Lebanon: a small, verdant and sun-soaked country lapped by the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in culture and beauty: the country itself is around 5,000 years old and its cuisine, hospitality and the warmth of its people are known and beloved worldwide. But while the country has remained peaceful in recent years, its tumultuous political and economic state, not to mention the devastating Beirut Blast, has made travellers wary of visiting this Mediterranean-Levantine country. Nevertheless, Lebanon is a safe and popular holiday destination for travellers in the Middle East – thanks to a large population of fun-loving locals, infamous party culture, celebrated gastronomy scene, beautiful beaches and laid-back Mediterranean vibes. But can I travel to Lebanon?
Can I travel to Lebanon?
On 6 August 2023, the UAE banned citizens from travelling to Lebanon due to ongoing safety issues within the country. In a port on Twitter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it “stresses the importance of adhering to the previously issued decision to prevent UAE citizens from travelling to Lebanon”. The ban came after Saudi Arabia called on its citizens to leave Lebanon and avoid areas which have seen armed clashes in refugee camps. However, Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati issues a statement saying there was no “concern or panic”, and that the situation was under control. For non-UAE and Saudi citizens, the country’s hotels, restaurants, museums and beaches are open, and its seaports and airports are too. Beirut’s international airport Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport is serviced by many airlines and has direct links to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Jeddah and Doha, amongst other popular global cities.
Do I need a visa to travel to Lebanon?
Tourists will need a visa to travel to Lebanon, which must either be obtained before travelling or upon arrival into the country. Passports holders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait) and Jordanians holding a National Number on their passport can get a visa on arrival for them and their domestic workers and drivers. Other citizens eligible for visa on arrival include Azerbaijan, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Barbados, Bahamas, Brazil, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bhutan, Belarus, Belize, Croatia, Canada, Cyprus, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Finland, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Hong Kong, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Malaysia, Macedonia, Mexico, Mauritania, Moldovia, 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 Of America, Venezuela, Iran, Paraguay.
Citizens from Algeria, Comoros Island, Yemen, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Iraq, Nigeria, Cote D’ivoire, Nigeria and Ghana are still able to be granted a visa on arrival in Lebanon, but need to adhere to a handful of entry requirements: a two-way non-refundable ticket, a hotel reservation with clear and complete residential address and phone number and $2,000 in cash.
Passengers from all other countries and territories must apply for a visa from their local consulate before entering Lebanon.
Are there any entry requirements to travel to Lebanon?
Lebanon currently has no COVID-19 entry requirements or restrictions and masks are not required throughout the country.
Where to travel to in Lebanon?
For first-time travellers to Lebanon, the best place to start is Beirut – the country’s vibrant, friendly, party-loving capital with beautiful hotels and a world-class dining scene, plus some great nearby public beaches. Elsewhere, places to visit in Lebanon include the historical city of Sidon with its ruins and the second city Tripoli with its mosques and historic citadel.
