Why Does This Matter?
International students travelling to Belarus are required to carry large sums of cash — covering tuition instalments, hostel prepayment, medical fees, and more. Almost all of these payments must be made in cash on arrival. If any portion of your cash is rejected by the bank or exchange office, you may not be able to complete your enrolment.
Belarus follows strict international banking standards for banknote acceptance. This is not unique to Belarus — many post-Soviet countries apply the same rules — but it catches many students off guard, particularly those who collect cash over time from multiple sources without inspecting each note.
What Counts as a "Damaged" Banknote?
Will NOT be accepted
- Notes with ink stains, oil marks, or discolouration
- Notes with writing, stamps, or graffiti
- Torn, cut, or taped notes
- Notes with significant creasing or humidity damage
- Notes with missing corners or edges
- Very old series notes that have been withdrawn from circulation
- Notes that smell of chemicals or have unusual odours
Will be accepted
- Clean, undamaged notes of current series
- Notes with minor, natural wear (light folds)
- Notes with no marks, stains, or writing
- Notes that lie flat and are intact on all edges
- USD, EUR, and other major currencies in clean condition
- Notes obtained fresh from a bank (preferred)
What Happens if Your Notes Are Rejected?
If a bank teller or exchange office rejects your banknotes, you have a few options — but none of them are quick or cheap:
Contact your agency
Your assigned agency may be able to help you find a specialist exchange office that accepts damaged notes. This is always the first call to make.
Specialist exchange offices
Some exchange offices in Minsk accept stained or mildly damaged notes, but they charge a commission of up to 10% on the exchange. This can add up significantly on large amounts — for example, 10% on $2,000 is $200 lost.
Request a transfer from home
As a last resort, you can ask family or friends to send money via an international transfer. However, this takes time and may involve additional transfer fees.
Do not count on solving this problem after arrival. University fees are due on arrival and cannot be deferred. If you cannot pay the required amounts in full, your enrolment may be delayed or denied.
How to Get Clean Banknotes Before You Travel
- Visit your bank and specifically request new or recently issued banknotes. Tell the teller you need clean notes for international travel.
- If collecting money gradually from different sources (family, savings), inspect each note carefully. Set aside any that are marked, torn, or stained.
- Avoid exchanging money at informal exchanges or peer-to-peer — you have no quality control over the notes you receive.
- Store your cash in a sealed plastic envelope or zip-lock bag inside your carry-on luggage. This protects against humidity, spills, and accidental creasing during transit.
- Do not fold large amounts of cash together — the pressure can crease the notes at the fold, which may cause issues at stricter exchange offices.
- Carry your money in your hand luggage at all times — not in checked bags. This also protects you if your checked luggage is delayed.
Which Currencies Are Accepted?
The most widely accepted foreign currencies in Belarusian banks and exchange offices are US Dollars (USD) and Euros (EUR). USD is the most common currency used for university payments. Russian Rubles are also accepted in most places.
Note that the exchange rate used for payments at the university and official exchange offices is the National Bank of Belarus rate, which is typically less favourable than the mid-market rate shown on Google or online currency converters. Read our exchange rate guide for more details.