Changes concerning the passport regulations approved

The Edict of the President of the Republic of Belarus No 197 of 19 April 2012 introduces changes to the Edict No 200 of 26 April 2010. The Edict No 197 provides all the passports now to be issued to Belarusian citizens for the term of 10 years. Such changes were stipulated by the requirements of the Schengen visa issue. But the citizens who are not planning to visit any of Schengen countries have no obligation to renew their passports. Also the present Edict lessens the age of obtaining the passport from 16 to 14 years old. The Edict enters into force 19 July 2012.