Lebanon tourist and visit visa: prior authorization, documents and fees

General Security's eleventh article covers every nationality not named in its arrival lists: these travellers need a visa from a Lebanese mission or a prior authorization before they fly. Several labour-sending countries in Africa and Asia also need prior authorization, as do women from Indonesia, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Egypt travelling for tourism.

The same visa type is used by travellers who can enter visa-free as tourists but are coming for another reason. General Security lists visit purposes for individual tourism, tourist, student and sports groups, medical care, an appointment at an embassy or official body, friendship, family reasons, an engagement and transit.

Every request needs the completed application signed by the host, a certified copy of the host's ID or residence permit (or a business's commercial register), a certified copy of the visitor's passport valid for at least six months, private insurance, a document showing the visitor's profession, an ID photo and a guarantee certified by a notary. Refugees and stateless travellers must show a return authorization or a residence permit valid for at least six months.

For individual tourism add a hotel booking showing the dates of entry and exit, or the address with a title deed or lease, a plane ticket and proof of means such as a bank statement, credit card or salary certificate. A medical visit requires a medical report, an appointment with a hospital or doctor and proof of funds. Family visits need a marriage or birth certificate or a family civil register extract; an engagement visit needs proof of the engagement. Documents must be in Arabic, French or English.

The General Security fee table lists LBP 2,000,000 for a tourist or visit visa. Tourist groups from countries whose nationals normally receive free airport visas pay nothing, while groups from countries that need pre-approval, such as Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, pay LBP 2,450,000 per member.

Inside Lebanon, the request is filed at a General Security regional department by a Lebanese citizen or a legal resident, a tourism company, a business, a legal entity or a club, and is decided by the Director General or by the Bureau of Nationality, Passports and Foreigners. Abroad, Lebanese embassies and consulates use the current application form, which must be completed with an ID photo attached; they issue visas with General Security authorization.

For nationals who receive a free visa on arrival, this visa matters only for non-tourist visits, because tourism is covered by the entry stamp. Others apply at the Lebanese embassy or consulate for their place of residence.

Submitting every document does not guarantee a visa, and General Security may ask for more. Visas issued for tourism, study, medical treatment, embassy appointments, transit, business visits, family and engagement visits are not renewable and cannot be changed into a work visa without an official decision of the Director General. If an engagement visit is approved, General Security notes that the marriage should be carried out during that stay.