U.S. Citizen Services

Warden Message

April 25, 2008

Dear American Citizens in Belarus,

The U.S. Embassy would like to provide the following updated information:

On April 23, the Government of Belarus requested that the Embassy provide a list of the five U.S. diplomats who would remain in Belarus on April 30. We have protested this news and noted that there would be grave consequences as a result of this unprecedented and unwarranted step by the Belarusian authorities. 

At this time, the Consular Section continues to provide only emergency American citizen services in Belarus.  Routine services such as acceptance of applications for regular passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, and notarial services are currently unavailable at the Embassy.  Information on U.S. taxes and absentee voting is available by phone and email only.  Please contact the Consular Section if you have an urgent need for a routine service, including issuance of an emergency passport.  Although we recently resumed visa processing after a temporary suspension, we are not currently able to accept visa applications.  Additional information and any future updates on the services we can provide will be posted on the Embassy's website at http://minsk.usembassy.gov/ as it becomes available. 

In order to discuss recent events and their impact on the American community, we would like to invite all American citizens to a Town Hall meeting at the Embassy’s Consular Section at 10:00am on Wednesday, April 30th.  The Embassy will continue to keep the American citizen community informed of any future developments that might affect either the security situation in Belarus or future consular services.   American citizens in Belarus are encouraged to register at the Embassy’s consular section during the Town Hall meeting, or by Internet at https://travelregistration.state.gov.  Please encourage all Americans with whom you come in contact to register.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Minsk is located at 46 Starovilenskaya, Minsk, 220002 Belarus.  We can be reached by: telephone, +375-17-210-1283; by fax +375-17-217-7160; or by email ConsularMinsk@state.gov.   In the case of an emergency involving an American citizen, call +375-17-210-1283 or 8-029-676-0134 (after hours).

April 23, 2008

Dear American Citizens in Belarus,

The U.S. Embassy would like to share with you the following information obtained from local authorities concerning the security situation in Belarus:

Please be advised that on April 26 there will be a “Chernobyl March” dedicated to the 22nd anniversary of the tragic accident at the Chernobyl nuclear facility.  The march is authorized by the authorities to start at 14:00 on Saturday April 26 in front of the Academy of Sciences and proceed along Surganova Street to Bangalore Square.

Participants may attempt to follow a different route from the Academy of Sciences along Nezavisimosti Avenue towards Independence Square.   Please use caution in these areas and throughout downtown Minsk on April 26. Try to avoid driving in and around these areas from 14:00 to 19:00, as roads may be closed.  Similar events may occur in other major cities, including Brest, Gomel, Grodno, Mogilyov, Polotsk, and Vitebsk.

We remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational.  American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.  Please keep informed of developments by monitoring local media and embassy messages, and obey law enforcement authorities.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Minsk is located at 46 Starovilenskaya, Minsk, 220002 Belarus. We can be reached by: telephone, +375-17-210-1283; by fax +375-17-217-7160; or by email ConsularMinsk@state.gov. Additional information can be found at the Embassy’s website at http://minsk.usembassy.gov/html/consular_services.html

April 3, 2008

Dear American Citizens in Belarus,

The U.S. Embassy would like to provide the following updated information:

The Government of Belarus requested on March 31 that the United States again reduce the size of our Embassy in Minsk.  As you are aware, only last week, our Embassy reduced the number of American staff by half.  We consider these demands by the Belarusian Government to be unwarranted and unjustified.

At this time, the Consular Section is only able to provide American citizen services by appointment only.  To make an appointment, please contact the Consular Section (see contact information below).  Although we resumed visa processing this week, we have again found it necessary to temporarily suspend the acceptance of most visa applications.  Visit the Embassy's website at http://minsk.usembassy.gov for the latest updates.  

In order to discuss recent events and their impact on the American community, we would like to invite all American citizens to a Town Hall meeting at the Embassy’s Consular Section at 4:00pm on Friday, April 4th.  The Embassy will continue to keep the American citizen community informed of any future developments that might affect either the security situation in Belarus or future consular services.   American citizens in Belarus are encouraged to register by Internet at https://travelregistration.state.gov. 

