When comparing the Belarus eVisa vs regular visa, UK travellers must weigh online convenience against long-term flexibility. The eVisa offers a 30-day single-entry stay processed in seven calendar days for €66. The embassy visa supports multiple entries up to 5 years and costs €60. UK citizens can also visit visa-free for up to 30 days through 31 December 2026.
Belarus eVisa for UK Travellers in 2026: What You Need to Know
BLUF: UK ordinary passport holders are eligible for the Belarus eVisa (single-entry, 30 days, €66) and the embassy visa (multiple-entry, up to 5 years, €60).
The Belarus eVisa, launched on 20 March 2025 under decree No. 953 of 16 December 2024, is a single-entry individual visa for citizens of 67 eligible countries including the UK. UK ordinary passport holders apply online via the E-Pasluga portal without uploading a photo, passport scan, or visa support documents. Maximum stay: 30 calendar days, primarily for tourism, business, and cultural or sporting events.
Passport must be valid ≥90 days after departure with ≥1 blank page. Medical/repatriation insurance with minimum €10,000 coverage is required. The visa-free regime is retained per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus: UK citizens may enter without a visa for up to 30 days through 31 December 2026.
How to Apply for the Belarus eVisa: Step by Step
BLUF: UK applicants create a non-strict E-Pasluga account, fill in personal and travel details, pay by Mastercard, and receive the eVisa within seven calendar days.
Create an E-Pasluga account
Access the E-Pasluga portal and log in via non-strict authentication (email, phone, Google, or Apple). No ID-card required.
Select service and enter data
Choose service code 3.04.01. Fill in personal, passport, and travel data. No passport scan, photo, or invitation letter required.
Pay and wait
Pay €60 consular fee + €6 internet-acquiring and service fee via Mastercard Worldwide only. Visa, Belkart, UnionPay not accepted. Processing: seven calendar days, no express option. Apply ≥7 days before entry.
Download and carry
Download the eVisa PDF. Print or store digitally; carry when entering, leaving, and during stay. Verification: authorities scan the QR code via the E-Pasluga mobile application.
Warning: inaccurate information results in refusal of entry to Belarus.
Belarus Embassy Visa: Documents and Process
BLUF: The embassy visa requires a paper application, passport photo (3.5 × 4.5 cm), an invitation letter or tourist voucher, and in-person submission. Standard processing: five working days.
Available types: Transit (B, up to 1 year), Short-term (C, up to 90 days), Long-term (D, up to 5 years, multiple entry). Apply at the Embassy of Belarus in London or any consulate.
- Completed paper application form (signed)
- Passport photo: 3.5 × 4.5 cm, taken within 6 months, face covering 70-80%
- Original passport (valid ≥90 days after departure, ≥2 blank pages) + copy
- Invitation letter or tourist voucher (key difference from the eVisa)
- Medical/repatriation insurance: minimum €10,000, valid in Belarus (providers: Belgosstrakh, Eximgarant of Belarus)
- Consular fee: €60 for UK citizens
Processing: 5 working days standard, 2 working days urgent. Children under 14: consular fee exempt. Visa on Arrival at Minsk National Airport, Consular Center, ground floor, sector 1/2, Minsk 220054 (phone: +375 17 279 20 58).
eVisa vs Embassy Visa: Full Comparison Table
BLUF: The Belarus eVisa vs regular visa comparison shows the eVisa is faster and paperless for short trips; the embassy visa is the only option for multiple entries, stays over 30 days, or Belarus-Russia itineraries.
| Criterion | Belarus eVisa | Embassy Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Consular fee (UK adult) | €60 | €60 |
| Service fee | €6 (mandatory | None |
| Total (UK adult, excl. insurance) | €66 | €60 |
| Processing time | 7 calendar days | 5 working days (2 urgent) |
| Entry type | Single-entry | Single, double, or multiple |
| Maximum stay | 30 days | Up to 90 days (C) or 5 years (D) |
| Maximum validity | 30 days | Up to 5 years (D visa) |
| Documents required | Passport data only (online) | 5-7 physical items |
| Photo required | No | Yes (3.5 × 4.5 cm) |
| Invitation/voucher required | No | Yes |
| Embassy visit required | No | Yes |
| Entry checkpoints | All international checkpoints | No restrictions |
| Valid for Russia travel | No (excluded from agreement) | Yes (covered by agreement) |
| Best for | Short trips ≤30 days, no Russia | Longer stays, multiple entries, Russia itineraries |
Cost Comparison: How Much Does Each Visa Cost?
BLUF: The eVisa costs €60 consular + €6 mandatory internet-acquiring and service fee = €66 for UK adults; the embassy visa costs €60, making the eVisa €6 more expensive.
The €6 internet-acquiring and service fee is charged to every eVisa applicant regardless of age or citizenship, paid once when submitting. UK children under 14: €0 consular + €6 service = €6. Embassy visa children under 14: €0 total (consular exempt).
