All foreigners except nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) must have a valid visa to enter Lebanon. Passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the estimated duration of stay in Lebanon. GCC nationals are issued a three-month visa on arrival.
Since 3rd May 1997, it has been the case that tourist and business visas can be obtained on arrival at Beirut Airport and at other ports of entry on the Lebanese border. (However, it is advisable to check with your local Lebanese embassy before arrival in Lebanon that this is still the case.) This rule applies to nationals of the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and USA.
Refugees must hold travel documents according to the London Convention of 1946 and the Geneva Convention of 1951, issued by any country other than Israel.
Single and multiple entry visas can be obtained from any Lebanese consulate or embassy.
The government of Lebanon refuses entry and transit to holders of Israeli passports.
Entry is also refused to:Residents of Gaza holding a Laissez-Passer issued by Egyptian authorities unless the holder has obtained a visa from a Lebanese representative abroad.
Holders of passports containing a visa for Israel, (valid, expired, used or unused). They may only transit Lebanon on the same aircraft within 24 hours and without leaving the airport. Exceptions are members of travel groups (organized by travel agents and comprising more than three persons) who are holding a passport with a visa for Israel. Nationals of India need a return or onward ticket, if their profession gives rise to the suspicion that they may look for employment in Lebanon (e.g. manual labourers).
Passports of USA nationals must be validated prior to departure from the USA stating that travel to Lebanon is authorized by US Secretary of State in Washington DC. This is a US government regulation.
As visa regulations are subject to change, visitors should check with their nearest Lebanese embassy or consulate prior to making travel arrangements.