Visa policy of Lebanon

Entry & Exit passport stamps for the Republic of Lebanon issued at the Beirut International Airport

The visa policy of Lebanon deals with the requirements which a foreign national wishing to enter Lebanon must meet to be permitted to travel to, enter and remain in the country.

Lebanese visas are documents issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its subsequent diplomatic missions abroad with the stated goal of regulating and facilitating migratory flows. Visitors to Lebanon must obtain a visa from one of the Lebanon diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the 7 visa-exempt countries and territories or one of the 79 other countries and territories whose citizens are eligible for a visa on arrival.[1]

Citizens of member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordan may travel to Lebanon without visa limits for a maximum stay of 6 months per year and 3 months per 6 months respectively, citizens of the 79 other countries and territories are granted a visa on arrival at Beirut International Airport or any other port of entry if there is no Israeli stamps, visas, or seals on their passport and are holding a telephone number, address in Lebanon, and a non-refundable return or circle trip ticket for a maximum stay of one month, extendable for 2 additional months. Citizens of Brazil and Turkey are instead granted a multiple entry visa valid for a maximum stay of 1 months and 3 months respectively. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months beyond the period of intended stay and with two blank pages. An identity document is accepted in lieu of a passport for Jordanian citizens.[2][3]

Lebanon has a complicated visa policy, requiring visas from citizens of the countries and territories like - Brunei, Seychelles, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vatican City. On the other hand, Lebanon grants visa on arrival to citizens of countries and territories like - Bhutan, China, Iran, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Visa runs are not allowed, meaning that if foreigners wish to re-enter the Republic of Lebanon after their visa-free or VoA period has expired they should obtain a visa.

Visitors who have recently been to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are refused entry due to Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa.

Palestinian and Israeli citizens or any other person who holds any passport bearing stamps, visas, or seals issued by Israel are strictly prohibited from entry to Lebanon and may be subject to arrest or detention for further inspection.[4][5][6]

Visa policy map

Visa policy of Lebanon

As of right

The following citizens do not require a visa to enter, reside, study, and work indefinitely in the Lebanon without any immigration requirements:

  • Lebanon Lebanese citizens1
  • Holders of a travel document (Titre de Voyage) issued by Lebanon to stateless persons and refugees, including their wife and children with proof thereof.2

1 – May enter with a national identity card, individual civil status record, expired passport or civil extract issued by Lebanon to passengers of Lebanese descent holding a foreign passport
2 – A law passed in 1995 prevents Palestinian Stateless persons and refugees in Lebanon from working in over 70 jobs, including professional, mercantile and administrative jobs[7][8]

Visa exemption

Holders of passports of the following 7 countries and territories do not require a visa to visit Lebanon up to 6 months per year for tourism or business purposes(unless otherwise stated) if there is no Israeli stamps, visas, or seals on their passport and are holding a telephone number, address in Lebanon, and a non-refundable return or circle trip ticket. An identity document is accepted in lieu of a passport for Jordanian citizens:

6 months within 1 year

3 months within 6 months

1 – provided passport includes a national serial number.

Future Visa Exemptions Pending Ratification or Implementation

Lebanon signed visa waiver agreements for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports of the following countries and territories, but they are pending ratification or implementation:

Country Date of agreement Purpose
 Serbia 22 July 2015[9] Tourism or business

Visa on arrival (VoA)

Holders of the passports issued by the following 79 countries and territories are granted visa on arrival at Beirut International Airport or any other port of entry if there is no Israeli stamps, visas, or seals on their passport and are holding a telephone number, address in Lebanon, and a non-refundable return or circle trip ticket for a maximum stay of one month, extendable for 2 additional months for tourism or business purposes(unless otherwise stated):[10][11]

1 – Not applicable to holders of a British National (Overseas) passport
2 – Can obtain a multiple entry visa on arrival valid for a maximum stay of 1 month for tourism and business purposed, extended up to a maximum validity of 90 days following the approval of the General Directorate of General Security[12]
3 – Can obtain a multiple-entry visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 3 months for tourism or business purposes. Extension of stay is possible for an additional 1-month after the date of expiry[13]

Conditional Visa on arrival (VoA)

Citizens of the following 15 countries and territories can obtain a visa on arrival at Beirut International Airport or any other port of entry only if there is no Israeli stamps, visas, or seals on their passport and provided holding, a non-refundable return or circle trip ticket, a copy of a reservation in a 3 to 5 star hotel or private residential address with telephone number in Lebanon, and at least USD 2,000 in cash[14]

