Registration of Foreign Citizens

Belarusian legislation establishes a general requirement: to employ a foreign citizen, a special permit for the right to engage in labor activity is required. However, there are exceptions to this rule that allow businesses to hire foreign workers without obtaining permit documents – it is sufficient to conclude an employment contract and notify the migration authorities.

Grounds for employing foreigners without a special permit

1. Foreign students

Foreign citizens studying in institutions of vocational, secondary specialized, or higher education have the right to work without obtaining a special permit.

What needs to be done:

• conclude an employment contract;
• notify the Citizenship and Migration Department.

2. Foreign graduates of Belarusian universities

If a foreigner is employed in accordance with the specialty/qualification stated in the diploma, there is no need to obtain a special permit. It is sufficient to conclude an employment contract and notify the Migration Department.

Important: a special permit is not required even if many years have passed since graduation. The main thing is that the work in Belarus must correspond to the specialty obtained.

3. Professions from the list of the Ministry of Labor (updated annually)

The most significant change for business. Effective January 1 of each year, a new resolution of the Ministry of Labor comes into force.

For example, in 2026, this is List No. 115. This document approves the List of worker professions and employee positions for which foreign citizens may be hired under a simplified (preferential) procedure.

What does this mean in practice?

When hiring a foreigner for a profession/position included in the List, the employer is not required to:

• post vacancies with the employment service;
• obtain a special permit.

It is sufficient to notify the state authorities in the prescribed manner.

Please note: List No. 115 is valid from January 1 to December 31, 2026 and is reviewed annually by the Ministry of Labor.

What to do if the profession is not included in the List?

If the profession or position for which the employer plans to hire a foreigner is not included in the Ministry of Labor List for the current year, then the general procedure applies:

1. it is necessary to obtain a special permit for the right to engage in labor activity;
2. to justify that the vacancy cannot be filled by citizens of Belarus or foreigners with permanent residence permits.

Liability for violation of the rules for attracting foreign workers

Violation of migration legislation entails administrative liability for the employer.