smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Belarus
| Belarus overall | This Advice is current for Tuesday, 06 January 2009. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
You should avoid demonstrations, rallies and localised street disturbances which can occur at short notice as they may turn violent.
Belarus authorities have a low level of tolerance for domestic political opposition and their response to opposition rallies or demonstrations has involved physical violence.
Travellers are potential targets for robbery, mugging and pickpocketing. Crime levels are higher at night and in or near bars and hotels catering for foreigners. Drink spiking, with the intention of robbing the victim while incapacitated, has been reported. Travellers have been robbed when travelling by train. Muggings have occurred at the border crossing at Brest.
You should carry your passport, originals of the registered visa (see "Entry and Exit Requirements" below) and migration card with you. Photocopies are not acceptable.
Since early 2005, a system of fees for drivers of foreign motor vehicles entering Belarus has been in effect. Payment is collected at the border and varies according to the length of stay. You must have valid third party car insurance which can only be purchased when entering Belarus.
Foreign drivers must possess a valid international driver's licence. Drivers must be able to produce either an original ownership certificate for their vehicle, rental contract or power of attorney from the owner of the vehicle.
Some roads outside large cities may be impassable in winter due to ice and snow.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways of accessing your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques and US dollars or Euros cash. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas. A number of ATM scams have been reported recently. We therefore recommend you use ATMs located inside or next to bank premises.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in Belarus, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Driving with a blood alcohol level greater than zero is an offence.
Belarusian law provides for severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences, for drug-related offences.
Serious crimes, such as murder, may attract the death penalty in Belarus.
It is prohibited to photograph military installations, government buildings, monuments and uniformed officials.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
Belarus does not recognise dual nationality. Australian citizens entering Belarus with a Belarusian passport will be treated as Belarusian citizens by local authorities. This may limit our ability to provide consular assistance to Australian/Belarusian dual nationals who are arrested or detained.
Australian dual nationals entering Belarus on passports of the former Soviet Union are likely to experience difficulties in dealing with immigration authorities when seeking to depart. On arrival, you should seek advice from local authorities on documentation requirements for exit.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Belarus for the most up to date information and for visa services. The Australian Embassy in Moscow is not able to assist with visa applications for or exit visas from Belarus.
Australian citizens are required to obtain visas to visit or transit Belarus. If you attempt to transit Belarus without a visa (including travelling by train on routes such as Warsaw-Moscow and St Petersburg-Kiev), you may be directed by border authorities to Minsk to obtain the appropriate visa. You may also be fined and/or deported.
Visa validity dates are strictly enforced. You are required to register with local police within three working days of arrival. Travellers staying in hotels are registered as part of the check-in procedure.
When you enter Belarus or Russia, you will be required to complete a Migration Card. A single Migration Card will now cover both Belarus and Russia. As the Migration Card may not be automatically distributed to incoming passengers on flights or trains, you should request a card from border control authorities. You should retain the stamped second half of this form as you will need to present it when exiting the last of the two countries visited.
Belarus requires all foreign nationals to have medical insurance upon entry. Visitors must obtain a medical insurance policy either from a Belarus insurance company or from an insurance company accredited in Belarus. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Belarus for a list of insurance companies accredited in Belarus. Policies may also be purchased at a Belarus Embassy when obtaining a visa.
Visitors arriving without insurance that is valid in Belarus will be required to purchase a standard policy upon entry. The standard policy is not comprehensive medical insurance, but is designed only to compensate local medical institutions for the cost of treating visitors.
You are required to complete currency and goods declaration forms upon entering the country and have them stamped by a Customs Officer. Undeclared monies may be confiscated. You should keep these forms for the duration of your visit and have them ready for presentation, if required, upon your departure. You must not take out more money than you originally brought into the country. If you do, you may be detained and/or fined.
Customs regulations apply to the export of antiques, icons and items of historic significance.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
As outlined under Entry and Exit Requirements, medical insurance is compulsory for a stay in Belarus.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
The standard of medical facilities in Minsk is limited and is poor outside of the capital. Basic medical supplies and pharmaceuticals are in short supply. Doctors and hospitals will request either insurance details or up-front payment of a percentage of the costs before commencing treatment. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities would be necessary. Medical evacuation costs could be considerable.
Travel in forested areas brings the risk of exposure to tick-borne encephalitis and other tick-borne diseases. Ticks are very common in country areas from spring to autumn.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, measles, diphtheria, hepatitis and rabies) are prevalent, with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. Avoid unpasteurised dairy products and undercooked food. In rural areas, we recommend that all drinking water be boiled or that you drink bottled water.
In regions of Belarus contaminated by radiation from the Chernobyl accident, we recommend you avoid eating dairy products, wild fowl and game, and fruits and vegetables unless they are imported.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Belarus. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy which is in Russia. Contact details are:
Australian Embassy
Podkolokolny Pereulok 10a/2
Moscow, Russia
Telephone (7 495) 956 6070
Facsimile (7 495) 956 6170.
Website www.russia.embassy.gov.au
If you are travelling to Belarus, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
