How to Obtain a Lebanese Visa
All visitors to Lebanon must secure a visa for entry into the country, regardless of whether your trip is for business or tourism. Fortunately, the Lebanese visa process is very straightforward and it should not take longer than a week or two to receive your visa. Check that you have included all the required documents in your application or it may take longer for your visa to be processed. The U.S. State Department regularly issues travel warnings for Lebanon due to violence and security concerns. Check the State Department website before your trip for the most current travel information and warnings.
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Things You'll Need
- Valid passport 1 Passport photocopy Visa application form 2 Passport photos Self-addressed stamped envelope Money order Notarized parental consent form, if applicable Business reference letter, if applicable
Instructions
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1
Find the Lebanese consulate serving your area. The Lebanese Embassy maintains four consulates and two honorary consulates in the United States. See the link under Resources to find the location nearest you and make a note of the mailing address.
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2
Complete the visa application form provided under Resources. Enter the information required in the spaces provided, including name, address, employment information, the purpose of your visit to Lebanon and the name of a reference in Lebanon. Sign the form and enter your expected date of arrival.
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3
Mail the application form, your passport, one photocopy of your passport, two passport photos, the address where you will be staying in Lebanon, a self-addressed stamped envelope and a money order written out to the Embassy of Lebanon to the address you noted in Step 1. The application fee is $35 for a single-entry and $70 for a multiple-entry visa.
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4
Include a notarized parental consent form in the package if you are under the age of 18. The form must be signed by both of your parents or legal guardians.
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5
Include a business reference letter if you are requesting a Lebanese business visa. The letter should be written by your company in the United States or a Lebanese business contact detailing what sort of business you will be conducting in Lebanon. For a business visa, you will also have to include all the documents mentioned in Step 3.
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6
Wait for your passport and visa to be mailed back to you by the Lebanese Consulate. The consulate processes visa applications within three business days, so you should receive your visa within one to two weeks including mailing time.
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Tips & Warnings
The U.S. State Department regularly warns Americans to avoid traveling to Lebanon due to security issues and potential violence. According to the State Department, terrorist threats against Westerners are a real concern. If you travel to Lebanon and the security situation worsens even more, you will be responsible for arranging your own travel out of the country. See the Resources section for more information on this travel warning. The State Department also warns that you will likely be denied a Lebanese visa if your passport contains stamps or visas indicating that you have visited Israel.
