Hi-Tech Park in Belarus

The Hi-Tech Park (HTP) is a special legal regime for IT business in Belarus that unites technology companies, startups, and developers under a single system of preferential conditions. Often referred to as the “Belarusian Silicon Valley,” HTP provides a supportive framework for both companies and IT professionals, though not everyone fully understands how it works in practice or what benefits it offers.

For IT teams, HTP residency provides access to reduced tax rates, transparent legal mechanisms, and support in international cooperation. For developers and specialists, it ensures legal employment, competitive salaries, and social guarantees when working with Belarusian or foreign clients.

This article explains what HTP is, how it operates, who can become a resident, and what advantages residency offers. It will be useful for those planning to establish an IT company in Belarus, as well as HR professionals and recruiters who work with IT teams and want to better understand how HTP residency affects hiring, taxation, and employment conditions.

Essence and Purpose of HTP

The Hi-Tech Park (HTP) is a special legal regime created in Belarus to support and develop the IT industry. Unlike many foreign analogues, HTP is not a physical territory, cluster, or ecosystem in the traditional sense; its residents can be located anywhere in the country while enjoying all the benefits of residency status.

The main goal of HTP is to create competitive conditions for technological business development, attract investment, and retain talent within the country. The regime provides favorable regulations in the tax, currency, and labor spheres, ensuring flexible and predictable rules for IT companies.

HTP residents include not only large outsourcing corporations, but also startups, product-based companies, game developers, service and platform providers, as well as firms working in artificial intelligence, fintech, and cybersecurity.

Over the years, HTP has become one of the key drivers of IT business growth in Belarus. It has helped companies scale, attract foreign clients, establish international partnerships, and build professional teams while maintaining legal and financial stability.

As a result, HTP has played a major role in shaping Belarus into one of Eastern Europe’s regional IT hubs, producing products in demand around the world.

Who Can Become an HTP Resident

Any Belarusian company engaged in IT-related activities listed in the official regulations can apply for HTP residency. There are no territorial restrictions, companies can be located in any city in Belarus and still enjoy all the benefits of the special legal regime.

Key requirements for companies:

To become an HTP resident, a company must:

• Be registered in Belarus;
• Carry out activities permitted for HTP residents;
• Submit a business project demonstrating sustainability and development potential;
• Maintain a transparent system of accounting and management.

Having international clients, export contracts, or proprietary software products can strengthen an application but is not mandatory.

Permitted Types of Activities

HTP residents may engage in a broad range of IT-related activities, including:

• Software development and maintenance;
• Creation of mobile and web applications;
• Game and interactive service development;
• Implementation of AI, blockchain, and fintech solutions;
• IT consulting and data processing.

Additionally, HTP welcomes companies involved in IT education, cybersecurity, and technological infrastructure support.

Application and Approval Process

To obtain HTP residency status, a company submits an application and a package of documents to the Secretariat of the HTP Supervisory Board. The package includes:

• Incorporation documents;
• A business project;
• Information about the company’s management and structure;
• A description of ongoing projects and activities.

After reviewing the documents and assessing compliance with the criteria, the Supervisory Board makes a decision on admission. If approved, the company officially gains HTP resident status and can access all established benefits and opportunities.

In summary, the process of joining the Hi-Tech Park is transparent and straightforward, and its requirements are designed to support active, growing IT businesses.

Advantages of Operating under the Hi-Tech Park (HTP) Regime

Working within the HTP framework offers IT companies a range of significant advantages that help grow their business, reduce costs, and attract skilled professionals.

Tax Benefits and Financial Incentives

One of the main motivations for HTP residents is tax relief. Companies enjoy reduced corporate tax rates, simplified administration, and minimized tax risks in IT operations. This framework enables businesses to reinvest the savings into product development, marketing, and team expansion.

Simplified Conditions for Foreign Economic Activity

The HTP regime streamlines cooperation with foreign partners — making the export of IT services and software more transparent, and simplifying currency operations and reporting. This allows companies to scale faster, enter new markets, and sign contracts with international clients with less bureaucracy.

Talent Attraction and International Collaboration

HTP creates favorable conditions for attracting qualified IT specialists, including from abroad. It fosters the formation of competitive teams and participation in global projects, which enhances a company’s reputation and opens access to international markets.

