Visa center for Poland to establish in additional Belarusian location
In a significant development for travelers in Belarus, a new Polish visa center has commenced operations in Vitebsk as of July 1, 2025. This facility will cater to local residents who previously had to apply elsewhere for Polish visas. The opening of the center coincides with Poland temporarily reinstating border controls with Lithuania and Germany due to migration-related issues.
Meanwhile, the European Union is preparing to roll out the phased introduction of the automated Entry/Exit system (EES) for its member states. The aim of this system is to modernize border control in the Schengen Area by electronically recording entry and exit data of non-EU nationals, thereby enhancing security and improving border crossing efficiency.
While the specific updates to the EU's automated Entry/Exit system (such as the European Entry/Exit System or EES) were not explicitly detailed in the available information, it is likely that these developments are part of broader EU border policy adjustments to ensure stricter management and monitoring at external borders. This could involve integrating or reinforcing automated systems like the Entry/Exit System for better control.
The increased importance of the Vitebsk region as a diplomatic and consular hub in Belarus is evident, with the Latvian embassy suspending consular functions in Minsk but maintaining services through a consulate in Vitebsk and other EU representations. This aligns with the growing demand for local visa processing facilities in the region.
Belarus has extended visa-free entry for citizens of 38 European countries until December 31, 2025, resulting in over 100,000 visa-waiver visitors this year alone. Belarusians frequently choose destinations such as Egypt, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Qatar, Sochi, Abkhazia, the Maldives, Vietnam, China, Sri Lanka, and Thailand for their vacations. Some of these destinations, like the Maldives, Vietnam, China, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, can only be reached by airplane from Moscow.
The new Polish visa center is located at 2/1, Yakub Kolas Street, Vitebsk, and accepts applications for both Polish National and Schengen visas. With the tourist season in full swing for Belarusians, this new facility is poised to cater to the growing demand for local visa processing services. As the EU continues to refine its automated border systems, travelers can expect more efficient and secure border crossings in the future.
In light of the growing demand for local visa processing facilities in the Vitebsk region, it's plausible that travelers seeking Polish visas might opt for a change in lifestyle, prioritizing destinations that are easily reachable from the new Polish visa center. This development in travel arrangements could potentially influence the choice of vacation spots for Belarusians, considering the efficient and secure border crossings that the EU's automated Entry/Exit system is striving to implement.
