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Belarus Travel Safety Tips That May LITERALLY SAVE YOUR LIFE

Belarus Travel Safety: Do's and Don't's, crossing the border, what to NOT bring, how to avoid trouble with the Police, Digital security and privacy, 2020 crisis, and 2022 war with Ukraine

Belarus is our home country. Both Alex and Alexandra were born and raised in Belarus, leaving for Canada in their early 20ies. The country is very dear to our hearts, and we wish to go back to Belarus often. Unfortunately with Belarus’ political crisis of 2020 and Russia’s war on Ukraine in 2022 (where Belarus’s dictator acts as Russia’s ally), we are not able to visit our home any further – it is no longer safe. It pains me to the core, but I have to say it: we DO NOT RECOMMEND anyone to travel to Belarus in 2022. Yet, if you do decide to visit Belarus in near future, we put together a list of important travel safety tips that may save your life quite literally.

SAFETY WARNING: DO NOT TRAVEL TO BELARUS IN 2022.

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Quick links:

• Political crisis 2020-2021
• War in Ukraine
• Travel advisories on visiting Belarus
• Coronavirus Pandemic in Belarus
• Who should NOT visit Belarus
• Belarus Visa and Travel Requirements
• What to NOT bring to Belarus
• Digital Safety
• Do’s and Don'ts' when in Belarus 
• What to Do if you get in trouble?
• Dealing with Police

SAFETY WARNING: DO NOT TRAVEL TO BELARUS IN 2022.

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Belarus Political Crisis 2020-2021

On August 9, 2020, Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years, once again proclaimed himself a winner of that year’s presidential elections. He claimed to have obtained over 80% of the votes. It was a blatant lie based on a rigged electoral system and massive fraud on and before the election day.

His primary opponent, Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya, has won by a large margin. Yet, the old dictator refused to leave. 

When the fraudulent results of the presidential elections were published, hundreds of thousands of people gathered for peaceful protests across the country. In response, the L-junta unleashed armed forces, military, and riot police. He brutally suppressed the protests and launched a wave of repressions against anyone who dared to speak up.

As of April 12, 2022, at least 1117 Belarusians were recognized as political prisoners according to the Human Rights Centre “Viasna”. Viktor Babariko – who is only guilty of registering his name as a presidential candidate, is now sentenced to 14 years in prison. Overall 50,000+ people were arrested for participation in peaceful protests. Hundreds of journalists were subjected to repressions. 

Half the world’s countries, including Canada, the United States, all member states of the European Union, and even Japan, did not accept the election results. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who was exiled to Lithuania, is now recognized as a Democratic Leader of the People of Belarus. 

In a unified attempt to help the People of Belarus, the developed countries have joined hands in imposing a wide range of sanctions: targeting both individual Belarusian officials responsible for atrocities, violence, and repressions and state businesses and even whole economic sectors. 

In response, the L-junta closed Belarus borders, including for Belarusian citizens who wanted to leave the country. In 2020-2021 the only border that remained open was the border with Russia.

In March 2022 the Regime finally relaxed the travel restrictions, and now the borders are open to any international traveler or a citizen to get in and out of Belarus safely.

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War in Ukraine 2022

On February 24, 2022, Russia started a war by launching airstrikes on major Ukrainian cities, including launching rockets from the territory of Belarus. Non-elected dictator Lukashenko, whose regime is funded by Putin, has allowed Russian troops to freely come and go, use Belarus land bordering Ukraine as a staging ground for its army, and Belarusian hospitals to be used for Russian needs. Effectively this type of cooperation means that Belarus is now under full Russian occupation without a single shot fired. 

Does this mean that the Belarusian people support the war? Absolutely not.

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Belarusian’s Role in the war

Unfortunately, most of those Belarusians who could mount any visible resistance had been jailed or repressed in 2020-2021 or had to flee the country. Yet not all hopes are gone. 

Within Belarus, Belarusian “partisans” are waging a rail war, damaging railroads and trains carrying Russian military equipment and weapons. Belarusian “cyber-partisans” are attacking and hacking government network infrastructure. 

