Lebanon Visa Policy

There are different types of visas available for Lebanon. You will be required a visa even if you are transiting through Lebanon unless you are from a visa-exempt group.

You can realize your planned trip to Lebanon by obtaining a Lebanon visa. Foreign nationals can apply to Lebanon short-term visas (Single, Double, Multiple entries) via the embassy or on arrival for temporary reasons (tourism, business, cultural, and other short-term purposes).

You can apply for a Lebanon Short-term visa for realizing your temporary travel to Lebanon. Reasons to apply for this type of visa can be tourism, business trips, transit, and many other non-permanent nuances. Short-term visas can be single, double, and multiple entries.

The visa is valid for one, two, or more entries and for a period of 15 days, 1 month, 3 months, or 6 months (in exceptional cases only)-depending on the purpose of the trip.

If a Tourism visa is granted by one of the Lebanese missions residing abroad, in accordance with the current regulations, that visa will be granted under the responsibility of the Director of the Mission: a fact is known to the Director who will write and sign the declaration. In this case, the official seal should also be used to avoid the risk of fraud.

Visas cannot be issued for passports bearing Israeli stamps, visas, or seals.

People planning to travel to Lebanon for reasons other than tourism must obtain prior authorization from a Lebanese mission residing abroad or from a directorate of general security.

In addition to the visa, the followings are required to obtain prior approval from the Directorate-General of General Security:

• Citizens of the Republic of Lebanon holding a Laissez-Passer issued by the Republic of Lebanon or those who have been deported back to the Republic of Lebanon
• Citizens of Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
• Pass holders, as well as holders of Palestinian passports, coming from Jordan.
• Domestic workers and bodyguards of non-Lebanese/Diplomatic families who come from countries not members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
• Artists.
• Foreigners who are willing to work.
• Individuals who are presumed to be terrorists and those identified by Interpol.
• The holders of the emergency passport. The holders of 'emergency passports' from France, Sweden, the Netherlands, Australia, as well as the holders of the Ukrainian 'Child travel document' or the 'Alien travel document' are exempted.
• Immigrants from Indonesia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, or Egypt require prior authorization from the General Security Agency for Tourism.
• It is not possible for immigrants from these countries to come to Lebanon to work as domestic workers, according to the official decision of their government.
• As far as the tourist visa is concerned, it requires prior authorization from the Directorate of General Security.
• The countries not mentioned above: immigrants from countries not mentioned above require a visa from one of the Lebanese embassies or prior authorization from the Directorate of General Security.
• Citizens of Iraq holding visas issued by the Embassy of the Republic of Lebanon in Baghdad after 20 February 2007.
• Women who have previously worked or are currently working as artists or masseuses in the Republic of Lebanon, irrespective of the length of time spent outside the Republic of Lebanon.

For more information, please check this website (official governmental website).

The following countries may enter Lebanon without obtaining a visa for up to six months within one year:

• Bahrain
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates

Required Documents for Lebanon Visa

1.  Application Form

• Fully completed in English and signed and dated by the applicant himself (signed by both parents in case of minors, below the age of 18)

2. Passport

• Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your departure from Lebanon.
• Signed by bearer
• Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
• At least one or two free “visa pages”
• Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport
• Bearing no Israeli stamps, visas, or seals

3. Photo

• NEW! Should not be older than 6 months.
• A frontal view of the face-covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo.
• A uniform and white background.
• Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame.
• 3.5 x 4.5size

4. ID Card Copy

• Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your departure from Lebanon

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

• Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your departure from Lebanon

6. Photocopies

• Copy of the main page of your passport
• Copies of previous visas
• Copy of visa for the final destination (if any)

7. Travel Itinerary 

• Ticket reservation
  • A potential airline ticket that highlights the departure date and the return date
• Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

8. Original Invitation Letter Sent by a Citizen

• The letter has to provide a document that ensures he is Lebanese or a residence permit valid for 3 months at the least

9.  Letter from Local Employer/Sponsor (Proof of Occupation)

• The letter must include:
  • Name, postal address, and telephone number of sponsor/company
  • Details regarding the applicant’s working position, starting date of the employment, and salary
  • The timeframe of work leave (expected date to resume duties) and purpose of travel
• Valid trade license copy and company ownership documents (if a person is an owner of the company).
• Letter from University (if student)
• Copy of sponsor’s valid passport and residence visa (if any) to be attached to letter from sponsor (if an applicant is a dependent)

10. Proof of Financial Means

• A detailed account statement of the 3 last months that brings to life his ability to finance the trip

11. A Private Insurance

12. Supporting Documents that Show Your Reason for a Trip

     For tourism:

• Confirmation of the accommodation (hotel confirmation, apartment rental contract, etc.)

