Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While traveling in Belarus, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than those in the United States. There are also some things that may be legal in Belarus, but still illegal in the United States. A person can be prosecuted in the United States for engaging in sexual conduct with children or for using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country regardless of the legality of these activities under that country’s laws. Counterfeit and pirated goods are illegal in the United States and if you purchase them in a foreign country, you may be breaking local law as well.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, travelers should immediately request that police and prison officials notify the embassy in the event you are arrested or detained.

Under local law, the agency that detained a foreigner, should inform the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) within 24 hour from the time of detention. The MFA, in its turn, has to notify the respective embassy as soon as possible. The time of such notifications has varied from several hours to a couple of weeks. Therefore, we recommends that if travelers have a chance to inform friends or relatives about their arrest, they should advise them to notify the Embassy as soon as possible.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

Currency: Traveler's checks are normally not accepted in Belarus as a means of payment, but can be exchanged for cash at any bank. Most hotels, restaurants, and stores accept major credit cards. All Belarusian banks provide cash from major credit cards. However, there are daily limitations on foreign bank cards in terms of cash amounts in U.S. dollars and Euros that can be withdrawn. All cash payments in Belarus are made in Belarusian rubles. Authorized currency exchange centers are widely available throughout major cities. Black-market currency exchange or payment in U.S. dollars to firms or individuals without a special license is a criminal offense in Belarus. Only a few large firms (such as gas stations and large travel agencies) are licensed to accept U.S. dollars. Travelers may be offered "an unofficial" exchange rate at what seems a good rate, but the U.S. Embassy in Minsk advises to use widely available licensed exchange locations.

Credit Card and ATM Card Use: ATMs are available for use, and it has become easier to use credit cards and debit cards in Belarus, especially in Minsk; however, this does not mean that it is safer to do so. There have been instances in which U.S. citizens have had their card numbers “skimmed” and the money in their accounts stolen, or their credit cards fraudulently charged. (“Skimming” is the theft of credit card information by an employee of a legitimate merchant or bank, manually copying down numbers or using a magnetic stripe reader.) In addition to skimming, the risk of physical theft of credit or debit cards also exists. To prevent such theft, the U.S. Embassy Minsk recommends that travelers keep close track of personal belongings and only carry what is needed when out. Travelers who use credit cards should regularly check their account status to ensure its integrity. Avoid using credit and debit cards, except at ATMs located inside major banks.

Identification: Non-Belarusian visitors are expected to carry their passports at all times. If stopped by the police for a registration (visa) spot check, failure to prove one’s identity with an internationally recognizable ID, may result in detention by the police until identity is established.

Radiation: The 1986 release of nuclear material from the Chernobyl nuclear station in Ukraine affected Belarus. The city of Minsk was mostly spared, but other areas of Belarus were badly contaminated. Several years of monitoring have shown that radiation levels in Minsk have not exceeded internationally acceptable standards, and periodic testing of foodstuffs from various locations in Belarus has not revealed a level of radiation that would be considered harmful.

Marriage: If a traveler plans to marry in Belarus, they should consult the information located on the U.S. Embassy Minsk website. Please note that only marriages performed at a registrar's office (ZAGS – Office for Matrimonial Acts Registration) are legally valid in Belarus.

WOMEN TRAVELER’S INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our tips for Women Travelers.

LBGT RIGHTS: Same-sex relations are not illegal in Belarus, but discrimination against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community is widespread, and harassment against LGBT individuals has occurred in the past. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Belarus, you may review the State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013. For further information on LGBT travel, please read our Information for LGBT Travelers page.

ACCESSIBILITY: While in Belarus, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what is found in the United States. Many existing buildings as well as public transportation systems are less adapted to individuals with disabilities. Check ahead with your hotel/destination to learn more about options to accommodate disabled traveler needs before visiting Belarus.