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Visa support for Belarus

Replies: 13 - Last Post: Feb 10, 2013 12:35 PM Last Post By: jesdon

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douwer

douwer avatar

Nov 3, 2012 2:21 PM
Posts:  3

Visa support for Belarus

After extensive research on this forum (and google) I didn't get much wiser, so here the same question again:

What company to use for visa-support?

And of course I mean the type where you just buy the visa-support without any add-ons, just the documents, etc...

I have emailed the following companies and got the following prices:

123belarus.com 25 eur
belvisa.com 30 eur
belintourist.by 30 usd
victoria-tour.by 60 usd
belarusvisit.by 50 usd

My nationality is Dutch (Netherlands).

I used 123belarus.com , which was the cheapest I could find. It worked good for me, but now a friend of mine is trying to use them as well and they are not very responsive. So I'm opting for Belvisa.com . As they are also relatively cheap.

Has anyone used any of these companies and what is your experience? Are they reliable?

(please just post company names and real experiences, not more questions)

andrei_burdenkov

andrei_burdenkov avatar

Nov 3, 2012 10:25 PM
Posts:  38

1

Funny - Victoria Tour used to do that free of charge (but providing you book Victoria Hotel). That's a registered state-run company as well as Belintourist. 123belarus is a private company.

After the Swedish teddy bear scandal visa support agencies here were kindly asked by the government agencies to be careful of what they are doing and they will be reluctant to render plain visa support. But they might also be willing a few quick dollars.

A

Tursunzore

Tursunzore avatar

Nov 5, 2012 12:47 PM
Posts:  10

2

I have recently used BelarusTourService (belarustravel.by). They charged USD 20 for visa support - I booked my hotel with them as well, perhaps they charge more if you only want the visa support.

andrei_burdenkov

andrei_burdenkov avatar

Nov 5, 2012 9:19 PM
Posts:  38

3

It is most unlikely that any - at least solid - tour operator will render plain visa support (without a genuine booking) any more - they have been told by authorities that in such cases it will be bad for them. The policy was tightened after the Swedish teddy bear scandal.

A

douwer

douwer avatar

Nov 20, 2012 8:33 AM
Posts:  3

4

Well for anyone who would like to use the same, I used:

belvisa.com 30 euro
They are very fast and reply quickly to your emails.

.
My Australian friend used:
123belarus.com 25 euro

They also delivered, but are sporadic at replying to emails etc.

ronin28

ronin28 avatar

Dec 1, 2012 9:28 PM
Posts:  56

5

ah those Dutch people, they never won't spend even 1 cent more for what is neccessary :D :-)

tinomartinez

tinomartinez avatar

Jan 16, 2013 10:05 AM
Posts:  25

6

Might be a stupid question but: Does this mean 25 euro (or whatever) plus the "government" fees? According to the website of the Belarusian embassy a tourist visa costs 60 euros - that's why I'm asking.

andrei_burdenkov

andrei_burdenkov avatar

Jan 16, 2013 2:31 PM
Posts:  38

7

That is a simple question - agency issues a letter and charges a fee for the paperwork - in this case EUR 25. Consulate issues a visa and charges for the stickerwork - EUR 60+ (depending on the passport).

A

tinomartinez

tinomartinez avatar

Jan 18, 2013 9:25 AM
Posts:  25

8

Thanks! This answers my question.

jesdon

jesdon avatar

Jan 25, 2013 1:38 PM
Posts:  19

9

When I was last in Belarus I used Prime Tour Ltd. (Speak to Olya). www.belarusprimetour.com US $30 for visa support +min 1 night hotel booking. Excellent service and no complaints whatsoever.

andrei_burdenkov

andrei_burdenkov avatar

Feb 2, 2013 8:07 AM
Posts:  38

10

By the way, Garni Hotel in Minsk issues signed and sealed booking confirmations - I was shocked myself because this is a state-run hotel but they do. So enclosing this paper to your visa application will get you a 10-day visa (depends on the booked nights of course).

Maybe since they have just opened they are trying to gain some face?..

A

EnClair

EnClair avatar

Feb 9, 2013 3:48 AM
Posts:  58

11

Can you get a visa for 10 days when just booking hotel for one nigh, and then book hotels as we travel around?

andrei_burdenkov

andrei_burdenkov avatar

Feb 9, 2013 8:42 AM
Posts:  38

12

I couldn't tell and I guess yes - but it depends on the madness of the Consulate where you are applying for a visa. The law stipulates that the visa can be for the booked hotel nights and not longer than 10 days in total but it is also quite logical that one may want to go to other cities, etc. and may not be able to obtain a confirmation paper from all hotels. So apply for the whole 10 days and put all cities you are going to visit in the itinerary.

A

jesdon

jesdon avatar

Feb 10, 2013 12:35 PM
Posts:  19

13

The embassy in Helsinki at least permits you to apply for a visa for a longer time frame than that you've got hotel confirmations for. They'll do your visas via post or in person.
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