Czechia to consider easier visas for Belarusians with relatives in Czechia

The Czech cabinet will review a proposal to expand short-term visa access for Belarusians with close relatives in Czechia. The measure is scheduled for consideration on October 5, 2026, as part of a broader legislative package.

Under the Foreign Ministry proposal, Belarusians whose parents, grandparents, children, or grandchildren are Czech citizens or Belarusian nationals with long-term residence in Czechia could apply for short-term visas. This would broaden an existing exception but not lift general restrictions on Belarusian nationals.

Eligibility and application process under the draft

Belarusians could qualify if their direct relative is a Czech citizen or a Belarusian national living in Czechia with a long-term visa or permanent residence permit. The draft would remove several existing requirements for these listed relatives.

Applications would no longer depend on the applicant's age, financial dependence, or need for care. Relatives would also not need to be traveling with or joining the Czech citizen they are visiting. Applications would be lodged at Czech diplomatic missions, with the relationship and the relative's status forming the basis for applying.

Context of existing restrictions and exemptions

Czechia generally stopped issuing visas and residence permits to Russian and Belarusian citizens after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Broader restrictions on Belarusian nationals remain in place under this new proposal.

Existing exemptions already allow some visits by relatives of Czech and EU citizens. The proposed change would extend eligibility to a broader group of Belarusian relatives, building on these current exceptions.

Political background and diplomatic push

The initiative stems from Foreign Ministry-led talks with Belarusian opposition figures. Foreign Minister Petr Macinka initiated draft amendments in May 2026. The ministry sent the draft regulation for consultation on August 11.

The measure follows discussions between Czech diplomats and Belarusian opposition representatives. A June meeting between Macinka and opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was linked to diaspora efforts around the proposal. The Foreign Ministry said the proposal was intended to support Belarus's democratic opposition while allowing separated families to visit.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Prague visit in August 2026 was cited as part of the push for the change. The proposal had not faced formal opposition from other ministries at the time of reporting.

Broader implications in the same legislative package

The cabinet's review places the Belarusian visa change within a package that also addresses residence options for certain Ukrainians. Since August, new applicants subject to military service in Ukraine have no longer been eligible for temporary protection in Czechia.

This created a group who previously could have legalized their stay through the emergency system but can no longer use it. The proposed amendment would allow selected Ukrainians to instead apply for standard work-related permits.

The ministry said the change would facilitate a gradual transition from temporary protection to standard residence permits for people interested in working in Czechia. A related amendment would cut regional emergency-accommodation capacity from approximately 20,000 to 10,000 places due to declining demand.

The Czech cabinet will consider the proposal on October 5, 2026, as part of a legislative package covering both Belarusian family visits and Ukrainian residence transitions.