First Article: Immigrant of countries members of the Gulf Cooperation Council and immigrant of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and their family members for tourism.

• The concerned countries: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman.
• The formalities required:
  • The statement ‘3months’ or ‘6months’ will be stamped on their passport, the visa will be granted free of charge, at passports or any other border posts. 3months: for Jordanian immigrants. 6months: For immigrant of countries members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
  • The period can be extended to one year, free of cost, by the general directorate of general security - department of Arabs and foreigners.
  • The visa for maids, drivers and bodyguards can be extended on behalf of their employer without him being present in Lebanon (employer) or without him having an annual residence or entry visa (granted at the airport); if and only if he brings a certified document form the notary public.
  • The surname, first name and nationality of the employer should be mentioned on the passports of all the maids, drivers and bodyguards that are accompanying them.
  • It is necessary that the above mentioned employees own a valid residency permit delivered by the employer’s country of origin.
  • The driver can follow his employer to Lebanon by land, if the car is registered in the name of the latter.
  • Jordanian citizens that hold a passport with a national number, whether drivers in public transportations, or assistants of the latter, can get a free multiple entry visa for 6 months if their entry is for professional reasons.

N.B: Immigrants of countries members of the Gulf Cooperation Council or immigrants of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan holding a passport with a national number, that arrive to Lebanon as tourists are exempted from entry visas, as well as the members of their family, their maids, drivers, and body guards.

Second Article: Entry of citizens from foreign countries for tourism.

Section one:

• The concerned countries: Andora- Antigua and Barbuda- Argentina - Armenia-Australia-Austria-Azerbaijan-Bahamas-Barbados-Belarus-Belgium-Belize-Bhutan-Brazil-Bulgaria-Canada-Chile-China Peoples republic) –Costa Rica-Croatia-Cyprus-Czech republic -Denmark- Domincan republic-Estonia-Finland-France-Georgia - Germany-Great Britain Or United Kingdom-Greece-Holland-Hong kong(SAR)China-Hungary-Iceland-Iran-Ireland-Italy-Japan-Kirgizstan-Latvia-Liechtenstein-Lithuania-Luxembourg- Macau(SAR)-Macedonia-Malaysia-Malte-Mexico-Moldova-Monaco-Montenegro-New Zealand-Norway-Panama-Paraguay-Peru-Poland-Portugal-Romania-Russia- Samoa-San Marino-Serbia -Singapore-Slovakia-Slovenia-S.Korea-Spain- St.Kitts & Nevis -Sweden-Switzerland-Tajikistan -Turkmenistan - Ukraine- U.S.A-Uzbekistan-Venezuela.
• The formalities required: A cost-free visa of one month extendable to 3 months is granted for immigrants from the above countries.
• The interested party should communicate his current address to the directorate of general security. In the event of a change of location, the latter should also be communicated.
• If the visa has an expiration period of 1 month, it is possible for the interested party to go to Syria in a brief period of 5 days, whether the visa is anticipated, consular, or immediately issued.

N.B:

• In case of an ‘emergency passport’, whether issued by Canada, France, Great Britain, Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark or Australia, the interested party has a right to an immediately issued visa when they reach Lebanon (1 months extendable to 3 months).
• The Ukrainian immigrants, holding a child traveling document, that are younger than 18 years old, are granted a cost-free visa of 1 months extendable to 3 when they reach Lebanon.
• It is however possible for the above-mentioned category that come either from Canada or Great Britain, to be granted a residency permit of 1 year whether it’s permanent permit or a courtesy permit.
• The holder of a temporary passport, issued by Poland, has a right to an immediately issued visa of one month extendable to 3 months.

Section two: Entry of female citizens from countries that export workers, artists, masseuses and models.