Exemptions from proof documents and GDGS Immigration pre-approval[15]

  1. The wife of a Lebanese citizen, who did not work previously as an artist or a masseuse, after presenting a document asserting the marriage
  2. The wife of a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon or a holder of a valid identity card under consideration and who did not work previously as an artist or a masseuse, after presenting a document asserting the marriage
  3. The wife of a Syrian citizen accompanying him and who did not work previously as an artist or masseuse in Lebanon, provided that the marriage is registered on the husband’s family register or by presenting a document proving the marriage
  4. Women who did not work previously as artists or masseuses in Lebanon, accompanying their husband, their child, one of their parents, brothers
  5. The mother in law of a Lebanese citizen, after presenting a document asserting the kinship
  6. Women coming among official delegations, or those holding private, special or diplomatic passports
  7. The wife of a Lebanese citizen who has previously worked as an artist or a masseuse and left Lebanon for a period of more than one year, if she is accompanied by one or more of her children from this marriage after presenting the documents proving the marriage
  8. The wife of a foreigner non Arabic man who has previously worked as an artist or a masseuse and had left Lebanon for a period more than one year, provided that she is in his company and that she holds a document proving the marriage

Regulations regarding the entry of Syrian citizens to Lebanon

Approval requirement from the Lebanese Immigration General Directorate for General Security

Future Changes

On March 6, 2015, following his diplomatic trip to Latin America, Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Gebran Bassil announced in a press conference a proposal to introduce visa on arrival regime for citizens of the following 11 jurisdictions however it is still pending ratification or implementation:[16][17]

Obtaining a Visa

All visitors must apply in person at the Lebanon Embassy, fill in the application form and pay the application processing fee at a visa application center. Citizens of the 7 visa-exempt countries and territories or the 79 countries and territories whose citizens are eligible for a visa on arrival can obtain the visa before travel but are exempted from submitting proof documents but will be required to pay a processing free[18][19][20][21]

Terms

Required Documents

All documents should be submitted in Arabic, French or English. The General Security has the right to request further documents if it is necessary

The visa application will be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lebanon by the diplomatic pouch. One should apply one month before travel date

A visitor's visa for a single entry costs $35 and for a multiple entry costs $70 for stays up to 3 months. For applicants holding a managerial or a more senior position the visa is processed at the Lebanese consulate within 2-3 working days, for applicants holding a non managerial position, the visa is processed between 6 and 8 weeks if approved by the Directorate General of General Security in Lebanon

Head of Missions outside Lebanon have the right to issue visas to Lebanon given that the visa grant is "under the responsibility of the Head of Mission" , except in the cases of Palestinian refugees or holders of passports issued by the Palestinian Authority or Jordan without a national ID number

After a person has successfully granted a Lebanese visa, if he/she subsequently obtains a new passport, but the Lebanese visa in his/her old passport still has remaining validity, he/she is not required to have the Lebanese visa vignette affixed in the old passport transferred to the new passport, but must be able to present both the new and old passports at passport control when entering Lebanon

If a person who has successfully granted a Lebanese visa subsequently loses the passport in which the visa vignette is affixed (or if it is stolen), he/she has to pay the original visa fee in full again and may be required to show that his/her circumstances have not changed when applying for a replacement visa

Visa types and requirements

A Lebanese Visa on a German Passport

Tourist visa

Eligibility

Temporary & Permanent Residence Visa

Foreigners wishing to live and work in Lebanon are required to apply for a temporary residence visa. To obtain a temporary visa for employment purposes, the worker needs to secure a job offer from a Lebanon company or government department, or a foreign company based in Lebanon, and the company is required to apply to the Immigration Division of the Ministry of Labor on the worker's behalf. The criteria for approval of an employment visa include suitable educational qualifications or work experience, a secured employment contract in Lebanon, proof of adequate means of subsistence in Lebanon, police confirmation that the worker has no criminal record, and a satisfactory medical examination. All official documents must be translated into Arabic, French, or English and 'legalized' by the consulate. The application processing period is normally around 1-3 weeks. Employment visas are issued for a specific job, and are not transferable between employers in Lebanon without permission. Visas are also issued to the employment visa holder's spouse and children

Foreign citizens aged over 50 can apply for a permanent visa if they have a pension of at least 30,000 Lebanese Lira (US$2,000) per month and will transfer it to Lebanon every month. Visas may also issued to dependents, Documentary proof of the pension and a bank declaration authorizing the monthly transfer are required. Applicants for permanent residence visas are required to submit their passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable) and a police certificate of no criminal record, issued within the last 90 days