Outside Belarus, Belarusian Diaspora in Canada and the World actively supports Ukrainians with donations, and volunteers, hosting refugees and sending financial support to Ukrainian troops. There are even a few hundred Belarusian volunteers serving in Ukraine's army defending cities all across the country forming special Belarusian battalions. 

Belarusian President-Elect and the Leader of Belarusian Democratic Forces Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya – now safe in Lithuania – is speaking up openly against the war and calls for wider support of Ukraine. Yet the fact that Belarus is still ruled by the Regime and Lukashenko’s open partnership with Putin leaves no choice for Belarus as a country. 

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Sanctions against Belarus

As of April 2022, there had been six packages of sanctions introduced against Russia and Belarus combined related to the War. Literally, almost all the sanctions against Russia apply to Belarus as its partner. 

Hence as of April 2022, hundreds of international brands have left Belarus: everything from personal hygiene products to major car dealerships, from fast food restaurant chains to major world payment processes, from luxury brands to travel booking platforms such as AirBnB are refusing to service citizens of Belarus.

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IMPORTANT Differences to understand Belarus attitudes

The elections of 2020 have shown that over 90% of Belarusian People do NOT support the Lukashenko regime. It is estimated that only about 3-5% have actually voted for him. Yet those 3-5% of the population have absolute power and enforce control over the country through any means necessary.

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Travel Advisory for Travel to Belarus

Canadian Travel Advisory for Belarus, as of summer 2020, Belarus is marked on the Canadian Travel Advisory as a “AVOID ALL TRAVEL”. Specifically, this relates to “the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws”.

USA Travel Advisory assigns the 4th degree of caution “Do Not Travel” to Belarus

So please, do NOT travel to Belarus at this time – it is NOT SAFE.

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Recent Coronavirus Pandemic Information for Belarus

The situation with COVID in Belarus is rather sad. Dictator Lukashenko did not recognize the existence of COVID in early 2020, stating that it all was a western conspiracy. Hence, Belarus faced the pandemic completely unprepared. 

Throughout 2020-2021 there was no mask requirement, travel restrictions, quarantine, and no government help for businesses or people who lost their jobs. Doctors and hospitals were left completely on their own to struggle through the first wave. The Lukashenko government faked infection and death toll numbers. Anyone who spoke up on the real situation was fined, jailed, or lost their job.

Then in the summer of 2020, following the lost presidential elections and while clinging to power, Lukashenko unleashed an unprecedented wave of repression against the Belarus people. Many doctors and medical workers preferred to leave the country. There is not enough hospital equipment, medical staff, or medications.

PCR tests

You must present a negative PCR test result taken less than 72 hours before your arrival to Belarus. 

Quarantine

As of April 2022, there are no Covid-related quarantine requirements on crossing into Belarus.

Vaccinations

In spring 2021 Belarus somewhat started vaccinations. In Belarus, they offer vaccines produced by China and Russia. As of April 14 2022, only about 58% of the eligible population are vaccinated. 

Hence, we suggest that you think twice about your safety before you decide to travel to Belarus in 2022. At the very least, get vaccinated. Or better not visit Belarus at all at this time – t is not safe.

Funny-not-funny fact: Belarusian people had decided to take the covid safety into their own hands. For a while, there ran a movement “wear a mask if you are against Lukashenko”, which skyrocketed the masking uptake. To the point that the government had to OUTLAW mask-wearing! 

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Who Should NOT visit Belarus

NO, you do not have to be afraid of the Belarusian people. If you fall into one of the categories listed below, you have to take special concern for your safety and beware of ...the Belarusian police. 

AVOID TRAVEL TO BELARUS IN 2022 if you are:

• a journalist;
• a human rights activist;
• a lawyer;
• a member of the LGBTQ community;
• a citizen of Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, or the United States;
• Prefer to speak Belarusian or Ukrainian language in public;
• Have visible tattoos on your body;
• Like to wear white and red colors in your day-to-day wardrobe;
• Are not vaccinated from COVID;
• A young-looking fit male 16-45 yo. (yes, I know. but honestly… if you look like you could be a threat, you could be “taken” just in case)

Arbitrary random street stops and document checks by police, KGB, or military are still ok in Belarus. 

