Belarus entry requirements for British passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Passport validity (FCDO rule): At least 3 months after the day you arrive
Visa (FCDO): Read the official visa text below
Official source: GOV.UK – Belarus travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 10 September 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Whether you need a visa and how long your British passport must be valid to enter Belarus, as published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), quoted word for word, with a checker for your dates.
Other passports: Canadian passport · Australian passport
Do I need a visa for Belarus with a British passport?
We quote the FCDO text word for word and do not summarise it: its first sentence has conditions or a wording we do not turn into a one-line answer.
The Belarusian authorities have announced that until 31 December 2026 all British nationals (except those entering on a diplomatic or official passport) can enter Belarus for up to 30 days without a visa, limited to a total of 90 days per calendar year.
If you want to stay longer than 30 days during a visit, or for a total period exceeding 90 days per calendar year, you must have a visa. You can find more information from the Embassy of Belarus in the UK.
If you’re travelling directly from or to Russia, the visa-free arrangement does not apply and you must have a visa. As of 11 January 2025, foreign citizens with a Belarusian or Russian visa may enter, leave, stay or transit through either Belarus or Russia during the period of validity of the visa. This is limited to certain international border crossing points. For more information, please see the website of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
More from the FCDO visa section (extensions, border checks and other cases)
Visas for travelling through Belarus
You do not need a visa to transit Belarus by air, but the maximum period you can remain airside (in the airport without going through border control) is 24 hours.
Travelling by air between Belarus and Russia
FCDO is not aware of any difficulties for British nationals travelling by air between Belarus and Russia. However, make sure you get an exit stamp in your passport when you leave Belarus. If you have no stamp, you will not be allowed back in on your next visit.
Official source: GOV.UK – Belarus travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO), section “Visa requirements” · page last updated 10 September 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Passport validity: official text “Passport validity requirements”
To visit Belarus, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months from the date you arrive.
Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
Official source: GOV.UK – Belarus travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 10 September 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Check your passport for Belarus
Schengen rules count your whole trip in the Schengen area: if you visit several Schengen countries, enter the day you first enter the area and the day you leave the last Schengen country.
The check runs in your browser: your dates are not sent anywhere. It applies the FCDO sentence literally (for example “6 months” is counted as the same day of the month 6 months later).
For British passport holders only. These are the rules published by the UK government (FCDO) for British citizens. If you hold another passport, check your own government's advice. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice.
Recent FCDO updates to the entry requirements
- 10 December 2025: “New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 25 September 2025: “Updated information on the reopening of the Polish border with Belarus on Thursday 25 September ('Entry requirements' and 'Safety and security' pages).”
- 11 September 2025: “Updated information on the closure of the Polish border with Belarus on Thursday 11 September ('Entry requirements' and 'Safety and security' pages).”
- 16 January 2025: “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).”
- 22 July 2024: “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.”
Read the full FCDO travel advice for Belarus (safety, visas, health) before you travel.
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Same FCDO rule (3 months after arrival)
Passport validity rules for all destinations · Liquids rules by airport · EES and ETIAS status