Life and Work in Belarus for Foreigners: All You Need to Know - Visit Belarus (2024)

Life and Work in Belarus for Foreigners: All You Need to Know - Visit Belarus (1)

Everyone thinks about a better life for himself and his family, wants to get some new opportunities for development or just start life in a new place.

The Republic of Belarus is an ideal place for a quiet life, if you do not want to deal with megacities, noisy streets, traffic jams and lack of greenery.

Belarus is a safe country (107th out of 123 in terms of crime), where you will fall in love with its picturesque nature, extensive Park areas in cities, numerous reserves, lakes and rivers, comfortable prices for everything you need. But, we will talk about all in order!

Further, the article presents all the necessary information for those who decided to choose Belarus as their place of life and work.

The first thing that interests everyone:how do people live in this country? Is it better?

Toanswer this question, let’s talk about such an important indicator as thequality of life.

Qualityof life

This indicator depends on many factors: both intangible and material. The main points of the quality of life assessment are presented in the image below.

Life and Work in Belarus for Foreigners: All You Need to Know - Visit Belarus (2)

According to the latest data from the Numbeo service, which annually publishes the quality of life index for Country 2019, Belarus bypassed the nearest post-Soviet countries (Russia with its 59th place and Ukraine with 62nd place) and took the 37th position, but, according to tradition, lost to the countries belonging to the European Union (Lithuania took the 29th place, Latvia-the 34th, and Poland was on the 35th position)

The leaders in the list of quality of life were Denmark, Switzerland and Finland.

Permissionfor the work

The most important thing about moving to another country is “how to have earnings”. Of course, you can have your own financial decisions, however, Belarus offers its new tenants its own options.

So, let’s talk about a work permit inBelarus.

According to the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union between Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, which entered into force on January 1, 2015, residents of these countries can work in the countries of the Member States of the Treaty.

“At the same time, workers of the Member States do not need to obtain a permit to work in the state of employment. The term of temporary stay (residence) of the employee of the member state and family members in the territory of the state of employment is determined by the term of the labor or civil contract concluded by the employee of the member state with the employer or customer of works (services) ” — according to the Ministry of labor and social protection of the Republic of Belarus.

For citizens who are not members of the States members of the economic Union (above), the labor migration act stipulates that: a foreigner without a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Belarus must obtain a special permit to take employment in the Republic of Belarus, which is issued at the request of the employer of the Republic of Belarus.

Salaries and professions

Taxes

To start the topic of salaries, we shouldtalk about what is deducted from it — yes, it will be about the taxation of work.

  • Life and Work in Belarus for Foreigners: All You Need to Know - Visit Belarus (3)

In Belarus, the Tax Code is a key document of tax legislation. For those who want to get acquainted with the document in more detail: the Law of the Republic of Belarus No. 224-3 of 30.12.2014 “on amendments and additions to the Tax code of the Republic of Belarus”.

At the moment the following income tax rates are used in the country:

  • on income received as dividends – 13%;
  • income from the activities of entrepreneurs, lawyers, notaries – 16%;
  • on the income of individuals and individual entrepreneurs associated with the Park of high technologies – 9%;
  • the amount of fixed amounts of tax on income from the delivery of real estate and for individuals is determined by the regional and Minsk city Councils of deputies.
  • for individuals on all other income -13%.

More information can be found on the website.

When viewing the following data, keep in mind that the specified salaries WITHOUT paying taxes.

In-demand professions

Of course, your salary depends on your chosen profession. Therefore, we will talk first about which specialists are more in demand in Belarus, and after that-which ones are paid more.

The shortage of personnel is increasing inBelarus. At the moment there are about 95 thousand offers in the Republicandatabase of vacancies!

Thisfact opened the possibility for easier employment for foreign citizens:according to the Department of labor and migration of the Ministry of internalAffairs, in the 1st half of 2019, about 10 thousand people arrived in Belarusto work.

Source:http://gsz.gov.by/

Top offers by number of vacancies:

  • car driver — 4.5 thousand vacancies
  • tractor driver – almost 3 thousand
  • seller – about 2.5 thousand work options
  • cook – ~ 2 thousand vacancies
  • electric and gas welder – 1100 places
  • electrician for repair and maintenance of electrical equipment-1200
  • road worker – 500 offers.

