A list has been defined of worker professions and employee positions for which Belarusian employers are entitled, in 2026, to hire foreign citizens and stateless persons without the need to obtain special permits. Compared to the 2025 list, the number of worker professions has been reduced by almost one-third.
Purpose of the List
Such a list is established annually by the Belarusian authorities. For 2026, it was defined by Resolution No. 115 of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection dated October 10, 2025, which comes into force on January 1, 2026.
For the professions and specialties included in the list, Belarusian employers may hire foreigners who do not have permanent residence permits in Belarus, without applying restrictions aimed at protecting the national labor market — i.e., without obtaining special permits.
In these cases, when hiring foreigners, it is sufficient to notify the internal affairs authority within three working days from the date of signing the employment contract. The contract term must not exceed the validity period of the list, i.e., the calendar year.
Worker Professions
The 2026 list includes 29 worker professions — 12 fewer than in the current year’s list.
For example, the 2026 list no longer includes packers of products, semi-finished goods and materials, as well as several professions related to leather production (such as tanning operators, leather dyers, etc.).
Traditionally, the list contains drivers, mechanics, salespeople, and construction workers. For the first time, the profession of vegetable grower has been included.
According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the 2026 list covers almost 40% of employers’ needs for worker staff.
| Русский | English |
|---|---|
| водитель автомобиля | Motor vehicle driver |
| бетонщик | Concrete worker |
| животновод | Livestock worker |
| каменщик | Mason |
| маляр | Painter |
| машинист отжимного оборудования (кожевенное и кожсырьевое производство) | Operator of pressing equipment (leather and raw leather production) |
| мездрильщик | Flesh splitter |
| монтер пути | Track fitter |
| обрезчик материалов | Material trimmer |
| овощевод | Vegetable grower |
| оператор машинного доения | Operator of machine milking |
| повар | Cook |
| плотник | Carpenter |
| прессовщик кож | Leather presser |
| продавец* | Salesperson* |
| рабочий по комплексному обслуживанию и ремонту зданий и сооружений | Building maintenance and repair worker |
| растяжчик кож и овчин на рамы | Leather and sheepskin stretcher on frames |
| санитар(ка) | Orderly (sanitary worker) |
| слесарь механосборочных работ | Assembly mechanic |
| слесарь по ремонту автомобилей | Automobile repair mechanic |
| слесарь-ремонтник | Repair mechanic |
| слесарь-сантехник | Plumber |
| токарь | Turner (lathe operator) |
| тракторист-машинист сельскохозяйственного производства | Tractor driver–operator in agricultural production |
| фрезеровщик | Milling machine operator |
| швея (всех наименований) | Seamstress (all types) |
| штукатур | Plasterer |
| электрогазосварщик | Electric gas welder |
| электромонтер по ремонту и обслуживанию электрооборудования | Electrician for repair and maintenance of electrical equipment |
Employee Positions
The number of employee specialties remains unchanged — 18. The composition of positions has also not changed. As before, the list is dominated by medical and engineering specialists.
| Русский | English |
|---|---|
| агроном | Agronomist |
| акушерка (акушер) | Midwife (male or female) |
| ветеринарный врач | Veterinary doctor |
| ветеринарный фельдшер | Veterinary assistant (feldsher) |
| врач-специалист (всех наименований и профилей медицинских специальностей) | Specialist doctor (all names and profiles of medical specialties) |
| зоотехник | Zootechnician |
| инженер | Engineer |
| инженер-конструктор | Design engineer |
| инженер-механик | Mechanical engineer |
| инженер-программист | Software engineer |
| инженер-технолог | Process engineer |
| инженер-электроник | Electronics engineer |
| инженер-энергетик | Power engineer |
| медицинская сестра и медицинский брат (всех наименований и медицинских специальностей) | Nurse (male or female, all names and medical specialties) |
| помощник врача по амбулаторно-поликлинической помощи | Physician’s assistant in outpatient and polyclinic care |
| техник | Technician |
| фельдшер (всех наименований и медицинских специальностей) | Feldsher (all names and medical specialties) |
| электромеханик | Electromechanic |
What Migrant Workers Should Note
It should be recalled that since 2025, new obligations have been introduced in Belarus for employers hiring migrants, and consequently new requirements for the foreign workers themselves. One of these is passing a test in Belarusian or Russian language for representatives of certain professions.
From the specialties included in the 2026 list, this requirement applies to drivers, salespeople, and all medical workers. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that the foreign worker being hired undergoes the testing.
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