country to visit without visa from lebanon

Lebanese Passport Visa-Free Countries

by Asdghik Ashley Melkonian

Table of Contents

1. Malaysia

4. sri lanka, 6. madagascar, 10. georgia, 11. cambodia, 13. maldives, 14. mauritius, 15. seychelles, 18. bangladesh – visa on arrival, 19. cape verde – visa on arrival, 20. comoros – visa on arrival, 21. comoros – visa on arrival, 22. djibouti – visa on arrival, 23. dominica – visa not required, 24. guinea-bissau – visa on arrival, 25. haiti – visa not required, 26. iran – visa not required, 27. mauritania – visa on arrival, 28. micronesia – visa not required, 29. niue – visa not required, 30. palau – visa on arrival, 31. qatar – visa on arrival, 32. samoa – visa on arrival, 33. rwanda – visa on arrival, 34. somalia – visa on arrival, 35. syria – visa not required, 36. tajikistan – visa on arrival, 37. timor-leste – visa on arrival, 38. togo – visa on arrival, 39. turkey – visa not required, 40. tuvalu – visa on arrival.

One of the biggest concerns Lebanese passport holders have when planning a vacation is obtaining a visa. However, there are stunning places around the world (38 countries to be exact!) that Lebanese can travel to visa-free. Yes, some of these destinations are considered completely off the beaten path, but they can be even more exciting to travel to than popular cities.

The real question is, what are the top places we can visit without the headache of getting a visa? Here’s a list of the top Lebanese passport visa-free countries, along with the average ticket prices, flight times, and top things to do in each destination.

Note: Lebanese visa requirements have changed over the last few years, so this article is frequently updated to reflect the latest Lebanon visa rules.

Lebanese Passport Visa-Free Countries: For Nature Lovers

Average ticket price: $600    Travel time: 11 hours (1 stop)    Best airline: Emirates

Top cities to visit: Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Cameron Highlands, Penang

Visa Type: Visa-free for Lebanese passport holders

Where to stay: Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur – Cameron Highlands Resort – The Blue Mansion Penang

Malaysia offers a variety of vacation options for all tastes and age groups. The capital, Kuala Lumpur, is an obvious first stop during your trip to Malaysia. It’s a busy city with lots of skyscrapers (including the famous Petronas Towers), shopping streets, restaurants, and the well-known Batu Caves, where you can get up close to hundreds of monkeys.

If you’re a fan of cool cities and street art, Penang should also be on your list. It’s best known for its street food and wall murals.

The most popular island for a great beach escape is Langkawi with lots of beach resorts and exciting water sports. For a more quiet escape head to the hills of Cameron Highlands where the mountains are covered in lush green tea plantations and strawberry fields.

Average ticket price: $2000     Travel time:  24 hours (2 stops)    Best airline: Air Europa

Top cities to visit: La Paz, Salar de Uyuni

Visa Type: Visa on arrival for Lebanese citizens

Bolivia is a strange and off the beaten path destination that’s home to the largest Salt Flats in the world (Salar de Uyuni) spanning over 10.5 kilometers. The impressive part is during the wet season (November to March) when a layer of rain covers parts of the salt flats and creates a mirror-like surface.

Just imagine a massive mirror-like ground for several kilometers. It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

For a real adventure, you can book 3-day tours that drive you in a 4×4 through the salt flats. You can even sleep in hotels that are completely made out of salt.

Read more here: 3 Weeks in Peru & Bolivia by Bus

Average ticket price: $450     Travel time: 15 hours (1 stop)    Best airline: flydubai

Top cities to visit: Kathmandu, Pokhara

Visa Type: Visa on arrival for Lebanese passport holders

Nepal is a scenic escape in the Himalayas and a paradise for nature lovers and hikers. This undiscovered country offers some of the most beautiful treks in the world combined with temples, stunning villages, and wildlife.

Average ticket price: $350     Travel time: 11 hours (1 stop)    Best airline: flydubai

Top cities to visit:  Bentota, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Mirissa, Galle

National Parks to visit: Yala National Park, Udawalawe National Park

Visa Type: E-Visa ($35), which you can apply to here . It normally takes around 4 days.

Sri Lanka is a sanctuary for outdoor and animal lovers. The locals have the utmost respect for preserving the natural beauty of the country. Pay a visit to one of the many National Parks and get up close with so many elephants, peacocks, and even leopards.

For a relaxing escape, head to the South of Sri Lanka to enjoy the beaches and temples.

Follow The Jetsetter Diaries on Instagram for more exciting adventures!

Lebanese Passport Visa-Free Countries: For Animal Lovers

Average ticket price: $1000 Travel time: 23 hours (2 stops) Best airline: Lufthansa + Copa

Top cities to visit: Quito, Galapagos Islands

Animals to spot: sea lions, tortoises, exotic birds, marine life

Visa Type: No visa required for Lebanese passport holders

The Galapagos Islands were formed by volcanic eruptions and are famous for having unique wildlife and breathtaking landscapes unlike anywhere else on Earth.  It’s heaven for animal lovers! Imagine getting up close to hundreds of large sea lions, giant tortoises, and exotic birds. You can also go snorkeling and diving with colorful tropical fish, sea horses, and sharks.

The best way to discover them is to go on a 1 or 2-week sailing trip to spot wildlife on the remote islands. The trips are normally quite expensive because special permits are needed to visit the islands (for preservation purposes). It’s still well worth it to make your way to the Galapagos Islands. It will definitely be a trip you will remember for a lifetime.

Average ticket price: $1000     Travel time: 18 hours (2 stops)    Best airline: Qatar Airways + Kenya Airways

Animals to spot: Lemurs, Giraffes, several types of Monkeys, birds

Everyone knows Madagascar because of the movie and yes you can spot some of your favorite characters there (but not all of them!). Madagascar is a dream destination for nature and animal lovers. It’s home to lush rainforests, thousands of unique animal species, and beautiful beaches. You can also spot massive Baobabs trees that are hundreds of years old.

It’s best to book a tour with one of the local tour operators that can take you around the island for 10 days. Flights are not cheap, but the country itself is very affordable. Several vaccinations for Madagascar are needed before your trip.