Insurance (both types): minimum €10,000, purchased separately. Financial means requirement: at least 2 base amounts per day (Br45 ≈ USD 14 per base amount), 50 base amounts for a 30-day stay.
Payment: E-Pasluga accepts Mastercard Worldwide only. UK Visa debit card holders should use a Revolut or prepaid Mastercard.
Belarus eVisa Entry Rules, Checkpoints, and the Russia Exclusion
BLUF: The Belarus eVisa vs regular visa distinction is critical at the border: the eVisa is valid at all international checkpoints but cannot be used to cross into or out of Russia.
The eVisa is valid at all international checkpoints, including airports, rail, and land borders. The embassy visa carries no entry-point restrictions.
Critical: The Belarus-Russia mutual recognition of visas agreement (signed 19 June 2020, effective 11 January 2025) explicitly excludes eVisas due to technical reasons. eVisa holders cannot cross the Belarus-Russia border in either direction. If your itinerary includes Russia, apply for an embassy visa, which permits transit through 6 designated land crossings: Yukhovichi-Dolossy, Yezeryshche-Nevel, Lyozno-Kruglovka, Redki-Krasnaya Gorka, Zvenchatka-Dubovichka, and Selishche-Novozybkov.
Migration card may be requested at the border. Registration: all visa holders must register with local authorities if their stay exceeds 10 days; hotels register guests automatically; private stays require police registration within 10 days.
Which Visa Should You Choose? Decision Guide
BLUF: Choose the eVisa for short tourist trips under 30 days with no Russia travel; choose the embassy visa for multiple entries, stays over 30 days, or Belarus-Russia itineraries.
- Choose the eVisa if: trip ≤30 days, tourism only, no Russia; you hold a Mastercard; you want a fully online process.
- Choose the embassy visa if: trip exceeds 30 days; you need multiple entries; you plan to visit Russia; you require a business, study, or work visa; or you want validity up to 5 years.
- Visa-free alternative: UK ordinary passport holders can visit Belarus visa-free for up to 30 days through 31 December 2026. After that, the eVisa will be the only online option for short stays.
- If refused: reapply via E-Pasluga with corrected data, or apply for an embassy visa.
- Extension: no in-country extension for the eVisa. The 30-day cap is firm. Apply for a long-term embassy visa before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for Belarus in 2026?
UK citizens can visit visa-free for up to 30 days through 31 December 2026. For longer stays, the eVisa (30 days, single-entry) or embassy visa (up to 5 years) applies.
What is the difference between the Belarus eVisa and a regular visa?
The eVisa is applied online via E-Pasluga (single-entry, 30 days, €66, no photo needed). The embassy visa is applied in person (multiple entries, up to 5 years, €60, photo and invitation required).
Which is better: the Belarus eVisa or the embassy visa?
For short trips ≤30 days with no Russia travel, the eVisa. For longer stays or Belarus-Russia itineraries, the embassy visa is the only option.
Can I use a Belarus eVisa to enter Russia?
No. The mutual recognition agreement (effective 11 January 2025) excludes eVisas. You need an embassy visa to cross the Belarus-Russia border.
How long does it take to get a Belarus eVisa?
Up to seven calendar days from submission. No express option. Apply ≥7 days before entry. Embassy visa: 5 working days standard, 2 urgent.
How much does the Belarus eVisa cost for UK travellers?
UK adults: €66 (€60 + €6 service). Children under 14: €6. Embassy visa: €60 adults, €0 children. Insurance (≥€10,000) separate.
Can I extend my Belarus eVisa without leaving the country?
No. No in-country extension for eVisas. The 30-day cap is firm. Apply for a long-term embassy visa (up to 5 years) before departure.
What documents do I need for the embassy visa that the eVisa does not require?
A passport photo (3.5 × 4.5 cm), an invitation letter or tourist voucher, and a paper application form. The eVisa requires none of these.
Do children need separate applications for the Belarus eVisa?
Yes. Each traveller needs an individual E-Pasluga account. UK children under 14 are exempt from the consular fee but pay the €6 service fee.
Do I need to register with local authorities after entering Belarus?
If your stay exceeds 10 days, yes. Hotels register automatically; private stays require police registration within 10 days. Applies to both visa types.
What payment methods does the E-Pasluga portal accept?
Mastercard Worldwide only. Visa, Belkart, and UnionPay not accepted. UK Visa debit card holders should use a Revolut or prepaid Mastercard.
What happens if my Belarus eVisa application is refused?
You receive a refusal notification in your E-Pasluga account. You may reapply with corrected data or apply for an embassy visa. Inaccurate information can cause refusal of entry to Belarus.
Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus (mfa.gov.by); E-Pasluga portal (e-pasluga.by); Belarus travel portal (belarus.by). National Centre of E-Services: 64 Pritytskogo street, Minsk 220140, Republic of Belarus. Last updated: 7 September 2026.
