Visa for the United States from Belarus: price, documents and processing time 2026

Yes. A B1 (business) / B2 (tourism) nonimmigrant visa is required for Belarusian citizens for a temporary stay in the United States. Belarus is not part of the Visa Waiver Program, so ESTA is not an option. The visa must be obtained before boarding.

• Government fee185 USD
• Application centre feeVariable, set by the operator
• Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
• ExtrasVariable

Prepare a valid passport, the DS-160 confirmation page, a photo meeting US standards and proof of the MRV fee payment. Bring any documents supporting the purpose of travel and your ties to Belarus (employment, family, property). We do not state an amount here: check travel.state.gov for the MRV fee in force at the time of application.

The application begins with the online DS-160 form. The Belarusian applicant then creates a profile, pays the MRV fee and books an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Because routine visa services at U.S. Embassy Minsk are limited, confirm on travel.state.gov the consular post designated for your case (it may be located in a third country) before making any bookings.

Then the application goes to the post accredited for Belarus, often in a neighbouring capital, or to a state acting on its behalf. Confirm which post is competent with the official source before travelling to a third country to apply, a rejected file at the wrong counter costs the trip and the fee.

The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in Belarus but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.

Timelines depend on appointment availability at the designated post and administrative processing; check the estimates on travel.state.gov before planning your trip. Prepare for the interview by showing strong ties to Belarus and a clear intent to return. Do not buy a firm ticket before the visa is issued.

An incomplete DS-160, or one inconsistent with your interview answers, is a frequent cause of refusal under section 214(b) for failing to show sufficient ties. Do not assume which consular post is competent, for Belarusian applicants it may be abroad. Do not rely on fixed MRV fees or wait times either, and arrive on time with all documents.