Belarus
Warnings and insurance
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
FCDO advises against all travel to Belarus
FCDO advises against all travel to Belarus. You face a significant risk of arrest if you have at any time engaged in any activity now considered illegal by the Belarusian regime.
There is also a low risk that direct conflict linked to the war in Ukraine may spread to Belarus. Find out more about why FCDO advises against all travel.
Limited UK government support
In the unlikely event that conflict starts, FCDO’s ability to support British nationals will be severely limited.
Dual nationals
Belarus does not recognise dual nationality. If you have both Belarusian and British passports, the authorities will consider you Belarusian, even if you enter the country on your British passport. This limits the UK government’s ability to help you. See Safety and security.
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel against FCDO advice, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and potential expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
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Update history
2025-06-04 17:03
Updated information on the risks of being involved with illegal drugs, including cannabis. This includes risk of arrest if you are found carrying drugs when transiting through the airport (‘Safety and security’ page).
2025-06-04 15:00
Updated information on the risks of being involved with illegal drugs, including cannabis. This includes risk of arrest if you are found carrying drugs when transiting through the airport (‘Safety and security’ page).
2025-01-16 10:05
Information added about mutual visa recognition between Belarus and Russia and extended visa free entry for British nationals until 31 December 2025 (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2024-07-22 16:52
Information added about new visa-free entry being allowed for British nationals until 31 December 2024 (‘Entry requirements’ page). Information added about new Belarus-Lithuania border restrictions (‘Safety and security’ page). This travel advice was also reviewed for style and accuracy.
2024-04-11 13:19
Addition of information on dual nationality as well as risks around arrest and detention (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-04-10 09:43
Updated information on dual nationality (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-03-01 14:41
Information on border crossings (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-10-24 11:16
Updated information on entry requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-10-04 11:21
Information on the accessibility of registering accommodation online (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-08-21 10:26
Information on checking for the latest information before any travel across the Lithuanian-Belarus border (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-06-22 09:52
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-06-21 09:47
Information on air travel (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-04-19 11:23
Updated information on requiring a 1968 International Driving Permit or a valid UK driving licence to drive in Belarus and information on exchanging currency (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-04-17 14:52
Advice rewritten to help readability.
2023-02-10 15:15
Updated information on the closure of the Bobrovniki/Berestovitsa border checkpoint (‘Safety and security’ page).
2022-08-01 16:52
Updated information advising against commissioning new surrogacy arrangements in Belarus and on Emergency Travel Documents (‘Local laws and customs’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-06-08 18:15
Updated information on lifting of COVID-19 restrictions (see ‘Entry Requirements’ page)
2022-05-25 12:33
Updated information on COVID-19 vaccinations (‘Coronavirus’), ‘Safety and security’, ‘Surrogacy’ (‘Local laws and customs’) and ‘Money’.
2022-04-08 10:31
Updated information on entry rules (‘Entry requirements’ page) and Russian military operations in Belarus (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-03-25 19:54
Updated to better reflect the current situation in Belarus (see ‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Money’ pages).
2022-02-26 12:46
The FCDO advise against all travel to Belarus (See ‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-02-24 05:33
There are multiple reports of widespread military activity in Ukraine. You should not attempt to cross into Ukraine from Belarus. (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-02-18 16:26
The FCDO now advise against all travel to Yelsk, Mazyr, Rechitsa, Luninets, Gomel, Asipovichy, Baranovichi and Brest. The FCDO advise against all but essential travel to the remainder of Belarus