Average ticket price: $500     Travel time: 15 hours (1 stop)    Best airline: flydubai

Top city: Bwindi

Animals to spot: Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Hippos

If you’re up for a true adventure and want to get up close with some massive Gorillas, then Uganda is the perfect destination for you. A tour guide will lead the way through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and you can spot families of Silverback Gorillas in the wild. The experience will surely give you an adrenaline rush because Gorillas are very territorial. You have to play by their rules when you’re in the jungle.

The country is best known for its Gorillas but offers so much more: chimpanzees, rare birds, the Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Victoria and the Murchison Falls (43-meter waterfall).

Lebanese Passport Visa-Free Countries: for History & Culture

Average ticket price: $250    Travel time: 2 hours (direct)    Best Airline: MEA

Top cities to visit: Amman, Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba

Visa Type: No visa required for Lebanese citizens

Jordan is a country with so much diversity, deep history, and spectacular natural sites.  After having such an amazing time in Jordan, I really felt like I didn’t want to leave. It’s definitely one of the most unique countries in the world. The most impressive part is that every site we visited felt completely different than the others. It’s as if we were visiting a different planet each day.

Here’s a 1-week Jordan travel guide: Top Things To Do in Jordan

Average ticket price: $300    Travel time: 2 hours (direct)      Best airline: MEA

Top cities to visit: Yerevan, Garni, Geghard, Tatev, Sevan

Visa Type: Visa on arrival for Lebanese passports

Armenia is a country filled with so much history, culture, and breathtaking nature. It should be at the top of your “off the beaten track” destinations. The best way to explore this undiscovered beauty is to take a road trip through the beautiful mountains and green valleys.

Here’s a great 1 week Armenia Roadtrip Itinerary: An Incredible Journey Through Armenia

Average ticket price: $250    Travel time: 6 hours (1 stop)    Best airline: Turkish Airways

Top cities to visit: Tbilisi, Batumi, Ushguli

Visa Type: No visa required for Lebanese passports

Georgia offers welcoming locals, affordable prices for accommodation and activities, beautiful mountains, seaside resorts, and unique food and drink.

Jetsetter recommendations: Georgia is a great destination to combine with Armenia. I hired a private driver in Yerevan to take us from Armenia to Georgia. The scenic drive is only around 4 hours. When crossing the border, you might be asked to show proof that you are leaving the country. Make sure to have a printed copy of your outbound flight from Georgia.

Average ticket price: $800     Travel time: 16 hours (2 stops)    Best airline: Qatar Airways

Top things to do: visit the ancient temples of Angkor Wat

Where to stay: Navutu Dreams Resort

Visa Type:  E-Visa ($30). You can apply here . The usual processing time is 3 business days.

The highlight of visiting Cambodia is the ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat. If you think the pictures are impressive, wait till you visit and be blown away by these incredible temples.

The temples are spread across different areas around Siem Reap. It’s best to dedicate two full days and hire a guide with a private car (air conditioning is essential because it’s extremely hot). Temples not to miss: Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm.

Average ticket price: $800     Travel time: 16 hours (2 stops – Dubai & Bangkok)    Best airlines: flydubai + Bangkok Airways

Top city: Luang Prabang

Laos is a beautiful hidden gem in Asia and is a great destination to add to your Southeast Asia trip. It’s best combined with either Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, or Myanmar. There are several direct flights that are really affordable from most major cities in Asia.

Top things to do include: swimming in the Kuang Si falls, taking a river cruise along the Mekong river, and visiting one of the many Buddhist temples and markets.

Read more about Laos here: Top Things to Do in Luang Prabang

Lebanese Passport Visa-Free Countries: For Beach Lovers

Average ticket price: $600     Travel time: 9 hours (1 stop)     Best airline: flydubai

Where to stay: Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort or Jumeirah Vittaveli

Visa Type: Visa-free for Lebanese passports

The Maldives is pretty much like living in a postcard. The white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and underwater marine life are exceptional. During my 6 day getaway, I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. It’s the perfect destination for a romantic getaway or honeymoon.

The country is made up of over 1,000 islands, so the toughest decision you have to make is where to stay. International flights arrive at Male Airport, after which your hotel will arrange for your internal transfer to your chosen island (either by boat, seaplane, or airplane).

Here’s a great guide on the cheapest water villas in the Maldives .

Average ticket price: $1,300     Travel time: 14 hours (1 stop)    Best airline: Emirates

Mauritius is located 2,000 miles off the southeast coast of Africa and is well worth the long flight times. It can easily be compared to heaven on Earth with beautiful landscapes, stunning beaches, rich cuisine, and lots of adventures.

Average ticket price: $1,400     Travel time: 11 hours (1 stop)    Best airline: Emirates

Top islands to visit: Mahé, Praslin, La Digue

Imagine endless palm trees, white-sand beaches, and crystal clear waters. Seychelles is truly a tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean. Made up of over 100 islands, it’s a great destination for beach lovers and luxury travelers. Resorts are quite pricey but definitely worth it.

Apart from laying on the beautiful beaches, you can trek into the lush green mountains, dive with sharks, snorkel around coral reefs, and discover one of the many jungle trails and coves.

Average ticket price: $250    Travel time: 5 hours (1 stop)      Best airline: Air Arabia

Top cities to visit: Muscat, Salalah

Oman is best known for its beautiful mountains, sand dunes, and incredible fjords. It’s best to spend a couple of nights in Muscat and then head to Salalah for some relaxation.

Salalah is one of the hidden gem destinations in the Middle East. Due to its unique weather climate, the area is known for its lush green nature, mountains, waterfalls, and beaches. This makes it a perfect destination to relax on the beach or to go on some fun adventures such as hiking, horseback riding, and exploring the natural landscapes with a local guide. Hotel recommendations: Hilton Resort, Rotana Resort.

Lebanese Passport Visa-Free Countries: For City Lovers

Average ticket price: $600     Travel time: 16 hours (2 stops)    Best airlines: Middle East + Kuwait Airways + Air Macau

Top places to visit: Macau Tower, The Venetian, Senado Square, Taipa, Ruins of St. Paul

Macau is technically located in China but is a small autonomous region on the Southern coast. It’s often called the “Las Vegas of Asia” and has a vibrant city with so many casinos and malls. It’s a really fun destination to add to your Asia trip for 3 to 4 days.

