Many transit passengers at Minsk airport unable to benefit from visa-free regime

Belarus' 30-day visa-free program does not apply to the passengers travelling to Russian airports in transit via Minsk. Instead of sightseeing tours and lunches in the Belarusian capital, they have to wait for their connecting flights in the transit zone of the Minsk international airport.

Two people travelling to Moscow faced this problem recently. They had deliberately booked an itinenary so that the onward connecting flight would be in 6 hours so that they can visit the city. It turned out, however, they could not leave the transfer area. If they did, they would not be allowed to return to their plane.

The reason? The foreigners were booked on the Moscow-bound flights. Such transit passengers cannot benefit from the visa-free regime, the Border Control Committee explained to Euroradio:

"The visa-free regime is not applied to transit passengers travelling to the Russian Federation. Only those who want to visit Belarus can benefit from it. It is applied to people arriving at the National Airport Minsk and leaving for third states (except for the Union State of Belarus and Russia) from the same airport. There is no border control for flights between Belarus and Russia. That is why transit passengers cannot make use of the visa-free regime and visit the city. They need at least a transit visa to do so.”

The 30-day visa-free regime came into force in Belarus on July 27. With no direct flights between Russia and Ukraine, Minsk has incresingly become a key connecting hub for those traveling to the airports in Russia. But as it has turned out the Belarusian visa-free regime does not work for the majority of transit passengers. What could be better than tourists visiting the country for a few hours to do quick shopping, explore local food and leave for their destination afterwards?

Well, let them better wait at the airport!