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Minsk is located at 46 Starovilenskaya, Minsk, 220002 Belarus.

We can be reached by: telephone, +375-17-210-1283; by fax +375-17-217-7160; or by email ConsularMinsk@state.gov.   In the case of an emergency involving an American citizen, call +375-17-210-1283 or 9-029-676-0134 (after hours).

March 28, 2008

Dear American Citizens in Belarus,

The U.S. Embassy would like to provide the following updated information:

At the request of the Government of Belarus, the United States is in the process of reducing the number of American staff at our embassy in Minsk. We continue to provide all American citizen services in Belarus. Visa processing in Belarus was temporarily suspended, though we have resumed accepting applications in reduced numbers. Additional information on visa processing will be posted on the Embassy's website when it becomes available.

The Embassy will continue to keep the American citizen community informed of any future developments that might affect either the security situation in Belarus or consular services.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Minsk is located at 46 Starovilenskaya, Minsk, 220002 Belarus. We can be reached by: telephone, +375-17-210-1283; by fax +375-17-217-7160; or by email ConsularMinsk@state.gov.

Hours for American Citizen Services are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Warden Message

March 12, 2008

Dear American Citizens in Belarus,

The U.S. Embassy would like to provide the following updated information:

Ambassador Stewart departed the Embassy at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 12, en route to Washington.  Her absence is temporary, and she remains the U.S. Ambassador to Belarus. 

The Embassy in Minsk is operating as normal, including American citizen and visa services, and all other staff remain in place.

The Embassy will continue to keep the American citizen community informed of any future developments that might affect either the security situation in Belarus or any curtailment of consular services. 

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Cautions, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Minsk is located at 46 Starovilenskaya, Minsk, 220002 Belarus. We can be reached by: telephone, +375-17-210-1283; by fax +375-17-217-7160; or by email ConsularMinsk@state.gov. Additional information can be found at the Embassy’s website at http://minsk.usembassy.gov/consular_section.html  

Hours for American Citizen Services are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Warden Message

March 10, 2008

Dear American Citizens in Belarus,

The U.S. Embassy would like to provide you with the following information in light of recent media reports:

The U.S. Embassy remains open for business as usual.  Services for American citizens continue normally, as do visa services for Belarusian citizens planning travel to the U.S.  Ambassador Stewart remains in Belarus, and the State Department has no plan at this time to recall her to Washington for consultations, or to curtail any of the activities of the U.S. Embassy. 

There is no current indication that the security situation for American citizens living in or traveling to Belarus has deteriorated.

The Embassy will continue to keep the American citizen community informed of any future developments that might affect either the security situation in Belarus or any curtailment of consular services. 

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Cautions, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Minsk is located at 46 Starovilenskaya, Minsk, 220002 Belarus. We can be reached by: telephone, +375-17-210-1283; by fax +375-17-217-7160; or by email ConsularMinsk@state.gov. Additional information can be found at the Embassy’s website at http://minsk.usembassy.gov/consular_section.html 

Hours for American Citizen Services are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 2:30-4:30 p.m.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Important Announcement regarding filing immigration petitions for immediate family members (see the link)
  

General Information

The Consular Section at U.S. Embassy Minsk provides a variety of services for U.S. citizens and residents of Belarus. American Citizen Service hours are from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.  Please note that if you should require emergency consular assistance, we remain available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The after-hours number is +375-29-676-01-34. Please do not hesitate to contact us, regardless of our schedule, if you need emergency assistance.  Nonimmigrant visa appointments can be made on-line.

Please note that the Consular Section is closed on American and Belarusian holidays.

Contact Information

Starovilenskaya St
Minsk, 220002 Belarus
Telephone: +375-17-210-12-83; +375-17-334-77-61
Fax: +375-17-217-71-60
E-mail: ConsularMinsk@state.gov
Recorded Visa Information: Call the main number and ask to listen to general visa information in either English or Russian.

In case of an emergency involving an American citizen contact the Embassy at +375-17-210-12-83 after hours.