• The concerned countries: Armenia - Azerbaijan – Belarus -Bulgaria- people’s Republic of China - Croatia - Czech Republic – Estonia – Georgia –Hong Kong - Hungary – Kirgizstan -Latvia - Lithuania- Macau(SAR) – Macedonia –Moldova - Montenegro - Poland – Russia - Romania – Serbia - Slovakia-Slovenia-Tajikistan-Ukraine-Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan.
• The formalities required: A cost-free visa of one month extendable to 3 months is granted for female immigrants between 17 and 45 years old, from the above countries, under the following conditions:
  • A non-refundable round trip airline ticket.
  • A hotel reservation or a clear residency address.
  • Females that are granted an anticipated authorization for entry, are exempted from the above-mentioned formalities, as well as the wife of a Lebanese citizen that has never worked as an artist, a model or a masseuse in Lebanon. The latter must have a marriage certificate in hand, that’s conform to current regulations.
• The entry of a female artist or a masseuse has to be authorized in advance, with the necessity of a specific contract conform to current regulations, regardless of their age, or the duration of their stay abroad, if the latter has spent a year abroad, her entry is permitted according to the regulation concerning her country of origin. She must have a marriage certificate in hand which is conform to current regulations. If her stay abroad was for less than a month, she can’t come back to Lebanon without a previously issued authorization, granted by the general security. The above-mentioned request is sent to the bureau of nationality, passports and foreigners. A marriage certificate is also required.
• For citizens who are not granted an automatic visa, they need an anticipated authorization from general security, as well as the following:
  • The wife of a Palestinian or a Syrian refugee, or the owner of residency permit ‘under consideration’ who has never worked as an artist, a masseuse or a model. They must however have in hand a marriage certificate conform to current regulations.
  • The mother-in-law of a Lebanese citizen, holding a document that proves the family tie.
  • The wife of a Lebanese citizen that has worked as an artist masseuse or model, and spent a month abroad in the company of her husband. The latter must have a marriage certificate in hand, that’s conform to current regulations.
  • Any woman that’s member of an official delegation, or that holds a diplomatic passport or a service passport.
• Any woman holding a residency permit of first class, or a student visa, both valid in Syria. The above-mentioned category is granted an entry visa of 2 weeks and a departure certificate.

Third Article: Entry of Arab and foreign diplomats and domestic workers accompanying them or their Lebanese family members living abroad.

• Arab and foreign diplomats: A cost-free multiple entry visa of 6 months, is granted at the airport and border posts to the above-mentioned category. This visa is also granted to domestic workers accompanying Lebanese families that reside abroad.
• The formalities required:
  • Domestic workers of accredited diplomats or Lebanese families, have to own a passport on which the name of the diplomat or employer is written, his number and his nationality, as well as the statement ‘accompanying his employer’.
  • However they must leave the country in company with their employer.
  • These measures are also adopted regarding domestic workers, drivers and body guards of the Arab and foreign diplomats accredited in Syria (they must have in hand a document that proves they are employed and a residency permit valid in Syria).
• These instructions are also adopted regarding the following:
  • A resident holding an ONU tourist pass as well as their family members.
  • Diplomats’ family members holding diplomatic passports.
  • Foreign immigrants that work in the DCAF.
  • People that are holding a diplomatic passport accredited in Paraguay are exempted from needing an entry visa, if their passport is valid for 6 months or more Colombian citizens holding an official or diplomatic passport, are granted a 3months free visa, renewable one time every year.

Forth Article: Entry of Investors, businessmen, bankers, directors, employers, and traders, as well as sick patients of Lebanese origin, and members of their family, we also include touristic groups.

• An entry visa valid for 6 months is granted at the airport and at border posts.

Section one:

• Investors, businessmen that come from Arab countries, that came to Lebanon for the first time, are concerned, as well as the members of their family. The latter has to be accredited, and the holder of an attestation granted by the official authorities in their country of origin, or at least an invitation emitted by the ‘IDAL’.
• Investors, businessmen, trader and members of their family are also concerned by this visa, if they are granted an official invitation emitted by a Lebanese businessman, under the following conditions:
  • A formal request is emitted by the interested party and sent to the general security: attached to the latter is a proof of accommodation, and a certified copy of the commercial register.
  • A certified copy of the guest’s passport, as well as a document that underlines his profession.
  • The request is processed in a delay of maximum 72 hours.
• As for immigrants that don’t have a right to entry visas granted at the airport, we can mention the following:
  • Bankers, directors, and employers that hold a valid accreditation.
  • Immigrants from a Lebanese origin that hold a document proving the above-mentioned.
  • Sick patients that came to receive a treatment of some kind, or to be hospitalized, holding a clear medical report granted by a specialized doctor.
  • Touristic groups of which the total number of members is 8 at least. The touristic company has to file a formal request on their behalf.

