A permanent residence permit – ВНЖ – is a separate document that gives a foreign national the right to reside in Belarus permanently without time restriction. It is different from a temporary residence permit, which is issued as a stamp in the passport and is valid for up to one year. The permanent residence permit gives significantly broader rights – closer to those of a Belarusian citizen.
Since September 2021, the permanent residence permit is issued as a biometric card – a plastic card with graphic information – similar to a Belarusian citizen’s identification card.
Obtaining a permanent residence permit is a significant step – it requires meeting one of the defined legal grounds, preparing a substantial document package, and navigating a process that can take between one and four months depending on the ground. We manage the full process for our clients.
Obtain a legal opinion in Belarus considering international standards and local regulations.
The document package includes: autobiography; foreign travel document; four colour photographs 40x50mm on one sheet; criminal record certificate issued not more than six months ago; medical certificate confirming absence of dangerous diseases; marriage certificate where applicable; document confirming lawful stay in Belarus such as a temporary residence permit; and other documents depending on the specific ground.
*For applicants aged 14 to 60, fingerprinting is required. A medical examination is required for all applicants aged 14 and over.
*All foreign documents must be translated into Belarusian or Russian and the translation notarially certified.
Additional documents by ground: close relative relationship documents – birth certificates, marriage certificates with apostille and notarised translation; proof of five years of lawful residence – previous temporary residence permits; employer petition and executive committee approval for specialist applicants; investment confirmation documents; ancestry documents for ethnic Belarusians.
Obtain a legal opinion in Belarus considering international standards and local regulations.
A temporary residence permit is issued as a stamp in the passport, is valid for up to one year, and is tied to a specific ground such as employment or property ownership. A permanent residence permit is a separate biometric card, has no time limit, and gives rights close to those of a Belarusian citizen including the right to work without a separate work permit.
The standard qualifying period is five consecutive years of lawful residence in Belarus on a temporary residence permit. For highly qualified workers, the period is reduced to three years. Other grounds – family connection, investment, ethnic Belarusian origin, Russian citizenship – do not require a prior qualifying period of residence.
Yes. Under the bilateral Belarus-Russia treaty, Russian citizenship alone is a sufficient basis to apply for a permanent residence permit in Belarus under a simplified procedure. The standard qualifying residence period does not apply.
Processing times depend on the ground and the category of applicant – the maximum periods are 1, 2 and 4 months. Document preparation – obtaining apostilles, notarised translations, criminal record certificates, medical certificates and fingerprinting – takes additional time and should be started well in advance.
Yes. After holding a permanent residence permit and residing in Belarus for seven years, a foreign national can apply for Belarusian citizenship by naturalisation. We advise on the full pathway from permanent residence to citizenship.