Overall, the HTP regime not only reduces the administrative and financial burden on companies but also establishes a comfortable environment for growth, innovation, and global cooperation.

Obligations and Restrictions for HTP Residents

While HTP residency offers substantial advantages, it also imposes certain obligations and restrictions that companies must comply with to maintain their status and operate effectively.

Reporting, Compliance, and Control

HTP residents are required to submit regular financial and operational reports to regulatory authorities. This includes timely disclosure of income, expenses, and tax payments, as well as adherence to established accounting standards. Companies must also comply with labor and hiring requirements, including proper employment documentation for foreign workers and ensuring staff qualifications meet HTP criteria.

Legal and Financial Implications of Residency Status

HTP residency defines the company’s legal and financial framework, covering tax benefits, currency operations, and the ability to enter into international contracts. Failure to comply with HTP regulations may result in tax adjustments, penalties, or loss of certain privileges, affecting both financial stability and legal protection.

When a Company Can Lose HTP Residency

A company may lose its HTP resident status if it repeatedly violates HTP requirements, fails to submit reports, or engages in activities not permitted for residents. Loss of residency removes access to tax benefits and incentives, increases the tax burden, and complicates international operations.

Maintaining compliance with HTP rules is essential for stable operations, risk reduction, and preserving all the advantages of the regime for IT companies.

HTP and the Labor Market

The special legal regime of HTP significantly influences the IT labor market by creating new opportunities for companies and attractive working conditions for professionals.

Impact on Employment and Salaries

HTP supports job creation in the IT sector, encourages wage growth, and promotes modern compensation standards. Resident companies can offer competitive employment terms thanks to tax benefits and lower administrative overhead, making their positions more appealing to qualified specialists.

Hiring and Motivation Practices

HTP residents can implement flexible motivation systems, including bonuses, stock options, and corporate training programs. Recruitment focuses on employees’ skills and experience, as well as their ability to participate in international projects. This approach helps retain key talent and improve overall team performance.

Attracting Local and International Talent

HTP residency makes companies attractive to both Belarusian and foreign professionals. The regime simplifies the employment of foreign workers, cooperation with remote teams, and engagement of experts for high-tech projects, strengthening the skilled workforce and enhancing the global competitiveness of Belarusian IT firms.

Effectively leveraging HTP opportunities in talent management enables companies to grow sustainably, attract the best professionals, and build strong, competitive teams.

Alternatives and Prospects for Companies Outside the Hi-Tech Park (HTP)

Not all IT companies in Belarus become HTP residents, but that doesn’t mean they lack opportunities for growth and development.

Opportunities for IT Businesses Outside HTP

Companies operating outside the HTP framework can still use general legal and tax mechanisms, engage in international business, work with foreign clients, and implement modern technologies. Such companies manage their own accounting, HR, and foreign trade operations independently, although they have fewer tax benefits and simplified procedures compared to HTP residents.

When HTP Residency Is — and Isn’t — Necessary

HTP status is particularly beneficial for companies that work extensively with foreign clients, scale IT projects, and seek tax advantages. However, for small startups or businesses focused on the local market, HTP benefits may be less critical, in such cases, it can be simpler to rely on standard business mechanisms and avoid additional administrative obligations.

Prospects for the Legal Regime’s Development

The HTP framework continues to evolve, offering new opportunities for participants in the IT sector. In the coming years, further development is expected in the form of expanded financial and administrative incentives, a broader range of eligible activities, and more flexible hiring conditions. For non-HTP companies, it’s important to monitor legislative changes and adapt business strategies to remain competitive.

Even without HTP residency, IT companies can continue to grow effectively by leveraging alternative tools and preparing for potential adjustments in the legal environment.

Conclusion

HTP residency provides IT companies with a number of advantages, including tax incentives, simplified international operations, and easier access to skilled professionals. At the same time, companies outside HTP also have opportunities for successful development, though they must handle taxation, HR management, and foreign client relations independently.

Our team is ready to support companies in recruiting and managing IT teams for HTP residents, optimizing HR processes, and driving project growth at a high professional level. We offer comprehensive assistance to help businesses make the most of the HTP legal framework and build strong, motivated teams.