Section two: Touristic groups that require a previous authorization.

• Entry visas are granted to members of the group, according to the lists given by the touristic company, for a period superior to 72 hours.
• Entry/exit stamps are affixed on their passports. They also have to fill out a registration card during their entry/exit.
• The list of travelers is delivered in 7 copies to the secretariat of the general security, 48 hours before their entry at least.
• A visa of 72 hours is granted in return for a sum of 25 000 L.L for every document delivered.

NB :

• Touristic groups can leave the Lebanese territory from any border post or airport, under the condition that all the members will be present.
• As for the sportive delegations, they have to file a formal request, whatever may be the number of travelers concerned, to the secretariat of general security.
• A document delivered by the ministry of youth and sport, regarding the program planned and the addresses is requested.

Fifth Article: Entry of businessmen and directors, C.E.Os, doctors, engineers, lawyers, and others, holding a residency permit valid in any country member of the Gulf cooperation council.

• A visa of 11 months is granted at the airport or any border post, while their wives and kids are not met with the same conditions, if they do not have a valid residency permit. In fact they act under the conditions required to each one of them according to her situation and country of origin.

Seventh Article: Entry of citizens from countries exporting workers.

• Immigrants of the following countries are concerned : Angola - Bangladesh – Benin republic – Bosnia – Botswana -- Burkina Faso – Burundi – Cameroon –Central Africa Republic – Chad – Chinese Taipei(TW) – Comers Island - Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) -Djibouti Eritrea – Ethiopia – Fiji – Gabon – Gambia – India – Indonesia –Kenya - Kazakstan – Liberia –- Malawi – Mali – Mauritania – Mauritius – Mozambique – N.Korea – Namibia – Guinea-Bissau- Nicaragua – Niger– Pakistan – Palau Islands – Philippines – Rwanda – Seychelles Island – Sierra Leone – Salvador – Somalia – South-Africa – Sri Lanka-St. Lucia – St. Vincent & Grenadines _ Suriname – Tanzania – Togo _ Trinidad & Tobago - Thailand – Honduras- Uganda – Vietnam – Zambia – Zimbabwe.
• The formalities required:

1. The interested party should receive a previous authorization emitted by the general security, conform to current regulations.

Eight Article: Entry of Arab and foreign citizens for tourism.

 1 month visa, extendable to 3 months is granted to immigrants from the following countries : Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Comoros island, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen, Ivory coast, Ghana, and Nigeria under the following conditions: 1. A round trip airline ticket 2. A hotel reservation or an address of residency, and a phone number 3. A sum of money equivalent to 2000 AD, or a check of the same amount certified by the concerned bank Are exempted immigrants holding a visa granted abroad by Lebanese missionaries, or by the general security

Section two:

• A visa of 1 month extendable to 3 months, is granted to domestic workers, drivers, and body guards, accompanying immigrants from Iraq, under the following conditions:
  • The employer has to own a residency permit valid in Lebanon.
  • The employee has to own a residency permit valid in Iraq. The statement ‘accompanying his employer’ is written on his passport, as well as the name of his employer, and his passport number.
  • The latter has to leave with his employer when the time comes.
  • Drivers can follow their employer to Lebanon by land, if the car is registered in the name of the employer.
• Immigrants from Iraq and Yemen are granted automatically issued visas according to the following conditions:
• For traders:
  • A document that proves they are registered in the chamber of commerce.
  • The statement ‘trader’ is written on their passport. In case of an electronic passport, that doesn’t contain an information page, the document requested above would be enough.
  • A sum of money homogeneous with the trade situation at hand.
  • A hotel reservation or a residency address, and a phone number.
• For doctors and engineers:
  • They are granted automatically issued visas, if they own a document certifying that they are members of the medical board, or the engineering board.
  • The statement ‘doctor’ or ‘engineer’ is written on their passport. In case of an electronic passport that doesn’t have an information page, the above-mentioned certification is enough.
  • A hotel reservation or a clear residency address with a phone number.
  • A sum of money equivalent to 2 000 AD or a check of this amount, certified by the concerned bank.

