Fortunately, the Lebanon visa is fairly easy to obtain for a large number of people, as it can be obtained on arrival. Those who are not eligible for a Lebanon visa on arrival will have to get one in advance at the nearest embassy.

Do You Need a Lebanon Visa?

Yes, you most likely do. Only citizens of the following countries are allowed to enter Lebanon without obtaining a visa:

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

Citizens from the countries listed above can stay in Lebanon visa-free for up to six months within one year.

Countries Eligible for Lebanon Visa on Arrival

Nationals of the following countries can apply for  a one-month Lebanon visa on arrival:

• EU Member States
• Andorra
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Armenia
• Australia
• Azerbaijan
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belarus
• Belize
• Bhutan
• Brazil
• Canada
• Chile
• China
• Costa Rica
• Dominican Republic
• Georgia
• Hong Kong
• Iceland
• Iran
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Liechtenstein
• Macao
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Russia
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Samoa
• San Marino
• Serbia
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• Tajikistan
• Turkmenistan
• Turkey
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Uruguay
• Uzbekistan
• Venezuela

To get a VOA, you need a phone number, proof of accommodation, a return flight ticket, and your passport.

Citizens of the following countries can also get a Visa on Arrival only if they have a reservation in a 3 to 5-star hotel and at least US$ 2,000 in cash, in addition to the regular requirements:

• Algeria
• Comoros
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Ghana
• Iraq
• Libya
• Mauritania
• Morocco
• Nigeria
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Tunisia
• Yemen

Note: Citizens of Israel and Kosovo are not allowed entry in Lebanon.

Applying for a Lebanon Visa on Arrival

If you are from one of the countries eligible for a Lebanon Visa on Arrival, you can obtain one at the Beirut Airport. You need the following documents:

• A valid phone number
• Proof of a valid address in Lebanon (proof of accommodation)
• A return-flight ticket (must be non-refundable)
• Your passport which does not have any seals, stamps or visas from Israel.

You will receive a one-month Lebanon visa, free of charge, which you can extend for another two months at Beirut Airport or another port of entry or the General Security building.

Lebanon Visa on Arrival Cost

The Lebanon visa on arrival is issued free of charge for a period of up to 1 month. If you apply for a visa in advance at an Embassy of Lebanon, then you will have to pay a fee, corresponding to the country of residence, and whether it is a single-entry or multiple-entry visa.

Applying for a Lebanon Visa at the Embassy

If you are not from one of the countries eligible for the Visa on Arrival, then you have to apply for your Lebanon visa at the nearest Embassy or Consulate:

• Find the nearest Lebanese Embassy or Consulate.
• Contact them or visit their website to learn the application requirements. Each diplomatic mission has its own specific requirements (e.g. in some, you have to apply in person while others have the option of applying by mail, etc.)
• Collect the required documents. The exact documents you need to submit change depending on the country and purpose of visit, but you can find them listed below.
• Submit the documents and pay the visa fee.

Make sure to apply for a visa two months before you intend to travel.

Types of Lebanon Visas

The most commonly-issued Lebanon visas are:

• Lebanon Tourist Visa. Issued only to people entering Lebanon for tourism or recreational purposes. This type of visa can be obtained either on arrival or from an Embassy beforehand.
• Lebanon Business Visa. Issued to foreigners who are travelling for business purposes, such as meetings, conferences, etc.
• Lebanon Work Visa. This type of visa is a residence visa. You will need an employer in Lebanon who can apply for your authorization to work at the Immigration Division of the Ministry of Labor.
• Lebanon Transit Visa. Issued to foreigners who intend to pass through Lebanon in order to arrive at the third country of destination.
• Lebanon Residence Visas. These are long-term visas, such as the work visa. They are issued to foreigners who intend to live in Lebanon temporarily or permanently, either for work, study, join a family member, or to retire.

Required Documents for a Lebanon Visa

When you apply for a Lebanon visa from an Embassy, you have to submit these documents along with the application:

• Visa application form. You can usually find the Lebanon visa application form at an Embassy website or pick it up when you submit the application.
• A valid passport. For you to travel to Lebanon, your passport must be valid for at least another six months and cannot have any Israeli stamps, visas, or seals.
• A copy of your passport.
• Residence permit. Only applicable if you are not a citizen of your country of residence.
• A recent passport-size picture.
• Bank account statement from the last three months.
• Proof of accommodation in Lebanon. It must include the full address of the place in which you are staying. It can be a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation if you will stay with a family member or friend.
• Proof of a round-trip ticket
• Proof of employment. The letter must include your position and salary.
• Additional documents pertaining to the reason behind your trip:
• For Lebanon Business Visa:
  • Official letter of invitation from the Lebanese business partner
  • Documents proving the business relationship between the two parties
• For Lebanon Family Visit Visa: Documents that prove the family relationship.
• For Lebanon Medical Treatment Visa:
  • The patient’s medical reports
  • A document which proves the medical treatment that will be received in Lebanon.
• Visa for participating in a professional training:
  • Formal invitation letter
  • Detailed itinerary of the training program
• For Lebanon Student Visa:
  • Letter of admission into the Lebanese educational institution
  • Proof you have enough funds to cover your studies
• For Lebanon Work Visa:
  • A pre-approval letter from the Ministry of Labor
  • Additional documents based on each specific case
• For Lebanon Transit Visa: Documents for the next destination, such as a visa or residence permit.

Please note:

• All the documents you submit have to be either in Arabic, French or English. If they are not, they must be translated and notarized.
• The Lebanese Embassy can request additional documents as they see fit.
• You will not receive a Lebanon visa if your passport has an Israeli stamp, visa, or seal.

What Is the Validity of a Lebanon Visa?

Lebanese visas are issued for the following durations:

• Lebanon Visa on Arrival: Initially for a period of one month, extendable for up to three months.
• Lebanon Embassy Visa: Visas are issued with a duration of 15 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months starting from the day you enter Lebanon. You can use the visa within 90 days from the date it is issued.

Can You Extend a Lebanon Visa?

Yes, you can extend your stay in Lebanon by applying for a visa extension at the General Directorate of General Security. You can also extend a Visa on Arrival at the airport or another port of entry.

Lebanon Transit Visa

You have to apply for a Lebanon transit visa if you are from one of the following countries:

• Afghanistan
• Angola
• Bangladesh
• Burundi
• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• DR Congo
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Kosovo
• Liberia
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• North Korea
• Pakistan
• Republic of the Congo
• South Sudan
• Sri Lanka

You do not need to apply for a visa to transit in Lebanon if:

• You are from a country other than those listed above
• You will not pass through Immigration or enter Lebanon
• The connecting flight is within the same calendar day
• You have a visa/residence permit and a non-refundable ticket to the country of destination

Lebanon Transit Visa Requirements

You have to submit an application for a Lebanon transit visa at least two days before you intend to travel. You need the following documents:

• A residence permit or visa for the country of destination
• A non-refundable ticket to the country of destination
• Visa fee if staying for longer than 48 hours: (appx. US$ 16)

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