The Hi-Tech Park (HTP) Resident status is a special legal regime for IT and high-technology entrepreneurs, startup founders, and established tech companies. Established under Presidential Decree No. 12 of 2005 and significantly expanded by Presidential Decree No. 8 of 2017, it is administered by the HTP Secretariat under the Council of Ministers of Belarus. The regime lets foreign entrepreneurs found and operate IT and technology companies in Belarus under a highly preferential tax and legal framework, with visa-free entry and simplified residence permits. As of 2026 the HTP hosts over 1,000 resident companies employing more than 60,000 people, contributes almost 3% to Belarus's GDP, and has attracted nearly $2.4 billion in cumulative foreign investment since 2017.
The regime operates on an extraterritorial principle — resident companies may be registered and located anywhere in Belarus, not only on the physical HTP territory in Minsk. The special legal regime extends until 1 January 2049.
For HTP resident status:
For temporary residence permit:
HTP resident status is granted indefinitely subject to ongoing compliance with the business project and quarterly reporting obligations. The special legal regime itself is valid until 1 January 2049. Foreign founders and employees may enter Belarus visa-free for up to 180 days per calendar year, automatically renewed each calendar year for active HTP founders and employees. Those planning to stay longer than 180 days should apply for a temporary residence permit, which is issued for up to 1 year and renewed annually through the Department of Citizenship and Migration.
After 7 years of continuous residence in Belarus, permanent residency may be applied for.
Family members of foreign HTP founders and employees may obtain temporary residence permits through family reunification provisions under Belarusian immigration law, provided the primary permit holder demonstrates a legal income source meeting the subsistence minimum. Family members are not automatically covered by the HTP visa-free entry provisions and must follow standard immigration procedures separately.
HTP residents benefit from a highly preferential tax regime:
For comparison, standard Belarusian corporate taxation is 18% income tax and 20% VAT. Note that resident companies must pay a quarterly contribution of 1% of gross revenue to the HTP fund.
The process involves three main phases:
Register a Belarusian legal entity. The foreign founder registers an LLC, closed joint-stock company, or unitary enterprise with the local executive committee.
Apply for HTP resident status. Prepare a business project using the Council of Ministers Resolution No. 403 template covering proposed IT activities, implementation measures, financial projections, and property rights justification. Submit the business project, application form, certified charter copies, and state registration certificate to the HTP Secretariat ([email protected]). The Secretariat conducts a preliminary evaluation before the Supervisory Board considers the application. The Board may approve, postpone, or reject; rejections may be appealed in court. The maximum review period is 40 calendar days from submission.
Obtain immigration documents. Upon receiving HTP resident status, foreign founders may enter Belarus visa-free for up to 180 days. Within 10 days of arrival, foreign citizens must register with the Department of Citizenship and Migration (certain nationalities have extended periods: up to 30 days for Ukrainian, Lithuanian, Estonian, Kazakh, and UAE citizens; up to 90 days for Russian citizens). Those planning extended stays should apply for a temporary residence permit, processed within 30 calendar days.
Note: Belarus is subject to international sanctions from the EU, US, and other jurisdictions, which may affect the ability of certain nationals to participate in the HTP or conduct cross-border transactions.