Member State of the Arab League |
---|
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.
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.
The following citizens do not require a visa to enter, reside, study, and work indefinitely in the Republic of Lebanon without any immigration requirements:
|
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 |
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]
|
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]
The following are required to obtain a pre-approval from the General Directorate of General Security in addition to a visa:
|
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:
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.
Eligibility
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.
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:
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.
Entry and transit is refused to Israel nationals, even if not leaving the aircraft and proceeding by the same flight. [15]
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.
It is granted for groups, and the fee is collected from each member of the groups.
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.
Most visitors arriving to Lebanon were from the following countries of nationality: [16] [17]
Country | 2017 | 2016 |
---|---|---|
Syria | 2,337,368 | 1,802,598 |
Iraq | 226,930 | 236,013 |
United States | 171,110 | 154,095 |
France | 164,924 | 145,666 |
Canada | 107,713 | 100,076 |
Germany | 96,711 | 87,567 |
Australia | 87,663 | 72,743 |
Jordan | 90,077 | 86,693 |
Ethiopia | 84,412 | 79,140 |
Egypt | 82,282 | 83,337 |
United Kingdom | 68,360 | 61,994 |
Saudi Arabia | 64,270 | 40,391 |
Kuwait | 40,886 | 25,653 |
Sweden | 38,958 | 34,722 |
Italy | 33,642 | 29,574 |
Philippines | 31,778 | 29,438 |
Total non-resident | 4,338,037 | 3,657,616 |
Archived 2013-09-25 at the Wayback Machine
Member State of the Arab League |
---|
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.
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.
The following citizens do not require a visa to enter, reside, study, and work indefinitely in the Republic of Lebanon without any immigration requirements:
|
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 |
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]
|
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]
The following are required to obtain a pre-approval from the General Directorate of General Security in addition to a visa:
|
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:
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.
Eligibility
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.
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:
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.
Entry and transit is refused to Israel nationals, even if not leaving the aircraft and proceeding by the same flight. [15]
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.
It is granted for groups, and the fee is collected from each member of the groups.
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.
Most visitors arriving to Lebanon were from the following countries of nationality: [16] [17]
Country | 2017 | 2016 |
---|---|---|
Syria | 2,337,368 | 1,802,598 |
Iraq | 226,930 | 236,013 |
United States | 171,110 | 154,095 |
France | 164,924 | 145,666 |
Canada | 107,713 | 100,076 |
Germany | 96,711 | 87,567 |
Australia | 87,663 | 72,743 |
Jordan | 90,077 | 86,693 |
Ethiopia | 84,412 | 79,140 |
Egypt | 82,282 | 83,337 |
United Kingdom | 68,360 | 61,994 |
Saudi Arabia | 64,270 | 40,391 |
Kuwait | 40,886 | 25,653 |
Sweden | 38,958 | 34,722 |
Italy | 33,642 | 29,574 |
Philippines | 31,778 | 29,438 |
Total non-resident | 4,338,037 | 3,657,616 |
Archived 2013-09-25 at the Wayback Machine