Legalization of Foreign IT Specialists in Belarus

Belarus remains one of the most attractive destinations for IT specialists from abroad. Its developed technological infrastructure, stable tax regulation, the presence of the Hi-Tech Park, and high demand for qualified developers make the country a natural choice for relocating IT teams and individual professionals.

However, moving and starting work in Belarus requires compliance with certain legal and administrative procedures. In some cases, a foreign specialist needs to obtain the right to reside and work, a work permit, or a residence permit, while the employer must properly register the employment relationship and consider all nuances of tax and migration legislation.

For IT companies that actively hire specialists from other countries, employee legalization issues are directly linked to business security. Mistakes in document processing can lead to fines, hiring restrictions, or complications during tax audits. Therefore, it is crucial to understand exactly how to organize the legalization process, from choosing the correct basis for residence to registering the employment contract.

This article will examine in detail how the legalization of foreign IT specialists in Belarus is carried out, which documents and procedures are required, and what solutions allow employers to simplify the hiring process and reduce administrative burdens.

Why Belarus Attracts Foreign IT Specialists

Belarus has long held stable positions among Eastern European countries with a developed IT sector. For foreign specialists, working here combines professional opportunities, competitive conditions, and transparent legal regulation. Let’s examine the key factors that make Belarus an attractive destination for relocation and hiring in the technology sector.

Competitive Conditions in the Technology Sector

The Belarusian IT market offers comfortable conditions for specialists — both local and foreign.
Salaries for developers and engineers in information technology remain competitive compared to other countries in the region, while the cost of living is relatively low.
Companies provide flexible schedules, options for remote or hybrid work, modern office environments, and social benefits.

Additionally, a significant portion of companies focus on exporting services, allowing specialists to work on international projects without leaving the country.
Foreign professionals gain access to modern technology stacks, a corporate culture modeled on Western standards, and a transparent remuneration system.

Developed IT Infrastructure and Hi-Tech Park

Belarus was one of the first countries in the region to establish a special legal regime for IT companies — the Hi-Tech Park (HTP).
Resident companies of the HTP benefit from preferential taxation, simplified rules for hiring foreign specialists, and flexible business conditions.

Moreover, the country has a developed IT infrastructure: modern office centers, coworking spaces, incubators, accelerators, educational hubs, and professional communities.
Minsk consistently ranks among European cities with high levels of digitalization and innovation development.

This creates favorable conditions for foreigners who want not only to work in IT but also to develop, start businesses, and integrate into the professional community.

Relocation Advantages: Stable Economy, Convenient Tax Regulation, Highly Skilled Workforce

Belarus attracts foreign specialists not only with its salary levels but also with overall economic stability.
The national tax system is clear and predictable, and the procedures for registering companies and obtaining permits are simplified for the IT sector.

Other advantages include:

• Convenient tax regulation for employees and employers, especially within the HTP.
• Possibility of obtaining a residence permit and long-term employment.
• High level of technical education, providing access to strong local talent and a professional environment.
• Geographical location that allows easy interaction with clients and partners from the EU and CIS.

Legal Basis for Employment of Foreign IT Specialists in Belarus

Employment of foreign specialists in Belarus is regulated by clear and transparent norms aimed at simplifying access to the labor market for qualified personnel. A particularly flexible approach is applied to the IT sector, where highly skilled foreign developers, engineers, and project managers are in demand across many companies.

Let’s examine which documents are required for legal work, who is exempt from obtaining permits, and what special conditions apply to citizens of EAEU countries.

Work Permit vs. Residence Permit: What’s the Difference

For foreign specialists who are not citizens of EAEU countries, the key documents are a work permit and a residence permit — however, their purposes differ.

• Work Permit (special permit) — This document allows a foreigner to officially work in Belarus. It is issued by the Department of Citizenship and Migration upon the employer’s application. The permit is issued for a specific position and for the period specified in the employment contract.
• Residence Permit (RP) — A longer-term status that confirms the lawful residence of a foreigner in Belarus. It allows the individual to freely change workplaces and reside in the country without additional visas.

In many cases, a specialist first obtains a work permit and later, during long-term collaboration with a company, applies for an RP.

Who Does Not Require a Work Permit

In recent years, Belarus has actively simplified the employment of foreign professionals, especially in high-tech sectors.
As of 2025, a list of foreign specialist positions has been approved that do not require a special work permit, including, in particular, software engineers.

