Ground assessment
We review your situation and identify the most appropriate ground for your application – considering your circumstances, the applicable requirements and the realistic timeline.
Temporary Residence Permit in Belarus
Licensed lawyers at AMBY Legal advise foreign nationals on obtaining a temporary residence permit in Belarus – identifying the correct ground, preparing the document package and managing the application from start to finish.
Our clients
Temporary Residence Permit in Belarus
A temporary residence permit – РВП – allows a foreign national to stay in Belarus for more than 90 days per year. It is typically issued for one year. It is tied to a specific ground and must be renewed before it expires.
The process is defined and predictable. But it requires correct preparation from the outset – the right documents, the right translations and legalisations, submitted to the right office at the right time. An error at any of these points adds weeks or months to the process. We manage the full application on behalf of our clients – from ground assessment and document preparation through to permit issuance.
Grounds for a Temporary Residence Permit
The grounds for obtaining a temporary residence permit include: basis for acquiring Belarusian citizenship; previous Belarusian citizenship; ownership of residential property in Belarus; inability to leave the country for any reason; no country willing to accept the foreigner; receiving medical treatment in a Belarusian hospital or accompanying a person receiving such treatment; and other grounds provided for by law.
In practice the most common grounds are the following.
Employment with a Belarusian employer: A foreign national employed under a contract with a registered Belarusian company can obtain a temporary residence permit for the duration of the employment.
Employment at an HTP resident company: Employees of Hi-Tech Park resident companies are exempt from the work permit requirement. The residence permit is issued for the duration of the employment contract.
Marriage to a Belarusian citizen: A foreign spouse of a Belarusian citizen can obtain a temporary residence permit on family grounds.
Ownership of residential property: A foreign national who owns residential real estate in Belarus can obtain a temporary residence permit. Ownership alone is not sufficient – a formal application is required.
Previous Belarusian citizenship: Former citizens of Belarus who have lost their citizenship have access to this ground.
Grounds for acquiring Belarusian citizenship: Where a foreign national qualifies for citizenship – through ancestry, marriage or other grounds – this itself is a basis for a temporary residence permit pending the citizenship application.
Medical treatment: A foreign national receiving medical treatment in Belarus, or accompanying a family member receiving treatment, can obtain a temporary residence permit for the duration of the treatment.
Legal Opinion in Belarus
Obtain a legal opinion in Belarus considering international standards and local regulations.
Documents Required
The standard document package applies to all applicants, with additional documents specific to the ground.
Standard documents required in all cases: completed application form; valid foreign passport with at least 90 days validity beyond the expected departure date and space for entry and exit stamps; documents confirming the ground for the application; documents confirming the right to reside at a specific address in Belarus – typically a tenancy agreement for up to one year; financial documents confirming sufficient means – bank statements and income certificates; receipt confirming payment of the state fee.
Additional documents by ground: employment contract and special work permit; HTP resident company letter for IT specialists; marriage certificate with apostille and notarised translation; property ownership extract; medical documents for treatment-based applications.
Document legalisation: All foreign documents require a notarised Russian translation. Documents from CIS countries do not require apostille under the Minsk Convention. Documents from other countries require apostille or full consular legalisation depending on the country of issue
Our Services
Document preparation
We prepare the full application package – coordinating apostilles, notarised translations and any additional documents required for your specific ground.
Application management
We manage the full application process – from initial document preparation through to permit issuance – liaising with the citizenship and migration department on your behalf.
Renewal management
We track your permit expiry and manage the renewal process – ensuring you remain in legal status without interruption.
Employer immigration compliance
We advise Belarusian employers on their obligations when hiring foreign nationals and manage individual permit applications on behalf of employers.
Why choose us
English-speaking
We work in English and Russian – essential for foreign nationals navigating a system that operates entirely in Belarusian and Russian.
HTP expertise
We have specific expertise in the HTP immigration route – the fastest and most efficient pathway for IT professionals relocating to Belarus.
Remote preparation
We prepare the full document package remotely – coordinating apostilles and translations without requiring the client to be in Belarus until the application is ready to submit.
Honest assessment
We tell clients upfront if a particular ground is unsuitable for their circumstances – saving time and money before any steps are taken.
End-to-end service
End-to-end: We handle the full process from ground assessment to permit issuance and renewal.
FAQ
What is a temporary residence permit in Belarus?
A temporary residence permit allows a foreign national to legally reside in Belarus for more than 90 days per year. It is issued for up to one year, tied to a specific ground, and must be renewed before it expires. It is different from a permanent residence permit, which is open-ended and provides broader rights.
What are the most common grounds for a temporary residence permit?
Employment with a Belarusian employer, employment at an HTP resident company, marriage to a Belarusian citizen, ownership of residential property, previous Belarusian citizenship, grounds for acquiring citizenship, and medical treatment in Belarus. We assess which ground applies to your specific situation during the initial consultation.
Do I need a special work permit before applying for a residence permit?
Yes – for most employment-based applications, the employer must first obtain a special work permit for the foreign employee. The exception is employment at HTP resident companies, where the work permit requirement is waived. We manage both the work permit and the residence permit process.
Can I change my registered address while holding a temporary residence permit?
This requires notifying the citizenship and migration department. You are required to reside at the address specified in your permit. Changing your address without following the correct procedure is a common reason for cancellation of the permit. We advise on the correct process for address changes.
What happens if my ground for the permit changes – for example if I change employer?
If the ground for your permit changes – such as moving to a new employer – you need to update your permit accordingly. Continuing to hold a permit on a ground that no longer applies is a violation. We advise clients on the correct steps when their circumstances change.
Can citizens of Russia and other EAEU countries obtain a temporary residence permit more easily?
Yes – citizens of EAEU member states benefit from simplified procedures. Russian citizens in particular have additional advantages – their documents do not require apostille under the Minsk Convention, and the entry arrangements are more flexible. We advise EAEU citizens on the specific simplified procedures available to them.