Transit Visa

A Transit Without Visa (TWOV) applies if the traveler is passing through an international transit area of at Beirut International Airport in order to board a connecting or to proceed by the same flight to an international destination, without entering the country (i.e. clearing immigration). This however does not apply to:

Duration Cost
Up to 48 hours Free
48 hours to 15 days 25,000 LBP

This visa must be applied for at least 2 days before the trip, provided submitting a copy of a visa or residence permit related to the country of destination and the airline ticket

Courtesy Visa

It is granted for VIPs by Lebanese embassies and delegations abroad or by the General Director of General Security free of charge provided they present a letter from their mission or the ministry of foreign affairs or the employer explaining the purpose of the travel

Collective Visa

It is granted for groups, and the fee is collected from each member of the groups

Work Visa

It is granted for 3 months costs 50.000 LP based on a pre-approval from the Ministry of labor. All of the documents for a tourist visa are needed, as well as an invitation letter from sponsor or trade partner in Lebanon and their contact information (showing period of stay and name, address and phone number of sponsor), a proof that the trade partner is certified in Lebanon, and a proof that there is a relationship between applicant and the trade partner by means of a commercial announcement

Validity for other countries

Lebanese temporary and permanent resident visas that are valid for further travel are accepted as substitute visas for national visas in the following countries:

Israeli Stamps

Travelers who hold passports that contain stamps, visas, or seals for Israel will be denied entry into Lebanon and may be subject to arrest or detention. Even if their travel documents currently do not have Israeli stamps or visas, persons seeking entry into Lebanon who have previously traveled to Israel may still face arrest and/or detention if this travel is disclosed. The Government of Lebanon has the authority to refuse admission to other country's citizens and to detain them for further inspection.[23][24]

Admission and transit is refused to holders of passports issued by both Israel and Palestine.[25][26]

Minors (Under 15 years of age)

Children under 15 years of age, of all nationalities travelling on their parents' passports must be accompanied by the passport holder, otherwise they must hold their own passport.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Visa Information". Timatic. IATA. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  2. ↑ http://www.general-security.gov.lb/Entry_visa/sub4.aspx
  3. ↑ http://www.general-security.gov.lb/Entry_visa/The-formalities-required.aspx
  4. ↑ https://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/tim_website_client.cgi?SpecData=1&VISA=&page=visa&NA=ps&AR=00&PASSTYPES=PASS&DE=LB&user=KLMB2C&subuser=KLMB2C
  5. ↑ http://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/tim_website_client.cgi?SpecData=1&VISA=&page=visa&NA=IL&AR=00&PASSTYPES=PASS&DE=LB&user=KLMB2C&subuser=KLMB2C
  6. ↑ http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/lebanon.html
  7. ↑ https://electronicintifada.net/content/illegal-discrimination-against-palestinians-lebanon/7184
  8. ↑ http://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/LEBRefugeeReport.pdf
  9. ↑ http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.php?yyyy=2015&mm=07&dd=22&nav_id=94853 Dacic on first visit to Lebanon
  10. ↑ [http://Lebanonembassy.ca/eng/index.html# Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa, Canada>Consular>Visas]
  11. ↑ http://www.general-security.gov.lb/Entry_visa.aspx
  12. ↑ http://www.general-security.gov.lb/Entry_visa/Brazilian-Immigrants.aspx Brazilian Immigrants
  13. ↑ http://www.general-security.gov.lb/Entry_visa/sub4.aspx
  14. ↑
  15. ↑ http://www.general-security.gov.lb/Entry_visa.aspx
  16. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ461bZ_55A
  17. ↑ http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Feb-27/288977-lebanon-colombia-sign-visa-exemption-agreement.ashx
  18. ↑ http://www.lebanonembassyus.org/visas.html
  19. ↑ http://lebaneseembassyuk.org/consular-affairs/visas/
  20. ↑ http://www.lebembassyegypt.org/en/visa
  21. ↑ http://www.lebanonconsulate-uae.com/en/home/services_visa
  22. ↑ https://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/tim_website_client.cgi?FullText=1&COUNTRY=SY&SECTION=VI&SUBSECTION=00&user=KLMB2C&subuser=KLMB2C
  23. ↑ https://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/tim_website_client.cgi?FullText=1&COUNTRY=LB&SECTION=PA&SUBSECTION=WA&user=KLMB2C&subuser=KLMB2C
  24. ↑ https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/Lebanon/entry-requirements
  25. ↑
  26. ↑

External links

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