Other Visa-Free Countries for Lebanese:

Lebanese Passport

The citizens of Lebanon can visit 20 countries without a visa.

Lebanese passport holders also have access to get 45 e-visas or 14 visas on arrival .

Lebanon has a population of 6.8M people and the capital is Beirut 🇱🇧.

Visa-free map

Nearby countries.

The nearest visa free countries to visit for Lebanese passport holders are Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, Georgia, Qatar and Iran .

Visa free countries

So, where can Lebaneses travel without a visa? We have listed all the countries where Lebanon citizens can travel visa-free, eliminating the hassle of visa paperwork.

• 🇧🇧 Barbados (90 days)
• 🇩🇲 Dominica (21 days)
• 🇪🇨 Ecuador (90 days)
• 🇭🇹 Haiti (3 months)
• 🇸🇷 Suriname (90 days)
• 🇪🇬 Egypt (90 days)
• 🇷🇼 Rwanda (30 days)
• 🇬🇪 Georgia (1 year)
• 🇮🇷 Iran (30 days)
• 🇯🇴 Jordan (3 months)
• 🇲🇾 Malaysia (90 days)
• 🇴🇲 Oman (14 days)
• 🇶🇦 Qatar (30 days)
• 🇹🇷 Turkey (90 days)
• 🇲🇴 Macau (Valid for 90 days within 180 days . Valid for 1 year for holders of a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card. Visa not required for holders of a Hong Kong (SAR China) permanent identity card which has an asterisk or 'R' code. Extensions of stay is possible for a fee.)
• 🇫🇲 Micronesia (30 days)
• 🇼🇸 Samoa (60 days)
• 🇨🇰 Cook Islands (Valid for 31 days. Visa not required for Cook Islanders or for descendants of Cook Islanders. Extensions of stay is possible up to a maximum stay of 6 months for a fee.)
• 🇳🇺 Niue (Valid for 30 days. Extensions of stay is possible for a fee.)
• 🇵🇳 Pitcairn Islands (Valid for 14 days. Landing fee of 35 USD or tax of 5 USD if not going ashore applies<.)

This data has been sourced from Wikipedia and was last updated on 5/1/2024.

• Israel visa free countries
• Jordan visa free countries
• Syria visa free countries

10 Countries Lebanese Can Visit Without a Visa

For the Lebanese traveler, finding countries that don’t require visas, or that grant them upon arrival, is essential to skipping the stress and hassle of applying for visas. Here are 10 countries that welcome Lebanese citizens without a pre-arranged visa.

From its sprawling green valleys to its many wineries, Georgia has emerged as an unexpected leader of up and coming tourist destinations. Don’t miss the chance to visit this picturesque European country visa-free!

Lebanon shares much more with Jordan than just a border. With delicious food, ancient sites, and beautiful cities, Jordan is a must-visit for Lebanese travelers. Read more about the coastal city of Aqaba here .

Laos is the Southeast Asian country that has managed to avoid the hectic and rapid development of its popular neighbors, making it an ideal spot for travelers looking to explore an authentically Asian culture.

4. Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka you will find endless beaches, delicious cuisine, welcoming people and for the animal lovers, the chance to play with elephants!

Oman has gone under the radar of most travelers to the region but don’t let that fool you. Oman’s vast deserts, pristine coastline, and distinctly Middle Eastern culture will delight anyone looking for an authentic Arabian experience.

This South American country packs a whole lot into its small size. Visit the Amazon jungle, surf on the Pacific coast, and immerse in Andean culture without worrying about getting a visa.

7. Indonesia

With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia offers the chance for endless adventure and and exploration into hidden temples, thick jungles and constantly breath-taking scenery.

8. Maldives

The Maldives have become synonymous with serious luxury, and for a good reason. The over-water bungalows and crystal-clear water is the idyllic vacation we could all use, visa-free.

Not only is Armenia drenched in history, it also offers curious travelers breathtaking scenery, from views of Mount Ararat to Lake Sevan. Fly direct from Beirut to Yerevan in just two hours and immerse yourself in the warm spirit of the people. You’ll soon find the capital is bursting with life, especially at night.

Home to exotic jungles, Himalayan peaks and ancient monasteries, Nepal is the ultimate destination for the adventurous at heart who are looking for cultural immersion with a side of adrenaline.

4 Reasons to Visit Aqaba

Jackie chamoun, you may also like, beirut airport’s newest additions, awesome activities in the bcharreh district, how to spend 48 hours in jordan, 5 great reasons to visit jordan, 3 things we love about oman, why indonesia should be at the top of..., discover the norwegian town of alesund this summer, where to go in tunisia, pack your bags for armenia, a quick getaway to serbia, leave a comment cancel reply.

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Lebanon passport visa free countries 2024

What are the visa-free countries for lebanon passport holders, what countries provide visa on arrival for lebanon passport holders, electronic travel authorization (eta) countries for lebanon citizens, which countries do lebanon citizens need to apply for an e-visa, list of countries requiring visas for lebanon citizens.

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Visa-Free Countries for Lebanese Passport

• Free Visa Countries

The citizens of Lebanon can visit 18 countries without a visa. Lebanese passport holders also have access to get 32 online e-visas or 16 visas on arrival. The Henley Passport Index has ranked the Lebanese passport 103 rd in terms of travel freedom.

Citizens of the Republic of Lebanon do not need a passport when traveling to Jordan and Syria. For these countries, Lebanese citizens just need their country’s National Identification cards for entry.

Lebanon is part of the Middle East, and Asia. The capital city is Beirut. Lebanon as a country has a population of 6.8 Million inhabitants. The official languages of Lebanon are Arabic and French. It is a developing country.

The country’s legal tender is the Lebanese Pound.

Nearby Countries for Lebanese Passport

The nearest visa-free countries to visit for Lebanese passport  holders are:

If you are a citizen of Lebanon who happens to hold the country’s passport, here is the list of visa-free countries you can visit.

This data has been sourced from  Wikipedia

Frequently Asked Questions

Is qatar visa free for lebanese.

The citizens of Lebanon do not need a visa to enter Qatar and can stay for an unlimited period. They need a passport to enter Qatar if they are coming from other countries and not from Lebanon.

Can a Lebanese citizen travel to USA?

