MINSK 2019: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VISA-FREE ENTRY INTO BELARUS

A press conference on visa-free entry into the country was held on May 30 at the National Press Center of the Republic of Belarus. Anatol Kotau, Deputy Director of the Minsk European Games Organising Committee (MEGOC), addressed the journalists with a welcoming speech:

"In slightly more than 20 days, the main sporting event of the continent will start - the 2nd European Games of 2019. Our country is preparing to be good hosts of this event. One of the main tasks is to ensure a comfortable stay of foreign guests in Belarus. In preparation for the Games, an enormous amount of work has been done that required decision-making at the highest level to make sure that all guests could experience Belarusian hospitality, as well as to simplify the arrival process of guests to our country as much as possible. I can say that the measures that have been taken can be called unprecedented.

"We have several categories of people who will take part in the 2nd European Games in one way or another. The first is the accredited participants of the Games. These are people who will directly participate or organise the Games. These people can enter our country without any visa documents as of May 20. All you need is a valid passport and accreditation card. For those who want to come to our country as a spectator, the visa-free regime will cover the period from June 10 to July 10, provided the person has a ticket for any sports competition at the Games. The passing regime on our eastern border will be similar to what we saw last year during the World Cup. Organisationally, we are ready for this."

The Deputy Head of the Main Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Ganevich spoke about the various visa-free regimes for entry into Belarus:

"During the Games, all visa-free regimes that were previously introduced will be in effect. There are only three. They will complement each other. An agreement was drafted with the Russian side that provides not only transit through the territory of Russia, but also the stay of guests on the territory of our neighboring country. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that a ticket for the 2nd European Games does not exempt its owner from the need to comply with all procedures for staying in Russia. It is worth paying attention to the fact that we will have a simple formula: 1 ticket = 1 entry."

Head of the Department of Citizenship and Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Alexey Begun descibed the specifics of the stay of foreign citizens during the Games:

"The Ministry of Internal Affairs takes all measures for the safe stay of citizens and guests during the 2nd European Games. We held events to test the arrival of foreign guests. Those fans who have previously purchased tickets must go through the authorisation procedure on the website of the ticket operator Ticketpro. Entry into the territory of our state is possible no later than the day of the event for which the ticket was purchased. Visa-free entry on a ticket to a sporting event that already took place will not be possible.

"We have developed instructions on permitted behaviour at sports facilities so that the stay of all sports fans will be comfortable. We have tried to minimise all bureaucratic procedures for the stay of tourists in our country. Foreign citizens accredited at the Games are exempted from the need to register on the territory of Belarus. Foreign citizens who do not have accreditation are required to register at their place of residence within five working days (in the police department or hotel)."

Head of the Border Control Department of the State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus Kuzma Lesnyak talked about how sports fans can cross the Belarusian border:

"Participants of the competition, using their accreditation, can enter our country an unlimited number of times. A ticket to the competition, as already said, gives the right of single entry. Persons who come on a private vehicle are exempt from paying tolls. Also, participants of the Games are exempt from compulsory medical insurance. I want to draw attention to the fact that we have a certain list of passageways (three roads and three railway lines), which guests can use when crossing the border between Belarus and Russia. Special channels will also be organised at checkpoints for participants and guests of the Games. They will be marked with special marks."

Detailed information about visa-free entry into Belarus is available on the official website in Russian and English: https://minsk2019.by/en/news/755

25 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only