NB: Touristic groups: In regional departments via touristic institutions for groups having 8 members at the most. Additional requirements prevail for groups with more than 8 members.

Tourist groups may leave the territory of Lebanon from any border post or airport on the condition that all members are present.

     For commercial reasons:

• An official invitation issued by a Lebanese commercial partner (Name, Address, Phone number, Commercial register)
• A document that highlights the partnerships between the two parties above-mentioned
• Registration certificate of the company (in Lebanon).

     For professional training:

• A formal invitation, and a detailed program of this training (dates, length, and the courses)

     For family and friends visit:

• The documents that highlight the family tie (A marriage certificate, a birth certificate, and documents of civil status)

     For medical treatment:

• A detailed medical report delivered by a medical specialist
• A document that highlights the commencement date, and the time required by the treatment

     For study:

• An admission statement of a university or an institution that’s accredited in Lebanon, or a student card.
• A document that proves he has sufficient funds to finance his studies

NB: Those who receive a grant or scholarship are exempt from both documents.

     For work:

• A document that underlines the length of his stay, the reason, and the address related to his visit
• A document that underlines the commercial relationship in the play
• A document that underlines his solvency

NB: This request is made at the Public Relations Office. The visa is granted for a period of one month and is renewable once.

     For transit:

• An entry visa (if any) or residence permit (if any) and an onward ticket to the intended country of destination

13. For Minors:

• Copy and English translation of either birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced/death certificate of parent
• Letter of consent from parent/s or legal guardian/s, if traveling unaccompanied

*All documents must be submitted in Arabic, French or English.

**Additional documents can be required by the embassy.

Processing Time for Lebanon Visa

The average processing time for a Lebanon Visa is 7-15 working days. It depends on your nationality and your visa application country. Nationals requiring prior approval by the Lebanese General Security will take 2-3 months. Please apply for a visa by submitting all the required documents not later than 3 months before the expected start of your trip.

Lebanon Visa Fee

Lebanon Visa fee is 25.000 LP (about 17 USD) - 150.000 LP (about 70 USD) (it can vary depending on your country and nationality). Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.

Where to Apply for Lebanon Visa?

You will apply for a Lebanon visa in Lebanon visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

 Some of the visitors to Lebanon can obtain Visa on Arrival. Eligible nationals of this visa type can obtain Lebanon visa in two different ways:

Required Documents for Lebanon Visa on Arrival

1. Passport

• Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your departure from Lebanon.
• Signed by bearer
• Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
• At least one or three free “visa pages”
• Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

2. Travel Itinerary

• Flight tickets (Return ticket)
• Accommodation confirmation/reservation (hotel booking, house contract, apartment reservation, etc.)
• Or Invitation letter by your host
• A valid phone number

3. Proof of Financial Sources

• Bank statements, cash, travelers' cheques, vouchers, etc.

*Additional documents can be required by the border control.

Processing Time for Lebanon Visa on Arrival

The average processing time for Lebanon Visa on Arrival is a few minutes.

Lebanon Visa on Arrival Fee

There is no fee for the on Arrival visa valid for one month and one entry. The cost of Lebanon on Arrival visa fee is 17 USD for one entry and valid for 3 months. The fee may vary depending on your nationality.

Where to Apply for Lebanon Visa on Arrival?

You will apply for Lebanon Visa on Arrival at Beirut International Airport or any other port of entry.

If you intend to stay in Lebanon for a long period, you can extend your visa or apply for an Annual Residence or Permanent Residence. In some cases, embassy/consulates can issue a short-term visa for you, so you can enter Lebanon with that visa and apply for an extension or residence permit in Lebanon. However, it is advisable to contact the nearest Lebanon embassies/consulates for the exact information.