Do any US citizens have first hand experience of traveling to Belarus?

[Cheburashka34 228]

My Russian fiancé said he would like to meet there, since they won't let non-family members into Russia, but it seems like they have a lot of loops to jump through if you are a US citizen and don't want to get a visa for the country.

Please let me know your experience!

[millefleur 5,046]

According to the Embassy, you actually don't need need a visa for tourism?

 

30 Day Visa Free Travel

U.S. passport holders traveling to Belarus via Minsk International Airport may enter visa-free for up to 30 days (the 30-day limit includes the day of arrival and the day of departure) for tourism or business.

https://by.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/traveling-in-belarus/

[J&A1234 181]

You don’t need a visa to visit Belarus as an US citizen. All you need to do is buy health insurance which can be done at the airport. Super easy from my experience.

[Cheburashka34 228]

1 hour ago, J&A1234 said:

You don’t need a visa to visit Belarus as an US citizen. All you need to do is buy health insurance which can be done at the airport. Super easy from my experience.

Really? Yes it says you have to arrive through Minsk airport and get health insurance and then it says you have to show financial proof that you can stay there through cash or credit cards? Did you have to do this?

I am also considering Turkey, have you been there?

[J&A1234 181]

2 minutes ago, Cheburashka34 said:

Really? Yes it says you have to arrive through Minsk airport and get health insurance and then it says you have to show financial proof that you can stay there through cash or credit cards? Did you have to do this?

I am also considering Turkey, have you been there?

No I printed out some bank statements just in case but they never asked. Better to be safe than sorry. It was super easy and I found people in Minsk to be much friendlier than those in Moscow, and it is ridiculously clean. And no to Turkey, but that’s probably where me and my fiancée are hoping to meet next month. As far as I know there are few restrictions to enter and I know many Russians and Ukrainians currently vacationing there. Serbia could be another option.

[Cheburashka34 228]

17 minutes ago, J&A1234 said:

No I printed out some bank statements just in case but they never asked. Better to be safe than sorry. It was super easy and I found people in Minsk to be much friendlier than those in Moscow, and it is ridiculously clean. And no to Turkey, but that’s probably where me and my fiancée are hoping to meet next month. As far as I know there are few restrictions to enter and I know many Russians and Ukrainians currently vacationing there. Serbia could be another option.

Thank you!!

I really prefer Turkey because there are no quarantine requirements for either of us and no testing requirements, so please let me know how your trip goes!

My fiance is being really stubborn about going there but it seems like the easiest option. I think he's worried it's unsafe and no one speaks Russian or english? 😒 I think he's wrong. If we go to a tourist destination it seems like it would be fine

[J&A1234 181]

18 minutes ago, Cheburashka34 said:

Thank you!!

I really prefer Turkey because there are no quarantine requirements for either of us and no testing requirements, so please let me know how your trip goes!

My fiance is being really stubborn about going there but it seems like the easiest option. I think he's worried it's unsafe and no one speaks Russian or english? 😒 I think he's wrong. If we go to a tourist destination it seems like it would be fine

Turkey is a MASSIVE tourist destination for English and Russian speakers. You will have no problem with the language, it’s a tourist country. Regarding safety, I would be a lot more concerned with possible COVID border closings. Plus there are direct flights to Istanbul from the US and Moscow. Imo Turkey is the best option logistically.

[millefleur 5,046]

**One hijack post and replies removed; if you have your own question, please start a new thread**

 

VJ Moderation

[Cheburashka34 228]

8 minutes ago, J&A1234 said:

Turkey is a MASSIVE tourist destination for English and Russian speakers. You will have no problem with the language, it’s a tourist country. Regarding safety, I would be a lot more concerned with possible COVID border closings. Plus there are direct flights to Istanbul from the US and Moscow. Imo Turkey is the best option logistically.

Thank you!! You are awesome. Are you planning on traveling to Istanbul? or a different city?

[J&A1234 181]

15 minutes ago, Cheburashka34 said:

Thank you!! You are awesome. Are you planning on traveling to Istanbul? or a different city?

Just Istanbul. We are trying to limit how much we travel.

[Kate.Alday 113]

On 10/8/2020 at 10:26 PM, Cheburashka34 said:

Thank you!!

I really prefer Turkey because there are no quarantine requirements for either of us and no testing requirements, so please let me know how your trip goes!

My fiance is being really stubborn about going there but it seems like the easiest option. I think he's worried it's unsafe and no one speaks Russian or english? 😒 I think he's wrong. If we go to a tourist destination it seems like it would be fine

We were in Istanbul with my husband in September. Everything was perfect. So Turkey is really good option to meet there. And I wouldn’t recommend now to go to Belarus. Political situation is not good as you know. That’s why we decided to meet at Turkey instead of Belarus. 

[Cheburashka34 228]

20 minutes ago, Kate.Alday said:

We were in Istanbul with my husband in September. Everything was perfect. So Turkey is really good option to meet there. And I wouldn’t recommend now to go to Belarus. Political situation is not good as you know. That’s why we decided to meet at Turkey instead of Belarus. 

Thank you so much! We have decided Istanbul would be a good option for us and we will go in January if Russia still isn't open