Visa policy of Lebanon

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Lebanese Visa stamps in a Canadian passport LebanonVisaStamps.jpg
Lebanese Visa stamps in a Canadian passport

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

Contents

Visitors to the Republic of Lebanon must obtain a visa from one of the Diplomatic missions of the Republic of Lebanon unless they come from one of the seven visa-exempt countries and territories or one of the 81 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 Republic of Lebanon without visa limits for a maximum stay of 6 months per year. An identity document is accepted in lieu of a passport for Jordanian citizens.

Citizens of Turkey are granted a multiple entry visa valid for a maximum stay of three months per 6 months while citizens of the 81 other countries and territories are granted a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of one month, extendable for 2 additional months at Beirut International Airport or any other port of entry if they are holding a telephone number, an address in the Republic of Lebanon, a non-refundable return or circle trip ticket, and there are no Israeli stamps, visas, or seals on their passport.

All visitors must hold a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay and with 2 blank pages. [2] [3]

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.

Admission and transit is refused to nationals of Israel. [4] 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 the Republic of Lebanon who have previously traveled to Israel may still face arrest or detention if this travel is disclosed. The government of Lebanon has the authority to refuse admission to other countries' citizens and to detain them for further inspection. [5]

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.

Visa policy map

Visa policy of Lebanon
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Lebanon
Visa not required
Free Visa on arrival
Visa on arrival(Conditions apply)
Visa required
Visa & Immigration approval required
Admission refused Visa policy of Lebanon.svg
Visa policy of Lebanon
  Lebanon
  Visa not required
  Free Visa on arrival
  Visa on arrival(Conditions apply)
  Visa required
  Visa & Immigration approval required
  Admission refused

As of right

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

  1. May enter with a national identity card, individual civil status record, expired passport or civil extract issued by the Republic of Lebanon to passengers of Lebanese descent holding a foreign passport.
  2. A law passed in 1995 prevents Palestinian Stateless persons and refugees in the Republic of Lebanon from working in over 70 jobs, including professional, mercantile and administrative jobs. [6]

Visa exemption

Holders of passports of the following countries and territories may enter Lebanon without a visa at Beirut International Airport or any other port of entry if they are holding a telephone number, an address in the Republic of Lebanon, a non-refundable return or circle trip ticket, and there are no Israeli stamps, visas, or seals on their passport. An identity document is accepted in lieu of a passport for Jordanian citizens.

6 months within any 1 year

3 months within any 6 months

  1. Provided passport includes a national serial number.

Other visa exemption

Visa on arrival

Free visa on arrival

Holders of the passports of the following countries and territories may enter Lebanon a free visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 1 month at Beirut International Airport or any other port of entry if they are holding a telephone number, an address in the Republic of Lebanon, a non-refundable return or circle trip ticket, and there are no Israeli stamps, visas, or seals on their passport. Extension of stay is possible for an additional 2 months. [8]

Conditional Visa On Arrival

Citizens of the following countries and territories may obtain a visa on arrival at Beirut International Airport or any other port of entry if they are holding a copy of a reservation in a 3 to 5 star hotel or private residential address with telephone number in the Republic of Lebanon, at least 2,000 USD in cash, a non-refundable return or circle trip ticket, and there are no Israeli stamps, visas, or seals on their passport. [9]

  1. Conditions apply

Approval requirement from the Lebanese Immigration General Directorate for General Security

The following are required to obtain a pre-approval from the General Directorate of General Security in addition to a visa:

GDGS Immigration Pre-Approval Documents Exemptions [10]

The following cases are exempted from all the conditions concerning the address, the non-refundable return or circle trip ticket, and the pre-approval from the General Directorate of General Security:

Applying for a visa

All visitors must apply in person at an Embassy or a General Consulate of the Republic of Lebanon, fill in the application form and pay the application processing fee at a visa application center.

Citizens of the seven visa-exempt countries and territories or the 81 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 still be required to pay a processing fee. [11] [12] [13] [14]

The visa application will be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Republic of Lebanon by the diplomatic pouch. One should apply one month before travel date. Head of Missions outside the Republic of Lebanon have the right to issue visas to the Republic of 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.

A visitor's visa for a single entry costs 35 USD and for a multiple entry costs 70 USD for stays up to 3 months. For applicants holding a managerial or a more senior position the visa is processed at the Embassy or General Consulate of the Republic of Lebanon 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 the Republic of Lebanon.