The field of medicine:

Belarus offers 4240 vacancies for medical specialists (doctors) and about 3 thousand for Junior medical personnel.

Professions which are well paid

The following is a combined table of the top monetary professions for 2019-2020 in Belarus.

Life and Work in Belarus for Foreigners: All You Need to Know - Visit Belarus (4)

Of course, programmers lead the way. No wonder Belarus is famous for its IT-specialists. Not inferior places in the lists of the highest salaries and applied specialties: mechanics, welders, builders, miners, installers, etc..

Also, keep the top 7 most promising destinations in Belarus:

  • 1. IT-technologies.
  • 2. Jurisprudence.
  • 3. Aviation.
  • 4. Dentistry.
  • 5. Insurance
  • 6. Engineering.
  • 7. Production.

Alittle about the average salary:

According to the portal myfin.by the average salary in Belarus in September was:

Life and Work in Belarus for Foreigners: All You Need to Know - Visit Belarus (5)

Dynamics of average monthly salaries in Belarus in dollars USA:

Life and Work in Belarus for Foreigners: All You Need to Know - Visit Belarus (6)

Average salary in Belarus by month from 2016 to 2019:

Life and Work in Belarus for Foreigners: All You Need to Know - Visit Belarus (7)

Salary situation in the regions looks like: Minsk still occupies a leading position, the lowest salaries are in the Mogilev region.

Below you can study a comparative analysis from the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus of the average salary at the beginning of 2019 for individual areas:

  1. Minsk — 1 370, 30 rubles ( ~ 681,7 $)
  2. Minsk region – 996,40 rubles (~ 495,7 $)
  3. Gomel region — 907,90 rubles (~ 451,7 $)
  4. Brest region — 874,70 rubles ( ~ 435,2 $)
  5. Grodno region — 885,30 rubles ( ~ 440.4 $)
  6. Vitebsk region — 848,20 rubles ( ~ 421,9 $)
  7. Mogilev region – 836,70 rubles (~ 416,3 $)

Separately, let’s talk about the salaries of employees in budget organizations (state employees). In Belarus, from 2020, a new wage scheme will be introduced for employees on the state budget: the tariff rate of the 1st category is replaced by the base rate of 180 rubles ( ~ 87.8 $), allowances and surcharges will be established centrally.

The average salary of state employees in January–June 2019 amounted to 800.9 rubles ( ~ 390.7 $).

It is planned that in January–December 2019, public sector salaries will increase by an average of 10 rubles (~ 4.87 $) and will continue to increase to 80% of the average salary in the country.

Life and Work in Belarus for Foreigners: All You Need to Know - Visit Belarus (8)

Doctors in June 2019, according to Belstat, received an average of 1 439.3 rubles ( ~ 702.1 $), the average medical staff-896 rubles ( ~ 437.1 $). In this case, it is appropriate to mention that the rates for each medical specialty vary: both at the place of work, and there by specialization.

In education the average salary for June 2019 was 760 rubles (~ 370.7 $): for example, teachers receive an average, according to Belstat, 906.3 rubles (~442.1 $).

Life and Work in Belarus for Foreigners: All You Need to Know - Visit Belarus (2024)

FAQs

What do I need to know before going to Belarus? ›

Due to Belarusian authorities' continued facilitation of Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine and given the heightened volatility and unpredictable nature of the regional security environment, do not travel to Belarus. Potential harassment targeted specifically at foreigners is also possible.

Does Belarus accept US dollars? ›

The only official currency for payments in Belarus is Belarusian rouble (since 01.2016 - BYN) that is accepted everywhere. However, payments in dollars or euro for apartments or travel services are not uncommon, particularly when a travel agency is licensed to accept foreign currency payments.

Can a foreigner get job in Belarus? ›

Employees who plan to remain in Belarus for employment on a long-term basis will need to obtain a Type D visa. International employees will also need a work permit before beginning their employment in Belarus. This permit is officially known as a “Special work permit in the Republic of Belarus.”

Is Belarus safe for American tourists? ›

Do not travel to Belarus due to the volatile security environment caused by the Russian military presence along Belarus' border with Ukraine and military conflict. Russian forces are conducting military operations from Belarus, and this has heightened tensions in the region.

