US has no plans to reduce visa costs for Belarusians
The U.S. charge d'affairs in Minsk says the minimum visa cost is stipulated by law, and the embassy can do nothing to cut visa costs.
The Unites States have no plans to reduce visa costs in respond to the cutting of the Belarus visa fees for U.S. citizens, U.S. Charge d'Affaires to Belarus Scott Rauland said on February 11 when unveiling the American booth at the XXII Minsk International Book Fair.
The American envoy is quoted by Belapan news agency as saying that the minimum visa cost is set out by law and applies to all countries. Therefore, the embassy in Minsk cannot do anything about it.
Currently, the majority of Belarusians need to travel to Warsaw, Vilnius or Moscow in order to process US visas. Ambassador Rauland expressed hope today that the embassy in Minsk would be able in several months to increase the number of consular staff in Minsk.
Photo: tsn.ua
