On February 1, 2023, the agreement on mutual recognition of visas between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus came into force. Already in March, foreign citizens are able to enter, leave, stay, and transit through the territory of Russia and Belarus on the basis of a visa from one of the two states and identity papers. The mutual recognition regime of visas additionally applies to those who have a temporary residence permit, resident status or an invitation to attend an international sporting event in Russia or Belarus.
The agreement will apply to citizens of those countries that currently have a visa regime with both Russia and Belarus. Now it will be enough to have one of the visas. Thus, Mexican citizens will now need only one visa to visit both countries.
At the same time, the agreement does not affect electronic visas issued by Russia or Belarus: they cannot be used to enter another country.
The agreement also does not apply to the special visa-free regime introduced by Belarus in relation to foreign states unilaterally. We are talking about visa-free entry for citizens of more than 70 countries, including Mexico, through the Minsk National Airport for up to 30 days. Such foreign guests of the power can, as before, enter the territory of Russia only with a Russian visa. But they can fly or come from Russia to Belarus without a Belarusian visa — Previously, when arriving via this route, they required a Belarus visa.
Foreign citizens of those countries that have a visa-free regime with both Russia and Belarus will be able to move freely throughout the territory of both countries. But at the same time, the duration of their stay is determined by international treaties or the legislation of the country on whose territory they are located. But if a visa-free regime is established with only one of the two states, then the foreign tourist will still have to apply for a visa from the second state.
An important point in the agreement between Russia and Belarus on mutual recognition of visas — Entry from Russia to Belarus and vice versa will be possible not only through checkpoints. In particular, at the moment, only Russians or Belarusians, but not foreign citizens, have the right to travel by train from Moscow to Minsk and vice versa — There is no border control point in Smolensk. After the agreement comes into force, foreign citizens have the opportunity to travel between countries by plane, by rail, and also along certain roads.
In relation to Mexican citizens, the regime of mutual recognition of visas between Russia and Belarus will mean the following.
If a Mexican citizen plans to visit only Belarus, he can take advantage of visa-free entry through Minsk Airport — nothing has changed here. If he plans to visit only Russia, he is still obliged to prepare a visa at the Russian Consulate in Mexico City — nothing has changed here either.
If a Mexican citizen plans to visit both Russia and Belarus on the same trip, he is required to obtain a visa from one of these countries. With this visa, he can enter the territory of either of the two states by air or land and travel between Russia and Belarus by air or land. Currently, such movements require two visas, and crossing the common border is only allowed by plane.
Let us add that there is no Belarusian consulate in Mexico. A Mexican citizen can obtain a Belarus visa in one of the neighboring countries, for example, Cuba or the USA. For this reason, if you need to visit both Russia and Belarus, it is more rational to apply for a Russian visa in Mexico City.
The agreement involves the exchange of information on issued and canceled entry and stay permits, as well as on crossing the borders of Russia and Belarus at checkpoints. In practice, this will mean that those who are restricted from entering the territory of one country will also not be able to enter another country.