Post: #1

Does anyone have experience traveling between Russia and Belarus? For instance, from Moscow to Minsk via plane/train? I was reading today that there is no passport check/border control between the 2 countries...that flights between Minsk/Moscow are considered "domestic", similar to intra-Schengen flights.

The reason I'm asking, is that it might be possible to stay in Belarus for long periods of time via this "loophole". As Americans, we can easily get 3-year tourists visas for Russia (allowing for 6-month stays at a time). So as long as we enter/exit Belarus via Russia, this can help us bypass the cumbersome policy for getting a long-term Belarus visa.

Would appreciate any feedback from those with Russia/Belarus travel experience.

Post: #2

Paging The Ligurian (now PeruLover12 I see).

Post: #3

Post: #4

You can directly go through as far as I know, but you have to have visa separately for both countries.

Post: #5

My understanding is that there is no border control between Russia and Belarus. When I landed into Belarus I was handed an immigration card that read "Russian Federation / Belarus," indicating landing into one country was like landing into the other.

But....I would highly recommend not trying any "loopholes" for staying in Belarus longer than allowed to. This is still a socialist state with the KGB (they didn't even bother changing the name). Visitors have to register with the police within 5 days (most do either through hotels and/or apartment owners). Not sure people would even rent out their place to you without registering you with the police or having proof that you registered.

If you want to stay more than a week, best bet would likely be to register for Russian language classes at the state university. The paperwork is a pain in the butt (it dissuaded me from studying there), but the safest/surest way to stay in Belarus.

Post: #6

Regarding German news theres a new law that you can travel there as EU citizen or American for 30 days without any visa

Post: #7

^ Incorrect.

You are only allowed to stay up to 5 days and you must arrive through Minsk airport and aswell have tickets confirming that you are leaving within those five days.

Post: #8

I crossed the Belarus / Russia border more than one time by train, and there was never any border check.

Post: #9

(01-29-2017 12:37 PM)torid Wrote:  I crossed the Belarus / Russia border more than one time by train, and there was never any border check.

No there isn't but Russia has been carrying out random checks on its border with Belarus.

http://en.few-news.ru/russia-has-banned-...larus.html

I wouldn't try it if I were you. If you get caught, you wouldn't want to end up in a Russian/Belarusian prison.

Post: #10

RIA Novosti reporting that Russia is to restore border controls with Belarus.

Post: #11

(01-11-2017 08:01 AM)jasond Wrote:  Does anyone have experience traveling between Russia and Belarus? For instance, from Moscow to Minsk via plane/train? I was reading today that there is no passport check/border control between the 2 countries...that flights between Minsk/Moscow are considered "domestic", similar to intra-Schengen flights.

The reason I'm asking, is that it might be possible to stay in Belarus for long periods of time via this "loophole". As Americans, we can easily get 3-year tourists visas for Russia (allowing for 6-month stays at a time). So as long as we enter/exit Belarus via Russia, this can help us bypass the cumbersome policy for getting a long-term Belarus visa.

Would appreciate any feedback from those with Russia/Belarus travel experience.

That means, you have 3 options

England, Turkey or Ukraine to kill some time. I wouldn't try England at all, because it's too expensive.

Post: #12

I crossed the border between Russia/Belarus a couple of times traveling by bus. There was a border control like between US and Mexico. But it was about 10 years ago.

Post: #13

There's not, as of a few years ago (girl has experience with it), but it's also not something I'd be inclined to fuck with.