Belarus is not generally known as an expatriate community, there are few opportunities for expats to move. Minsk is the capital city of Belarus and the place where many expats settle. It’s a beautiful city with many quirks that make it a unique place to live; however, it’s very cold in winter – be well prepared. Summers are beautiful and hot, and the people really come out of their shells. We’ve listed here some important things to know before you set off your next adventure.
- Expat Clubs
- Schools
- Local News Sources
- Country Information
- Resident and Work visa information
- How to get a driving license
- Where to live and about the accomodation types
- Healthcare information including Hospitals and Insurance
There are no expat meet up clubs as such in Albania and most expats communicate online through websites such as ExpatWoman.com.
Here’s a youth group; however, that involves both local and foreigners in community services and activities
NGO Youth Education Centre FIALTA
Address: Myasnikova 35, 220030 Minsk, Belarus
Tel: +375 17 222 7873
Email: [email protected]
FB: www.facebook.com/youthcenterfialta?fref=nf
Website (Russian): www.fialta.org
QSI International School of Minsk
Since 1993, the QSI International School of Minsk has provided a quality education for preschool through secondary students for the international community in Belarus. ISM, a non-profit organization, works in cooperation with embassies and families from over 25 different countries making it a place of true diversity, where students learn from one another. All subjects, except for our daily Russian Language classes, are taught in English by certified, qualified teachers.
Curriculum: American
Address: Pereulok Bogdanovicha, 15 Minsk, 220040, Belarus
Tel: +375 17 2651216
Fax: +375 17 2651216
Email: [email protected]
Website: minsk.qsischool.org/index.php?lang=en
Naviny Belarus News
This is a bilingual news site that delivers up-to-date local news.
Website: naviny.by/rubrics/english
Belarus Digest
Belarus Digest provides non-partisan analysis of Belarus-related events written by Belarusians specifically for an English-language readership. It is a project of Ostrogorski Centre, a think tank established by Western-educated Belarusians based in Belarus and the European Union.
Website: belarusdigest.com
Belarusian Telegraph Agency
The Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA) is Belarus’ largest news agency. For over 95 years BelTA has been the country’s official news agency and is the most respected source of up-to-the-minute news on Belarus’ supreme authorities. The Belarusian Telegraph Agency delivers news in real time. The news is available on the proprietary website in Russian, Belarusian, English, German and Spanish. BelTA is Belarus’ only official source of real-time information in five languages.
Website: eng.belta.by
Charter 97
Charter 97 is a multilingual news site that covers stories from within Belarus and the region.
Website: charter97.org/en/news
Location: Europe
Capital City: Minsk
Other Important Cities:
Currency: Belarusian ruble (BYR)
Language: Belarusian, Russian
Calling Code: +375
Internet TLD: .by
Electricity: The country runs on 230V 50Hz.
Emergency Numbers:
Ambulance: 103
Fire: 101
Police: 102
Country Information
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belarus
Country Study
lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/bytoc.html
embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/belarus
Residents Visa and Work Permit information
Embassies, consulates and diplomatic representations of Belarus in each country handles visa applications. Some countries may enter visa-free. Please refer to your local Belarus consulate for this information. Different kinds of visas are available to visitors. Travel insurance is also required. These can be classified into short-term, long-term and transit visas.
Most foreigners visiting Belarus require a visa.
The exceptions are:
- passport holders from CIS states (except Turkmenistan)
- Cuban citizens (for visits up to 30 days)
- citizens from Serbia and Montenegro (for visits up to 30 days)
- Mongolian citizens (for visits up to 30 days)
- Venezuelan citizens (for visits upto 90 days)
- Macedonian citizens (for visits up to 30 days)
Other nationalities will need to apply for a visa before they visit Belarus.
Documents needed for a visa application:
- a completed visa questionnaire
- 1 passport photo
- supporting documents (original letter of invitation, with the signature and, if a business, seal of the inviting party)
- other documents stipulated by the Consular office (depending on nature of visit and type of visa required.)