A citizen of another country who wants to visit or enter the United States must first obtain a US visa. This will serve as a permit for foreigners to enter the United States of America.

Can Lebanese travel to France now?

All countries of the world have lessened their travel ban imposed as a result of the deadly coronavirus. Since vaccines have been made to contain the virus. France too has removed all entry covid-19 restrictions measures. Hence citizens of Lebanon can travel to France now.

Does Lebanese need visa for Egypt?

Citizens of some countries are under a visa-free agreement with Egypt and may be exempted from requiring a visa on arrival. These countries include Bahrain, Macau, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. Since Lebanon is also in terms with this agreement its citizens do not need a visa to enter Egypt.

Related VISAs:

• Travel to these Countries Visa-Free with Bosnia Passport
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• Bhutanese Passport Holders Visa-Free Countries
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• About The Author
• Latest Posts

I am a passionate writer, Father of 3 and i love travelling. Asides from travelling being a type of education, it also gives me the types of experiences to enable me write about Visa requirements for intending travellers. Follow all my posts on VisaCountries.com i wish you successful travel experience.

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35+ Countries Lebanese Can Travel To Without a Visa

posted on: Feb 2, 2015

The Lebanese passport is the 88th most valuable in the world, and as a result, any holder of valid Lebanese passport can visit the following countries without making any prior visa plans.

• Burundi: Visa on arrival – 30 days; obtainable at Bujumbura International Airport
• Cambodia: Visa on arrival.
• Cape Verde: Visa on arrival.
• Comoros: Visa on arrival.
• Cuba: Tourist card required – Tourist card must be obtained in advance via travel agency, airline or at the embassy.
• Djibouti: Visa on arrival.
• Gabon: Visa required – In addition to visa Lebanese must hold an Autorisation d’entree au Gabon.
• Georgia: Visa not required – 90 days within 180 days.
• Guinea-Bissau: Visa on arrival – 90 days.
• Haiti: Visa not required – 3 months.
• Jordan: Visa not required – 3 months.
• Laos : Visa on arrival – 30 days.
• Madagascar: Visa on arrival – 90 days.
• Malaysia: Visa not required – 90 days.
• Maldives: Visa on arrival – 30 days.
• Mali: Visa on arrival.
• Mauritania: Visa on arrival.
• Mauritius: Visa on arrival – 60 days.
• Micronesia: Visa not required – 30 days.
• Mozambique: Visa on arrival – 30 days.
• Nepal: Visa on arrival.
• Oman: Visa on arrival.
• Palau: Visa on arrival – 30 days.
• Sri Lanka: Electronic Travel Authorization – 30 days.
• Syria: Visa required – In March 2014 Syria adopted a new law that requires all visitors to obtain a visa.
• Dominica: Visa not required – 21 days.
• Ecuador: Visa not required – 90 days.
• Australia: Visa require May apply online.
• Tajikistan: Visa on arrival – 45 days.
• Timor-Leste: Visa on arrival – 30 days.
• Togo: Visa on arrival – 7 days.
• Turkey : Visa not required – 90 days.
• Tuvalu: Visa on arrival – 1 month.
• Uganda: Visa on arrival.
• San Marino : Visa required.
• São Tomé and Príncipe: Visa required – Visa is obtained online.
• Serbia: Visa required –  Visa free for a maximum stay of 90 days for valid visa holders or residents of the European Union member states and the United States.
• Seychelles: Visitor’s Permit on arrival – 1 month.
• Somalia: Visa required – Visa on arrival for – 30 days, provided an invitation letter issued

“39+ Countries Lebanese Can Travel To Without Visa.” Web log post. Listabuzz Ultimate Lists Blog RSS . N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2015.

Related content

38 Countries & Destinations Lebanese Can Visit Without a Visa

Find below a list of 38 countries and palces that we Lebanese can visit without a Visa.

It's nice to know about such a list when planning a suprise travel gift or simply if you're tired of all these Visa documents that are usually required.

Don't forget to get at least a travel Insurance!

• Armenia (Visa on Arrival): Valid for 120 days.
• Bangladesh (Visa on Arrival): Valid for 30 days.
• Bolivia (Visa on Arrival): Valid for 90 days within 180 days.
• Cambodia (Visa on Arrival): Valid for 30 days.
• Cape Verde (Visa on Arrival): Valid for 90 days within 180 days.
• Comoros (Visa on Arrival): Valid for 2 weeks.
• Djibouti (Visa on Arrival): Valid for 1 month.
• Dominica (Visa not required):Valid for 21 days.
• Ecuador (Visa not required): Valid for 90 days within 180 days.
• Georgia (Visa not required): Valid for 1 year.
• Guinea-Bissau (Visa on Arrival): Valid for 90 days within 180 days.
• Haiti (Visa not required): Valid for 3 months within 6 months within 6 months.
• Indonesia (Visa not required): Valid for 30 days.
• Iran (Visa not required): Valid for 90 days.
• Jordan (Visa not required): Valid for 3 months within 6 months.
• Laos (Visa on arrival): Valid for 30 days.
• Madagascar (Visa on arrival): Valid for 90 days within 180 days.
• Malaysia (Visa not required): Valid for 90 days within 180 days.
• Maldives (Visa on arrival): Valid for 30 days.
• Mauritania (Visa on arrival): Valid for 3 days,15 days, 30 days, 90 days, or 360 days.
• Mauritius (Visa on arrival): Valid for 60 days
• Micronesia (Visa not required): Valid for 30 days.
• Mozambique (Visa on arrival): Valid for 30 days.
• Nepal (Visa on arrival): Valid for 90 days within 180 days.
• Niue (Visa not required): Valid for 30 days.
• Oman (Visa on arrival): Valid for 30 days.
• Palau (Visa on arrival): Valid for 30 days.
• Samoa (Entry Permit arrival): Valid for 60 days.
• Seychelles (Visa on arrival): Valid for 3 months within 6 months.
• Sri Lanka (Visa on arrival): Valid for 30 days.
• Syria (Visa not required): Valid for 6 months.
• Tajikistan (Visa on arrival): Valid for 45 days within 90 days.
• Timor-Leste (Visa on arrival): Valid for 30 days.
• Togo (Visa on arrival): Valid for 7 days.
• Turkey (Visa not required): Valid for 90 days within 180 days.
• Tuvalu (Visa on arrival): Valid for 1 month.
• Uganda (Visa on arrival): Valid for 3 or 6 months.
• Egypt (Sharm el Cheikh part only): Visa is granted on arrival

Happy Traveling!

