Family document preparation
We prepare a complete document checklist for each family member and manage the apostille and translation process – coordinated with the primary applicant's case.
Family Relocation to Belarus
Licensed lawyers at AMBY Legal help foreign nationals bring their families to Belarus – residence permits for spouses and children, document preparation, registration and practical settlement support.
Our clients
Bringing Your Family to Belarus
Relocating to Belarus is rarely a solo decision. Whether you are moving for work, joining a Belarusian spouse, or settling permanently – your family comes with you. Belarus has a defined legal framework for family reunification that allows spouses, children and dependent relatives of foreign residents to obtain their own residence permits and live legally in the country.
The process is manageable but requires correct preparation. Your residence permit does not automatically cover your family – each family member must apply separately, with their own document package. And the timing matters: applications can only be submitted after you have established your own legal residence basis in Belarus.
We manage family relocation cases end-to-end – from the initial document checklist through to permits in hand, registration completed and the family settled.
Who Has the Right to Family Reunification in Belarus
Belarusian law – Article 52 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens – defines who can come to Belarus under the right to family reunification.
The following family members have the right to family reunification with a foreign national permanently residing in Belarus or with a Belarusian citizen: spouse; minor children and adopted children; adult unmarried children and adopted children who are unable to care for themselves; dependent disabled parents and adoptive parents.
In certain cases the right to family reunification may also be granted to other relatives – stepparents, half-siblings – provided the inviting person has sufficient housing conditions and a legal source of income that covers the subsistence minimum for the entire family during the application review period.
Family reunification is a ground for a permanent residence permit – not a temporary one. For spouses and children of foreign nationals holding only a temporary residence permit, family reunification through a residence permit on family grounds is the practical route.
Residence Permit for a Spouse
A foreign national who is married to a person legally residing in Belarus – whether a Belarusian citizen or a foreign national with a residence permit – can apply for a residence permit on family grounds.
For a temporary residence permit: marriage to a Belarusian citizen is a ground for a temporary residence permit. The processing time is 30 days rather than the standard 15 – this allows time to verify that the marriage is genuine and not fictitious. The permit is initially issued for one year with the right to renew.
For a permanent residence permit: close relatives and spouses of Belarusian citizens permanently residing in Belarus have the right to apply directly for a permanent residence permit – without first obtaining a temporary one. This is one of the fastest routes to permanent residence in Belarus.
The marriage must be genuine and legally registered. A certificate of marital status – confirming the applicant is not married to anyone else – issued not more than six months before the application, is required for adult applicants who are children of Belarusian citizens or permanent residents applying on family reunification grounds.
Legal Opinion in Belarus
Obtain a legal opinion in Belarus considering international standards and local regulations.
Residence Permit for Children
Minor children of a foreign national legally residing in Belarus can apply for residence permits on family grounds. The application follows the same process as the parent’s application but requires the child’s own document package – birth certificate with apostille and notarised translation, passport, and documentation confirming the family relationship.
Children who are minors at the time of application are included in the parent’s application package in most cases. Adult children who are unmarried and unable to care for themselves can also apply on family grounds – with additional documentation confirming their dependency status.
Our Services
Residence permit applications
We manage residence permit applications for spouses and children – timing the submissions to minimise the gap between the primary applicant's permit and the family's permits.
Visa advice
We advise on the correct entry visa for each family member's nationality – ensuring the family enters Belarus on the right basis for the residence permit application.
Registration support
We ensure all family members are correctly registered at their place of residence within the required ten-day window.
School enrolment advice
We advise on the enrolment process and document requirements for children attending Belarusian schools.
Bank account opening
We assist with opening bank accounts for family members after their residence permits are issued.
Why choose us
Family as a unit
We manage the primary applicant's case and the family's cases together – coordinating timing and document preparation to minimise the total elapsed time.
Nationality-specific advice
Document requirements differ significantly depending on where the family is from. We give specific, accurate advice for each nationality.
Remote preparation
We prepare the full document package before the family travels – the process moves as quickly as possible after arrival.
English-speaking
We work in English and Russian – essential for families navigating a process that operates entirely in Belarusian and Russian.
End-to-end
From the first document checklist to permits issued, school enrolled and bank accounts open – we handle the full relocation.
FAQ
Can my family come to Belarus at the same time as me?
In practice, it is better to stagger the applications slightly – your own residence permit application needs to be submitted first, as your legal residence status is the basis for your family’s applications. However, the gap can be minimised with correct planning. We advise on the optimal timing for each family.
Do my children need their own residence permits?
Yes. Each family member – including minor children – needs their own residence permit. Minor children are processed as part of the family application but each child requires their own documentation and will receive their own permit.
Can my family enter Belarus on a visa-free basis and then apply for residence permits?
No. Family members must enter on an appropriate long-term visa before submitting residence permit applications. A visa-free entry cannot be converted into a residence permit application. We advise on the correct visa category for each family member’s nationality before they travel.
Does my spouse automatically get the right to work with a family residence permit?
A temporary residence permit on family grounds gives the right to reside in Belarus but does not automatically give the right to work. To work legally, your spouse would typically need a work permit – unless they fall within an exempt category such as EAEU citizenship or HTP employment. We advise on the options.
How long does it take to get residence permits for the whole family?
The timeline depends on the type of permit and the document preparation process. Temporary residence permits on family grounds take 30 days to process after a complete application is submitted. Document preparation – obtaining criminal record certificates, apostilles and translations – typically takes four to eight weeks. We provide a realistic timeline estimate for each family’s specific circumstances.