Obtaining a permit for hiring foreign IT workers

The Belarusian IT sector is actively developing, and companies increasingly need to attract foreign specialists to implement projects and introduce innovative solutions. However, for the legal employment of foreign workers in Belarus, it is necessary to comply with a number of requirements and sometimes obtain the appropriate permit for hiring foreign labor.

A permit for hiring foreign labor in the IT field is not always required. But the process of obtaining such a permit is associated with regulatory requirements for the employer and the applicant, the preparation of documents, as well as compliance with deadlines and procedural conditions.

For IT companies, especially those working with international projects, it is important to understand when a permit is required and when it is not. In this article, we will consider such cases and the procedure for obtaining a permit when required, as well as the role recruiting companies and EOR providers can play in simplifying the process.

What is a permit for hiring foreign labor

A permit for hiring foreign labor (also called a “special permit”) is an official document that confirms the employer’s right to legally hire foreign citizens to work in the country. In the classic sense, it serves as a tool for the state to control the labor market, allowing it to regulate the number of foreigners and ensure the protection of local specialists’ interests.  

The permit is obtained not by the candidate for the position but by the company that wants to hire a particular foreign specialist.

Several key aspects are important for IT companies in Belarus:

1. Purpose of the permit  

The main purpose is to ensure that hiring a foreign specialist is justified and does not violate the interests of the domestic labor market. The permit confirms that the employer complies with all legal requirements and correctly formalizes the employment relationship.

2. Connection with the employment contract  

The permit always implies official employment: the employee receives an employment contract, legal social guarantees, and registration in the social insurance system. Without this, engaging a foreigner to work may be considered a violation of the legislation.

4. Practical significance for IT companies  

Even in cases where a permit is not formally required, it is useful for companies planning to expand their staff, work on international projects, or operate through an EOR company to understand the specifics of obtaining it. This helps minimize risks of errors in employment formalization and ensures legal security.

When a permit is not required

In 2025, in the Republic of Belarus, the employment of foreign citizens in the IT sector is possible without a special permit in the following cases:

1. The profession is included in the List of professions and positions for which a permit is not required

The Belarusian Ministry of Labor and Social Protection annually determines the professions and positions for which foreign citizens can be employed without obtaining a special permit. For 2025, this list includes, in particular, the position of software engineer.  

Thus, foreign IT specialists who claim the position of software engineers can be employed without obtaining a special permit.

2. The hiring company is a resident of the High-Tech Park (HTP)

Companies registered in the High-Tech Park (HTP) have several advantages when employing foreign specialists:  

There is no need to obtain a permit for hiring foreign labor.  

HTP residents do not have to obtain a special permit to employ foreign citizens. This applies not only to software engineers but also to other foreign employees. Here are other cases when IT companies do not need permission to hire foreign labor:

1. When IT companies hire citizens of Ukraine.

4. When IT companies hire citizens of the CIS, EAEU (Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia).

5. When IT companies engage foreign specialists to work under civil law contracts.

6. When IT companies hire specialists who have refugee status.

7. When IT companies hire foreigners who have a residence permit in Belarus.

8. When IT companies hire foreign students for a reduced workday (no more than 4 hours per day with a 5-day workweek) and graduates of Belarusian educational institutions in their specialty.

What an IT company needs to do when it has hired such foreign specialists

An IT company that has hired foreign citizens who do not need a work permit must notify the citizenship and migration department at its location within three working days from the date of signing the labor contract.  

Notifications of contract extensions and terminations with foreign employees must be sent within the same period.  

This does not apply to cases of hiring foreigners who have a residence permit in the Republic of Belarus.

When permission is still required

Although in some cases IT companies in 2025 may not need to obtain permission to hire foreign workers, there are situations where it is necessary:

1. To hire foreigners not as software engineers in companies that are not residents of the Hi-Tech Park  

If a company is not registered in the Hi-Tech Park and plans to hire a foreign specialist for a position not included in the official list of professions exempt from permission and there are no other exceptions, it will be necessary to obtain permission from the competent authorities.

2. To hire foreigners for non-standard positions or fields of activity  

For some managerial, technical, or auxiliary positions not listed for 2025, permission is required. This also applies to specific projects where a foreign worker will perform functions outside the standard IT specialist profile and cases in which the company does not have an exemption from obtaining permission.

These specifics highlight the importance of precisely understanding legal requirements and the role of professional support. Recruiting companies and EOR providers can help determine when permission is needed, prepare documents, and expedite the employment process for foreign specialists.

Procedure for obtaining permission to hire a foreign employee

In cases where IT companies require special permission to employ a foreign worker, the following step-by-step algorithm is recommended. Below is the step-by-step procedure for obtaining such permission.

Step 1. Document collection  

The employer collects a package of documents that confirms the need to hire a foreign specialist. It includes:

an application to the migration service.  

Copies of the foreign citizen’s documents: passport or refugee ID, diplomas, and confirmations of work experience in the specialty.  

A receipt for payment of the state fee of 5 base units (210 rubles).

Step 2. Submission of documents to the migration service  

The application, along with the document package, is submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs department for citizenship and migration at the employer’s place of registration. Usually, consideration takes about 10 days, but in some cases, a decision may be made sooner. Permission is issued for one year, except for highly qualified specialists, for whom the term may be up to two years.

Step 3. Coordination with labor and employment authorities  

The migration service sends documents to the relevant labor and employment authority to obtain a conclusion on the possibility of employing a foreign specialist (if such a conclusion is required).

Step 4. Obtaining permission  

After verifying all documents, government authorities issue permission to attract a foreign worker upon meeting all established requirements.

Step 5. Signing the employment contract  

After obtaining permission, the employer can officially sign an employment contract with the foreign employee and begin the employment process.

Step 6. Issuance of a social insurance certificate  

Professional pension insurance for employees, including foreigners, is the employer’s responsibility.

Thus, the procedure includes preparing the necessary documents, verifying compliance with established requirements, and obtaining official permission from government authorities for the legal hiring of a foreign specialist.

Cases when an IT company will be denied a special permit  

In 2025, Belarus defined specific grounds on which government authorities may refuse to issue a special permit for employing a foreign citizen. The main reasons include the following:

1. Failure to comply with the vacancy posting requirement  

Before submitting an application to attract a foreign worker, the vacancy must be posted in the “Nationwide Vacancy Bank” system for at least 15 working days. Ignoring this rule may be grounds for refusal.

2. Incomplete document package  

A full set of documents is required to obtain permission. Any omissions or absence of mandatory documents may lead to refusal.

3. Presence of wage arrears  

If the employer has wage arrears at the time of application submission, permission will be denied.

4. Multiple refusals to Belarusian citizens  

If the company has refused three or more applicants from Belarus for the same vacancy, the citizenship and migration authorities will also refuse to issue permission to attract a foreign worker.

Conclusion  

Attracting foreign specialists in the Belarusian IT sector opens up new opportunities for companies; however, the process of obtaining permissions and complying with all procedures requires attention and knowledge of legal norms. It is important to understand when permission is truly necessary, what steps need to be taken to obtain it, and in which cases additional formalities can be avoided.

To avoid errors, delays, and refusals, companies increasingly turn to professionals for support. Our team is ready to accompany you at every stage: consult on legislative requirements, prepare documents, organize the process of hiring a foreign employee, and offer a convenient solution in the form of EOR services, which simplifies employment and minimizes administrative difficulties.

We can choose the optimal option for working with foreign specialists so that your company can focus on project development rather than bureaucracy.