Key Takeaways
• Belarus’ visa-waiver program welcomed 71,489 visitors from 38 European countries in 2025, boosting regional travel.
• Lithuanian politician Eduardas Vaitkus praised Belarus’ visa-waiver policy, contradicting official Lithuanian government travel warnings.
• Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland citizens may stay 90 days per entry; others from 35 countries can stay 30 days.
A prominent Lithuanian figure has recently praised Belarus for its visa-waiver program, drawing attention from both local and European audiences. On May 13, 2025, Eduardas Vaitkus, a former Lithuanian presidential candidate, attended a press conference at the BelTA press center in Minsk. Here, he gave positive remarks about Belarus’ visa-waiver initiative, calling it “very positive” and “a smart decision” made by the Belarusian president. His statements stand out against the official warnings issued by Lithuanian authorities about travel to Belarus. Vaitkus, disagreeing with these warnings, shared his personal experience, saying, “I feel totally safe in Belarus.”
Let’s take a closer look at this visa-waiver program: how it works, who it benefits, and what impact it might have on travel and relations within Europe.
What Is the Belarus Visa-Waiver Program?
Belarus’ visa-waiver program is an effort to make it easier for travelers from European countries to enter the nation without first getting a visa. Since the start of 2025, an impressive 71,489 travelers from 38 European countries have made use of this program. The numbers are growing, showing that it is becoming popular across Europe.
How the Program Works
Travelers who are citizens of the approved European countries can enter Belarus without needing to secure a visa in advance. It’s a straightforward process: if you meet the eligibility criteria and have a valid passport from one of the included countries, you can simply present yourself at any international border crossing point in Belarus and be admitted under the program. There’s no need to worry about lengthy paperwork or delays for most short-term stays.
Key details include:
– The program is valid until December 31, 2025.
– It allows unlimited entries during this period.
– Citizens of 35 European countries may stay up to 30 days per visit.
– Citizens of Lithuania 🇱🇹, Latvia 🇱🇻, and Poland 🇵🇱 enjoy stays of up to 90 days per entry.
– The total amount of time spent in Belarus visa-free cannot be more than 90 days in a single calendar year, no matter how many times you enter.
This program was first offered in April 2022 for Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland. On July 19, 2024, it was widened to cover 35 additional European countries.
Eduardas Vaitkus’ Perspective and Its Significance
Eduardas Vaitkus has become a key voice in support of Belarus’ efforts to open its borders to European travelers. During his press conference, Vaitkus spoke warmly about his own experiences in Belarus and challenged the warnings from Lithuanian authorities about travel risks. He made a point to say he felt totally safe while traveling in Belarus, which counters some of the worries voiced by Lithuanian officials.
Why does this matter? His public support may shape how people in Lithuania and nearby countries view Belarus. When well-known political figures share positive feedback about travel experiences, it can increase trust and interest among regular travelers. It’s also a direct response to fears and cautions about travel, which are sometimes influenced by political tensions in the region.
Travelers Taking Advantage
Since April 15, 2022 – when the visa-waiver program began – more than 1.1 million Europeans have entered Belarus through this option. That’s a large increase compared to past years.
If we look closer at the recent visitor breakdown:
– Lithuania 🇱🇹 tops the list with over 617,000 people visiting.
– Latvia 🇱🇻 follows with 347,855 visitors.
– Poland 🇵🇱 accounts for 112,215 travelers.
– Travelers from the 35 countries added in July 2024 number 26,144.
The most frequent users are people from neighboring European Union states – especially Lithuania 🇱🇹, Latvia 🇱🇻, and Poland 🇵🇱. However, there are also substantial numbers from Germany 🇩🇪, Estonia 🇪🇪, Italy 🇮🇹, France 🇫🇷, and the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.
These figures show that the program appeals to a wide range of people. Whether for business, tourism, visiting family, or other reasons, the easier entry rules are making people more willing to visit Belarus.
A Broader Context: Openness and Cooperation
The visa-waiver program sends a message about Belarus’ willingness to build better ties with Europe. By making it simple for Europeans to visit, Belarus is showing it values openness. It helps people travel for business or pleasure, encourages direct contact between citizens of different countries, and builds mutual understanding.
This is especially notable following a few years of increased tension between Belarus and some of its western neighbors. By inviting more travelers, the country is aiming to improve its image and build friendships across borders.
The introduction and expansion of the visa-waiver program are also practical steps. For many countries, visa requirements are often seen as an obstacle that can stop people from visiting. Removing this step for most short-term travelers makes the process friendlier and encourages the flow of people, ideas, and economic activity.
Specific Details for Travelers
Travelers want to know exactly how the rules apply to them. Here is what you need to know if you are thinking of visiting Belarus under the visa-waiver program:
- If you are from Lithuania 🇱🇹, Latvia 🇱🇻, or Poland 🇵🇱: You can enter Belarus without a visa and stay up to 90 days during each visit. However, across the calendar year, you can only spend a maximum of 90 days total in Belarus without a visa.
- If you are from one of the 35 other approved European countries: You can stay for up to 30 days each time you enter.
- Entries are unlimited: During the program period (through December 31, 2025), you are free to enter and leave as many times as you want, as long as your total days do not exceed 90 in a year.
- All international border crossing points apply: You can use any official point of entry, not just airports or specific land borders.
