NOTE: Please visit our page for information on flight restrictions and flight dates due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
***
We have taken all the measures for healthy flying and we kindly ask that you follow the related guidelines during your travels. Please click the banner below for more information.
Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Lebanon?
Lebanon has many bilateral or multilateral visa agreements with different countries all over the world that abolish visa processes. Citizens of listed countries below are allowed to stay in Lebanon for varying periods of time without a visa or can obtain a visa on arrival, given that they do not take up employment.
|
|
* Visa on arrival for up to 30 days, extendable to 90 days.
** Visa-free stay for up to 180 days, extendable to a year.
*** Visa-free stay for up to 90 days, extendable to a year.
****Citizens of these countries are eligible for a visa on arrival to Lebanon if they can provide a non-refundable round flight ticket, proof of accommodation with a phone number, and a sum of money equivalent to 2000 US dollars.
Countries that are not listed above have to apply for a visa beforehand to visit Lebanon through embassies or outsourced visa companies.
Lebanon Visa Types
We covered Lebanon visa types that vary depending on the duration and purpose of the stay.
C Type (Short-Term) Visas
Depending on your purpose of visit that is limited to 180 days or less to Lebanon; it is possible for you to obtain one of the following visa types.
Lebanon Touristic Visa
A Lebanon tourist visa is issued for tourists who are planning to visit Lebanon for tourism purposes and is the most issued type of visa for the country. It is possible to enter the country without a visa for many nationalities around the world with a duration of up to 90 days or less. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa-free entry to Lebanon, you are required to submit various documents including but not limited to proof of sufficient financial means, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, and a return flight ticket to obtain a Lebanon touristic visa.
Lebanon Business or Fair Participation Visa
A Lebanon business or fair participation visa is granted for individuals who are planning to visit Lebanon for business-related purposes such as meetings, events, business fairs, or unpaid trainings without labor or gainful employment. Sponsorship or invitation documents from professional chambers and organizations are must be included in the application as well as proofs of sufficient financial means and accommodation.
Lebanon Family, Relative or Friend Visit Visa
A Lebanon family, relative, or friend visit visa is issued for individuals who wish to visit a family member or a friend residing or a citizen in Lebanon. In order to get the visa, it is vital to include an invitation letter from the person whom you are visiting as well as other supporting sponsorship documents with sufficient information guaranteeing the return.
Lebanon Cultural, Sports or Conference Visit Visa
A Lebanon cultural, sports, or conference visit visa enables individuals or groups to be able to enter the country for a number of purposes including cultural activities, sport competitions or trainings, or filmmaking. Applicants are required to provide a letter from both sending and receiving associations while applying for a Lebanon cultural, sports, or conference visit visa.
Lebanon Short-Term Education or Internship Visa
A Lebanon short-term education or internship visa is issued for students who are intended to study in Lebanon for university projects or special occasions for less than three months. The applicant has to include documents of sufficient means of subsistence, proof of accommodation, and admission letter from the receiving institution while applying for the visa.
D Type (Long-Term) Visa
Lebanon category D visas are required for stays that exceed a three month period with varying purposes in Lebanon even if the applicant’s nationality is on the visa-free list. It is possible for you to apply for a long-term visa to Lebanon if you are one of the following:
- A student planning to study at a higher education institution, have a language course, or long-term internship
- An employee going to work for a Lebanon-located business or for seasonal employment
- An academic, researcher, or scientist to work in a certified Lebanon research center
- An individual whose first-degree family member is a Lebanon citizen
- A patient going to receive a long-term medical treatment in an Lebanon-located medical institution
- A private entrepreneur who is a founder of a legal or physical entity that will provide economic benefit to Lebanon
Lebanon Transit Visa
A Lebanon transit visa is asked from individuals whose nationality is not eligible to transit another destination from Lebanon. A Lebanon transit visa authorizes the individual to travel a third country from the territory of Lebanon for up to 15 days and can be issued for multiple transits.
General Requirements to Apply for Lebanon Visa
In order to successfully obtain a Lebanon visa, it is important to be prepared and gather all the necessary information regarding your nationality and purpose of visit beforehand. There are certain stages to obtain a Lebanon visa:
Make an Appointment
It is always important to plan ahead and contact the relevant consulate for an appointment via phone or email since you are required to bring original documents in person.
