Russia and Belarus are not only members of the Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union, but are considered the closest states to each other in the CIS. This situation could not but affect the passport and visa policies of the countries - citizens of Russia have the right to enter Belarus without a passport, presenting only a civil passport of the Russian Federation.
Relations between Russia and the Republic of Belarus
Russia and Belarus are the closest allies in the economic and political plane. At the end of 1999, an agreement was signed on the founding of the Union State. It was planned that this supranational association would completely eliminate the de facto border between countries and promote absolutely free movement of the population from one state to another.
In 2006, the states signed an agreement on the freedom of movement and stay of citizens of both countries. This agreement secured the rights of residents of Russia to freely enter Belarus, stay and reside in a neighboring country, as well as free transit through its territory.
From that time on, Russians can cross the border with Belarus with a civil passport. Similar rights were granted to Belarusians in Russia. However, the customs control between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus was not fully canceled.
Despite the proximity of both states, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus often faced crises associated with the opposite interests of the two states. These problems also influenced the mutual migration policy of the countries. For example, a few years ago Russia was forced to introduce border zones, the opening of which was associated with the granting of the right of visa-free entry by the Belarusian authorities to residents of countries that have a visa regime with Russia. However, this innovation did not affect the mutual passage of the border by residents of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.
Entry rules to Belarus
In most cases, Russians can go to Belarus, taking with them only a civilian passport. Moreover, there is no full-fledged border control between the two countries. This means that they can check a passport at the border, but Russians are not required to enter information into a migration card or go through customs inspection.
Also, citizens of the Russian Federation have the right to enter the territory of a friendly state by presenting other documents:
- International passport;
- Service and diplomatic passports;
- Seafarer's ID.
After entering the territory of the Republic of Belarus, citizens of the Russian Federation have the right to stay in the country up to 30 dayswithout registering at the place of residence or stay. After this period, it is necessary to register with an authorized organization (body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, housing cooperative, management company, HOA, etc.).
In some cases, citizens of the Russian Federation will need other documents to enter the territory of the Republic of Belarus and move freely around the country.
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When you need a passport
A passport will not be superfluous on a trip to Belarus. Russians are free to come to Belarus with a civil passport, but they are also entitled to use a foreign passport, as it is an equivalent identity card intended for use abroad.
Also, a foreigner may be needed in the following cases:
- If a citizen of the Russian Federation plans to travel from Belarus to neighboring states (Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Poland), Russians are granted access to these countries only upon presentation of a foreigner;
- If a Russian arrives in the Republic of Belarus from a third country with which the Republic of Belarus has not concluded an agreement on the free movement of citizens (any countries that are not members of the EAEU Customs Union).
Documents when traveling with children
When traveling to Belarus with a child, under the age of 14 and those who do not have a civil passport of the Russian Federation, it is necessary to present his birth certificate. Additionally, it is required that information about the child was reflected in the passport of the accompanying parent. This provision for the entry of minors is specially fixed in the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of Belarus.
If the child does not enter with his parents, then the accompanying person must have a notarized power of attorney to take the child out of Russia. Only then will the representatives of the law enforcement bodies of the neighboring state make sure that the child is in Belarus legally and his rights are not violated.
Entering the country by car
There is virtually no customs control at the border of the two countries, although border points are functioning. Entry by car is also carried out with a civil passport of the Russian Federation.
Also, the necessary documents for the car include:
- Vehicle Certificate (STS);
- International driving license;
- International policy of OSAGO Green Card.
In the absence of an international policy, you can insure motor vehicle liability right at the border at the branch of the state insurance company Belgosstrakh. The cost of the policy for the shortest possible period of 15 days — about 1200 rubles.
There is no customs and border control only at the Russian-Belarusian border. When entering the Republic of Belarus through third countries (Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine) passing cars are inspected by border guards and customs officials.
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It is prohibited to import into Belarus:
- Specialized electronic devices;
- Weapon;
- Explosives;
- Narcotic drugs, etc.
Customs duties are levied on the import of goods in excess of the established norm for personal use and consumption. It is allowed to import without paying duties:
- Up to 2 liters of alcoholic beverages (maximum 5 liters is allowed);
- Up to 5 pieces of jewelry.
When importing these goods in excess of the established rate, customs duties are levied. Also, Belarus is allowed to freely import up to 200 cigarettes or 200 grams of tobacco (import of more is prohibited).
Crossing the border by train
Crossing the border by train is almost invisible to passengers. They are exempt from border control and customs inspection, regardless of whether they are transit passengers, or the final station of their journey is one of the Belarusian cities.
Passport control is carried out by conductors when boarding a carriage and is similar to checking documents when driving along Russian domestic rail routes.
Travel by plane
Flights between states that are members of the Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union are considered domestic. This means that aircraft passengers are exempt from border and customs controls.
Passport control is carried out at the place of departure at the Russian airport of departure. Upon arrival at the airports of Belarus, passengers holding RF civil passports are not screened.
The Russian-Belarusian border is practically transparent. Russians can cross it with a civil passport and are not subject to customs inspection. Arriving in Belarus from another country, you can also count on going through passport control with a civil passport, but you will have to go through the border inspection and enter the information in the customs declaration.