January 18, 2019 by Alain

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Visa-free Countries for Lebanese Passport Holders

Traveling with a lebanese passport.

The Lebanese passport is an official document that allows all its holders to enjoy traveling abroad to visa-free countries. A permit is a tool for a traveler’s identification, providing the most important information (full name, gender, nationality). Once approved, the passport should remain effective for up to 10 years.

Although Lebanese passport holders may enjoy traveling to many countries only with a valid passport, some destinations require a visa from foreign visitors. Depending on the country you have chosen for your journey, you may be considered eligible for an electronic visa (eVisa) , visa on arrival (VOA) , or a standard visa .

The Lebanese passport application process

To apply for a passport from Lebanon , you must contact the Directorate General of General Security in Beirut. The application procedure is not complicated – you need to complete a special questionnaire, provide the necessary supporting documents, and pay the applicable fees. Once approved, you should collect your passport in person from the office.

The documents required for passport application include the following:

• valid Lebanese national ID card
• two recent passport-sized photographs
• document proving your current address

If you have any questions regarding the Lebanese passport application procedure, you can find more information on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lebanon.

Countries that Lebanese passport holders can visit visa-free

There is a number of visa-free countries that Lebanon passport holders may easily visit without any additional preparation. This type of travel is convenient and effortless, as you should meet only the basic requirements. There is no need to apply for a visa – simply remember to pack your valid passport and enjoy the adventure abroad!

Below you can find a detailed list of 14 Lebanese passport visa-free countries:

The benefits of visiting visa-free countries with the Lebanese passport

There are numerous countries that grant Lebanon passport holders visa-free access through their borders. Usually, traveling without a visa allows you to spend up to a month in another country. If you leave for a journey to one of these destinations, plenty of benefits will be waiting for you.

Travel Flexibility : you can travel visa-free with a Lebanese passport to enjoy more freedom and independence during travel. You will be able to explore different parts of the world without the need to obtain another travel permit or meet any strict visa requirements.

Cost Savings: setting off on a journey to visa-free countries with a Lebanese passport will help you save a lot of money. If not for the travel without a visa, you would otherwise spend it covering processing fees.

Easier Entry: visiting visa-free countries with a passport also makes it much easier for Lebanese citizens to enter new locations without having to go through the hassle of visa application. This can help save time and reduce stress for travelers. Moreover, you will be given the privilege to travel through any port of entry.

Countries offering eVisa to Lebanese citizens

The electronic visa – eVisa – is issued online for all eligible holders of the Lebanon passport. The entire visa application procedure is uncomplicated and may be completed remotely. If you wish to obtain an online visa, you must fill in the registration form and upload the necessary documents. It is also essential to cover the visa fee.

The following countries allow Lebanese passport holders to travel on an online visa:

Countries offering visas on arrival to Lebanese passport holders

A visa on arrival is a type of travel permit that is issued by immigration officers upon arrival at a selected port of entry . It usually allows for short-term voyages , with purposes including leisure , tourism , and business . Travelers need to fill out an application form and provide the necessary documents in order to apply for a visa on arrival.

As a holder of the Lebanon passport, you can travel with a visa on arrival to 25 destinations:

Countries where Lebanese citizens need to get a visa to travel to

Although traveling to visa-free countries is a great experience, Lebanon passport holders should not resign from setting off on a journey simply because they need a visa. Worldwide, there are still 158 locations where they cannot travel without a visa.

They must take part in a visa registration procedure at the nearest embassy. The entire process should not take more than a few hours, but keep in mind that the number of applicants varies during the year. Usually, in the summer holiday season, there may be more visa inquiries submitted – therefore, you will need to wait longer for your approved permit.

As a Lebanon passport holder, you must obtain a visa for the following 158 countries:

• Old Lebanon

38 Countries Lebanese can Visit Without a Visa

Here’s a quick follow-up on the 2017 Passport Index post published earlier today.

I looked at a recently updated Wikipedia article to check out the list of countries where Lebanese can visit without the need for a pre-approved visa. I also compared it to the list of countries provided by Passport Index and noticed a couple of differences:

1- You need a VISA on arrival enter Dominica. It’s not visa-free. 2- Niue is not mentioned on the Passport Index website.

Here’s the full list of countries that we can get into without a visa or by getting a VISA on arrival. Technically speaking, there are only 12 visa-free countries for Lebanese passport holders, which are: Dominica, Ecuador, Georgia, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Malaysia, Micronesia, Niue, Syria & Turkey.

Armenia (Visa on Arrival): Valid for 120 days. Bangladesh (Visa on Arrival): Valid for 30 days. Bolivia (Visa on Arrival): Valid for 90 days within 180 days. Cambodia (Visa on Arrival): Valid for 30 days. Cape Verde (Visa on Arrival): Valid for 90 days within 180 days. Comoros (Visa on Arrival): Valid for 2 weeks. Djibouti (Visa on Arrival): Valid for 1 month. Dominica (Visa not required):Valid for 21 days. Ecuador (Visa not required): Valid for 90 days within 180 days. Georgia (Visa not required): Valid for 1 year. Guinea-Bissau (Visa on Arrival): Valid for 90 days within 180 days. Haiti (Visa not required): Valid for 3 months within 6 months within 6 months. Indonesia (Visa not required): Valid for 30 days. Iran (Visa not required): Valid for 90 days. Jordan (Visa not required): Valid for 3 months within 6 months. Laos (Visa on arrival): Valid for 30 days. Madagascar (Visa on arrival): Valid for 90 days within 180 days. Malaysia (Visa not required): Valid for 90 days within 180 days. Maldives (Visa on arrival): Valid for 30 days. Mauritania (Visa on arrival): Valid for 3 days,15 days, 30 days, 90 days, or 360 days. Mauritius (Visa on arrival): Valid for 60 days Micronesia (Visa not required): Valid for 30 days. Mozambique (Visa on arrival): Valid for 30 days. Nepal (Visa on arrival): Valid for 90 days within 180 days. Niue (Visa not required): Valid for 30 days. Oman (Visa on arrival): Valid for 30 days. Palau (Visa on arrival): Valid for 30 days. Samoa (Entry Permit arrival): Valid for 60 days. Seychelles (Visa on arrival): Valid for 3 months within 6 months. Sri Lanka (Visa on arrival): Valid for 30 days. Syria (Visa not required): Valid for 6 months. Tajikistan (Visa on arrival): Valid for 45 days within 90 days. Timor-Leste (Visa on arrival): Valid for 30 days. Togo (Visa on arrival): Valid for 7 days. Turkey (Visa not required): Valid for 90 days within 180 days. Tuvalu (Visa on arrival): Valid for 1 month. Uganda (Visa on arrival): Valid for 3 or 6 months.