Terms

  • All documents should be submitted in Arabic, French or English. The General Security has the right to request further documents if it is necessary
  • Visas are valid from the date they are issued, for a period of 90 days before the date of entry to the Republic of Lebanon for a period of 15 days or a month or three months or 6 months. The stay period is effective from the date of entry to the Republic of Lebanon.
  • Visas cannot be issued on passports bearing Israeli stamps, visas, or seals.
  • A Lebanese visa is rendered invalid if the passport was subsequently stamped with an Israeli stamp, visa, or seal.
  • After a person has successfully granted a Lebanese visa, if they subsequently obtain a new passport, but the Lebanese visa in their old passport still has remaining validity, they are 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 the Republic of 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, they will have 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.

Required documents

  • Passport valid for 3 months beyond the period of intended stay and with two blank pages bearing no Israeli stamps, visas, or seals
  • Photocopies of the passport pages (Passport cover, bio-page, pages 7 and 9, and last page) containing the full name, photo, passport number, issue date, and expiry date (one copy of each page)
  • Appointment Letter
  • Proof of fee payment, which is a valid receipt
  • A copy of applicant's residency card with no less than 6 months until expiration if applying at the Embassy or General Consulate of the Republic of Lebanon outside the applicant's country of origin
  • Two passport-sized photos and must be on a white background format 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm taken from the front and should be fresh new photographs
  • Recent three months original and till dated online bank statement (should state A/c. holder's name, sort-code & account number on any internet banking printout should be stamped by the bank
  • Travel reservations showing dates of travel
  • Hotel reservations in the name of the sponsor in the Republic of Lebanon or place of residency in the Republic of Lebanon with a listed contact number. If the sponsor is not a citizen of the Republic of Lebanon, they must show proof of residency in the Republic of Lebanon for at least 3 months (hotel booking or host's reference letter)
  • No objection letter from the sponsor mentioning the reason of the visit or for minors, a Parental Consent Form* from both parents allowing their dependents to travel to the Republic of Lebanon is required
  • Travel insurance must clearly state all the travelling passengers' names on the policy. The area of validity must clearly cover the Republic of Lebanon or worldwide, coverage of at least 30,000 USD for emergency medical & repatriation in order to face any expenses that may arise in connection with the applicant's repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention or emergency hospital treatment, with these scenarios expressly stated on the policy document
  • Original Full Birth Certificate, stating both parents' names and child's name (for minor applicants)
  • For those with passports from the Palestinian Authority or Jordan without a national ID number who are living in occupied Palestine, they will need proof that they can return.

Visa types and requirements

Tourist visa

Eligibility

Temporary & permanent residence visa

Foreigners wishing to live and work in the Republic of 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 company based in the Republic of Lebanon or government department, or a foreign company based in the Republic of 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 the Republic of Lebanon, proof of adequate means of subsistence in the Republic of 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 embassy or general consulate of the Republic of Lebanon abroad. 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 the Republic of 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 3,000,000 Lebanese Lira (2,000 USD) per month and will transfer it to the Republic of Lebanon every month.

Visas may also issued to the visa holder's spouse and children. Applicants for permanent residence visas are required to submit their passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable, documentary proof of the pension and a bank declaration authorizing he monthly transfer to the Republic of Lebanon, 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 Republic of Lebanon or Clearing Immigration. This however does not apply to:

DurationCost
Up to 48 hoursFree
48 hours to 15 days25,000 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.

Israel

Entry and transit is refused to Flag of Israel.svg  Israel nationals, even if not leaving the aircraft and proceeding by the same flight. [15]

Courtesy visa

It is granted for VIPs by Embassies or General Consulates of the Republic of Lebanon 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 200.000 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 the Republic of 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 the Republic of Lebanon, and a proof that there is a relationship between applicant and the trade partner by means of a commercial announcement.

Visitor Statistics

Most visitors arriving to Lebanon were from the following countries of nationality: [16] [17]

Country20172016
Flag of Syria.svg  Syria Increase2.svg 2,337,3681,802,598
Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq Decrease2.svg 226,930236,013
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Increase2.svg 171,110154,095
Flag of France.svg  France Increase2.svg 164,924145,666
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Increase2.svg 107,713100,076
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Increase2.svg 96,71187,567
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Increase2.svg 87,66372,743
Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan Increase2.svg 90,07786,693
Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia Increase2.svg 84,41279,140
Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt Decrease2.svg 82,28283,337
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Increase2.svg 68,36061,994
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Increase2.svg 64,27040,391
Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait Increase2.svg 40,88625,653
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden Increase2.svg 38,95834,722
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Increase2.svg 33,64229,574
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines Increase2.svg 31,77829,438
Total non-residentIncrease2.svg 4,338,0373,657,616

See also

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  17. "Arrivals by nationality 2017".


Archived 2013-09-25 at the Wayback Machine