WHAT IS A STUDENT VISA?
Every foreign student who wants to obtain higher education abroad usually requires a student visa. Same goes with Belarus: all international students have to undergo the process of applying for a student visa (there are a few exceptions you can find further below in this article). Even if the country of your citizenship is included in the list of 30 days visa-free stay in Belarus, it doesn't count if you are coming to study abroad.
WHO DOES NOT NEED TO GET A VISA TO STUDY IN BELARUS?
Citizens of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine. All the rest is required to obtain a visa to study in Belarus.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A STUDENT VISA IN BELARUS?
Officially, our student visa is called a category “C” short-term visa with the purpose of “studying in the Republic of Belarus”. You can apply for your student visa either at a diplomatic mission of the Republic of Belarus in your country or at the Consulate General of the Minsk National Airport (if there is no Belarusian diplomatic mission in your country). In the second case, it is important to pre-collect the required set of documents and have it with you on arrival.
Step 1. Choose a university and apply for an invitation to study
There are many worthy universities in Belarus with which MyUniver has established partnerships. Depending on your preferences, we will recommend you the best places to study abroad—with interesting educational programs and suitable tuition fees. We will also assist with an official invitation. It will be prepared in a short time, all you need is to prepare the following documents:
- a copy of your passport (or another official identity document)
- a copy of your educational certificate (with a list of subjects studied and marks on them);
- a medical fitness certificate, including a certificate of HIV-negative status (depending on the university).
A copy of the invitation letter will be sent to you by e-mail. It must be attached to the set of documents for applying to the consular department of the Embassy of Belarus in your country. In case the consular department requires the original document, we will also mail it to you.
Step 2. Prepare the documents required for a student visa
Gathering documents required for a student visa should be done as carefully as possible. This affects not only the successful obtaining of a visa for study, but also admission to the chosen university. In addition to the official invitation letter, you will have to collect the following set of documents:
- valid passport (international passport if there is a separate one);
- visa application form (completed without errors);
- one photo (size 35x45 mm);
- a copy of your educational certificate (with a list of subjects studied and marks on them);
- a medical fitness certificate including a certificate for HIV- negative status;
- money in cash required to pay for consular fees, tuition fees and accommodation in the country;
- insurance policy valid in Belarus for the period of study (depending on the state of citizenship);
Please note: all copies and original documents must be translated into one of the official languages—Russian or Belarusian—and these translations have to be notarized. The validity of your passport must be at least one year (maximum term of a temporary residence permit).
Step 3. Apply for your student visa
When you have completed the set of documents, make an
appointment at the consular department of the Embassy of Belarus in your
country. Information on reception hours and dates can be found on the official
website of the Embassy (you can check whether there is a Belarusian diplomatic
mission in your country here). Refresh your knowledge about the university you
have chosen, your future major, as well as some brief information about
Belarus. This will help you to pass the interview at the consular department
successfully. MyUniver provides each applicant with all this information, and
you can always find it on our platform. A student visa costs 60 euro and takes
5 working days to be issued, if you are applying at a diplomatic mission.
Consular fees at the Minsk National Airport are a higher and total 90 euro.
Step 4. Arrival in Belarus and registration
After you arrive in Belarus, you have 5 days to submit documents for your local registration. The department of international relations of your university is responsible for helping you with this (MyUniver can also provide assistance on a paid basis, in case you need it). At first, you will have to submit documents for your temporary registration, which will be valid until your visa expires, while you are undergoing the procedure of your enrollment at the university.
To apply for the temporary registration, you will have to submit to the department of international relations of your university:
- a valid passport (with a valid visa);
- a receipt confirming the payment of state fee (~15USD).
Step 5. Admission to the university abroad.
The admission to the university in Belarus is very easy. You have to provide the university with a set of documents similar to the list mentioned in the paragraph about the invitation letter—with the only difference that the documents must be in the original instead of copies. Your university will conclude a contract with you on the tuition fees for your education abroad. The cost depends on the particular university, educational program and language of study.
REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN STUDENTS IN BELARUS
In case of successful admission to the university, you will get a permanent registration for 1 year (the right to temporary residence). The procedure of registration is the same. The following documents must be submitted to the international relations department:
- a valid passport with visa;
- a notarized translation of your passport (made in Belarus);
- an insurance policy valid in Belarus for the period of study (depending on the state of citizenship);
- a receipt confirming the payment of state fee (~35USD);
- two photos (size 35×45 mm).
The validity of a temporary residence permit in
Belarus is issued depending on the validity of the passport, an insurance policy,
a residential tenancy agreement (if a student rents a flat).
During the period of study, foreign students are required to live at the place
of registration. In case of accommodation in the dormitory, the registration
address will be the address of the dormitory. When changing the actual place of
residence, a foreign student is obliged to inform the relevant department of
the university within 5 days and undergo the re-registration procedure.
HOW TO EXTEND TEMPORARY RESIDENCE?
Extension of registration for a similar period (when switching to another course) is carried out in advance—no later than 15 days before the expiration of the temporary residence permit for study. The procedure is the same.
HOW TO FORMALIZE A DEPARTURE HOME?
In order to visit your homeland during the holidays or to return after graduation, you need to apply for an exit/entry or exit visa. To do this, you must:
- write an application to the dean;
- pay the state fee and present a receipt;
- hand over the passport to the authorized person of the passport and visa service body no later than 15 working days before the planned departure date.
The validity of an exit-entry visa is 90 days
(includes the date of entry and exit). The period of temporary residence is
taken into account at the time of opening the visa. If the period of residence
ends when the student is outside of Belarus, only an exit visa will be issued
to him/her.
When the visa is ready, the passport is returned to the student only after the following documents have been handed over to the dean's office:
- departure clearance checklist;
- student ID;
- student’s record book.
In case of expulsion, the student must submit
documents for departure to the dean's office within 10 days and leave the
territory of Belarus within one month. Otherwise, a foreign citizen will be
deported from the country with deprivation of the right to enter the territory
of the Republic of Belarus for up to 5 years. All expenses related to
deportation are borne by a foreign student: a fine of up to 50 basic values
(~540USD) and administrative liability.
”ALL INCLUSIVE" PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE
At first glance, the procedure of issuing an invitation, obtaining a visa and enrollment to the chosen university may seem complicated and confusing for a student who wants to study abroad. But don't you worry! MyUniver provides the best study abroad guidance to everyone, so feel free to contact us with all your questions. We do not charge for our consultations. And in case you feel like you need full supervision, you can use our "All Inclusive" service on a paid basis—in this case, one of our specialists will accompany you through all the important steps. With MyUniver your application and enrollment will be simple and pleasant.