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Srilanka visa is required, electronic visa to be applied through the embassy website and cost 35$.

No visa not required to cambodia. You get it on arrival

Qatar is missing… visa upon arrival

To Cambodia one needs a visa from the embacy.

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Mia Arawi • 12 Apr 2016

No visa required: 5 places to visit with a lebanese passport.

We Lebanese get a bad rap in the international relations circle…so much so that getting a visa to most countries with a Lebanese passport is a grueling process that makes you rethink your entire trip. But the Lebanese passport is good for some things. Currently, it allows visa-free access to 33 countries. Here are some of our favorite spots to which you can travel without a visa.

1. Maldives

The Maldives islands are located in the Indian subcontinent and allow entry to Lebanese passport holders without a visa. You can get around the breathtaking islands by boat, but planes are usually reserved for tourists. The clear blue waters are ideal for snorkeling and diving, but the Maldives are also becoming an increasingly popular surfing destination for those of you who are more inclined to extreme sports.

Only slightly larger than Lebanon, Kosovo is a disputed territory in the Balkans that only recently gained its independence. It is a melting pot of Serbian, Albanian, Romanian, Turkish, and many other cultures, and is the perfect place to experience all those cultures in one place. Known for its historical and archaeological landmarks as well as its nightlife, there’s a lot to do in this beautiful country. One must-see landmark is a 17th century shopping center that was burned down and rebuilt recently. This country has a very rich history and a vibrant present, and is much like the Lebanon of the Balkans.

This South American country is great for when you’ve seen everything. Touristically, Boliva remains largely unexplored and it’s great for experienced travellers who are bored with the usual travel experience. Bolivia is famous for its ‘Death Road’ mountain bike tour (we know, enticing), which allows you to see the country in a unique and exciting way.

4. East Timor

East Timor is located in Southeast Asia and is known to be ideal for scuba diving due to its immaculate beaches and coral reefs. Although tourism isn’t very common in East Timor, this hidden gem hosts one of the most spectacular festivals in the world. Carnivale de Timor is an annual festival that is held every April featuring Timorese costumes, music, dance, and food. Many other foreign embassies participate in the event.

Turkey is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and was visited by over 30 million tourists last year. It’s not hard to see why. The mix of Eastern and Western cultures appeals to many people. You can visit the ancient city of Ephesus to see ruins pre-dating Roman times, or see the many gorgeous mosques and churches in Istanbul, or take a cruise in the Bosphorus Strait. There’s no shortage of things you can do in this incredible country.

[Images via WikiTravel .]

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Visa Requirements for Lebanese Citizens

Visa required.

Visa on Arrival

Lebanon Travel Requirements

What countries can a lebanese citizen visit without a visa, which countries accept visa on arrival for lebanon nationals.

Lebanon Passport Visa Free Countries 2023

Disclaimer: The information on this Website is for information purposes only. The information is not and is not intended to be, legal advice. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in this Website without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the facts and circumstances. We have made every possible effort to make sure the provided material is right and accurate at the time of publishing. Rules and regulations may be amended from time-to-time without further notice.

Lebanon Overview

Lebanon borders Syria and Israel, and is located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. The country has a population of 6.1 million and an area of 10,452 km2 which makes it about a third of the size of Belgium, and just slightly larger than Cyprus. The country’s capital, as well as the most populous city, is Beirut. Although Arabic is the official language, French and English are also widely spoken. Lebanon has a Mediterranean climatic region and has a generally subtropical climate characterized by mild, humid winters and hot, dry summers.

How Strong is the Lebanese Passport?

The Lebanese passport currently ranks 99 th place according to the Guide Passport Ranking Index. The passport holders of Lebanon have the same travel freedom as the citizens of Kosovo and South Sudan.

Visa Not Required for Lebanese Passport Holders

Having a Lebanese passport allows entry to 15 countries and territories. List of Lebanese passport visa-free entry destinations:

• Cook Islands

Visa on Arrival for Lebanese Passport Holders

Lebanese passport holders can obtain visa on arrival in the following countries and territories:

• Guinea-Bissau
• Sierra Leone
• Sri Lanka *(eTA)
• Timor-Leste

*(eTA): Electronic Travel Authorization

eVisa for Lebanese Passport Holders

Lebanese passport holders are required to obtain an eVisa before arriving in the following countries and territories.

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
• Norfolk Island
• Sao Tome and Principe
• South Sudan
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• United Arab Emirates

Pre-Arranged Visa Required for Lebanese Passport Holders

There are 160 countries and territories that require Lebanese passport holders to obtain a visa through their embassies and consulates prior to arrival. The visa requirement may be waived off at times, provided that Lebanese citizens meet alternate requirements such as holding other visas or resident permits.

• Afghanistan
• American Samoa
• Bonaire, St. Eustatius & Saba
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• British Virgin Islands
• Burkina Faso
• Cayman Islands
• Central African Republic
• Congo Democratic Republic
• Congo Republic
• Czech Republic
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Falkland Islands
• Faroe Islands
• French Guiana
• French Polynesia
• French West Indies
• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Netherlands
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• North Korea
• North Macedonia
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Palestinian Territories
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Puerto Rico
• Russian Federation
• Saudi Arabia
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Korea
• St. Maarten
• St. Pierre and Miquelon
• St. Vincent & the Grenadines
• Switzerland
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• US Virgin Islands
• Vatican City
• Wallis and Futuna

Entry Refused for Lebanese Passport Holders

Although the number of countries and territories which allow visa-free access to Lebanese is limited, no country or territory refuses entry to Lebanese passport holders.

