How to Get a Work Permit for a Foreigner

In the context of increasing migration flows, the issue of legalizing the work of foreigners is becoming increasingly relevant. With its growing economy and attractive opportunities for investors, Belarus attracts workers from different countries. However, obtaining a work permit for foreigners in Belarus may seem complicated and confusing. In this article, we will look at the main stages and requirements that must be considered to successfully obtain a work permit and share practical tips that will help avoid common mistakes. Understanding this process’s nuances will simplify the recruitment of foreign employees, accelerate adaptation in a new country and ensure compliance with domestic legislation.

Why is it Important for Foreigners to Work Only with a Work Permit

It is only sometimes necessary to obtain a work permit. However, working in another country without the necessary permission can have serious consequences for the foreigner and his employer. Here are a few key reasons why compliance with labour laws is important:

1. Legal Protection
The work on the resolution ensures the employee’s legal rights, including protection from exploitation, access to social guarantees and the ability to protect their rights in case of disputes with the employer.

2. Avoiding Fines and Sanctions
Working without a permit can result in fines for both the employee and the employer. It may even lead to the deportation of a foreigner and a ban on re-entry into the country.

3. Preservation of Reputation
Executing the work according to all the rules demonstrates professionalism and respect for the country’s legislation, which has a positive effect on the reputation of both the employee and the company.

4. Living Conditions
Many countries, including Belarus, require a work permit in some cases in order to obtain other documents, such as a residence permit (residence permit). It is important to obtain legal status and stay in the country.

5. Long-term Prospects
A work permit opens up additional opportunities for professional growth and further legalization in the country, which can be an important step to creating a long-term life abroad.

Working on a work permit is not just a formality but a necessity to ensure a foreigner’s personal safety and legal protection in a new country.

What Steps Should be Taken to Employ a Foreigner in Belarus

A foreign candidate and a future employer must take several steps to conclude an employment contract.

Step 1. Job Search

Start by searching for vacancies on online platforms, specialized websites or through recruitment agencies.

Step 2. Paperwork

Prepare the necessary documents:

A foreign passport.
Documents on education and qualifications. It may be necessary to translate such documents into Russian and legalize the diploma.
Medical certificate of health status (if required).
Resume and cover letter.

Step 3. Submission of Documents

Submit documents to a company that agrees to hire you or a recruitment agency.

Step 4. Obtaining a Work Permit

Special permits are needed in some cases to hire foreigners who do not have a permanent residence permit in Belarus.

Future foreigners’ employers need to obtain a special permit for their work in Belarus (not in all cases is such a permit required for a foreigner to work in Belarus). For permission, employers apply to the Department of Citizenship and Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. A special permit is issued upon the conclusion of the local executive committee on the possibility of employing a foreign citizen. Usually, employers of foreign employees or recruitment agencies that hire foreigners are engaged in obtaining such a permit.

Step 5. Obtaining a Visa (if necessary)

If your country requires a visa to enter Belarus, get a work visa at the consulate or embassy. Visas are unnecessary for IT employees employed by Belarusian Hi-Tech Park resident companies, founders and heads of such companies.

Step 6. Conclusion of an Employment Agreement

After receiving the permit, enter into an employment contract with the employer.

Step 7. Registration at the Place of Residence

Foreigners must register at their Citizenship and Migration Department residence within ten days after arriving in Belarus. This rule does not apply to citizens of Russia and some other countries. You can register online. For foreign employees of IT companies who are residents of the Hi-Tech Park, the temporary residence permit is obtained by the hiring company, not by the employee himself. Such a permit is defined as the entire term of the employment contract plus two months after the end of this period.

In addition, foreign employees of IT companies who are residents of the Hi-Tech Park can stay for up to 6 months a calendar year without a temporary residence permit.

Step 8. Notification of Employment

The employer is obliged to notify the local government authorities about your employment. In particular, you must inform the Citizenship and Migration department within a month after hiring a foreign citizen.fter hiring a foreign citizen.

When Foreign Employees Don’t Need to Obtain a Work Permit

The cases when foreign workers do not need to obtain a special work permit are determined by the State. You do not need to obtain a special work permit:

Employers of foreign students who can work in Belarusian companies for no more than 20 hours a week.
This is for employers of foreigners who, within a year after receiving their education, find jobs in their specialty in Belarusian companies.
When, as the head of a company established with the participation of a foreign owner – an individual, the company hires this owner. Documents will be required stating that this owner has a suitable education and work experience of at least two years.
When a company hires a highly qualified employee whose position (profession) is included in the list established by the Government of Belarus, such a list the government consists of occupations and positions of highly qualified foreign specialists who can work in Belarusian companies without a special work permit. Such a list is established annually. For example, in 2024, highly qualified software engineers do not need a special permit to work in Belarus.
Highly qualified employees include those with a suitable education and work experience in this speciality for at least five years. Temporary residence permits for such employees are issued for up to 2 years.
To hire foreign employees with citizenship in the EAEU Member States: Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.

How to Get a Special Permit for the Right to Work in Belarus

Let’s imagine a sequence of steps for the employer to take to obtain a special permit for a foreign employee’s right to engage in labour activity.

Step 1. Write a Statement

The employer of a foreign employee must apply to the company’s letterhead to the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus (MIA). The form of such an application can be found on the Ministry of Internal Affairs website. In the application, you must specify, in particular, the place of residence of the foreign employee, his profession, and his place of work, justify the need to hire him and write the desired validity period for the special permit.

Step 2. We pay the State Fee

To obtain a special permit, the employer must pay a state fee of 5 basic units, which is 200 Belarusian rubles or about 55 euros.
The state fee does not need to be paid to employers who employ citizens of Ukraine.

Step 3. We give the documents to the Citizenship and Migration Department

A photocopy of the foreigner’s passport (document on departure abroad), translated into Russian in the part where it says about the surname, first name, place of issue and validity of the document, must be attached to the application for a particular work permit.
The documents are given personally to the Citizenship and Migration Department or sent by mail.

Step 4. Get a Special Permit

The Citizenship and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs reviews documents within ten days from the date of application, and for citizens of Ukraine – 5 working days.
If a foreign employee wants to work for several companies, each company must receive a special permit for the right to employ a foreigner.
A special permit for the right to engage in labour activity is issued for one year, and highly qualified workers are issued for two years.

When There Is No Chance to Get a Special Permit for the Right to Engage in Labour Activity

Unprepared documents sometimes prevent you from obtaining a special permit to hire a foreign employee. For example, permission will not be granted in the following cases:

When a foreign employee does not have a foreign passport (a document for travelling abroad) or the validity period of such a document has expired.
When a foreign citizen is prohibited from entering Belarus.
When the labour and employment authority of the local executive committee issued a negative opinion to the citizenship and migration unit on the possibility of a foreign employee working in a company that applied for a special permit.