Visas and Residency Permits

The General Directorate of the General Security announces that entry is permitted across all land borders for holders of valid residency and their family members or those wishing to transit from Syria via Lebanon to travel through the airport, provided that they possess a travel ticket and attend a maximum of 24 hours before the plane’s date, after having a PCR test issued by laboratories accredited by the Syrian Ministry of Health for a period not exceeding 48 hours indicating that they are not infected with the Coronavirus.

LMRA decided to reduce fees related to issuing and renewing all work permits for the first year since its issuance, and reduce all fees it collects by 50% for 3 months starting July. 

This is an announcement from the General Directorate of the General Security informing Syrian nationals who are in Lebanon legally or illegally that they can leave for Syria, provided that they have their identity papers and a report on the examination of the Coronavirus (PCR), not exceeding 24 hours.

This announcement by the General Directorate of the General Security is to inform Arab and foreign citizens, that requests for friendship visit visas and the overall characteristics of all tourist delegations are submitted exclusively in the Public Relations Department (Justice) in exchange for a service fee.

Based on the decisions of the Council of Ministers on 31 March 2020 relating to the return of the Lebanese expatriates from abroad, the land borders with Syria will be opened through the Al Masnaa and Aboudieh border centers on 8-10 September 2020 from 9:00 until 16:00 for Lebanese and their family members.

The council of ministers approved on 31 March an amendment to decision No. 30 for the year 2019 pertaining to admitting the family members of foreign workers into the country, changing the requirement for admission from the profession of foreign workers to their income level.

The Egyptian parliament passed law No. 140 for the year 2019 amending law No. 89 for the year 1960 on the entry and residency of foreigners in Egypt, and law No. 26 for the year 1975 regarding the Egyptian Nationality. The amendments focused on the right of the prime minister to grant citizenship to foreigners. The amendment also established a unit in the council of ministers specialized in considering citizenship applications. 

Under the latest long-term residence visa policy, a new system for long-term residence visas (5 or 10 years) are granted to investors and entrepreneurs who meet specific requirements as well as exceptionally performing students. This allows foreigners to live, work and study in the country without a national sponsor and allows them to have 100 per cent ownership of their business on the country's mainland.

The Decree ratifies a previous agreement signed between Algeria and Belarus to waive the visa for holders of diplomatic passports and those on mission. The Agreement was signed initially in Minsk on 20 February 2018.

The Decree ratifies a previous agreement signed between Algeria and Helsinki to mutually exempts the holders of diplomatic passports from visa requirements. The Agreement was signed initially in Helsinki on 11 January 2019.