Also, like in the good old USSR, any foreigner can be targeted by the KGB. Hotel rooms, telephones, fax machines, and e-mail messages may be monitored. Personal possessions in hotel rooms may be searched. So if you do travel to Belarus, just make sure there is nothing in your possession that can be used against you, more on that later in the Digital Safety section. 

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Belarus Visa and Travel Requirements

Still, decided to Visit Belarus in 2022?

Here are some Belarus Travel Safety Basics and travel tips on how to get in and out of the country unharmed.

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How to Get to Belarus in 2022

In 2022, even though Belarus' land borders have opened up, traveling to Belarus remains a challenge. 

Flying into Belarus

There is one International Airport in Belarus – Minsk-2 Airport. 

In May 2021 Lukashenko’s regime hijacked a Ryanair flight from Greece to Lithuania. As the Ryanair flight was briefly passing Belarus airspace, KGB agents directed the airport workers to inform the flight that they have a bomb aboard. They then proceeded to force the plane to land in Minsk-2. All of this was done for one purpose only: to arrest a journalist Roman Protasevich, who was aboard that flight.

As a result, Europe has recognized the incident as government-led piracy and hijacking and now the Belarusian airspace is closed to all European airlines. Only Russian and Turkish airlines still fly into the country. 

Therefore, if you want to visit Belarus in 2022, you will have to do a stop-over in Russia or Turkey.

To make it even more interesting, none of the European or North American travel booking websites, such as Booking.com, Kayak, Trip.com, Tripadvisor, and even Expedia, will be able to even show you the results for even connecting flights destined for Belarus. This is happening due to  Canadian sanctions, sanctions implemented by the USA, European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Ukraine, and other developed nations. 

So don’t be surprised when you see the following message: “For regulatory reasons, we are unable to display results for this search.”

Crossing the Land Border

In March 2022, after almost 2 years of restrictions, Belarus finally opened up its land borders to international travelers and Belarusian citizens to come and go freely.  

It is possible to book a bus or a train to Belarus from neighboring countries – Poland and Lithuania.

Due to the War in Ukraine, Ukrainian borders remain locked up for good. 

If you travel from Russia – there are currently almost no limitations on travel either by train, bus, or car. With all the war-related sanctions it is tricky of course to get into Russia in 2022. 

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Tourist Visa to Belarus

In 2020-2022 international travelers from 80 countries could enter Belarus and stay for 30 days with no visa required.

To be eligible for a 30-days visa-free option international travelers must have:

• a valid passport or an appropriate substituting document for international travel;
• enough money. Complex calculations aside, a traveler must have at least $30 USD for every day of staying in Belarus;
• medical insurance with coverage that is not less than 10,000 EURO.

In addition, some regions in Brest and Grodno Provinces can be entered visa-free under an exception. Read on Brest regions visa exception and Grodno regions visa exception. 

If you are to enter Belarus via land border, if you require a longer time of stay, if your visit does not fall under an exception, or if you are otherwise not eligible for the 30-day visa-free option, the Republic of Belarus provides the following types of visas:

• transit, valid for 2 days;
• short-term with validity up to 90 days;
• long-term with validity up to 1 year and a stay of up to 90 days at a time.

Travelers can apply for Belarusian Visa at a local embassy or consulate: here is the list of all Belarusian embassies. 

NOTE: In 2021 Belarus decided to close a number of its embassies across the World as a result of the Belarus 2020 political crisis. For example, the Embassy in Ottawa, Canada ceased to exist as of September 1, 2021. 

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Passport & Registration

A passport is the main ID accepted in Belarus. 

When in Belarus, you MUST always carry your passport with you everywhere. 

In 2022 it is still ok for police officers to stop random people on the street and check ID. 