How long can Americans stay in Belarus? ›

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements. U.S. passport holders traveling to Belarus via Minsk International Airport may enter visa-free for up to 30 days (the 30-day limit includes the day of arrival and the day of departure) for tourism or business.

How do I get to Belarus from USA? ›

The cheapest way to get from United States to Belarus is to fly and train which costs $190 - $260 and takes 16h 52m. Which way is quickest from United States to Belarus? The quickest way to get from United States to Belarus is to fly and train which costs $290 - $750 and takes 15h 15m.

How much cash can I bring to Belarus? ›

How much money can you take into Belarus? There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that you can take with you into Belarus. You must declare amounts over 10,000 USD on entry to Belarus on the declaration form.

What is Belarus minimum wage? ›

Belarus National Minimum Wage data was reported at 554.000 BYN in May 2023. This stayed constant from the previous number of 554.000 BYN for Apr 2023. Belarus National Minimum Wage data is updated monthly, averaging 375.000 BYN from Jan 2017 to May 2023, with 77 observations.

How much does it cost to live in Belarus? ›

A family of four estimated monthly costs are 1,896.7$ (4,764.3BYN) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 530.0$ (1,331.4BYN) without rent. Cost of living in Belarus is, on average, 51.3% lower than in United States. Rent in Belarus is, on average, 79.8% lower than in United States.

How long can foreigners stay in Belarus? ›

Visa for tourist purposes can be single- or double-entry and is issued for the period not longer than 30 days; for permanent residence: the decision of the regional branch of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.

What is the average salary in Belarus? ›

What is average wage in Belarus? Average Wages in Belarus decreased to 1796 BYN/Month (634.921 USD/Month) in April 2023. The maximum rate of average wage for employees was 1475 BYN/Month and minimum was 0 BYN/Month. Data published Monthly by National Statistical Committee.

How many hours can you work in Belarus? ›

Working hours in Belarus

The standard working week in Belarus is 40 hours, with eight-hour days. Employees can consent to overtime work, but this must be compensated at 200% of normal pay and cannot exceed 180 hours per year.

Is it cheap travel in Belarus? ›

Backpacking Belarus Suggested Budgets

If you are backpacking Belarus, expect to spend about 85 BYN per day. This budget covers staying in a hostel dorm, cooking most of your meals, limiting your drinking, using local transportation to get around, and doing mostly free activities like hiking and free walking tours.

Is it cheap to travel to Belarus? ›

Belarus is not so expensive country in terms of restaurants and cafes and people tend to visit restaurants frequently and spend more money on utilities and transportation.

What is Belarus crime rate? ›

Belarus Crime Rate & Statistics 1990-2023
Belarus Crime Rate & Statistics - Historical Data
YearPer 100K PopulationAnnual % Change
20192.38-0.44%
20182.39-5.86%
20172.54-21.86%
23 more rows

Can Americans buy property in Belarus? ›

Thus, a foreign citizen cannot own a land plot (except in cases of inheritance), but has the right to rent it. To complete a sale and purchase transaction, a foreigner must provide a notarized translation of the passport, if it is not in Russian.

Does the US still have an embassy in Belarus? ›

Contact Us

46 Starovilenskaya St. Embassy is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed on American and Belarusian holidays.

Is there an American Embassy in Belarus? ›

U.S. Embassy Minsk, Belarus.

How much is flight from Belarus to USA? ›

Average price of the flight ticket from Minsk to United States is US$680 . Please use this price as a reference only as this price can be changed every minutes.

Can you ship from US to Belarus? ›

Yes, USPS delivers to Belarus. They offer several methods including Postal Service Fully Tracked, USPS Priority, USPS Express.

How long does it take to get a visa for Belarus? ›

a confirmation of the consular fee paid. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not provide any assistance in reviewing and delivering abroad of visa support documents. The term of visa procedure is 5 working days (as a matter of urgency — within 2 working days) from the date of application.

How much money can I carry out of USA? ›

You may bring into or take out of the country, including by mail, as much money as you wish. However, if it is more than $10,000, you will need to report it to CBP. Use the online Fincen 105 currency reporting site or ask a CBP officer for the paper copy of the Currency Reporting Form (FinCen 105).

