Czechia may ease visa rules for Belarusians with close family ties

The Czech government will consider easing visa restrictions for Belarusians with close relatives living in Czechia when the cabinet meets Monday.

Under a Foreign Ministry proposal, Belarusians whose parents, grandparents, children or grandchildren are Czech citizens or Belarusian residents of Czechia could apply for short-term visas at Czech diplomatic missions.

The amendment would also change entry and residence options for some Ukrainians who are no longer eligible for temporary protection, allowing selected applicants to transition to standard work-related permits.

Czechia generally stopped issuing visas and residence permits to Russian and Belarusian citizens after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Belarus has supported Moscow during the war.

Current exceptions cover short-term visas for relatives accompanying or joining Czech and other EU citizens. The proposed change would extend eligibility to a broader group of Belarusian relatives.

Applications would no longer depend on the applicant’s age, financial dependence or need for care. Relatives would also not need to be traveling with or joining a Czech citizen.

Belarusians could qualify if their direct relative is a Czech citizen or a Belarusian national living in Czechia with a long-term visa or long-term or permanent residence permit.

The Foreign Ministry said the proposal was intended to support Belarus’s democratic opposition while allowing families separated by visa restrictions to visit one another.

The measure follows discussions between Czech diplomats and Belarusian opposition representatives, including a June meeting between Foreign Minister Petr Macinka and opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

“The aim of the amendment is to express support for the Belarusian democratic opposition and enable visits to the Czech Republic by direct relatives,” the ministry said in its explanatory memorandum.

The government will also discuss changes for Ukrainians affected by tighter temporary-protection rules.

Since August, new applicants subject to military service in Ukraine have no longer been eligible for temporary protection in Czechia. The change created a group of people who previously could have legalized their stay through the emergency system but can no longer use it.

Under the proposed amendment, selected Ukrainians could instead apply for short-term visas or long-term residence permits for employment.

The ministry said the change would facilitate a gradual transition from temporary protection to standard residence permits for people interested in working in Czechia, including after the war ends.

A related amendment would reduce regional emergency-accommodation capacity because of declining demand. The number of available places would be cut from approximately 20,000 to 10,000.

The cabinet proposal and its supporting documents are available through the government’s public legislative portal.