Guide Consultants is an authorized agency in the  Citizenship by Investment programs . Since the establishment of the company in 2016, it has helped investors and families of diverse nationalities acquire much-coveted dual citizenships and second passports.

Second passports and dual citizenships offer many privileges and some of the most advantageous are the opportunity to travel to several countries without visa, access to many emerging markets, and an opportunity to diversify one’s portfolio.

Contact us  to arrange a free consultation.

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Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

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Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

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Travel Advisory January 29, 2024

Lebanon - level 3: reconsider travel.

Updated to reflect lowering the overall Travel Advisory to Level 3, information about southern Lebanon, the border with Syria, and refugee settlements in Lebanon, information on crime and political violence, kidnapping, unexploded landmines, civil unrest, and the “If you decide to travel” section.

Reconsider travel to Lebanon due to  crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, unexploded landmines, and armed conflict . Some areas, especially near the borders, have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel to:

• Southern Lebanon due to the  potential for armed conflict;
• The border with Syria due to  terrorism and armed conflict;
• Refugee settlements due to  the potential for armed clashes .

Country Summary : U.S. citizens in Lebanon should be aware of the risks of remaining in the country and review their personal security plans. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid travel to southern Lebanon, the Syrian border, and refugee settlements in Lebanon.

U.S. citizens in Lebanon should be aware that consular officers from the U.S. Embassy are not always able to travel to assist them. The Department of State considers the threat to U.S. government personnel in Beirut sufficiently serious to require them to live and work under strict security. The internal security policies of the U.S. Embassy may be adjusted at any time and without advance notice.

Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Lebanon. Terrorists may conduct attacks with little or no warning targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities.

The Lebanese government cannot guarantee the protection of U.S. citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence and armed conflict. Family, neighborhood, or sectarian disputes can escalate quickly and can lead to gunfire or other violence with no warning.

Local security authorities have noted a rise in violent crimes, including political violence. Multiple unsolved killings in Lebanon may have been politically motivated.

Kidnapping, whether for ransom, political motives, or family disputes, has occurred in Lebanon. Suspects in kidnappings may have ties to terrorist or criminal organizations.

Unexploded landmines and explosive remnants of war are a hazard along the border with Syria. Heed land mine warning signs. Do not venture off the road into areas marked off with red and white plastic tape. Avoid roadside ditches, shoulders, and unmarked trails. Never touch anything resembling unexploded munitions.

U.S. citizens should avoid demonstrations and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings or protests as these have the potential to turn violent quickly and with little notice. Protesters have blocked major roads, including thoroughfares between downtown Beirut and the area where the U.S. Embassy is located, and between Beirut and Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Lebanon.

If you decide to travel to Lebanon:

• Visit our website for information on   Travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Appoint one family member to serve as the point of contact with kidnappers/hostage-takers, media, U.S. and host country government agencies, and members of Congress if you are kidnapped, or taken hostage.
• Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
• Do not touch unknown metal objects and avoid traveling off well-used roads, tracks, and paths due to risk of unexploded ordnance.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Lebanon.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Southern Lebanon – Level 4: Do Not Travel (See map below)

The U.S. Embassy strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid southern Lebanon; that is, all parts south of the city of Saida, to include inland areas, as illustrated in the map below. Cross-border rocket, missile, and artillery fire continues to impact southern Lebanon on a daily basis and has caused a significant number of fatalities and injuries.

Border with Syria – Level 4: Do Not Travel

The U.S. Embassy strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid the Lebanon-Syria border, which has seen clashes between Lebanese security forces and Syrian-based violent extremist groups. The U.S. Department of State also warns U.S. citizens of the risk of traveling on flights that fly over Syria, which include some flights to and from Beirut.

Refugee Settlements – Level 4: Do Not Travel

The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to avoid travel to refugee settlements in Lebanon, which are prone to outbreaks of violence including shootings and explosions.

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Valid for ninety days following entry, with no Israeli stamps or visas

One page required for entry stamp

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Beirut Awkar (facing the Awkar Municipality Building), Main Street Beirut, Lebanon Telephone:  +(961) 4-542600 or +(961) 4-543600 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +(961) 4-543600 Fax:  +(961) 4-544209 Email: [email protected]

Destination Description

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Lebanon for information on U.S.-Lebanon relations.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

• Passports and visas are required.
• U.S. citizens coming to Lebanon for tourism routinely receive a one-month visa on arrival at Beirut International Airport or other port of entry. This visa can be extended. Details on the extension can be obtained at a local office of  Sûreté Générale (General Security) .
• U.S. citizens who also hold Lebanese citizenship are subject to the requirements and responsibilities of Lebanese citizenship under Lebanese law.
• More information on Lebanon’s entry and exit requirements can be found on General Security’s  website .
• Travelers who hold passports that contain visas or entry/exit stamps for Israel will be denied entry into Lebanon and may be subject to arrest or detention. Even if travel documents contain no Israeli stamps or visas, persons who have previously traveled to Israel may still face arrest and/or detention if prior travel is disclosed.
• Travelers who have previously worked in Lebanon without the appropriate work visa may be denied entry, detained or deported.
• Travelers who have previously resided in Lebanon under refugee status, regardless of current citizenship, may be denied entry.
• Travelers who have overstayed their entry visa validity in Lebanon must obtain an exit visa from General Security’s Department of Passport and Immigration prior to their departure.
• Individuals who are detained and awaiting deportation will remain detained until they pay the cost of their return airfare.
• Authorities with General Security may retain U.S. passports for an extended period while U.S. citizens await issuance of work or residency permits.

For Additional Information:

• Contact the  Embassy of Lebanon , 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20008, tel. (202) 939-6300; e-mail:  [email protected] .
• Los Angeles
• Additional information on Honorary Consulates in the United States can be found within the Consular Affairs section of the  Embassy of Lebanon website .