If you need more information about the current list of eligible countries or border rules, the State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus maintains an official website, which is regularly updated with rules and helpful resources for travelers. You can also download the “Border of Belarus” app, which aims to make the process even simpler for people crossing the border.
Official border entry information can be found on the State Border Committee’s website.
How the Program May Affect Relations Within Europe
Laws around travel and borders are always more than just a matter of paperwork—they reflect relationships between countries. This program, according to statements and data provided by Belarus, is a way to improve friendships and encourage direct contact between people. It may help soften some of the recent political disagreements between Belarus and certain European governments.
By allowing so many Europeans easy entry, Belarus hopes to attract more tourism as well as strengthen business links. If more people visit and see the country for themselves, it can help change opinions and build new partnerships.
At the same time, not everyone is happy about the idea of increased travel to Belarus. Some European governments have warned their citizens to be careful or even advised against visiting, usually listing concerns about political issues, legal systems, or diplomatic relations. The support for the program by Eduardas Vaitkus, a respected Lithuanian figure, offers a different point of view. His testimony may prompt others to reconsider these warnings.
A Closer Look at the Program’s Growth
The program has grown quickly since its start. At first, it only applied to people from Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland, who often have deep connections to Belarus due to history, family ties, or business. When it expanded to include 35 more countries in July 2024, new groups of travelers began to visit, although their numbers are smaller by comparison.
This difference in numbers likely reflects the relative distance of these other countries and the level of connection they have to Belarus. Still, more than 26,000 people have come from these 35 countries in less than a year. This growth suggests the appeal of the visa-waiver program is broadening. Travelers from across the continent are discovering Belarus as a place to visit, meet people, and do business.
The latest data released on May 12, 2025, confirms the popularity of the program as it continues to attract more Europeans, making it one of the most successful visa-free entry programs in the region.
Advantages for Different Groups
For travelers: The program eliminates the hassle of applying for a visa. This saves both time and money, as travelers no longer need to worry about paperwork, interviews, or waiting periods.
For businesses: Easier entry rules mean companies can send staff across the border quickly for meetings, trade shows, or negotiations. This supports cross-border trade and cooperation.
For families and communities: Many people in Lithuania 🇱🇹, Latvia 🇱🇻, and Poland 🇵🇱 have friends or relatives in Belarus. The visa-waiver program makes it easier for families to maintain contact, visit loved ones, and stay connected.
For Belarus: Increased visitors mean more spending on hotels, restaurants, and transportation. This can bring in much-needed funds and promote local businesses.
Concerns and Cautions
Despite these positive aspects, there are concerns. Some European countries continue to warn their citizens about possible risks linked to travel to Belarus. These warnings are based on political events or specific safety concerns that differ from country to country. It’s important for travelers to stay informed about the latest government advice before planning a visit.
Eduardas Vaitkus’ strong endorsement of the safety and hospitality he found in Belarus may reassure some travelers. As reported by VisaVerge.com, his statements could influence both public opinion and official policy debates in Lithuania and the region.
How to Find the Latest Information
For anyone thinking of taking advantage of this visa-waiver program, staying up-to-date is important. Rules and eligibility lists can change, sometimes quickly. The best source for the latest information is the official website of the State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus, which regularly posts updates and detailed instructions for travelers. The “Border of Belarus” app also makes it easier to plan trips and cross the border smoothly.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Belarus’ visa-waiver program stands out as a major step to make the country more accessible to European travelers. With over 1.1 million Europeans visiting since 2022, it’s clear that the program is having an impact. Support from figures like Eduardas Vaitkus, despite official warnings in his home country, could encourage even more people to consider Belarus as a destination for travel, business, or to visit friends and family.
While there are still differences in opinion about the safest or best way to engage with Belarus as a visitor, one fact remains: the visa-waiver program is changing the travel landscape in the region, making it easier and faster for people to connect across borders.
If you are from any of the approved European countries and are interested in learning more, head to the official State Border Committee resource for up-to-date information on Belarus’ visa-waiver program, including important rules, eligible countries, and practical steps for entry.
Whether you are a tourist, a businessperson, or visiting loved ones, the visa-waiver program represents a meaningful opportunity to experience Belarus first-hand. By lowering barriers and simplifying travel, Belarus is making a clear statement about wanting to build new relationships and keep its doors open—at least for now.
Learn Today
Visa-waiver program → A government policy allowing eligible foreign nationals to enter a country without applying for a visa for short-term visits.
State Border Committee → The official Belarusian authority in charge of border control, traveler entry rules, and enforcement of visa policies.
Eligible countries → Nations whose citizens can enter Belarus visa-free under the current program. List updates periodically based on official decisions.
Calendar year limit → Maximum duration (90 days) a traveler can spend visa-free in Belarus within a single year, regardless of visit frequency.
Soft diplomacy → Efforts by a country to improve international relations and reputation through initiatives like tourism programs or cultural exchanges.
This Article in a Nutshell
Belarus’ visa-waiver program is rapidly gaining popularity across Europe, enabling over one million Europeans to visit since 2022. Praised by Lithuanian figure Eduardas Vaitkus, this initiative allows hassle-free travel and closer relations, challenging official warnings. The program demonstrates Belarus’ shift towards openness, fostering tourism, business, and renewed European connections.
— By VisaVerge.com
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