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October 24 – October 30, 2016

Belarusian authorities aim for visa liberalisation due to economic reasons

The situation has not changed

Foreign tourists can visit the Augustov Canal, a special tourist and recreational park and the surrounding area without a visa if they stay under five days. According to travel agents, due to the visa-free regime tourists visiting Belarus have increased in number, mainly from the neighbouring Poland and Lithuania. Meanwhile, the Belarusian authorities do not seem to be interested in visa liberalisation for Belarusians, including visa-free small border traffic with Lithuania and Poland, which is likely due to economic concerns and protectionism. The Belarusian authorities are afraid of currency export by the population. However, the authorities are considering the possibility of further liberalisation and opening Belarus for foreigners and enabling visa-free travel throughout the country. Amid economic recession, they aspire that this could have a positive effect on the economy.

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