How many dollars can I carry to USA? ›

You may bring large sums of money with you in the form of cash, money order, or traveler's checks. There is no maximum limit, however, any amount exceeding $10,000 USD must be declared upon arrival on both the Form 6059B and FinCEN 105. All forms must be filled in completely and truthfully.

How much money can you bring internationally without declaring? ›

International travelers entering the United States must declare if they are carrying currency or monetary instruments in a combined amount over $10,000 on their Customs Declaration Form (CBP Form 6059B) and then file a FinCEN Form 105.

What is the unemployment rate in Belarus? ›

Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Belarus unemployment rate for 2021 was 4.74%, a 0.03% decline from 2020.

Which country pays the highest minimum wage in the world? ›

Top 10 Countries With Highest Paying Jobs
CountryNational Average Salary (Monthly)Hourly Minimum Wage Rate
Switzerland7,351.707.43
Liechtenstein6,070.23No Law
United States5,908.037.25
Denmark5,862.57No Law
6 more rows

What country has the lowest minimum wage in the world? ›

Iceland. Iceland has no government-mandated minimum wage.

How much is a gallon of gas in Belarus? ›

Belarus Gasoline prices, 05-Jun-2023
Belarus Gasoline pricesLitreGallon
BYN2.3608.934
USD0.9373.547
EUR0.8743.308

Can foreigners buy land in Belarus? ›

May a foreigner buy property and land in Belarus? A citizen of any country in the world has the right to buy and use the real estate in Belarus. After concluding the purchase and sale transaction, the foreigner receives a certificate of ownership and becomes the full owner of the property.

Can I become a citizen of Belarus? ›

Citizenship by naturalization can be gained if the applicant: had permanent residence in Belarus for 7 years preceding the application. has enough knowledge of one of the state languages (Belarusian or Russian) has legal income.

What happens if I overstay in Belarus? ›

Temporary stay visas permit stays of up to 90 days in one calendar year. Belarusian authorities enforce visa validity very strictly. If you overstay your visa by even one day, you will not be permitted to depart Belarus until the Department of Citizenship and Migration grants you an extension.

Can I visit Belarus without a visa? ›

Most foreign travelers need a visa to come to Belarus. Belarus issues transit, short-term and long-term visas depending on the purpose of the visit and length of stay and also single-entry, double- and multiple-entry visas.

Can foreigners get married in Belarus? ›

Belarusian law requires the registration of marriages to foreign nationals. The law recognizes marriages between Belarusians and people from other countries.

What is the main source of income in Belarus? ›

The Republic of Belarus is an export-oriented country with well-developed manufacturing industry, services sector and agriculture.

What is the most popular job in Belarus? ›

Professions which are well paid

The following is a combined table of the top monetary professions for 2019-2020 in Belarus. Of course, programmers lead the way. No wonder Belarus is famous for its IT-specialists.

Does Belarus have a good standard of living? ›

As of 2018, Belarus ranks 53rd from 189 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index, and appeared in the group of states with "very high development". With an efficient health system, it has a very low infant-mortality rate of 2.9 (compared to 6.6 in Russia or 3.7 in the United Kingdom).

How many vacation days in Belarus? ›

Employees in Belarus are entitled to at least 24 paid vacation days in a year. For the first 12 days of sick leave, employees in Belarus are entitled to 80% of their average daily earnings, and 100% pay for any days thereafter.

Can I work 8 hours straight? ›

Generally, workers can legally work as many hours in a day as they choose to or as their employer requires. No federal or state law caps the number of hours in a workday for most workers. However, workers under 16 years old are not allowed to work longer than 8-hour days.

What is the payroll tax in Belarus? ›

Payroll taxes in Belarus

Once contributions are paid, employees need to pay a flat income tax of 13%.

What is the best season to visit Belarus? ›

Belarus has a cool continental climate, with warm summer days typically in the mid 20°Cs, and winters dropping below freezing. The best time to go to Belarus is from mid May to mid September, when it's comfortably warm. June, July and August are peak months for temps as well as tourists.

Why do people travel to Belarus? ›

Belarus not only attracts with its architectural and natural riches but also with its refined and rich Belarusian cuisine. Some tourists visit Belarus only for gastronomic purposes.