NB: Are exempted the immigrants of the mentioned countries, that come to Lebanon to participate in a conference or congresses organized by local or regional authorities, If they have been officially invited. The duration of the visa should not exceed the validity period of the residency permit, nor the validity of the passport.

Ninth Article: Citizens that require a previous authorization from the general security.

• Holders of access passes, as well as holders of Palestinian passports, that come from Jordan.
• Domestic workers and body guards, of non-Lebanese / diplomatic families, that come from countries not members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
• Artists.
• Foreigners that want to work.
• Individuals that are presumed terrorists and those indicated by the Interpol.
• The holders of an ‘emergency passport’. Are exempted, the holder of ‘emergency passports’, coming from France, Sweden, Holland, Australia, as well as holders of a Ukrainian ‘Child travel document’ or an ‘Alien travel document’.

Tenth Article: Female citizens from Indonesia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, or Egypt.

• Immigrants coming from Indonesia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, or Egypt require a previous authorization from general security for tourism.
• It is not possible for immigrants of these countries to come work in Lebanon as a domestic worker, according to an official decision emitted by their government
• As for the tourism visa, it requires a previous authorization delivered by the directorate of general security

Eleventh Article:

• The countries not mentioned previously : Immigrants that come from countries not previously mentioned require a visa delivered by one of the Lebanese embassies, or a previous authorization granted by the directorate of the general security.

Work entry:

A work visa: A 3 months visa is granted after receiving a previous authorization emitted by the general directorate of general security as well as the ministry of labor.

Entry of Arab and foreign students.

A cost-free entry visa of 3 months will be granted to Arab students that plan to come alone or in groups

• The formalities required: 
• Arab students :

1. They have to have in hand a student card, a certificate of admission / inscription delivered by a university or a school.

• Foreign students :

1. A visa is granted under specific conditions related to their situation and country of origin.

Visa granted by Lebanese missions

If a tourism visa is granted by one the Lebanese missions residing abroad, conform to current regulations, this visa is granted under the responsibility of the mission’s director: a fact that is known by the latter who will write and signs this statement. The official seal should also be used in this instance to avoid risk of fraud.

Entry for reasons other than tourism

People that plan to come to Lebanon for reasons other than tourism, have to obtain a previous authorization delivered by a Lebanese mission residing abroad, or by the directorate of general security.

Employees of the ESCWA and holders of official and service passports

• A cost free visa will be granted to members of the ESWA that hold official duties, their families, as well as holders of official and service passports after some verification regarding their duties.
• As for the guests invited to participate in a certain activity organized by the commission, a cost-free visa will be granted following a request from the ESCWA.

Arab and foreign Priests and volunteers:

• Priests whatever their religion, have to respect current regulations related to their country of origin if the trip is touristic.
• However if it’s not touristic, the latter have to obtain a visa delivered by the Lebanese missions residing abroad, or by the general security.
• The following require a previous authorization delivered by the directorate of the general security.

Turkish immigrants that plan to come to Lebanon as tourists:

A multiple entry cost-free visa of 3months, is delivered at the airport, and at border posts.

Palestinian immigrant wife of a Lebanese / GCC citizen:

• The wife of a Lebanese citizen holding a palestinian passport and having in hand a marriage certificate conform to current regulations, is granted a one-month extendable visa.
• However, if she is the wife of an immigrant from countries member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and having the same conditions as above (palestinian passport and approved marriage certificate), she will need a previous authorization from the General Security to be granted a visa.

Exemption concerning the special tribunal for Lebanon

• Employees that work there, are exempted from any cost on entry visas Their visa is granted conformingly to the regulations adopted for ESCWA employees (previously mentioned).
• Photographs, films, cassettes, CDs, publications and recordings imported by this bureau are exempted of any restraints usually compulsory on importations and exportation.

Visa expiration breach

If the traveler is in breach of the visa expiration period :

• If it’s less than one month after expiration, his exit automatically fixes the situation, financial charges are due.
• However, if it’s more than one month, he will not be allowed to leave until he contacts the bureau of Arabs and foreigners during a period of 48 hours, to fix the situation, before leaving the country. Those who have a work visa, have to contact the ministry of labor as well.

NB: Aviation companies could be encounter a monetary penalty, for any infraction committed regarding the measures previously exposed.