Citizens of Belarus permanently residing abroad will not be able to obtain, exchange or extend their passports at embassies and consulates abroad.
This is stated in the decree of the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, who is not recognized by a number of states.
Previously, Belarusians permanently residing outside Belarus and registered with the consulate could obtain or exchange their passports at embassies and consulates. Starting from September 5, you can get a passport or extend its validity only at the internal affairs bodies or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but only on the territory of Belarus.
For those whose documents for obtaining a new passport abroad are already under consideration, this does not affect the procedure for consideration.
Consulates will also no longer record transactions with real estate in Belarus and with personal vehicles of citizens living abroad.
The decree states that a resident of Belarus living abroad can obtain a passport or sell a car without personal presence – by notarized power of attorney. However, it is emphasized that the power of attorney must be executed by the parties in the country.
The Decree will come into force after its official publication on the National Legal Internet Portal.
- On August 9, 2020, Belarus held presidential elections, which neither the opposition nor the international community recognized as free and fair. According to the official results, incumbent President Oleksandr Lukashenko received 80.08% of the vote, while his main rival Svitlana Tikhanovska received 10.09%.
- On September 23, 2020, Lukashenko was officially proclaimed president at the Palace of Independence in Minsk. The inauguration ceremony was secret, and information about it was disclosed.
- Mass protests against election fraud began in Belarus, which were suppressed by the security forces on Lukashenka’s orders. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus has created a database of protesters against Lukashenka.
- Many Belarusians were forced to leave the country due to political repression. The BEROC research center estimates that in 2021-2022, up to 172,000 Belarusians could leave for the EU alone.