The second best thing is your driver’s license. However, it may not be accepted, for example, at a bar or a restaurant when ordering booze (if you look too young). 

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Health Insurance and Medical Services

While private clinics do exist, Belarus still has mostly free medical care for its citizens. 

Citizens of some countries can get free medical care in Belarus: Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and Russia.

If your home country is not on the list, you’ll need to purchase private health insurance. 

If you suddenly feel unwell, the medical emergency aid number is 103 or 112. An operator almost likely won’t speak English, so try to ask your friends, passers-by or local people for help explaining what is going on and your location. Or try to use the Google Translate application. 

READ THIS FAQ: MEDICAL CARE IN BELARUS

By the way, you should not worry about sky-rocket medical bills when in Belarus. If your insurance doesn't cover your treatment, in most cases you will be able to afford the care out of pocket. For example, a full medical check-up including blood tests is unlikely to cost you more than a hundred bucks. 

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What to NOT bring to Belarus

To avoid being arrested at crossing the border, do NOT bring the following

Symbolics

Do not bring Belarusian freedom symbols, such as white-red-white flags, pins, and “Pahonia” coat of arms. 

Similarly, due to Lukashenko's pro-Russia position, avoid bringing any kind of Ukrainian symbolics. 

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Prescription Marijuana

Belarus has strict drug-related laws. While in European and North American countries and states legal marijuana and other prescription drugs are perfectly normal and safe, bringing these with you (even with supporting medical documentation) will guarantee you end up in jail. 

In 2021, a prominent lawyer and an Israeli citizen was arrested at the Belarusian airport with medical marijuana and spent a month in jail.

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Recreational Drones

Although flying a recreational drone in Belarus is not illegal, each drone crossing the border must be registered with the Ministry of Defence. They then require you to submit any footage shot with your drone for review and analysis before you leave the country. 

In addition, you’ll risk attracting the attention of the KGB if you bring a drone with you.

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Digital Safety

Local Cell Phone Line

Bad news for you: all cell phone services, including pay-as-you-go lines, can only be bought and registered with the local Belarus passport. Therefore, if you need a line, it is best to ask someone you know, a friend or a colleague, to get you the local number. 

However, please note that all local cell phone services are government-controlled. There is little to no privacy in your phone calls or messages, as KGB can listen to and record anyone with a local number. Sometimes they even resort to duplicating your sim card, hence gaining access to your other applications registered with the number like Viber, WhatsApp, etc. Hence none of your private and personal information or correspondence is safe when you travel to Belarus.

Although it may seem more expensive, if you are concerned about your privacy and safety when traveling to Belarus, we strongly recommend you to be using the roaming option from your own cell phone. 

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Internet and VPN

Same as cell phone usage, all internet traffic is monitored. Many international websites are being blocked by providers. 

Setting up a reliable VPN service before traveling to Belarus is the pure minimum you can do for your digital safety. 

Our preferred VPN provider is ExpressVPN. Here are their setup guidelines. 

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Cell Phone Security, Laptop Security

As mentioned, again and again, arbitrary random street stops by Belarusian Police and document checks are still ok in Belarus. In fact, you should expect those and prepare for them.

If you do refuse, you risk spending the next few days in jail, while your phone or laptop will be confiscated as evidence. 

It is weirdly normal for a police officer to ask you to see your phone or your laptop. They will make you unblock it or enter a password for them to check what's on it. You can not refuse. 

**I know this sounds like a ridiculous horror story, but it is unfortunately the truth.

There are teams of hackers employed by the police that can easily hack into your phone or computer. If they find any incriminating data on there – you’ll risk remaining in jail for months or even years. 

So what do they try to find? Police usually look at social media accounts posts and subscriptions, as well as for any photo or video that can show your support for the anti-government movement.  

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Social Media Accounts & Internet Browsing

REMOVE any social media apps from your phone or logout off all social media accounts on your computer. Even if you are not an activist. No one is safe. 

