Lebanon offers visa on arrival to many countries. It is bit of grey area on who can visit and get a visa on arrival. Some people try to avoid visas on arrival but I personally like them. They are delivered instantly and there’s no stress of having thousands of documents and leave my passport at the embassy while being processed. As Moroccan, I managed to travel the world with a Moroccan passport but I had to take a dozen of visas but the Lebanon visa is quite simpler.
City: Beirut, Lebanon
How to get Lebanon visa on arrival
The controversy with visas on arrival is that some airlines deny boarding to some people claiming that they don’t have visas for their final destination. They are usually misinformed and this case has been reported many times in some international airports including Casablanca Mohamed V Airport. I flew from there to Beirut actually and I was very scared of being denied boarding. But at the end it was fine.
On arrival at Beirut Rafic al Hariri International Airport, I was met by very friendly officers who have granted me a visa in no time. All I had to do is show few documents, fill a small application form and pay 25 US dollars. The whole process took 15 minutes maximum including the laughter and the friendly talk with the officers.
Warning: If you hold a stamp from Israel you will be denied entry to Lebanon, no matter how friendly the officers appear to be. Lebanon and Israel are technically at war. Even once you enter the country, avoid this topic as the memories of this war are still fresh.
Who can get a Lebanon visa on arrival?
Part 1- Many nationalities actually! According to the Lebanese Embassy in Morocco, the following countries are eligible for visa on arrival, but please double check before your trip because these may vary:
Albania, Azerbaijan, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Barbados, Bahamas, Brazil, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Bhutan, Belarus, Belize, Croatia, Canada, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Chile, China, Czechia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Hong Kong, Iran, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Malaysia, Macedonia, Mexico, Mongolia, Mauritania, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Macau, Norway, Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Portugal, Poland, Peru, Russia, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, South Korea, Saint -Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, Spain, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Venezuela.
Part 2- In addition, all CGC: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman. Plus, Jordan.
Part 3- The following countries need to satisfy some conditions to be eligible for VoA: Algeria, Comoros, Yemen, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ghana.
Conditions for the Part 3- countries:
- Have a passport valid for 6 months
- Hold a confirmed return flight ticket
- Hotel booking or a clear and complete residential address with a phone number
- Unlike the Embassy of Lebanon in Morocco, the Lebanese General Security mentions that there need to be 2000 USD cash or check on arrival for Part 3- countries.
So, does Part 3- countries need 2000 USD on arrival?
I visited back in 2015. As Moroccan, I needed to have $2000 in cash or cheque to show on arrival to satisfy conditions for visa on arrival. I managed to bring this much money with me but in reality, they didn’t ask for it. Still, this much money really put off many travellers I hope the Embassy of Lebanon in Morocco has the accurate information. I was holding a booking confirmation directly issued from Raouché Arjaan by Rotana, a hotel based in Beirut. I would actually recommend the visa on arrival because it is very convenient and stress-free. Plus, Lebanon is an amazing country which I highly recommend to everyone!
Now on the internet, there are two contradictory sources. The Embassy of Lebanon in Morocco doesn’t mention of 2000 USD to be hold on arrival and I think it might be possible it is more relaxed for Moroccans? It might explain why they didn’t ask me to show it. However, the Lebanese General Security states the need for 2000 USD for Part 3- countries to be eligible for visa on arrival.
My advice is to check again with your local embassy and tell them that there are contradictory information on the internet about this 2000 USD condition! Don’t let it put you off though and try hard to visit Lebanon!
Read more from my trip in Lebanon:
Watch my video from Lebanon:
Have you ever taken a Visa on Arrival to Lebanon?
Thanks, I could not figure out 100% for sure if the US$2000 had to be in cash or if a bank statement would suffice.
It’s enough of an issue to not deal with visiting Lebanon… it’s even more offensive to me than if they didn’t even offer visa on arrival at all and made you go to the embassy to apply like going to the US or Europe or wherever. Maybe in another lifetime when they’re not so rude to their cousins.
I know what you mean! Visas in general are frustrating! There’s an option to apply from the embassy, it’s the best you could do actually!
Great article!
Thanks Precious!
I looked for this information everywhere!! thanks a lot!
You’re welcome!