Lebanon visa on arrival: nationalities, length of stay and conditions

General Security publishes a nationality list with different arrival rules. Citizens of the GCC states receive six months and Jordanians three months, both free and extendable to one year. Turkish citizens coming as tourists receive a free multiple-entry visa valid for three months.

A second group, which includes all EU member states, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China, Russia, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, receives a free one-month visa that can be extended to three months. A third group, including Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Sudan and Yemen, receives one month extendable to three only when they show a return ticket, a hotel booking or address with a phone number, and about USD 2,000 or a bank-certified cheque. Nationals of countries not on any list need a visa from a Lebanese mission or a prior authorization from General Security.

The arrival visa covers tourism only. General Security states that anyone coming for another purpose, such as work, needs a prior authorization from a Lebanese mission or from General Security. Travellers in the one-month group must tell General Security their address in Lebanon and report any change.

For women aged 17 to 45 from a list of Eastern European and Central Asian countries, the free one-month visa depends on a non-refundable return ticket and a hotel booking or a clear address. Holders of the one-month visa must give General Security their current address in Lebanon and report any change of address.

The one-month visa can be extended up to three months at a General Security regional department. The fee table lists LBP 2,000,000 for renewing a visa. Since March 2018, renewal applications can also be filed through Liban Post, which delivers the renewed visa at its offices.

An overstay of less than one month is settled at departure, once the charges are paid. After more than one month you will not be allowed to leave until you have contacted the Bureau of Arabs and Foreigners within 48 hours to regularise your status. Airlines can also be fined for carrying passengers who do not meet the entry rules.

General Security answers questions on its 1717 call centre. The Beirut International Airport border centre is listed on 01/629150, and the central directorate in Adliyeh, Sami el Soleh street, on 01/386610 and 01/425610.