Do not Travel to Belarus due to the arbitrary enforcement of laws, and risk of detention. Reconsider travel due to COVID–19 and related entry restrictions.
Country Summary: Belarusian authorities have detained tens of thousands of individuals, including U.S. citizens, for alleged affiliations with opposition parties and alleged participation in political demonstrations. U.S. citizens in the vicinity of the demonstrations have been arrested. Some have been victims of harassment and/or mistreatment by Belarusian officials. The Belarusian authorities have targeted individuals associated with independent and foreign media. On May 23, the Belarusian authorities forced the landing of a commercial aircraft transiting Belarusian airspace in order to arrest an opposition journalist who was a passenger.
Belarus enforces special restrictions on dual U.S.-Belarusian nationals and may refuse to acknowledge dual U.S.-Belarusian nationals’ U.S. citizenship, including denying or delaying U.S. consular assistance to detained dual nationals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Belarus due to COVID-19, indicating a high level of COVID-19 in the country. There are restrictions in place affecting U.S. citizen entry into Belarus. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine. Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC’s specific recommendations for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.
Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 related restrictions and conditions in Belarus.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an Advisory Notice to Airman (NOTAM) to exercise extreme caution when flying into, out of, or over the Minsk Flight Information Region (FIR) (UMMV). For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.
Read the country information page.
If you decide to travel to Belarus:
Last Update: Reissued with updates to add the FAA Advisory NOTAM information.
