Starting November 1 2025, the Republic of Belarus has introduced updated income and salary thresholds for foreign nationals who want to work in the country or bring dependents with them. The goal of the revisions is to ensure that foreign workers and their families can meet the financial demands of living in Belarus.
Under the new rules, foreign citizens sponsoring a spouse must meet a minimum monthly income of BYN 2,624.97 (up slightly from BYN 2,623.92). For a younger child, the minimum rises from BYN 301.50 to BYN 305.86, while for an older child the threshold goes from BYN 476.97 to BYN 479.59. These figures are reviewed every quarter, so applicants need to check the latest rates before applying.
For foreign workers seeking a special work permit or temporary residence, a higher threshold now applies: a minimum salary of BYN 3,630/month, up from the previous BYN 3,130. That salary level is five times the national minimum wage (currently BYN 726/month). Meanwhile, foreign employees in other categories must now earn at least BYN 2,100/month (up from BYN 2,000).
Employers must register foreign workers on local payrolls and pay them in Belarusian rubles (BYN). However, contracts may link pay to a foreign currency, converted at the bank’s official exchange rate on pay-date. Employers are also responsible for paying 34 % of salary for social security insurance, 6 % for accident insurance; workers contribute 1 % for social security; and personal income tax is withheld at 13 %. Eligible workers may still claim tax deductions depending on their situation.
The policy affects both new and pending work/residence permit applications. Authorities said the thresholds are part of the broader legal framework and may differ based on job category or sector. For foreign nationals, the change means closer scrutiny of employment contracts and proof of earnings; for employers, it means auditing payroll systems and ensuring compliance before hiring or renewing foreign-staff contracts.
By raising pay thresholds, Belarus is seeking to curb foreign worker dependence and preserve ruble stability in the face of inflation and currency pressure. The move may tighten labour supply, raise labour costs for foreign hires, and shift spending patterns, potentially reducing remittances and foreign currency outflows.
