Bialowieza forest to become visa-free area on July 9

On March 9,  head of Belarus signed Decree 115 'On establishment of visa-free entry and exit of foreign nationals'. It was done almost in secret.  This extraordinary document made part of the country unique - in fact, a visa-free area.

Who can come to the Bialowieza forest without a visa?

The answer: any foreign citizen with a passport. "The basis for entry will be documents confirming the payment for travel services in the Bialowieza forest  national park. The State Border Committee told Euroradio that the procedure will be the same as during the World Hockey Championship. It was possible to come to Belarus just showing the border guard a ticket to a hockey game. Foreignerw will only be allowed on the territory of the Bialowieza Forest after they present the paid vouchers or reservation of lodgings in the Belarusian part of the forest.

How can you get there?

Visa free visit to Belarus will only be possible through one checkpoint Perarou-Bialowieza. It is located in the forest itself, the border here can only be crossed by bicycle or on foot. Distance to Pruzhany is 45 km, to Kamenets 40 km, to Bielsko Podlaskie - 48 km. Cars will not be allowed - it will have to stay in Poland.

How long will it be possible to stay in Belarus without a visa, and can one travel outside of the Bialowieza Forest.

The answer is 72 hours or 3 days. It is what the Decree says. Border guards will note the time of arrival in Belarus. In theory, this is enough time to get to Vitsebsk and back in time. In practice, this issue is not yet resolved. The Border Committee said that they are now dealing with the issue: "We have the experience of working during the World Cup and the enough ways to control the movement of visitors. However, for now I cannot tell you exactly whether tourists without a visa will be able to travel from the forest to Kamyanets or Brest. The decree was signed, we are currently developing additional rules. "

Bialowieza Forest adds problems for border guards, as its borders are not certain, and its exits are not controlled. The committee said that the border guards will explain in detail to the tourists, where they can go and cannot go.

Why is it done?

"The main purpose of the Decree is to boost the cross-border tourism and more efficiently use the potential of the unique natural complex. Of the 150 thousand tourists who annually visit the Polish part of the Bialowieza Forest, a large number of tourists express a desire to visit the Belarusian National Park," says the official explanation to the Decree 115. It also says that there are plans to capitalize on foreign tourists and earn additional 27.4 billion rubles.

When will a visa-free regime be launched?

It will happen three months after the decree is signed. It means it will happen already on July 9.

How much is the reservation of tourist services in the Bialowieza Forest?

The Belarusian part of the forest now has one large hotel and several private farmsteads. You can rent a private room as well as the entire building. Prices range from 16 euros for a "small ethnic style room" to 150 euros for a large house in the woods a day. A suite at the Kamenyuki hotel costs about 50 euros. The cost of the Belarusian visa is 60 euros.