Lebanon: Entry Rules for VisitorsLast check:Last update:Data statusLast check:Last update:
Lebanon:Visa Requirement Map
Explore which nationalities need a visa to enter this country and which can enter visa-free.
Lebanon: Visa and entry documents and requirements
Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.
Visa-Free Entry Requirements
- A passenger benefiting from visa exemption must travel for tourism purposes and present a valid passport at border control. The permitted duration of stay varies according to the exemption group to which the passenger belongs and is indicated on the stamp applied to the passport upon entry. Under the central policy, stay arrangements of three months and six months exist.
- Additional conditions may apply for family members, domestic servants, drivers or security guards traveling under the exemption. The accompanying employee's passport must include the employer's first name, surname and nationality; the employee must carry a valid residence permit issued in the employer's country of residence. If the driver enters by land, the vehicle used must be registered in the employer's name.
Visa on Arrival Requirements
- A visa on arrival may be issued at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport and authorized land and sea border points. The common tourist visa on arrival is issued for one month and may be extended up to a total of three months in appropriate cases. Different durations of stay apply in certain special categories based on professional, diplomatic, commercial or residence status.
- The passenger must report their current residence address in Lebanon to the General Security authority and also communicate address changes.
- Depending on nationality, gender, age, occupation, residence status and purpose of travel, some of the following documents or conditions may be required: a non-refundable round-trip ticket, a confirmed hotel reservation or an explicit residence address including a telephone number, an occupation document, a valid residence permit, a commercial invitation, a company registration certificate, a medical report issued by a specialist doctor, a document showing Lebanese origin or an official document proving family ties.
- Certain groups of passengers are requested to show the equivalent of 2,000 US dollars in cash or a check of the same amount certified by a bank. The Consulate General in Dubai explains the same requirement as carrying 2,000 US dollars in cash. This financial means requirement does not apply to all visa on arrival passengers.
- For certain female passengers, depending on age and nationality classification, a non-refundable round-trip ticket and a hotel reservation or an explicit residence address are mandatory. For those traveling for employment, art, modeling, massage services and similar activities, prior approval from General Security and a special contract may be required. A passenger subject to prior approval cannot obtain a visa on arrival solely by presenting documents at the border.
- A Lebanese entry visa is not issued to a passport or travel document that contains an Israeli visa or an entry-exit stamp from Israeli authorities. The addition of such a visa or stamp to a passport after a Lebanese visa has been issued renders the existing Lebanese visa invalid.
- The visa on arrival fee may vary by category.
Consular Visa Application Requirements
- The applicant must fully complete the current visa form of the Lebanese embassy or consulate being applied to, declare the accuracy of the information provided, sign and date the form. The form may request information such as identity and passport details, contact and residence address, occupation or educational information, purpose of travel, contact person and address in Lebanon, estimated date of arrival, duration of stay, point of entry and number of entries requested.
- The main documents for a tourist visa are: a color copy of the passport valid for at least six months from the date of application, one recent passport-size photograph, a hotel reservation in the applicant's name or a detailed residence address including a telephone number, a round-trip flight reservation, a bank statement for the last three months or another document demonstrating sufficient financial means, and a document showing the applicant's occupation.
- The central General Security checklist specifies the photograph size as 3.5 × 4.5 centimeters. The background and other technical specifications of the photograph may vary depending on the mission applied to. The Embassy in London requires a 4.3 × 3.5 centimeter, white background, color photograph showing the entire face and not cut from another photograph. Therefore, the current photograph instructions of the mission applied to should be taken as a basis.
- Some missions require color photocopies of the pages showing identity information and passport validity.
- If private accommodation is used instead of a hotel, a letter from the inviting party, their explicit address and telephone number must be submitted. If the inviting party is a Lebanese citizen, a Lebanese ID or proof of citizenship is required; if a foreigner, a copy of a Lebanese residence permit valid for at least three months is required.
- If the applicant is not employed, the documents regarding financial means and occupational status must be provided by the sponsor. The sponsor's bank statement for the last three months, a document showing their occupation or income status, and, if necessary, a commitment letter stating that they will cover expenses may be requested.
- If the application is made in a country other than the country of nationality, a residence permit valid for at least six months must be submitted. Holders of a travel document issued for foreigners may be required to present a valid return visa and a residence permit valid for at least six months. For certain types of travel documents and passports, a recent return permit or prior approval from General Security is required.
- The health insurance requirement varies depending on the application method and the mission. The detailed Arabic document list of General Security requires private health insurance. The Embassy in London requires the insurance to cover the entire trip.
- For business travel, an official invitation from the company in Lebanon including the name, address, telephone and commercial registration number, as well as the company's trade registry, is submitted. A letter from the applicant's foreign employer explaining the purpose of the trip, the applicant's position, and if necessary, the salary, may also be requested.
- For a family visit, official documents proving the family relationship such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate or family register are submitted. For travel for medical treatment, a specialist doctor's report and an appointment document from the doctor or hospital in Lebanon showing the treatment date and estimated duration of stay are required. For travel for education purposes, an acceptance, enrollment, invitation or student document from a recognized university or institution, and proof of sufficient financial means to cover education and living expenses are submitted. Exemption from certain financial documents may apply for scholarship holders.
- For travel for vocational training or course purposes, a letter from the inviting institution, detailed training program and duration of training must be submitted. The work visa is subject to prior approval issued by the Ministry of Labor and General Security, and special work visa rules apply.
- A separate application is made for each person. An exception may apply for accompanying minor children registered on the same passport or travel document. Documents regarding minors vary by mission. The London mission requires a travel consent form signed by both parents. For separated or divorced parents, a notarized court decision may be requested.
- Documents must be submitted in Arabic, French or English. For documents in other languages, the requirement for translation, notarization or legalization must be confirmed with the mission applied to.
- General Security recommends that applications submitted through a foreign mission be submitted at least one month before the planned travel. Processing time varies depending on nationality, travel document and whether prior approval is required. Applications not requiring prior approval are processed in four working days at some missions, while applications requiring General Security approval may take six to eight weeks or longer. There is no single official processing time applicable to all missions.
- The visa fee, number of entries, local currency and payment method vary depending on the mission applied to. Although the central General Security fee page shows 2,000,000 Lebanese pounds for a tourist or visit visa, foreign missions apply their own local consular fee schedules. Therefore, there is no universal consular fee or payment method.
- Single-entry, double-entry and multiple-entry visas may be issued. The validity period and permitted stay are determined according to the purpose of the application, the mission's decision and General Security approval.
- Submitting complete application documents does not guarantee the issuance of a visa or permission to enter the country. General Security or the foreign mission may request additional documents.
Transit Visa Requirements
- For a transit visa application, a completed and signed application form, a copy of the passport valid for at least six months, a recent photograph, and, depending on the place of application, the required residence, occupation, financial means and insurance documents are submitted.
- If the passenger is not a citizen of the final destination country, they must show a valid visa or residence permit for that country. A flight ticket or flight reservation issued to the final destination is also mandatory.
- The General Security fee page shows 2,000,000 Lebanese pounds for a single or double entry transit or residence visa. The amount to be paid at the foreign mission, currency and payment method may vary according to the mission applied to.
- For applications to foreign missions, it is recommended to apply at least one month in advance, and processing may take longer for cases subject to prior approval.
Update History
Visa on arrival is no longer available; a visa is now required before travel.
Visa on arrival is no longer available; a visa is now required before travel.
Visa on arrival is no longer available; a visa is now required before travel.
