Trip checklist: Belarus

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

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Visa requirement

South Africans don't need a visa for Belarus.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 30 days per visit.

Before you go

• Passport validity

  Ordinary passport valid at least 90 days beyond your planned departure date.

• How to apply

  No application for the airport visa-free route. Enter and leave only through Minsk National Airport, or the airports of Brest, Gomel, Grodno, Mogilev or Vitebsk. For land entry, longer stays or travel via Russia you need a Belarusian visa from a Belarusian embassy. Visa fees were not checked.

• Where South Africans apply

  Not needed for the airport route. For a visa, contact the Embassy of Belarus in Pretoria (not confirmed in this check).

• Travel insurance

  Mandatory. Medical insurance with cover of at least EUR 10,000, valid in Belarus for the whole stay.

• Return or onward ticket

  Not published. You must leave through one of the listed airports.

• Proof of funds

  Funds of at least 2 Belarusian base amounts per day of stay, or 50 base amounts for a full 30 days (MFA). UK FCDO gives this as EUR 25 per day in cash, card or traveller's cheques.

• Accommodation or invitation

  No invitation needed for the airport route. Foreign guests staying more than 10 days must be registered by the accommodation provider or the police (UK FCDO, applies to all foreigners).

• Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

  Belarus publishes no yellow fever rule for South Africans in the sources checked. Belarus is not a yellow fever risk country, so no certificate is needed to return to South Africa from Belarus, unless you transited a risk country.

• Arrival forms

  Customs declaration needed if carrying more than USD 10,000 in cash or traveller's cheques (UK FCDO).

• Extending your stay and overstaying

  The 30-day visa-free stay cannot be extended.

• Transit

  Visa-free airside transit up to 24 hours (UK FCDO).

• Confirm with the embassy

  Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus https://www.mfa.gov.by/en/visa/freemove/airport/

Research sources

1. 1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus (Official, mfa.gov.by) https://www.mfa.gov.by/en/visa/freemove/airport/
2. 2. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/belarus/entry-requirements

From doineedavisa.co.za/belarus. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.