This means that if a foreign citizen is hired for such a position, the company does not need to obtain a special work permit for them.
This simplification is especially beneficial for IT companies working on a project basis — it accelerates hiring and reduces administrative barriers.

Work permits are also not required for:

• Heads of IT companies with foreign investment.
• Highly skilled specialists.
• Foreigners who already have a residence permit.

Legalization Features for EAEU Citizens

Citizens of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) — Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan — enjoy a special status.
They can work in Belarus without obtaining a work permit or employment visa.

To be employed, they only need to:

• Conclude an employment or civil law contract with a Belarusian employer.
• Register with the local migration office at their place of residence.
• Provide documents confirming qualifications (if required).

This system significantly simplifies the relocation of IT teams from neighboring countries and makes Belarus attractive for international companies operating in distributed team formats.

Procedure for Legalizing a Foreign IT Specialist

The legalization process of a foreign specialist in Belarus is a sequence of steps ensuring that the employee can officially reside and work in the country without violating migration or labor legislation. In the IT sector, the procedure is maximally simplified, but proper compliance affects not only the legality of employment but also the company’s reputation.

Step-by-Step Procedure: From Entry to Start of Work

Step 1. Invitation and Document Preparation

The employer prepares the employment contract (or offer) and, if necessary, assists the candidate in obtaining a visa to enter the country. If the position is among those exempt from work permits (e.g., software engineer), this step can be skipped.

Step 2. Entry and Registration

After crossing the border, the foreign citizen must register at the place of residence within 10 calendar days if arriving from a non-EAEU country. EAEU citizens register through a simplified procedure and can start work immediately after signing the contract. For employees of HTP resident companies, visa-free entry to Belarus is available.

Step 3. Employment Contract Execution

The employer signs an employment contract or agreement with the foreign specialist, outlining the terms of employment, position, salary, duration, and responsibilities.

Step 4. Notification to Government Authorities

After signing the contract, the company must notify the Department of Citizenship and Migration about the foreign employee within 5 business days.

Step 5. Commencement of Work

Once the contract is concluded, the employee can officially start work, and the company can pay salary and remit taxes.

Documents Required for Employment

A minimal but clearly defined set of documents is required for the legal employment of a foreign IT specialist in Belarus.

From the Employee:

• Passport or other identification document.
• Document confirming the right to reside in Belarus (visa, residence permit, or registration).
• Diploma, certificates, or other qualifications (if required by the position).
• Medical certificate — for certain positions if necessary.

From the Employer:

• Application for employment of the foreign citizen.
• Copy of the employment contract.
• Notification to internal affairs authorities about hiring the foreign IT specialist.
• If necessary: a permit to hire foreign labor.

If the company hires a specialist for a position exempt from a work permit (e.g., software engineer), the procedure is limited to submitting the notification and signing the contract.

Residence Registration and Migration Authority Notification

Upon arrival, the foreign IT specialist must register at their place of residence — mandatory for anyone staying in the country for more than 10 days.

Who is responsible for registration:

If the employee resides in rented housing, the landlord submits the notification. If the company provides housing, registration is the employer’s responsibility.

How to submit:

Registration is typically done online via the government services portal.

After registration, the company must notify migration authorities about the foreign employee’s employment. This notification confirms that the employee is working legally and protects the employer from potential fines for illegal employment.

Employment Contract with a Foreign Specialist

Employment of a foreign IT specialist requires particular attention to detail. For Belarusian companies, it is important not only to correctly record the terms of employment but also to comply with labor and migration law. In the IT sector, where flexibility and remote work are common, legal accuracy in contracts ensures business security and protects both parties.

Essential Terms in the Employment Contract

The contract must be in writing, in Russian or Belarusian (with a certified translation if necessary). It must include:

• Full names and passport details of the parties.
• Position and responsibilities of the employee.
• Duration of the contract (if fixed-term) and start date.
• Salary and payment procedure.
• Working hours and rest periods.
• Duties and liability of the parties.
• Contract termination procedure.
• Occupational safety and confidentiality terms.

For IT companies, it is especially important to include provisions on intellectual property rights (exclusive rights to code, design, databases, etc.) and compliance with confidentiality rules.

