Belarus Passport Center in Vilnius Suspends Operations Amid Restructuring

The Belarus Passport Center in Vilnius has officially halted its operations as part of a restructuring initiative. This decision comes amid a shift towards more decentralized operations for the issuance of New Belarus passports.

What Changes Are Taking Place?

While the center in Vilnius is closing, the issuance of new Belarus passports will continue through newly established biometric data collection points in Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, and the United States. Additionally, field sessions are being conducted in other EU member states to facilitate passport applications.

Who Is Affected?

The closure of the Vilnius center impacts Belarusian citizens seeking to obtain the New Belarus passport. Despite the center's efforts, interest in applying for the passport remains low, with only 600 passports issued as of September 2026 and over 60 applications currently in process.

How to Apply for a New Belarus Passport

Individuals interested in applying for a New Belarus passport can do so through the new biometric data collection points. However, it is important to note that this passport is not recognized as an official state travel document and does not serve as proof of identity for legal residency procedures abroad.

The New Belarus passport initiative was first introduced at the "New Belarus" conference in August 2022, with the Passport Center in Lithuania being established in 2023. The center began accepting applications in early 2025, but its core administrative functions have now been transferred out of Lithuania.