Finalize Your Application
There will be an interview held at the relevant consulate to confirm your purpose of stay as well as the required documents.
Receive Your Visa
After processing time, your application will be reviewed and you will be informed about the outcome. If your visa application is confirmed, you will be called back to the consulate to receive the visa that is affixed to your passport.
Lebanon Visa Applications
You are required to present the following documents if your nationality is not eligible for a visa-free entry to Lebanon:
- A completed visa application form
- A recent photo
- A certified copy of the ID card and the passport
- A return flight ticket
- Documents of medical private travel insurance
- An accommodation reservation that includes the date of entry and exit, address, and proof of payment
- A bank statement that provides salary
There are additionally required or supporting documents from certain applicants:
Employed:
- Documents proving the employment
- Bank statements of the recent months
Self-Employed:
- Commercial registers such as invoices, receipts, payments, or income
- Investment permit if applicable
Student:
- Admission statement from the receiving institution or an issued student’s card
- Proof of sufficient funds to finance studies
What is Visa Sponsorship for Lebanon?
Visa sponsorship is required in Lebanon if the applicant cannot cover his/her expenses for educational or touristic purposes by own in the duration of the stay. A sponsor could be a parent, sibling, other relatives, or a friend. However, it would increase chances to obtain a visa if the sponsor is a first-degree relative or has a permanent residence permit or citizenship in Lebanon. The required documents from the sponsor are:
- A signed sponsorship letter that clearly states the relationship with the applicant, information on how and what expenses going to be covered, personal and contact info of both the applicant and the sponsor, and accommodation details of the applicant
- A scanned copy of the ID
- Proof of sufficient funds such as bank statements or payroll
- Proof of estate or business ownership if applicable
- Signatory circulars
Visa sponsorship for Kosovo can also be granted for long-term or short-term stays regarding business, legal, or cultural purposes by legal entities, businesses, or individuals. Keep in mind that there might be additionally asked supporting documents while applying for a visa with a sponsorship. You can check our website for more details about visa sponsorships.
Lebanon Visa Rules
There are many countries across the globe can enter Lebanon without a visa. If your country is not eligible for visa-free entry to Lebanon, you need to obtain a Lebanon visa and take consideration of the following visa rules:
- Your passport should be valid for more than six months from the expected day of arrival to Lebanon with at least one blank page available for stamping.
- If your purpose of visit is not tourism, you are required to obtain an authorization to entry delivered by a Lebanese consulate.
- Your passport should not possess any Israel visa stamps or seals to visit Lebanon.
- In an event of changing previously stated accommodation in the country, the directorate of general security should be notified to avoid fines.
- The applications are required to be made in Arabic, French, or English.
Lebanon Visa Requirements
Lebanon Visa Requirements for Schengen Countries
Citizens of Schengen countries should not have any problems while entering Lebanon since they are eligible for a visa on arrival to the country.
Lebanon Visa Requirements for GCC Countries
Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman) nationals can stay in Lebanon with a visa issued on arrival. Their employees can also enter Lebanon without a visa if they have residence permits issued by the employer’s country of origin.
Lebanon Visa Requirements for Israel Citizens
Israel citizens, permanent or temporary Israel residents cannot visit Lebanon and subject to deportation from the country, excluding certain circumstances that require special permissions.
Lebanon Visa Requirements for US, UK, and Canada Citizens
Lebanon does not mandate a visa for the citizens of the US, UK, and Canada and they can enter Lebanon with their passports that are valid for more than six months from the expected time of arrival to Lebanon.
Lebanon Visa Fees
Lebanon short-stay visa types listed below exclusively include the visa. Keep in mind that there might be additional payments expected from the applicant such as consular fees, service fees of the outsourced visa companies, or application form fees.
The current Lebanon visa fees valid as of March 2020 are as follows:
| Transit Visa up to 48 Hours | Free |
| Transit Visa from 48 Hours to 15 Days | 25.000 LP |
| Single Entry Visa | 50.000 LP |
| Double Entry Visa | 75.000 LP |
| Multiple Entry Visa | 150.000 LP |
NOTE: This article was prepared in March 2020. Please check up-to-date information published by official sources.
