Who does not need a special work permit in 2026?

Workers in occupations on the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection list: 29 worker occupations and 18 specialist positions, among them welder, electrician, mason, concrete worker, plasterer, painter, carpenter, plumber, lathe operator, milling machine operator, driver, sewing machine operator, cook and tractor operator. The list is in force from 1 January to 31 December 2026.

What must the employer do if the occupation is on the list?

Notify the citizenship and migration unit within 3 working days of signing the employment contract. The contract must be fixed-term and end no later than 31 December 2026. No labour-market test applies and no state fee is due.

Who files — the employer or the agency?

The employer files with the Belarusian authorities: the notification or the special permit application is submitted by the employer. IMP handles the Pakistan side — sourcing and screening, document legalisation, exit formalities — and advises the employer at every step.

Where is the special permit application filed?

With the territorial citizenship and migration unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The decision is taken within up to 10 calendar days; including the vacancy registration the whole route takes approximately 15-30 working days.

What does the special permit cost in 2026?

The issuance fee is 2 base values, that is 90 BYN: the base value is 45 BYN from 1 January 2026. Renewal costs 1 base value — 45 BYN.

Is a labour-market test required?

Not for occupations on the 2026 list. For other occupations the employer registers the vacancy with the employment service and confirms that no local worker can be found; that stage takes about 3 weeks.

Is a visa still needed if the occupation is on the list?

Yes. Pakistan is not an EAEU member state, so the worker needs a type D employment visa from the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Islamabad and registration at the place of stay within 10 working days of arrival.

How long does the whole process take?

Approximately 6-8 weeks, in some cases up to 9, from agreement to the worker starting on site. The worker’s documents are prepared in parallel with the permit paperwork.

What happens when the permit expires?

The special permit can be renewed: the application is filed no earlier than 2 months and no later than 2 weeks before expiry. The renewal fee is 1 base value, 45 BYN in 2026. The permit is valid for 1 year, or 2 years for highly qualified workers.

Is medical insurance mandatory?

Yes, for every worker from Pakistan. Minimum coverage is EUR 10,000; the contract is arranged with Belgosstrakh or Eximgarant and costs EUR 100-300 per year.

Who does not need a special work permit in 2026?

Workers in occupations on the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection list: 29 worker occupations and 18 specialist positions, among them welder, electrician, mason, concrete worker, plasterer, painter, carpenter, plumber, lathe operator, milling machine operator, driver, sewing machine operator, cook and tractor operator. The list is in force from 1 January to 31 December 2026.

What must the employer do if the occupation is on the list?

Notify the citizenship and migration unit within 3 working days of signing the employment contract. The contract must be fixed-term and end no later than 31 December 2026. No labour-market test applies and no state fee is due.

Who files — the employer or the agency?

The employer files with the Belarusian authorities: the notification or the special permit application is submitted by the employer. IMP handles the Pakistan side — sourcing and screening, document legalisation, exit formalities — and advises the employer at every step.

Where is the special permit application filed?

With the territorial citizenship and migration unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The decision is taken within up to 10 calendar days; including the vacancy registration the whole route takes approximately 15-30 working days.

What does the special permit cost in 2026?

The issuance fee is 2 base values, that is 90 BYN: the base value is 45 BYN from 1 January 2026. Renewal costs 1 base value — 45 BYN.

Is a labour-market test required?

Not for occupations on the 2026 list. For other occupations the employer registers the vacancy with the employment service and confirms that no local worker can be found; that stage takes about 3 weeks.

Is a visa still needed if the occupation is on the list?

Yes. Pakistan is not an EAEU member state, so the worker needs a type D employment visa from the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Islamabad and registration at the place of stay within 10 working days of arrival.

How long does the whole process take?

Approximately 6-8 weeks, in some cases up to 9, from agreement to the worker starting on site. The worker’s documents are prepared in parallel with the permit paperwork.

What happens when the permit expires?

