Russia and Belarus have signed a protocol that is intended to change the rules for Russian citizens staying in Belarus and Belarusian citizens staying in Russia. The document was signed on 24 September, although the year was not stated in the source material. Most importantly for travellers and families planning a longer stay, the new rules are not yet being applied: the protocol still has to be ratified, and no effective date has been published.

Who the signed protocol applies to

The protocol concerns only citizens of Russia who are in Belarus and citizens of Belarus who are in Russia. It does not establish new entry or stay rules for citizens of other countries, including foreigners who may have Russian or Belarusian family members, children, property or other connections to either country.

Once the protocol enters into force, the national 90-day restriction on staying in the neighbouring country is expected not to apply to these two groups of citizens. Until that happens, travellers should not rely on the announced change or assume that the 90-day restriction has already been removed.

The protocol is signed, but not yet effective

A signed protocol does not automatically mean that border and migration procedures have changed. The source says that ratification is still expected, but it does not state when ratification will be completed or when the new rules will start to apply.

Before travelling or extending a stay, check the official status of ratification and the published effective date. For current requirements, consult the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, or the relevant Russian or Belarusian consulate. The appropriate authority can depend on the traveller’s citizenship and country of application.

Registration would remain necessary after 90 days

The planned removal of the national 90-day restriction would not remove the registration requirement for a stay exceeding 90 days. Registration means recording the person’s stay with the internal affairs authorities. The protocol indicates that this requirement will remain for Russian citizens in Belarus and Belarusian citizens in Russia whose stay goes beyond that period.

This is an after-arrival step, not a substitute for documents needed to cross the border. A person planning to remain for more than 90 days should therefore verify the registration procedure in the country of stay before travel and again after arrival. The source does not describe the registration documents, filing method, deadlines within the process, or exceptions, so these details must be checked with the competent authorities.

Entry documents and residence permits: what to verify

The protocol also revises the lists of documents used for entry, exit and stay. However, the source does not disclose the contents of those updated lists. Do not assume that a passport, visa, invitation, migration document, or any other document is newly required or no longer required on the basis of this announcement alone.

The protocol provides that the maximum period for issuing a residence permit (VNZh) to citizens of the Union State should be two months from the date of application. A residence permit is a document granting the right to reside in the country. Before applying, confirm that this provision has entered into force and ask the competent authority which documents and application route apply. The source does not state the citizenship-specific conditions, place of filing, fees, or required forms.

Что проверить

  • Confirm whether the Russia–Belarus protocol has been ratified.
  • Check the official date on which the new rules begin to apply.
  • Do not rely on the removal of the 90-day restriction before the protocol is in force.
  • If planning to stay longer than 90 days, verify registration with the internal affairs authorities after arrival.
  • Find the officially published lists of documents for entry, exit and stay before travelling.
  • For a residence permit application, confirm whether the two-month issuance period is already being applied.
  • Check current requirements with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, or the relevant consulate.