Over the last seven years over 20,000 foreigners have been granted permanent residence permits in Minsk, Larisa Grek, Head of the Foreigners Department of the Citizenship and Migration Division of the Minsk City Police Department, told media on May 27.

In her words, the illegal migration situation in the capital city is rather stable. Some violations of the rules of stay have been registered but the number is too small to affect the overall situation.

Larisa Grek said, Belarus is implementing a demographic security programme, which allows foreign citizens to enter the country, find employment and further place of residence. Apart from that, Minsk companies offer a list of professions they are interested in and invite foreign professionals. The data is posted on the website of the Minsk City Police Department. Interests of Belarusian citizens will not be affected as they have certain advantages.

The police officer also remarked, the effective Belarusian legislation creates all the necessary conditions for labour, business, and settling down for a permanent residence after the necessary documents are ready. At present Belarus offers three kinds of permits: permanent residence, temporary residence, and temporary stay.