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IMPACT – MEDIUM
The Belarusian government has increased the minimum wage employers must pay foreign nationals.
Key Points:
Additional Information: Belarusian authorities continue to evaluate minimum wage levels and may adjust the minimum wage again in the coming months.
BAL Analysis: Businesses may see a slight increase in labor costs because of the new minimum wage. Employers should take the new wage minimums into account and adjust their budgets if necessary. BAL will provide updates on salary minimums for foreign workers as information becomes available.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
What is the change? The Ministry of Internal Affairs has introduced an online registration system.
What does the change mean? Foreign nationals needing to register their stay, excluding those arriving from Russia, will be able to register online.
Background: Upon arrival, business and work visitors are required to register at their local Ministry of Internal Affairs Migration Office within five business days of arriving in the country, unless otherwise established by a Belarusian international agreement or legislation regulating foreigner legal status. Online registration is free of charge.
Analysis & Comments: Employers will no longer have to coordinate in-person registration, simplifying the registration process. While the system is still in its first implementation phase, visitors are encouraged to keep detailed receipts of the performed registration in order to avoid any subsequent difficulties.
Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.
What is the change? Belarus has extended the length of time travelers can stay in the country without a visa to 30 days.
What does the change mean? Nationals of 74 countries and territories are now eligible for visa-free stays of up to 30 days if they enter the country through Minsk International Airport. Previously, the visa-free program only allowed stays of up to five days.
Background: Belarus created its visa-free travel program last year and it is now open to nationals of 74 countries and territories, including Australia, Canada, Japan, the United States and all European Union member states. Argentina, Brazil, Honduras, Hong Kong, Macao and the Order of Malta were removed from the list. Nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Honduras, Hong Kong and Macao all enjoy visa-free entry on the basis of a bilateral agreement with Belarus, however, so the impact of their removal is minimal. The rules described above do not apply to diplomatic travel or travel on service passports. The program is also not applicable to foreign nationals on flights to or from Russia, which are treated the same as domestic travel.
BAL Analysis: The visa-free policy is designed to ease business travel and encourage investment. Travelers are reminded that work is not allowed while on a visa waiver and that those intending to perform work activities must obtain authorization to do so. Travelers are also reminded that foreign nationals must register their address in Belarus within five days of arrival (not counting Sundays) and must re-register if they change addresses within Belarus.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice and Intermark Relocation in Russia. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2018 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
What is the change? Belarus is offering visa-free travel for soccer fans traveling to Russia to attend 2018 FIFA World Cup matches.
What does the change mean? To be eligible for visa-free travel, foreign nationals must present a valid travel passport and a Fan ID (electronic or paper) at the Belarus border checkpoint. When entering Belarus (e.g., from Poland), foreign nationals must hold a health insurance policy that is valid in Belarus and obtain a migration card, which is mandatory for staying and registering in Russia. Multiple visa-free entries are available until July 15 and visa-free exits are available until July 25. There are no international checkpoints at the Belarus-Russia border, according to the Union State agreement between the two countries.
Additional information: Soccer fans taking advantage of the visa-free travel through Belarus must follow the routes below when they cross the physical border between Belarus and Russia.
BAL Analysis: The new visa-free option for soccer fans will ease travel to Russia through Belarus to attend 2018 FIFA World Cup soccer matches.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Russia. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
What is the change? Russian officials are treating flights to and from Belarus as international flights, a change in policy after the flights were previously treated the same as domestic travel.
What does the change mean? Russian and Belarusian nationals arriving in Russia on flights from Belarus will land in an international terminal and be directed to control points for citizens of the “Union State.” They should be sure to carry a boarding pass and their passports. Third-country nationals will be required to go through border controls and must carry their passports as well. Third-country nationals can transit through Russia when flying directly to Belarus, but the visa-free program Belarus implemented in January is not available for travelers arriving in Minsk on flights from Russia.
Background: For years, flights between Russia and Belarus were treated the same as domestic flights within Russia. This changed Monday, however, and flights from Belarus will be routed to international terminals in Russia airports. That said, Russian and Belarusian nationals will have quicker entry procedures than third-country nationals, as they will be routed to a line specifically for Union State nationals. Belarus seems unlikely to implement similar procedures at its airports for flights from Russia, with authorities saying they see no reason to do so at this point.
BAL Analysis: Travelers should take note of the change and build extra time into their travel plans if necessary.
Copyright © 2017 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
What is the change? Belarus will soon implement a visa-free entry program for tourists and business travelers from nearly 80 countries, including Brazil, Canada, Japan, the United States and all European Union member states.
What does the change mean? Effective Feb. 12, nationals of the countries covered by the program will be granted visa-free entry for stays of up to five days, provided they enter the country through Minsk International Airport.
Background: The visa-free scheme was created by Presidential Decree No. 8, which was signed earlier in January and will apply to the following countries:
*Including stateless persons permanently residing in Estonia. ** Including persons having status of noncitizens of Latvia.
Travelers taking advantage of visa-free travel must have (1) a valid passport or other acceptable travel document; (2) sufficient funds (at least € 25 for every day of the stay, or the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars or Belarusian rubles); and a medical insurance plan that covers Belarus and provides up to € 10,000 (or the equivalent) in care.
In addition to the visa-free program, Belarus will also launch an “entry in special order program” for nationals of nine additional countries. Nationals of these countries will not need to obtain a Belarusian visa if they have a valid multiple-entry visa issued by an EU or Schengen Area member state, as well as a passport, sufficient funds, health insurance and airplane tickets to leave Belarus. This program will apply to nationals of the following countries:
Travelers should note that the rules described above do not apply to diplomatic travel or travel on service passports. The regime is also not applicable to foreign nationals on flights to or from Russia, which are treated the same as domestic travel.
BAL Analysis: The visa-free policy is designed to ease business travel and encourage investment. Travelers are reminded that work is not allowed while on a visa waiver and that those intending to perform work activities must obtain work authorization.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Belarus. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
What is the change? A new immigration law set to take effect July 15 will impact the hiring of foreign nationals in Belarus.
What does the change mean? The law clarifies criteria and procedures, including the definition of “highly qualified employees.” It clarifies exemptions, restricts renewals of work permits, adds new employer obligations and expands the grounds for authorities to refuse or cancel work permits.
Background: Foreign employees working in Belarus are required to obtain a Special Work Permit. Companies employing more than 10 foreign workers must obtain a separate permit to hire foreign workers. Amendments to the immigration laws include the following changes:
BAL Analysis: Belarus employers should expect stricter rules on hiring and retaining foreign workers, as the country seeks to stem high local unemployment.
Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.