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EdwardB , the current situation regarding Belarus citizens' abilities to travel abroad are a little complicated ; and seem to be subject to frequent change and revision . This can be a little frustrating and confusing for guys seeking a woman from Belarus . It is difficult , even in the best of times , to get accurate and up to date information out of Belarus ; the press is largely government controlled , and most of the 'official' news you'll read has been filtered and watered down to some extent . The travel visa situation you're asking about has changed in recent months , and will likely change again . I can't give you a simple 3 or 4 sentence answer to the questions you've asked . So , I hope you will forgive this rather lengthy and long - winded reply ......

Due to recent events in the news , the subject of Belarussian travel visas is a touchy one for the Lukashenko regime . The government of Belarus is still very much entrenched in the Soviet era mentality . Belarus continues to drag its feet on these issues , and lags well behind the rest of the european community regarding travel restrictions . While this situation is likely to change , IMHO it is unlikely to become any less restrictive anytime soon . Lukashenko and company wish to retain positive control of Belarus' borders . The EU , with its 'visa-free' travel arrangements and proposals , are contrary to the publicly expressed views of our good man Alexander ; he has said in press conferences that he believes that the EU proposals on this topic will undermine the positive control of Belarus' borders ; and that the EU and NATO are essentially cramming these regulations down eastern europe's throats to forward their own agenda . Lukashenko and the Foreign Ministry have voiced these opinions rather adamantly and publicly . Other recent news events have also served to widen the growing gap between Belarus and the EU , NATO , and the US :

A few months ago , Lukashenko and other top government officials were nearly denied Czech entry visas for a NATO conference held in Prague . Of course , the home boys at 'Dictators R Us' made quite a stink about that . Just a little more gas for them to throw on the propoganda fires . Last year , Lukashenko re-established friendly ties with Iraq . In November , the US government issued a statement denying Lukashenko and other top Belarus government officials permission to enter the US , citing the Lukashenko regime's poor track record on human rights abuses as the primary reasons for doing so . Putin of Russia has proposed adoption of the EU's 'visa-free' travel for Russia ; but I think that Russia and the EU are still at odds on how to handle this in regards to the Kaliningrad situation . Putin and Lukashenko , while attempting to bring Russia and Belarus closer together , still disagreee on the visa / travel issues .

These events have brought about a backlash of retaliatory responses from the government of Belarus ; press and media being denied entry and / or exit from Belarus , detentions , delays , travel restrictions , etc , etc ,etc .  These events have created numerous propoganda opportunities for the current regime , and they have made the most of it . You might even say that they've 'capitalized' on it ( ...hahaha...sorry , just couldn't resist that one...) . FWIW , I think that the iron-fisted Lukashenko regime would have chosen this isolationist path no matter what was happening in the news ; these recent events have just served to give him some more ammo for his soapbox rants .

So , with all that in mind , here's the 'latest and greatest' regarding the ability of citizens of Belarus to travel to Poland.....

According to the Polish Consulate , aliens may cross the border of the Republic of Poland if they hold a valid passport and an appropriate visa . Visa requirements have been abolished for the citizens of certain countries  ( Belarus was not on this list of countries ; but let me know if you do want this list ) . In those cases the passport with validity exceeding at least 3 months after the date of the intended departure from Poland is required for the entry . ( BTW , a US citizen can travel to Poland for tourism and business for up to 90 days without a visa ) An alien entering the country of the Republic of Poland must prove upon the request of the border authority , that he/she has the means ( including funds ) necessary to cover the costs of his/her entry into , transit through , stay , and departure from Poland ; and the permission to enter another state or return to his/her country of origin , if such permission is required .

The Polish Consulate also goes on to say that : Citizens of Belarus and Russian Federation with the permanent residence in their home countries may travel to Poland without a visa , but they are required to present upon entry a valid invitation , as provided by the law , or tourist vouchers with regards to private or tourism related trips .

So , at least according to the Polish Consulate , citizens of Belarus aren't required to have a visa for travel to Poland , provided they have the other documentation specified . Easy , right ? Well , not exactly...

