Belarus has lowered prices of visas for citizens of the USA and Great Britain since January, 13.

"The Belarusian side decided to reduce the amount of consular fees collected for citizens of the USA and Great Britain to the level that applies to the citizens of most other countries and is single-entry visa for 60 euros," - said the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dmitry Mironchik.

He said that this move is "a part of the complex solutions aimed at liberalizing the visa policy of the Republic of Belarus, which came into force in January 2015". He added that these decisions relate not only to reduce the cost of visas and other measures. In particular, with regard to the US and the UK, applicants from these countries who are younger than 14 will be exempt from the visa fee.

"Among other aspects substantial simplification of procedures for business visas to visit the Republic of Belarus can be identified. At present there is a possibility of obtaining business visas in a simplified manner for a period up to three years," - said Mironchik.

The web-site of the Embassy of Belarus in the USA described the decision of the Belarusian authorities in this words - "This unilateral political decision is a conscious act of good will on the part of the leadership of Belarus aimed to bring closer the peoples of Belarus and the United States, to help remove barriers for people-to-people contacts, to boost tourism. The decision clearly demonstrates the openness of our country for engagement with the United States in different areas".

According to the new rates published on the web-site of the Embassy, Belarusian visas for children and minors under 14 will be free (previously they cost $ 160). Single transit visa will cost $ 25 instead of $ 160, single-entry short-term visa will decrease from $160 to $75. However, according to the new rules the cost of multiple entry long term visas will increase from $160 to $180.