Why do people visit Belarus? ›

Belarus is a country with an ancient history and rich traditions, beautiful nature and amazing architecture, industrial giants and well-developed agriculture, unique cuisine and hospitable people. Every year the country becomes more tourist-friendly. Over 11 million people visit Belarus every year.

What airlines are flying to Belarus? ›

Popular airlines with flights to Minsk: Belavia Belarusian Airlines , Azerbaijan Airlines , and Flydubai .

Is it safe to go to Belarus at night? ›

Belarus is pretty safe at night, considering the overall low levels of crime. However, you should still take precautions, such as avoiding side streets.

How do people get around in Belarus? ›

Buses which are present almost in all cities except small ones where you can use inter-city transport to travel to the necessary stop. Trolleybuses (Minsk, Gomel, Mogilyov, Vitebsk, Grodno, Brest, Bobruysk) Trams (Minsk, Vitebsk, Mozyr, Novopolotsk) Route taxies (Minsk and large cities)

What is the most common crime in Belarus? ›

The crime rate in Belarus is relatively low, and crimes against foreigners are rare. The most common crime against foreigners is robbery, but taking sensible precautions should keep you safe.

Is Belarus safe to go now? ›

FCDO advises against all travel to Belarus

There is some risk that direct conflict linked to the war in Ukraine may spread to Belarus.

Why is Belarus a high risk country? ›

Avoid all travel to Belarus due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws and the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The ability of the Embassy of Canada to Poland to provide consular services in Belarus is extremely limited. If you are in Belarus you should leave by commercial means.

Do I need PCR test to enter Belarus? ›

COVID test is not required when arriving in Belarus.

Why Belarus is worth visiting? ›

Belarus is considered to be one of the world centers of religious tourism for Jews. The unique architecture of Belarusian ancient churches attracts many Christian pilgrims. Foreigners come here to see with their own eyes the places where famous battles, in which their ancestors participated, took place.

Is Belarus a cheap country to visit? ›

If you are backpacking Belarus, expect to spend about 85 BYN per day. This budget covers staying in a hostel dorm, cooking most of your meals, limiting your drinking, using local transportation to get around, and doing mostly free activities like hiking and free walking tours.

Is it cheap to visit Belarus? ›

Past travelers have spent, on average, Br56 ($22) on meals for one day and Br36 ($14) on local transportation. Also, the average hotel price in Belarus for a couple is Br173 ($68). So, a trip to Belarus for two people for one week costs on average Br3,063 ($1,208).

Which vaccines are accepted in Belarus? ›

Belarus
  • Instituto Finlay de Vacunas Cuba. Soberana Plus. Phase 1. Approved in 2 countries. ...
  • Gamaleya. Sputnik V. Phase 1. Approved in 74 countries. ...
  • Gamaleya. Sputnik Light. Phase 1. Approved in 26 countries. ...
  • Chumakov Center. KoviVac. Phase 1. Approved in 3 countries. ...
  • Sinopharm (Beijing) Covilo. Phase 1. Approved in 93 countries.

Can I get a visa on arrival in Belarus? ›

Can you get your visa upon arrival? Foreign nationals arriving in Belarus via Minsk National Airport can get a visa at the airport.

Is Belarus a rich or poor country? ›

Belarus, with a GNI per capita of $6,330, finds itself among the poorest countries in Europe. Despite its rich resources, the nation faces economic challenges. The GDP per capita is $6,411.23, and the total GDP stands at 60 billion.

What is the weakness of Belarus? ›

In Institutions (83), Belarus's weaknesses are sub-pillar Regulatory environment (107) and indicators Regulatory quality (113) and Rule of law (112). In Human capital & research (39), the only one weakness for this country is indicator Global R&D companies (43).

How much is a meal in Belarus? ›

Cost of Living in Belarus
RestaurantsEdit
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant23.87BYN
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course100.53BYN
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)14.50BYN
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)3.00BYN
62 more rows

Is Belarus friendly to Russia? ›

Russia and Belarus have close military relations and are engaged in various joint military-scientific activities.

Can we travel to Belarus now? ›

FCDO advises against all travel to Belarus

Russian military operations are taking place in Belarus. There is some risk that direct conflict linked to the war in Ukraine may spread to Belarus.

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