I would like to visit Belarus. To apply for a Belarusian visa, one needs an "invitation", which is usually provided by a hotel or travel agency. However, I would like to travel independently, staying with CouchSurfing hosts.
Is it possible to do this?
Here's the Belarusian visa application form. Boxes 21 and 22 concern the invitation.
If you search for "Belarus invitation" you can find a slew of formal letters that you will need to obtain a visa.
If you are going as a tourist then this particular letter is for you. There is also a post from one of the travel agencies in Belarus about who has to send you one of these letters if you need it.
As of about two weeks ago, citizens of 80 countries had the visa requirements waived if and only if the arrive at Minsk airport on an international flight (except Russia). They are allowed to stay for up to 5 days.
This came in as I was getting documents together for my trip in May!
