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Residence & citizenship

Belarusian Citizenship by Naturalisation

Acquiring Belarusian citizenship after long-term permanent residence, subject to legal conditions.

Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
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Under review — check current rules

The standard residence period for naturalisation (commonly cited as 7 years) is not confirmed from an official source here and must be verified against the current Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Belarus.

Important information

Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Belarus government website before you apply.
On this page
Official name
Admission to citizenship of the Republic of Belarus
Route type
Naturalisation / citizenship
Authority
Ministry of Internal Affairs - Department for Citizenship and Migration
Governing law
Law of 1 August 2002 'On Citizenship of the Republic of Belarus'
Processed by
Department of Citizenship and Migration, Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD)
Basis
Continuous permanent residence in Belarus
Applies after holding a permanent residence permit; exact qualifying period to be confirmed (see review note).
Dual citizenship
Not generally recognised by Belarus

Who it is for

  • Permanent residents seeking to become Belarusian citizens
  • Former citizens seeking restoration, and ethnic Belarusians

Requirements

  • A qualifying period of permanent residence in Belarus
  • Compliance with the conditions of the Law on Citizenship
  • Renunciation or other citizenship conditions as required by law

How to apply

  • Apply through the citizenship and migration unit of the internal affairs body
  • Submit the required documents evidencing residence and eligibility

Documents you may need

  • Permanent residence permit for Belarus.
  • Evidence of continuous residence in Belarus for the qualifying period.
  • Proof of a lawful source of income.
  • Evidence of Belarusian or Russian language knowledge.
  • Documents relating to your current or former citizenship.

Frequently asked questions

  • Belarus does not generally recognise dual citizenship. Acquiring Belarusian citizenship by naturalisation normally means renouncing or losing your previous citizenship.

Official sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.

Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.

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