For the first time in 10 years, Belarusians will be able to get all types of US visas in Minsk

For the first time since 2008, citizens of Belarus will again be able to get American visas of all categories in Minsk.

Фото: Depositphotos

This was announced by the US Charge d'Affaires in Belarus Robert Riley, writes Tut.by.

“From February 1 2018, we are starting to provide a full range of non-immigration services in Belarus. Any citizen and resident of Belarus of any age can apply for a visa of any category in Minsk. For the first time in 10 years, we have been able to provide such services in Minsk, ”said Riley.

Previously, many Belarusians who wanted to go to the United States had to go abroad to get an American visa. Such measures were introduced after the conflict in the 2008 year. Then the number of American diplomats in Minsk was reduced, and the embassy began to issue visas only for certain categories of citizens.

And for business or tourist visas (categories B1 / B2), Belarusians had to travel to the US embassies in Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn, Warsaw, Kiev or Moscow.

“I think you understand that our resources are limited, so for now we will not be able to accept applications from citizens of other countries that are not residents of Belarus. But we are very happy for Belarusians, for whom the procedure from February 1 will be easier, ”said Robert Riley.

The diplomat said that it’s difficult to estimate how many residents of Belarus did not apply for visas due to having to get them in neighboring countries.

Aleta Covenski, Consul of the US Embassy in Belarus, noted that 2017-7 thousands of visas had been issued for 8 in Minsk a year.

Visa for Belarusians will cost the same as for citizens of other countries - 160 dollars.

На вопрос, почему гражданам Беларуси США не выдают долгосрочных, например пятилетних виз, Алета Ковенски пояснила: «Срок действия визы определяется тем, что мы называем принципом взаимности. То есть Соединенные Штаты выдают визы той продолжительности, которой власти другой страны выдают визы гражданам США. В настоящее время белорусская сторона выдает визы годичной продолжительности, и, соответственно, США выдает визы такие же».

The consul called a myth the conviction that it is very difficult to get an American visa.

“В Беларуси, могу заверить вас, большинство из обращающихся за визой ее получают. Наша цель заключается в том, чтобы как можно больше заявителей имели возможность побывать в Соединенных Штатах”, — сказала консул.

The embassy explained that, according to American law, every person who applies for a US visa must convince the consular officer that after the trip he is going to return to his homeland, the applicant must demonstrate his ties with Belarus.

A US visa to Belarus can be obtained, as a rule, the next day after the submission of documents, less often - within a week.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Why one give a visa, and the other - no: an anonymous interview with a visa center employee

8 blunders in US interviews and in preparation

Will Trump close America for visitors: what scares Russian-speaking migration reform

Where to quickly get a visa in the United States: three options

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.