The special permit can be renewed: the application is filed no earlier than 2 months and no later than 2 weeks before expiry. The renewal fee is 1 base value, 45 BYN in 2026. The permit is valid for 1 year, or 2 years for highly qualified workers.

Is medical insurance mandatory?

Yes, for every worker from Pakistan. Minimum coverage is EUR 10,000; the contract is arranged with Belgosstrakh or Eximgarant and costs EUR 100-300 per year.

Great Stone Industrial Park — Minsk, Belarus

How to Obtain a Work Permit for a Foreign Worker in Belarus: An Employer Guide

The 2026 list of occupations exempt from the special permit, the full permit route, the 90 BYN state fee, visa, documents and timelines.

Request a Consultation

Updated: 2 September 2026

Who can be hired without a special permit in 2026

The list of occupations and positions exempt from the special permit to carry out employment in the Republic of Belarus covers 29 worker occupations and 18 specialist positions. It is in force from 1 January to 31 December 2026.

No special permit is issued and no labour-market test applies.
The employer notifies the citizenship and migration unit within 3 working days of signing the employment contract.
The employment contract must be fixed-term and end no later than 31 December 2026 — the expiry date of the list itself.
A Pakistani worker still needs a type D employment visa from the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Islamabad and registration after arrival: Pakistan is not an EAEU member state.

Occupations from the list that IMP supplies

electric and gas welder
electrician (repair and maintenance of electrical equipment)
mason
concrete worker
plasterer
painter
carpenter
plumber
maintenance fitter
machine assembly fitter
lathe operator
milling machine operator
truck and car driver
sewing machine operator
cook
agricultural tractor operator
building maintenance and repair worker

Source: Ministry of Labour and Social Protection resolution No. 115 of 10 October 2025, in force 1 January – 31 December 2026.

The Special Permit: Step-by-Step

approx. 6-8 weeks, up to 9

Timeline by Stage

Stage	Duration	Cumulative
1. Check the occupation against the 2026 list	1 day	Week 1
2. Employer documents	1-2 weeks	Weeks 1-2
3. Labour-market test (outside the list only)	approx. 3 weeks	Weeks 2-5
4. Special permit (outside the list only)	up to 10 calendar days	Weeks 5-6
5. Worker documents (parallel)	2-3 weeks	Weeks 1-3
6. Type D visa	5-10 business days	Weeks 6-8
7. Insurance, arrival, registration	1 week	Weeks 8-9

From agreement to workers on siteapprox. 6-8 weeks, up to 9

Document Checklist

Employer Documents

Worker Documents

Processing Costs

Cost Item	Amount	Paid By
Special permit issuance fee (2 base values)	90 BYN	Employer
Permit renewal fee (1 base value)	45 BYN	Employer
Visa application fee	$60-$150	Worker (or employer)
Medical insurance (annual)	EUR 100-300	Employer
Document legalisation and translation	$100-$200	Worker (or IMP)
TORFL certification (optional)	$70-$100	IMP (free for the worker)

Total per workerapprox. $400-$800

As of 2026: the base value is 45 BYN from 1 January 2026 (Council of Ministers resolution No. 651 of 20 November 2025); the 2-base-value rate applies to every employer from 11 February 2026 (Presidential Decree No. 5 of 9 January 2026). Updated: 2 September 2026

Cost Calculator

Select Role

Workers5

Duration

IMP Cost$18,000

Local Hire$22,500

Your Savings$4,500

20% less

Frequently Asked Questions

IMP guides the employer through every step

You file the applications — we handle sourcing, screening and the Pakistan paperwork

[email protected]+92-51-8449777

How to Obtain a Work Permit for a Foreign Worker in Belarus: An Employer Guide

Who can be hired without a special permit in 2026

Occupations from the list that IMP supplies

The Special Permit: Step-by-Step

Check the occupation against the 2026 list

Employer prepares documents

Labour-market test — only for occupations outside the list

Special permit application

Worker prepares documents

Type D visa

Medical insurance contract

Arrival and registration

Renewing the special permit