Belarus

Investor Permanent Residence Permit

Belarus offers a permanent residence permit pathway for foreign investors who make qualifying investments of at least 15,000 base units (BYN 675,000, approximately USD 202,000 at 2026 rates) on the territory of the Republic of Belarus. This investor residence pathway is established under Article 53 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus No. 105-Z of 4 January 2010 "On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons," as amended effective 1 July 2020. The program is administered by the citizenship and migration subdivisions (OGiM) of territorial internal affairs bodies under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It grants immediate access to permanent residence — bypassing the standard 5-year prior residence requirement — in exchange for a qualifying economic contribution.

• Foreign citizen or stateless person of any nationality
• Qualifying investment of at least 15,000 base units (BYN 675,000 / approximately USD 202,000 at 2026 rates) made on the territory of Belarus
• No specific educational or professional qualifications required
• Founding sponsoring organization must submit a motivated petition confirming the investment
• Criminal record certificate (issued no more than 6 months before application) from country of citizenship or permanent residence
• Medical certificate confirming absence of dangerous diseases (for persons aged 14+)

Qualifying investment types (under the Law on Investments No. 53-Z of 2013, as amended 2024):

• Creating a commercial organization in Belarus
• Acquiring or constructing non-residential real estate
• Acquiring intellectual property rights
• Purchasing shares or stakes in the authorized capital of a commercial organization
• Concession agreements or public-private partnership arrangements
• Other methods not prohibited by law

Note: Acquisition or construction of residential premises for personal use does not qualify.

• Application form and autobiography
• Valid travel document (passport) or identity certificate
• Certificate of citizenship status
• 4 color photographs (40 x 50 mm)
• Criminal record certificate (for persons aged 14+, not older than 6 months)
• Medical certificate confirming absence of dangerous diseases (for persons aged 14+)
• Documents confirming qualifying investments of at least 15,000 base units
• Motivated petition from the sponsoring state body or organization confirming the investment
• Proof of lawful stay in Belarus
• Proof of payment of the state fee (2 base units / BYN 90)
• Dactyloscopic (fingerprint) registration (for persons aged 14–60)

Documents issued by foreign authorities must be legalized or apostilled and, if not in Belarusian or Russian, accompanied by a notarized translation.

The permanent residence permission itself is indefinite and does not expire. The biometric residence permit card is issued initially for 2 years, then renewed for 10-year periods. Card renewal must be initiated at least 2 months before the card expires by submitting documents to the OGiM at the place of registration.

Important: The permanent residence permission is valid for 1 year from the date of the decision. If the applicant does not apply for the biometric residence permit card within that period, the permission is annulled.

Close relatives (spouse, children, parents) of a permanent resident investor may apply for their own permanent residence under the family reunification ground. Each family member must submit a separate application with a full document package. Children under 14 are exempt from fees, criminal record certificates, medical certificates, and fingerprinting.

Permanent residents who spend 183 or more days per calendar year in Belarus become tax residents, subject to a flat 13% personal income tax rate on worldwide income (25% on annual income exceeding BYN 220,000). Non-residents are taxed only on Belarus-sourced income at 13%.

After 7 consecutive years of permanent residence (with no more than 3 months' absence per year), holders may apply for Belarusian citizenship through naturalization, subject to language proficiency in Belarusian or Russian, a legal income source, and renunciation of prior citizenship.

1. Make the qualifying investment. Complete the investment on the territory of Belarus (at least 15,000 base units through permitted channels).

2. Obtain a sponsoring petition. The state body or organization supporting the investment submits a motivated petition to the citizenship and migration subdivision confirming the investment.

3. Submit the application. File in person at the OGiM of the internal affairs body at the location of intended permanent residence (or through a Belarusian diplomatic mission abroad). The state fee is 2 base units (BYN 90).

4. Await decision. Processing takes 1 to 6 months depending on complexity. The decision notification is issued within 5 days of the decision.

5. Obtain the biometric residence permit card. Upon approval, applicants from abroad receive either a certificate confirming the permit issuance or a visa for permanent residence. Upon arrival in Belarus, the holder must register at their place of residence within 3 months and obtain the biometric permit card. Fingerprint registration is required for persons aged 14 to 60.

Note: International sanctions on Belarus may affect banking and investment transactions for citizens of certain countries. Belarus is subject to EU, US, and other jurisdictions' sanctions frameworks.

Links

• https://www.brest.brest-region.gov.by/en/news-en/view/how-can-a-foreigner-obtain-a-permanent-residence-permit-in-the-republic-of-belarus-2000004657
• https://e-pasluga.by/en_US/services/citizenship-passport-id-card/200126issuance-of-a-temporary-residence-permit-in-the-republic-of-belarus-to-a-f
• https://economy.gov.by/en/CONDITIONS-FOR-INVESTMENT-en/

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