Belarusian citizens now required to get permission before leaving country to take up permanent residence abroad

Belarusian citizens will now have to obtain permission from migration authorities before leaving the country for permanent residence abroad. Previously, it was possible to register this at Belarusian consular offices, and the process was largely procedural. 

Now, Mediazona Belarus writes, those wishing to take up permanent residence outside of the country must submit an application and questionnaire to the local citizenship and migration department before leaving. The questionnaire includes information on education, profession, tax and alimony obligations, and relatives’ contact information. Migration departments will check if the applicant is prohibited from leaving the country and send a request to the military enlistment office for those subject to military service.

Alexey Begun, the head of Belarus’s Citizenship and Migration Department, said that the list of documents required from those leaving for permanent residence abroad remains unchanged and that citizens’ information was thoroughly checked before. He added that now Belarusian passports will be marked with a general stamp indicating departure for permanent residence abroad, whereas previously the stamp indicated the country where the citizen went to live.

Since September 7, 2023, Belarusian passports can only be issued or extended in Belarus. Those who do not wish or are unable to return to Belarus due to the risk of persecution may find themselves left as illegal immigrants under the new rules.