Interested in some tips on getting a visa to Belarus. If you know someone or ARE someone from Belarus and can get us (my wife and I) an introduction, that would be great. We are planning a trip to Eastern Europe in May of 2016. Much appreciated. Jack Mormon.
July 3 2015
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Perhaps by too weird a coincidence, we actually went from Kaliningrad to Minsk, and then from Minsk to Vilnius.
Kaliningrad is worth visiting, and as of a few years ago, at least, was cheaper than Moscow or St. Petersburg. Be careful if going from K-grad to Minsk because they treat it like a domestic flight. You have to check with the customs folks to see what the latest requirement is, because when we went they gave us hell for not having an entry stamp...despite our valid explanation.
We took advantage of a ~24 hour layover in Riga by taking AirBaltic from Minsk to Vilnius. Not sure if that's still an option.
I believe the visa is now available on arrival for up to 5 days (fly in/out only from Minsk). I see some great tips and links above. Planning on going to Belarus and maybe Lithuania at the end of September. I'm not sure how fast I can secure a Russian visa, but if possible, we could add Kaliningrad to that list. Any new information?
I am a US citizen. I was in Amsterdam in 2013 on business travel and had a few days available so decided to go to Belarus. I walked in to the Belarus embassy in Amsterdam with no appointment and no LOI (having downloaded the forms in advance and filled them out) and walked away in about an hour with a visa. Easy as taking candy from a baby.
But leave your cell phone behind when you go to the embassy. Mine wouldn't work in the embassy or after I departed. I had to reload the software. I think their embassy has jamming/zapping equipment.
I had a great time in Minsk. I love architecture and Minsk has a lot of great, and well maintained, soviet era architecture (which in most other places is really bland but in Minsk I found interesting). I took a bunch of photos of the ex-KGB building before realizing that is probably forbidden and there might be someone with a gun coming to throw me in prison (no such person came along). I had researched in advance the address of Lee Harvey Oswald's apartment when he lived in Minsk and had a taxi take me there so I could photo the building from the outside (just another apartment in the city now, so you can't go in). The taxi driver probably thought I was nuts. I was surprised how clean the city was. I felt safe waling around in the daytime. The people though are not particularly friendly or open to conversations with a stranger.
Scott. Thanks for that info. Have to keep this info on file for awhile. Last 2 UN countries in Europe are Belarus and Moldova but that will have to wait. Jack
Jack, not sure if you've arranged your trip yet but as a US traveler to Belarus look up Andrei Burdenkov at http://www.minskguide.travel. That's your guy, no question. He'll take care of the invitation, give recommendations, walk you through the confusing visa, tell you what you need to know, pick you up at the airport and even give you a tour.
If you're a geek for Soviet stuff, stay at the Planeta Hotel in Minsk.
Here's our blog post about our visit with assorted pictures and tips if anyone is interested:
http://www.wingitworldwide.com/belarus-the-forgotten-european-desti...
Craig
Sounds like a great plan to spend as little time in Belarus as possible
Everything I've read about Belarus is that there is not a whole lot to do there
We have 5 night to spend visiting:
Belarus
Moldova
Trans Dniestr
Gagauzia - an independent part of Moldova not on the TCC list but on the MTP list
Jack
Belarus.....The Wicked Step-Daughter of Mother Russia. One of just two European Nations a U.S. Citizen needs a visa before entering.How long were you planning to stay there? You could do what I did, that was obtained a "Transit Visa." You don't need a sponsor or introduction yet the visa gives you just three days per entry. You still need Medical Insurance for the duration of the time in Belarus.The other thing is have proof of onward travel which could be a hotel confirmation or booked airline reservation in the following country after Belarus. The Transit Visa is good for a year from date of issue they can be Single, Double or Multiple Entry they cost a lot less then a Tourist, Business or Visitor Visa.
Moldova is the only country i haven't been to in Europe plus Transdenestra what ever they call it, while in Moldova go to the autonomous province of Gagauzia.. Since you are not in the USA you cant go to the embassy in Wash DC and get the Visa so get it in Chiseanu why not do it now why next year you are so close
Andorra is a great place I drove in from the French side but you can do it from Spain just as easily and while in Andorra go to 'LlIvia' and enclave of Spain located in France just a small ski village but its unique destination will give you braging rights!
Jack Mormon said:
Thanks for this info Elliot. As of now we are only traveling to Moldova. Later this year we plan on being in Andorra then next year, at least Moldova. Belarus would be the final UN country in Europe we have not been to. We are planning 5 nights in Moldova and might have the chance to get into Belarus to "complete European UN countries.
Much appreciated
Jack Mormon
I simply applied directly to the Embassy via a Visa Agency called "Travisa"
Once in Minsk I stayed a hotel that was in the Old Section of town which is fronted by a lake where many couples go to get married by my hotel which sat directly in front of it .The rooms were OK and I had the Best ever Mushroom soup there I ever tasted . It was a large hotel and I believe had the only rental car agency in the city located in the Lobby . I do not recall then name of the hotel. The city is very Soviet looking with blocks of Apartment drab looking buildings. The country is run by a dictator and at the airport they try to sell you health and Medical insurance and be careful to make sure you fill out all the forms about money as they might search you on exiting and make you exchange money at the last minute which is almost worthless in th next country!
Now this I am telling you is from many years ago how things might have changed by now seems doubtful.