However , .........( Ha ! ...You didn't really think this was going to be *that* easy , did you ? ...LOL..)......

According to the government of Belarus , citizens of Belarus *ARE* required to obtain a special visa for travel to Poland . A citizen of Belarus may apply for this visa at their local LOT / Lufthansa / whatever travel agency . The cost is around $75 ( US ) . This is a very recently added requirement ; and I don't think that many of the travel websites have updated their info pages or FAQs yet regarding this....

I do know of 2 women who have traveled from Belarus to Poland and back recently ; and that is the process that they were required to follow . Their trips to Poland were for the purposes of obtaining their medical exams and interviews at the US Embassy in Warsaw for K-1 visas and emmigration to the US . Trips to Poland for K-1 interviews or for work purposes have a much better track record on approvals from the government of Belarus than do requests regarding vacation travel . At this time , if a citizen of Belarus wishes to travel to Poland for vacation , and submits the visa application described above , there is still a fair chance that it may be denied ; it is still sort of a crap shoot with those types of approvals .

I don't have a lot of data on this , as this policy change came out only in the last few months . So , take this for what it's worth . I would recommend checking into whether or not your lady can actually make such a trip before finalizing any travel plans . There was a short discussion thread on this topic below , under the posting 'Belarus Exit Visa' ; maybe you could read that .

As always , it is best to check with the respective embassy , consulate , or government agencies for the most recent and up to date information regarding travel and visa requirements . When you need legal advice , you consult a lawyer . When you need information regarding visa requirements , consult the appropriate government agency . While I've tried my best to give you accurate and up to date information here ,  I still think you should ask the respective government agencies .  It is better  to double-check information like that 'straight from the horse's mouth' rather than to make plans based on something posted on a public discussion board .

Clear as mud , right ?
Vy panimayeetya ?
Hope this helps ,
Good Luck to You

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EdwardB , it is good to hear from someone interested in Belarus once in a while ; most of the guys here tend to favor Ukraine or Russia as their 'hunting grounds' . The topic of Belarus doesn't come up too often in the discussion threads here .

I am curious about a few things , though . You said , "....I do not want to travel to Belarus...." Any particular reason why ? Granted , Minsk and Belarus don't offer the attractions of St Petersburg , Moscow , or Kiev ; but Belarus is still a pretty interesting place to visit . It's not excessively difficult for someone from the west to travel to Belarus ; and since you've already decided to go as far as Poland anyways........Why not ?  It may end up being easier for you to travel there than to meet her in Poland . It would give you a good chance to meet her family , see her in her natural environment , see her interactions with friends , family , and relatives , etc , etc .......Just curious .

Is this woman someone you've met before or know fairly well ? Because by making arrangements to meet in another country , you're giving her a valid reason to ask you for a bit of money -  for her visa and travel expenses . As many here have stated , sending money to someone you haven't met or don't know well can be a risky proposition.....

FYI , if you do decide to send her the money for this , you should be aware that Belarus passed a law a few months ago which requires its citizens to pay a tax on money sent to them from abroad . This tax comes due at the end of the month during which it was received . The tax rate for such monetary gifts is currently around 15 % of whatever amount you send .

Just a few things for you to consider , if you haven't already done so .

Good Luck

http://www.delta.com/travel/trav_serv/intl_travel/timatic/index.jsp

it will tell you what visa requirements she will have to meet. I was in Poland last year and I have to say I agree with the Warsaw statement. However, in the summer time Gdinia and Gdansk on the ocean in the North are nice. Krakow is nice too. I stayed in a small town close to the Ukraine border called Rzeszow and about 2 hours east of Krakow. It was beatiful. People are very friendly and hospitable, but be forewarned...not many speak english. Hope this helps.

Best places were Prague, St Pete. Hated Berlin, everyhwere else was fine.
Trains I did were all first class accomadatiion, only did one over nighter, that was Vilinus -St Pete. Never hassled once in trip, I am 6 3" blonde, 42.
Fell in l,ove with a 29 yo virgin in St Pete, but she not for me;(
Still talking to a polish woman, 25 who lives in NY.