All foreigners must have a valid passport and visa to enter Lebanon. Passports must be valid for at least six months. Business or tourist visas can be obtained upon arrival at the Beirut Airport and at other ports of entry on the Lebanese border. At the Beirut Airport, visa stamps can be purchased at a window directly across from passport control. You can pay in cash in US dollars or Lebanese pounds.
The price of a 15-day visa is US$17 (LL25,000). A single entry, three-month visa is US$35 (LL50,000). Nationals of the following countries can also purchase multiple-entry, three-month visas: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, and Venezuela.
Nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) can obtain free three month tourist visas.
Contact the Lebanese embassy or consulate in your country or see the
General Directorate of the General Security website
for updates on visa
information.
Important Note: Travelers holding passports that contain visas or entry/exit stamps for Israel are likely to be refused entry into
Lebanon.
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The Lebanese currency is the Lebanese pound or lire (LL). Over the past five years, the US$/LL exchange rate has been relatively stable, hovering around US$1=LL1,500. The appreciation of the Euro since early 2002 has benefited European travelers. The Euro/LL exchange rate has fluctuated from €1=LL1,400 in June 2002 to €1=LL1,700 in August 2003. Check the
Yahoo! Currency Converter
for the latest exchange rate before you go.
Money or travelers checks (in US$ or UK£) can be exchanged at banks, private money exchange shops and major hotels. U.S. dollars are widely accepted by hotels, restaurants, taxis, etc. in Beirut, and these establishments will convert and provide U.S. dollar prices for you upon request. Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club) are accepted at most large establishments throughout the country. ATMs are also widely available in Beirut and larger
cities.
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