US Visa for Belarusians in the UAE: Vilnius or Warsaw

Belarusian citizens need a visa for the United States. There is no US visa service in Minsk, so Belarusians normally apply at the US Embassy in Vilnius or Warsaw, the posts the State Department names for Belarusian nationals, unless their residence is elsewhere. A Belarusian who lives in the UAE can apply at the US Embassy Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General Dubai as a UAE resident. Belarus is not on the Presidential Proclamation 10998 list, and the visitor visa is multiple entry for up to 12 months.

Last checked 24 September 2026.

Where Belarusians can apply now

The US Embassy in Belarus says visa services are not available in Minsk, where operations were suspended on 28 February 2022. Nationals of Belarus must apply at the US Embassy in Vilnius or the US Embassy in Warsaw “unless their residence is elsewhere”.

For a UAE resident, Vilnius or Warsaw is an alternative that means planning a Schengen visa first. Applying in Dubai or Abu Dhabi avoids that step. If you do choose Vilnius or Warsaw, book the Schengen appointment early, and apply for the US interview only once you can be sure of entering Lithuania or Poland on the date.

Presidential Proclamation 10998: is Belarus on the list?

No. Proclamation 10998, published in the Federal Register on 19 December 2025 (90 FR 59717) and in force since 1 January 2026, suspends or limits visa issuance for nationals of 39 countries. We checked the proclamation text and the State Department’s implementation notice on 24 September 2026, and Belarus is not named. Belarusian applicants are assessed under the normal rules.

Visa length and fees for Belarusian passports

The $185 application fee applies. A 12-month maximum means a Belarusian who travels to the US often will reapply regularly, so a tidy record of past applications, approvals and passports saves time. Belarus is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so ESTA is not available.

Step by step: a Belarusian UAE resident applying in Vilnius or Warsaw

1. Choose the post and check its wait on the State Department’s wait-time tool, which says the figure is only an estimate.
2. Secure entry to Lithuania or Poland. Apply for the Schengen visa at that country’s centre in the UAE. Belarusians pay a reduced Schengen fee of €35.
3. Complete the DS-160 with your passport’s Latin spelling, choosing Vilnius or Warsaw as the location and listing your UAE address and employer.
4. Pay the $185 fee and book through the appointment system linked from that embassy.
5. Attend the interview with your passport, confirmation page, UAE evidence and Schengen visa.
6. After the interview, plan for the passport to be returned in that country, within your Schengen stay. A 221(g) letter means more information is needed.

Documents for Belarusians living in the UAE

Documents in Russian or Belarusian need English translations; see our translation guide. If names differ between your passport, bank and employer records, fix or explain the difference before the interview; our name mismatch guide explains how.

Common refusal reasons

The State Department’s visa denials page lists the grounds. For Belarusians applying away from home:

• 214(b): the officer is not persuaded the trip is temporary. Expect questions on how long you have lived in the UAE, your work, where your family is and why you are travelling now.
• 221(g): incomplete application or administrative processing. You have one year to respond before a new application and fee are needed.
• 212(a)(6)(C)(i): misrepresentation. Disclose previous refusals and keep answers consistent with the DS-160.

Our US interview preparation guide covers the common questions, and our 214(b) guide explains the most frequent refusal.

Planning the Schengen side

The European Commission lists a reduced Schengen visa fee of €35 for applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus, against €90 for most nationalities. A Schengen application can be lodged up to 6 months before travel. Because the Schengen visa is what lets you reach Vilnius or Warsaw, apply for it first and time the US interview inside its validity. See our Schengen rules by nationality for the UAE process.

How Visa Doctor helps

We prepare B1/B2, F1 and F2 applications for Belarusian residents of the UAE, including the Schengen visa you need to reach the interview, the DS-160, translations, a consistent file and interview practice. We cannot create appointments or shorten official queues, and the consular officer decides every application.

Call +971 58 509 5268 or message us on WhatsApp. Our office is Office 311, Stadium Point, Dubai Sports City, open Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 20:00.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and official references

All sources checked 24 September 2026.

• US Embassy in Belarus: Visas and designated posts
• US Embassy and Consulate in the UAE: Visas
• Federal Register: Proclamation 10998, 90 FR 59717
• US Department of State: Suspension of visa issuance under Proclamation 10998
• US Department of State: Reciprocity schedule, Belarus
• US Department of State: Visa denials
• European Commission: Schengen visa fees, including the reduced fee