It is also advisable to include a clause on medical expense insurance if the company provides this benefit to foreign specialists.

Employment under Contract or Civil Law Agreement

In Belarus, foreign IT specialists can work:

• Under an employment contract (within labor legislation).
• Under a civil law contract, which covers one-time or project-based tasks.

Employment contracts are suitable if the specialist is part of the company staff, works on a permanent basis, and follows internal company rules. This ensures:

• Social benefits (vacation, sick leave, seniority).
• Stable salary and labor protection.
• Tax and social contribution payment by the employer.

Civil law agreements are used for project-specific work, where the specialist does not follow internal rules and sets their own schedule.
This format is often applied to short-term or remote employment.

However, a civil law agreement is not exempt from tax obligations and is not suitable if actual labor functions are performed — which may trigger scrutiny from regulatory authorities.

Employer Obligations to Migration and Tax Authorities

After signing a contract, the company must complete several administrative actions:

1. Notify internal affairs authorities:

About hiring a foreign employee (within 5 business days).

Upon termination, submit a similar notification.

2. Ensure tax accounting:

Calculate and withhold income tax and contributions to the Social Protection Fund and Belgosstrakh.

Foreign specialists who are Belarusian tax residents follow the same tax rates as citizens.

3. Comply with migration registration rules:

Monitor registration status and residency duration; timely renew permits if needed.

4. Keep copies of documents:

Passports, permits, contracts, notifications, and registrations for the legally required period, which is important for inspections.

Simplified Solutions for Hiring Foreign IT Specialists

Hiring foreign specialists involves numerous formalities: registration, notifications, tax payments, and control over permits. For IT companies working with distributed teams and international developers, these procedures can become a significant burden.

A growing solution is the EOR (Employer of Record) model, which allows legal hiring in other countries without opening a branch or separate legal entity.

Using the EOR (Employer of Record) Model

EOR is a provider company that officially employs a worker in their country of residence and assumes all legal, HR, and tax obligations.
The specialist works for your company, remaining part of the team and performing tasks as a full member.

How it works:

1. The IT company selects a candidate in another country.
2. The EOR provider officially hires the specialist.
3. Payroll, taxes, and social contributions are handled by the EOR.
4. The client company pays a single service fee without needing to register a business or open bank accounts abroad.

This model is especially relevant for Belarus and other CIS countries: it allows fast legalization of foreign developers without bureaucratic barriers, which is critical for urgent IT projects.

Delegating HR and Legal Administration

Using an EOR company allows complete delegation of HR, legal, and tax administration.
This includes:

• Drafting employment and civil law contracts.
• Maintaining HR documentation and reporting.
• Payroll calculation and payment.
• Tax and social contribution withholding and remittance.
• Medical insurance arrangement (if applicable).
• Ensuring migration compliance and monitoring permits.

Thus, the company avoids maintaining its own HR and accounting department in another country while retaining full control over the employee’s tasks and productivity.

Outsourcing Benefits for Companies Hiring Remote Teams

Using the EOR model or similar HR outsourcing solutions provides IT companies with tangible benefits:

• Legal security — all formalities comply with local laws.
• Time and resource savings — no need to open a branch, register a legal entity, or hire local lawyers.
• Transparent taxation — all deductions and contributions are correctly executed, reducing fines risks.
• Flexibility and scalability — quickly hire or end cooperation with foreign developers without complex procedures.
• Focus on business growth — the company can concentrate on products and projects, not administrative details.

Conclusion

Legalization of foreign IT specialists in Belarus is not just a formal procedure but an important component of building a stable and lawful business. Proper documentation, contracts, and tax reporting ensure company stability and provide employees with security regarding their rights and prospects.

In a global market where developers can work from anywhere, careful organization of the legal aspects becomes a competitive advantage.

Modern solutions, such as the EOR model, give IT companies access to talent without borders. They allow legal hiring, delegation of HR and legal administration, tax optimization, and focus on core tasks product and business development.

The EOR.by team supports companies at all stages, from legalizing foreign specialists to comprehensive HR and tax administration. We help with document preparation, drafting employment and civil law contracts, provide migration consultations, and fully support remote teams.

If you plan to hire a foreign developer or want to optimize the hiring and legalization process in Belarus, our experts are ready to provide effective and secure solutions.