Belarus raised visa fees for EU and US citizens

Belarusian visa fees have in creased for US citizens and those of the countries joined the Schengen zone in 2007: Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland and Czech Republic.

As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus informs, in relation to the countries, new members of the Schengen zone, these measures were taken in view of increase of their visa fees for Belarusian citizens by EUR 60. Belarus uses graduated rates in regard to Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Estonia.

For Lithuanian, Latvian, Polish and Estonian citizens a single entry and tourist visa costs EUR 25, a double entry (entry/exit) visa costs EUR 35, multiple on for three months – EUR 60, multiple visa for 6 months or a year – EUR 150.

A double entry guest visa for visiting graves of close relatives is free for Lithuanian citizens.

Consular fee for citizens of Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Malta and Czech Republic is higher in comparison with visa costs for citizens of the neighbouring states. In particular, Hungarian citizens must pay EUR 60 for a single, double and multiple entry visa for a term of 90 days, and for a term of more than 90 days – EUR 150. Increase in visa costs for the US citizens is a response for visa fees increase for Belarusian citizens by the USA from USD 100 to 131.

At present a single entry visa (for a term by 90 days) for US citizens is USD 131, a double entry visa costs USD 232, and a multiple entry visa costs USD 333. A long-term multiple visa for a term of 1 year costs USD 350.

Consular fees for visa for other European countries haven’t been changed and are equal for citizens of France, Italy, Germany, etc. A single entry visa (cost of business and guest visas is the same) costs EUR 65, a double entry one – EUR 115, a three entry visa – EUR 165, a multiple entry visa – EUR 300; single, double and three entry tourist visas cost EUR 50, 90 and 130 respectively. When receiving visas urgently (within 48 hours) consular fee is increased two times.

Belarusian entry visa is issued on arrival by the Consulate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the airport. Rate of consular fee for the citizens of the countries where consular offices of the Republic of Belarus are situated is EUR 100 for business and guest visas, EUR 45 for a tourist visa, and EUR 265 for a multiple guest visa.

Citizens of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia as well as of the countries where there are no consular posts of the Republic of Belarus, must pay EUR 70 for a business and guest visa, EUR 35 for a tourist one. Obtaining a multiple guest visa in the national airport costs EUR 155 for Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian citizens, and citizens of the countries with no consular posts of Belarus pay EUR 220. The highest rates in the Consular office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are for US citizens: business, guest, tourist, transit, and group visa (for 1 person) costs USD 180, or EUR 125, a multiple guest short-term one – USD 350, or EUR 250, a multiple visa for a year with right of residence of 90 days – USD 500, or EUR 345. When obtaining guest, tourist and transit visas for US citizens under 16 years old, on the basis of reciprocity sum of USD 100, or EUR 70 is collected.

As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explain, higher rates are connected with the time of visa issuing. Visa can be received during 5-10 minutes (if all documents are correct, and additional checking is not necessary), and it demands additional costs.

Belarus has remained beyond the Schengen zone, though it had all chances to become a full member of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The country needed have accepted 12 offers of the EU, the main of them are: release of political prisoners, freedom of speech, and holding of free election. Visa for Belarusian citizens cost EUR 60.