Visa Requirements for Lebanese Citizens

Lebanese citizens can visit approximately 45 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival in 2025. Popular visa-free destinations include Turkey (90 days), Georgia (1 year), Malaysia (90 days), Jordan (3 months), Egypt (90 days), Qatar (30 days), Iran (30 days), Barbados (90 days), Ecuador (90 days), and Dominica (21 days). Armenia, Cambodia, Maldives, and several African nations offer convenient visa-on-arrival options.

The US B1/B2 tourist and business visa costs $185 for Lebanese applicants. This is a non-refundable application fee paid before scheduling your visa interview at the US Embassy in Beirut. Additional fees may apply for certain visa categories or expedited processing.

The UK Standard Visitor Visa costs £127 (approximately $160) for Lebanese citizens applying for stays up to 6 months. VFS Global charges an additional service fee of around $45. Priority processing is available for £500 extra (5 working days) or £1,000 for Super Priority (next working day).

Schengen visa processing for Lebanese applicants typically takes 15 to 30 calendar days from the date of application. During peak travel season (April to August), processing can extend to 45 days. The Schengen visa fee is €80 (approximately $84) and allows travel to all 29 Schengen member countries.

Standard visa requirements for Lebanese citizens include: valid passport with 6+ months validity and 2 blank pages, recent passport-size photographs (specifications vary by country), bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months showing sufficient funds, employment letter or business registration, confirmed flight itinerary and hotel bookings, travel insurance (mandatory for Schengen), proof of ties to Lebanon such as property ownership or family, and a cover letter explaining travel purpose.

The US B1/B2 visa approval rate for Lebanese applicants varies but generally ranges from 65% to 75% based on recent fiscal year data. Approval rates are higher for applicants with strong ties to Lebanon, previous international travel history, clear documentation of funds and employment, and family or business connections in the destination country.

Lebanese citizens require a visa to enter the UAE and cannot obtain visa-on-arrival. However, UAE tourist visas are relatively easy to obtain through airlines like Emirates or travel agents, typically costing around AED 350 to AED 500 (approximately $95 to $136) for a 30-day visa. Processing usually takes 3 to 5 business days.

Lebanese applicants may face higher rejection rates for Schengen visas from certain countries, particularly France, Germany, and Italy. Common rejection reasons include insufficient financial documentation, unclear travel purpose, weak ties to Lebanon, and incomplete applications. The UK also maintains strict documentation requirements for Lebanese applicants.

To maximize visa approval chances: apply at least 4 to 8 weeks before travel, provide 6 months of bank statements showing consistent income and sufficient balance, include employment verification letters with salary details, show property ownership or other assets in Lebanon, document previous international travel stamps especially to Western countries, provide a detailed day-by-day travel itinerary, and ensure all documents are properly translated and attested where required.