Draft First minutes: what human rights defenders usually advise
Passport abroad: what to do
Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.
Since 7 September 2023 (Decree No. 278) consulates no longer issue or replace passports or certify powers of attorney for property deals — only in Belarus.
In Poland, Belarusians holding a humanitarian visa (D 21) get a residence permit for 3 years at once, with no fee and no separate work permit.
With that permit you can get a Polish 'travel document for a foreigner'. The Belarus-specific concessions ran until 30.06.2026 — check with the voivodeship office whether they were extended.
Pashpart.org has a combined guide to documents and safe travel. The 'New Belarus passport' is not yet recognised by states as a travel document.
Designations of organisations in this guide: Pashpart.org (Tsikhanouskaya's Office) (extremist in Belarus). Contacting them carries a risk: do not write from a phone that may be seized, and do not repost their materials.
Material and psychological help, group therapy for former political prisoners and their families, Polish courses, advice on humanitarian visas.
Hotline +48 695 807 059 (also WhatsApp and Signal), weekdays 14:00–16:00. For victims of repression: repressions@belaruskidom.eu. Use WhatsApp or Signal from a phone other than the one you take to Belarus.
Guide to documents, legal residence abroad and safe travel for Belarusians whose passports are expiring.
Tsikhanouskaya's Office is designated an 'extremist formation' in Belarus. Recognition of the 'New Belarus passport' by states is not confirmed — do not rely on it as a travel document.