Belarussian embassies to stop issuing passports to citizens residing abroad

MINSK. Sept 6 (Interfax) - Belarusian embassies and consulates will stop issuing or extending national passports on September 7, the press service for the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

"Order No. 278 of the President of the Republic of Belarus On the Procedure for Issuing Documents and Performing Acts takes effect on September 7, 2023. This legislative act amends the list of consular and administrative procedures carried out by Belarusian embassies and consulates at the request of citizens," the press service said.

"Belarusian embassies and consulates are no longer tasked with issuing, exchanging or extending any kinds of passports or identification cards. Such actions could only be performed in the territory of Belarus," it said.

Citizens permanently residing outside Belarus and registered with consulates can file passport exchange applications with the Main Consular Department of the Foreign Ministry or the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Interior Ministry at the latest place of registration in Belarus (the place of latest residence of parents for those who do not live in Belarus).

"Citizens registered in the Republic of Belarus can receive, exchange or extend their passports in the procedure standard for all citizens of Belarus at the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Interior Ministry at the place of registration in the Republic of Belarus," the press service said.

The apostille will also be affixed by a respective agency in Belarus (the Foreign Ministry, the Education Ministry, the Justice Ministry and main justice departments of the Minsk Executive Committee and regional executive committees), it said.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry noted that the applications filed before the order took effect would be processed in accordance with the earlier procedure.