People have been handed out sentences for as little as liking a post or commenting with a supportive emoji. Even being subscribed to an” extremist channel” – that is all democratic media – can guarantee trouble. 

Therefore for your own safety, and the safety of your kids, if they have phones when traveling to Belarus, please clean up and do not use your social media, unsubscribe from anything and everything even slightly “questionable”, and log out of all cloud accounts whether personal or work accounts. 

Clean up browsing history and all saved passwords – whether on your device or within your browser. 

BEST: do not bring your expensive device when traveling to Belarus – get a less expensive new or used device that will not have any data, browsing history or apps on it. 

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Photo Shoots & Video Filming in Belarus

Taking photographs of anything that could be perceived as being of military or security interest may result in problems with authorities; these sites are not always clearly marked and the application of these restrictions is subject to interpretation. In fact, any administrative building can be deemed an object of such interest. 

For example, the headquarters of the KGB in Minsk is a beautiful representation of Stalin Era post-world war architecture. Yet it is not safe near that location – you may be arrested for snapping a photo. 

You can be equally arrested for having photos and videos of pro-democracy protests on your device. 

REMOVE all “potentially incriminating” photos and videos from your computer and cellphone and turn off / log out from any cloud photo/video libraries and storage where you back up your media. 

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Do’s and Don’ts’ within Belarus

Do NOT display symbolics

You can and will be arrested for any public or private display of symbolics related to the democratic Belarus movement, or anything anti-war and anti-Russia.

Hence the white-red-white flag of Democratic Belarus, the “Pahonia” coat of arms, the Ukrainian flag, and any symbols associated with August 2020 elections candidates (fist, peace sign, or heart made with hands) will get you in trouble. 

Do NOT use a red-and-white or blue-yellow color combination

Do not wear red shoes with white socks. Do not wear a red blouse with a white jacket. Anything in a white and red combination may be treated as a display of anti-government symbolism.

Similarly, avoid using blue-yellow combinations in your wardrobe – as the police can take that for your public support of Ukraine. 

You can find yourself facing a charge under Belarus Law Article 23.34.

Article 23.34 is arbitrarily applied when according to the authorities they violate the Law on Mass Events and Public Protest. It may sound ridiculous, but you can be found guilty via 23.34 even for hanging a Canadian flag in your own apartment (‘cuz it is a red and white pattern). True story. 

Do NOT use a red-and-green or black-orange color combination

While you will be praised by the government for using “Belorussia” colors, the majority of Belarus people will regard such a display as your support for the Lukashenko regime and Russia’s occupation of Belarus and its war in Ukraine. 

All of a sudden you may be refused service at a shop or a cafe will face rudeness or will be ignored by regular people, will not get any smiles or kind words, and may even be secretly spit on. 

AVOID displaying tattoos and piercing

Looking different, having a tattoo, funky hair color or style, piercing, or wearing anything “out of the ordinary” will attract the attention of the local police and you’ll be stopped and checked.  

Do not attempt to give bribes when driving in Belarus

If you are pulled over in Belarus and are given a fine, they typically take your driver's license away from you to a local police station and will return it back to you only once you pay your fine. 

Do NOT attempt to give a bribe in Belarus, as is somewhat customary in Russia, Ukraine, and other post-USSR countries. You can be jailed for attempting to bribe a police officer. Most police officers in Belarus wear video registration devices on their chests. 

Do carry important contacts

In case you do get in trouble with the police, it is important you can get help quickly.

Do carry the name and phone number of a local English-speaking lawyer, and the contact info for the Consulate Services of the country you are from. 

Do turn on “find my phone” or “find my device” 

If your devices have location tracking functionality, turn it on. 

You can also install one of the “panic button” apps (when you press it, it sends your location to your friend with an emergency message) – in case you get “taken” by the police, your friends can locate you based on your device. 

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WHAT TO DO If You Do Get In Trouble

The local equivalents to the “911” emergency lines in Belarus are: 

• 101 for Fire and Rescue Squad 
• 102 for Police
• 103 for Ambulance (Medical Emergency)

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AVOID ALL CONTACT with Local Police

In Western countries, it is safe to approach a police officer at any time. Not in Belarus. 

