

- officially work and conduct business activities on the territory of the country;

- work without special permits in Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan;

- get an education;

- move freely in the territory of the Republic of Belarus;

- use free medical and social assistance;

- tax benefits - income tax for individuals is 13%;

- to receive international protection for Belarus abroad;

- open an account in one of the Polish banks: Pekao, Millenium, PKO Bank Polski, ING and other institutions;

- freely visit 90 countries of the world;

- participate in local and national elections.

Who has the right to apply for Belarusian citizenship?

According to local legislation, you can get a Belarusian passport as a result of one of the following procedures:

● By birthright

A child acquires the citizenship of the Republic of Belarus by birth, if on the day of the child's birth:

- at least one of the parents is a citizen of the Republic of Belarus, regardless of the place of birth of the child;

- the parents (one of the parents) of the child, who temporarily or permanently reside in the Republic of Belarus, are stateless persons, provided that the child was born on the territory of the Republic of Belarus;

- the parents (one of the parents) of the child, who permanently reside in the Republic of Belarus, are foreign citizens, provided that the child was born on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, and the states of which the parents are citizens do not grant him their citizenship;

- a child located in the territory of the Republic of Belarus, whose parents are unknown, becomes a citizen of the Republic of Belarus.

Children born in Belarus are automatically granted national status. After reaching the age of 14, they can issue a passport of their country of birth.

● On the basis of origin

Persons who have evidence of ethnic origin (parents or other close relatives were citizens of the Republic of Belarus) or who have lost the national status of Belarus, have the right to issue a passport under a simplified procedure within 2 to 12 months through a diplomatic representation in the country of residence.

● For special services to the Republic of Belarus

Persons who have outstanding merits for the Republic of Belarus: high achievements in the field of science, technology, culture and sports, or have a profession or qualification that is of state interest for the Republic of Belarus, may apply for citizenship of the Republic of Belarus by registration. The procedure for obtaining citizenship according to this procedure is from 2 to 12 months.

● On the basis of marriage with a citizen of Belarus

A person who has entered into a marriage with a citizen of the Republic of Belarus acquires the citizenship of the Republic of Belarus upon his wish and compliance with the conditions stipulated by the law of Belarus.

The conclusion or dissolution of marriage by a citizen of the Republic of Belarus with a citizen of another state or a stateless person does not entail a change in the citizenship of the spouses.

● Through the naturalization procedure

This method involves entering the Republic of Belarus, obtaining a permit for temporary, and then permanent residence. After 5-10 years, the expat has the right to request a passport.

Stage 1 – The initial residence permit is issued for 1-2 years, after which it must be renewed.

Stage 2 – Permit for permanent residence – indefinite status acquired after 3–5 years of living in the country, with the exception of investors – they immediately acquire permanent residency.

In order to extend a residence permit or issue a permanent residence permit, a citizen must stay in the country continuously. You can leave the country for no more than 90 days a year.

Grounds for obtaining citizenship of the Republic of Belarus by naturalization

● Employment

Expats who find work in a local company will be entitled to a residence permit, and after 5 years - a permanent residence permit. A foreign specialist will be able to get a passport of the Republic of Belarus in another 5 years.

Mandatory requirements: a signed employment contract or other official document confirming the employment relationship with the Belarusian employer.

Importantly! Qualified specialists have the right to issue a permanent residence permit after 3 years.

● Doing business

Expats can obtain the right to temporary or permanent residence, and after 10 years - a Belarusian passport, if they come to the Republic of Belarus to conduct commercial activities.

Foreigners have the right to open a company of any form of ownership in Belarus. Also, expats will have the right to conduct business on preferential terms, because free economic zones (FEZs) have been created in each region of the republic. In addition, consider that the country's government has developed special preferential programs for legal entities working in the agricultural sector or in small towns.

● Residence permit and citizenship by investment

Foreigners who invest in the economy of Belarus in the amount of about 200,000 EUR immediately receive a residence permit. Investors have the right to obtain Belarusian citizenship after 5 years of permanent residence in the country.

You can invest in any assets that are not prohibited by law. Usually, most expats invest in the following promising sectors of the country: production of agricultural machinery, electrical goods, automobile manufacturing, radio engineering.

Assistance to foreign investors is provided by the National Agency for Investments and Privatization. The office offers investors options for placing funds in the republic and advises in the process of drawing up documents. The services of the National Agency are free of charge.

● Education

Foreigners who move to Belarus in order to get an education have the right to issue a residence permit. The main condition for obtaining the right to temporary residence is the presence of an official document confirming the status of a pupil, student or course participant (an order for admission to a higher education institution or transfer to the next course, receipt for payment of tuition, etc.).

The right to obtain a residence permit is granted to foreigners who obtain secondary, higher, vocational or additional education, as well as participants of long-term professional development programs.

After obtaining a diploma, expats can get a job and extend their temporary resident status on this basis.

A foreigner can obtain Belarusian citizenship on general grounds after 10 years of living in the country. The period of study is included in the total period of naturalization.

● Family reunification

Relatives of an expat who lives permanently in Belarus or a citizen of the country who has the right to obtain citizenship on the basis of family reunification. Such relatives include a spouse, minor children, disabled parents, as well as dependents of a relative. In some cases, such as the need for care, other relatives may also receive a residence permit in Belarus. To process the document, the applicant must provide a birth or marriage certificate, as well as confirm the availability of funds and housing to stay in the country.

● Refugee status

A foreigner or stateless person who has applied for international asylum in Belarus and received approval from the government has the right to issue a residence permit on this basis. The terms of acquiring refugee status in Belarus are about 6 months. The applicant has the right to issue a passport of a citizen of Belarus after 10 years of continuous residence in the country.

List of documents for obtaining Belarusian citizenship

To issue a Belarusian passport, you must prepare the following package of documents:

- Statement.

- Autobiography.

- Questionnaire of the established sample.

- Foreign passport and copies of all its pages.

- 4 color photos (size 30 x 40 mm).

- Copies of permits for permanent residence in the country.

- Proof of housing in Belarus.

- Marriage and birth certificates (if necessary).

- Certificate of no criminal record.

- Evidence of the availability of funds for living in the state.

- A document confirming the absence of another citizenship, its loss or renunciation.

- Medical certificate.

- A check for the payment of the state tax (about 70 EUR) or a document on exemption from its payment.

In addition, it is necessary to provide documents that confirm the existence of legal grounds for obtaining citizenship of Belarus (depending on the procedure): employment contract, copy of the refugee certificate, documents on the establishment and running of a business, evidence of investments made, documents on obtaining education, birth and marriage certificates of relatives, as well as other evidence of Belarusian origin, etc.

When they can refuse to apply for Belarusian citizenship

An application for registration of citizenship may be rejected if a person:

- provided an incomplete package of documents;

- committed a crime against humanity or the country;

- is under investigation in Belarus for committing a criminal offense;

- deported outside the state in accordance with international legislation;

- was regularly subjected to administrative fines in the country;

- is in military or civil service in another country.

   Expats who have been denied Belarusian citizenship have the right to appeal this decision in the Supreme Court, regional and city courts. Re-submission of an application for citizenship is possible no earlier than one year after the official rejection.

Igor Usyk - Head of Migration department at VisitWorld

To ensure a safe move to a new country, I advise you to consult a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with a legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration.

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