Is it possible in Belarus to refuse an ID card and switch to a regular passport?
The publication "Smartpress" received a question from its reader about whether an already obtained ID card can later be exchanged for a regular paper Belarusian passport – and found out the answer.
"Is it true that if a citizen of Belarus has received an ID card, it is no longer possible to exchange it back for a paper passport? Even if it's lost and needs renewal? A paper passport, as practice has shown, is much more convenient: registration, marital status, children are visible, and there's no need to apply for a foreign passport separately. I made an ID card for my child and now I deeply regret it..." wrote Smartpress reader Alena.
It turned out that if a citizen of Belarus has already obtained an ID card, it is no longer possible to get a regular old-style passport instead. This also applies to cases where the ID card was lost, damaged, or its validity period expired. Another ID card will be issued instead.
As previously stated by the Department for Citizenship and Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, obtaining an ID card is a voluntary choice of a citizen. No one is obliged to change a valid paper passport for biometric documents until its expiration date. However, once a person has decided to switch to the new document system and received an ID card, a reverse transition to a passport-book is not provided for by law.
Regarding travel abroad, there is indeed a difference from a regular passport. While previously one document simultaneously proved identity in Belarus and was used for foreign travel, these functions are now separated.
The ID card is used as the primary document within the country. However, for traveling abroad, a biometric passport is required, which is issued separately. At the same time, a biometric passport can be obtained at any time if such a need arises.
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