If you need to ask for directions, ask anyone, literally anyone else, but do not approach the police. 

The absolute worst kind of police is OMON. These guys are absolute animals.

Human rights are non-existent in Belarus even in 2022. Hence do NOT rely on the police for anything at all, ‘cuz you can yourself end up in jail and become the regime hostage.

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Diplomatic Help

Your Belarus safety travel plan must include information, phones, and emails of your country's consulate or embassy. 

Here is the list of all Foreign Embassies in Belarus – in April 2022 you’ll find roughly 50+ embassies located in Minsk. 

Notoriously, there is no Embassy of Canada in Belarus – the closest reliable embassy of Canada is in Warsaw, Poland. There is also a Canadian Embassy in Moscow, Russia that you can make your way to in case the situation gets out of control and you’ll have to “escape” and “run for your life”. 

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Who to Contact If You Need a Doctor

If you suddenly feel unwell, the medical emergency aid number is 103 or 112. An operator almost likely won’t speak English, so try to ask your friends, passers-by, or local people for help explaining what is going on and your location. Or try to use the Google Translate app. 

READ THIS FAQ: MEDICAL CARE IN BELARUS

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If you were stopped or got in trouble with the Police

Cooperate. 

Be polite, answer questions, and do not resist document check, personal belongings check, or even your cell phone/computer check. You did clean up your devices before coming to Belarus, didn’t you?

Any sign of resistance will raise suspicion and, in the best-case scenario, you will end up in the police station. Worst case scenario will see you physically assaulted by the police, beaten up, and jailed with no legal or medical help provided. 

Politely ask for access to your lawyer and/or your embassy. 

Yes, you should carry the name and phone number of your lawyer with you, preferably an English Speaking person. This way they can contact your consulate or embassy on your behalf. 

Do NOT threaten or argue with the police officers, do not refuse to cooperate, answer their questions short and to the point. Yet politely insist to call the embassy. Or ask for a translator. 

Do NOT sign anything. 

You could be asked to sign a “protocol” for your detention. You’ll be told it is “just a formality”. Do NOT trust anyone. Especially if you can't read in Russian. Even if the police are using a translator to let you know what is written down. You have to politely refuse. 

AVOID speaking Belarusian, Ukrainian or Polish language 

Switch to Russian or English or other languages. With all the political and war-related challenges in Belarus, speaking these languages can and will be dangerous. At the minimum, you’ll get much harsher treatment. 

Do NOT mention that you are LGBTQ 

Although the general attitude of Belarusian people is very tolerant and kind towards the LGBTQ community, in Lukashenko’s Belorussia being gay is a direct threat to your personal safety. 

Do NOT mention that you are a journalist, a lawyer, a human rights activist, or a member of any non-profit. 

When the Police ask about your place of employment – it is better to lie than to admit you are one of the above. On learning that you are a journalist or an activist, an immediate call to KGB will follow and you’ll be handed over for a completely different treatment. 

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Concluding notes

Belarus is a beautiful country with awesome people, stunning landscapes, delicious food, ancient culture and history, and many cool landmarks and attractions. So it really does pain me to my heart to NOT RECOMMEND anyone to travel to Belarus in 2022. 

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Yet, once the turmoil is over, once the war on Ukraine is stopped, once Belarus is able to acquire new democratic leadership and opens up for international visitors – there are much to see and many places to travel to in Belarus. So please DO come when it is safe!

To plan your future travel to Belarus, we put together a Travel Guide for family travel to Belarus. In that post, we bring to light cool landmarks, attractions, historical landmarks, info about family-friendly destinations, and travel tips. In our other posts, we’ll add some historical photos from our time growing up and from our visits in the past decade. We only hope that it is all still there once the madness stops.

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Check out next: more tips on travel to Belarus

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Enjoy!

Cheerfully yours,

Alexandra, Alex & Cosmos

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