- passport (with an expiry date at least 90 days after the expiry of the visa)
Please refer to the official Belarus website for more information: www.belarus.by/en/travel/travel-visas
There are very few expats that live in Belarus, this is mainly due to the fact that the economy is largely controlled by the state and private businesses are virtually non-existent at the moment. This is due to the remnants of communism that still linger in the Belarussian government. However things are changing for the better. Most of the expats that do live in Belarus have a grasp of Russian as many people there do not speak English, or speak only very little of any other language.
Mid-range and budget accommodation is available in Minsk. However living in the city centre tends to be pricey and a two bedroom apartment can cost EU1000 per month; however reaching a deal directly with a landlord might give you a discount.
Expats who want to drive in Belarus can use an International driving permit for a period of three months. There are often spot checks done by the police and it’s safer to adhere to the laws than to get in trouble. Once your international driving permit expires it will be necessary to obtain a driving license from the Belarussian traffic department by attending a 3 month course in a driving school and pass the State Traffic Inspection exam.
See www.belarus.by/en/travel/driving for more information and details.
Routine vaccinations are advised before travelling to Belarus. Healthcare standard is poor, so more significant treatment would have to be sought outside of the country. It is further advised to contact your country’s embassy or consulate for extreme cases.
Hospitals
Republican Centre of Hygiene Epidemiology and Public Health
Awareness; prevention; information; co-ordination; HIV anonymous counselling and testing.
Address: Klary Tsetkin str. 4, Minsk 220050
Tel: +375 17 385 96 23 , +375 17 321 22 68
Fax: +375 17 227 18 38
Hotline: +375 17 200 28 83
Email: [email protected]
Website (Belarussion): www.rcheph.by
Embryo Centre of Assisted Reproduction
This is a facility that offers diagnostics and treatment of infertility, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), IVF + ICSI – Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, Preimplantation genetic diagnostics, Intrauterine insemination (IUI), Ovulation induction and Laborotary diagnostics of endocrine, immune disorders, TORCH- infections, DNA and RNA diagnostics.
Address: Filimonova 53, level 5, Minsk 220114, Belarus
Tel: +375 29 388-99-56
Website: www.embryo.by/en
Minsk Regional Children`s Clinical Hospital
They are specialized pediatric clinic in Minsk. The capacity of the hospital – 600 beds, consists of 23 departments (17 specialized, 6 auxiliary-diagnostic), consultative polyclinic has 250 visits a shift. Children are provided with medical assistance on the following directions: General Pediatrics, pulmonology, nephrology, cardio-rheumatology, gastroenterology, allergology, endocrinology, neurology, general pediatric surgery, oral surgery, otorhinolaryngology, ophthalmology, intensive care & reanimation. As part of the hospital there are three specialized departments on medical care for the adults: otorhinolaryngological, micro eye surgery, oral surgery.
Address: 40 agrotown Lesnoy, Minsk Region, Minsk district 223340, Belarus
Tel (Russian): + 375 17 265 18 39, + 375 17 265 18 39, + 375 17 265 17 07
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.modkb.by
Minsk Regional Hospital
This hospital has 958 beds, 24 specialized departments, 23 subsidiary medical diagnostic units, consultative clinic for 500 visits per shift for 29 specialties, the regional center for emergency medical assistance in emergencies and regional cardiology center.
Address: 203041 Minsk district
Tel: +375 17 265 21 47
Website (Belarussian): minsk-okb.by
Urban Children’s Infectious Disease Hospital
Address: Zapad, Minsk, Belarus
Tel: +375 17 2586119
Hotline: +375 17 2587682
Website: www.gdikb.by/index.php/kontakty
Medical-Center SANTE Ltd Medandrovit
Tel: +375 17 2990009, +375 17 2990090
Website (Belarussian): http://sante.by/index.php
Eye Clinic New Vision
Tel: +375 17 2149817, +375 17 2149811
Website (Belarussian): http://eyes.by/
Pq Republican Hospital
Website (Belarussian): www.vip-clinic.by
For a full list compiled by the Belarussian Ministry of Health please visit: minzdrav.gov.by/en