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Lebanon.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorism:   Across the world, terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad and resort to various methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles  – frequently on unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights)

In Lebanon, there is potential for death or injury because of terrorist attacks. Violent extremist groups, including U.S. government-designated terrorist organizations, operate in Lebanon. ISIS and affiliated groups have claimed responsibility for suicide bombings in Lebanon. U.S. citizens have been the targets of terrorist attacks in Lebanon. The threat of anti-Western terrorist activity persists, as does the risk of death or injury to bystanders. Clashes between Lebanese authorities and criminal elements continue to occur in areas of the Bekaa Valley and border regions.  Hizballah maintains a strong presence in the Bekaa Valley, in addition to areas in southern Lebanon and south Beirut. In addition to the threat of Hizballah conducted terrorist activity, Hizballah has been the target of attacks by other extremist groups for their support of the Assad regime in Syria.

Avoid the Lebanon-Syria border region: The U.S. Embassy strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid the Lebanese-Syrian border region because of past clashes, extremist activity, and the potential for these to recur at any time.

Avoid the Lebanon-Israel border region: Hostilities flared in Southern Lebanon in April 2022, and again in April 2023, due to tensions between Israel, Hizballah, and the Palestinian terrorist group HAMAS. The potential for wider conflict remains. The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to avoid the Lebanon-Israel border area due to ongoing tensions between the two countries. Attacks and responses can occur without warning. Landmines and unexploded ordnance pose significant dangers throughout southern Lebanon, particularly south of the Litani River. Travelers should watch for posted landmine warnings and strictly avoid all marked areas.

Avoid travel to refugee settlements: Violence within refugee settlements has resulted in shootings and explosions. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to refugee settlements. Palestinian groups hostile to both the Lebanese government and the United States operate autonomously in formal and informal refugee settlements in different areas of the country.

For more information, see our Terrorism page.

Crime: Reported crime rates in Lebanon are moderate but rising. Violent crime and sexual assault are rare but do occur. Petty theft -- such as pickpocketing and purse snatching -- occurs in crowded public areas. More recently, the dire economic situation is engendering a significant increase in economically motivated crimes, including home invasions and car thefts. Police are responsive but often unable to affect a positive outcome.

Demonstrations occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. Protests often occur spontaneously with little to no advance warning.

• Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent. 
• Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. 
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.

International Financial Scams: Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Lebanon. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help.

Common scams include:

• Romance/Online dating
• Work permits/job offers

See the  Department of State  and the  FBI pages for information.

Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault or domestic violence are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Report crimes by visiting the nearest police or by calling the ISF hotline 1745 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(961) 4-542600 or +(961) 4-543600. Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.  

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Lebanon can be significant, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Visitors lacking passport or identification documents at government checkpoints are subject to questioning by Lebanese authorities. In certain areas, taking photos of buildings or other infrastructure has led to questioning and detention. In Lebanon, persons driving under the influence can be jailed immediately.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website .

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Individuals who were affiliated with the former militia known as the South Lebanon Army (SLA) and previously departed Lebanon because of their association with that group should carefully consider any plans to return to Lebanon. Alleged former members of the SLA have been detained on arrival and received threats to their physical security, even after receiving assurances from Lebanese officials and/or legal counsel in Lebanon that they could return safely.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Department of Justice website for more information.

Faith-Based Travelers:   See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers: LGBTQI+ status and/or conduct is criminalized in Lebanon, and LGBTQI+ persons can face significant social stigma. Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code prohibits sexual relations, “contradicting the laws of nature,” an offense punishable by up to one year in prison. Although Lebanese courts have interpreted this provision in different ways and prosecutions are rare, judicial decisions can vary case-to-case and LGBTQI+ adults have been charged, tried, and convicted for engaging in consensual same-sex relations. Authorities have arrested LGBTQI+ individuals for minor offenses, then charged them with violation of Article 534 when evidence of their LGBTQI+ identity is uncovered, through searches of cell phones or other personal material. While prosecution is uncommon, short-term detentions can expose individuals to discrimination and abuse.

There has been a rise in anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric from political and religious leaders, accompanied by an increase in online harassment, threats of violence, and violence against LGBTQI+ persons. In August 2023, members of an anti-LGBTQI+ religious group attacked an LGBTQI+ friendly establishment in the Mar Mikhael neighborhood of Beirut, reportedly threatening, assaulting, and injuring patrons. Gatherings, events, or items (including those with rainbows) perceived as “promoting homosexuality” have the potential of being scrutinized, monitored or disbanded by security forces.

While Lebanese authorities indicate that travelers entering Lebanon with passports showing X gender will be admitted without difficulty, the United States government cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries.

See our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights Report for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities: The law in Lebanon prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual or mental disabilities, but the law is unevenly enforced. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is relatively low. Some facilities and information have been made accessible, but such standard accessibility is not common. Expect infrastructure accessibility to be limited in urban areas, and even more so in the rest of the country. There are a handful of hotels that are partially accessible in the Beirut area. Some transportation companies do provide accessible services. Events and activities are rarely designed to be inclusive.

Service providers for people with disabilities, such as sign language interpreters or personal assistants, are available but limited in Lebanon. The best way to find assistance is to contact organizations for people with disabilities such as the Lebanese Union for Persons with Physical Disabilities, the Youth Association of the Blind, the Lebanese Federation of the Deaf, or the Lebanese Association for Self Advocacy.

Students:  See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips .

 Exit Bans: U.S. citizens living in or traveling in Lebanon are sometimes denied permission to depart the country because a criminal, civil, or family court has imposed an exit ban. For example, a head of household can place an exit ban against a spouse and children even before the family arrives in Lebanon. Easily initiated, exit bans remain in place for prolonged periods and can only be removed by petition from an attorney. The U.S. Embassy cannot have exit bans removed, even in times of crisis. An attorney’s list is available on U.S. Embassy Beirut’s website .

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers .

Dual Citizenship: U.S. citizens who also hold Lebanese nationality are considered by local authorities to be Lebanese, even when entering Lebanon using a U.S. passport. Lebanese-U.S. citizens who are suspected of association with Israeli citizens or officials, or to have traveled through Israel, are subject to detention, arrest, and prosecution. Their passports may be retained by Lebanese authorities on arrival, and they must appear at the Lebanese Military court the next business day for investigation, after which their passports may be returned if no connections with Israel are confirmed. U.S. citizen dual nationals of other Arab countries who arrive at a Lebanese point of entry with an Israeli stamp in their passports will be denied entry and may be detained or arrested. Travelers with a family name deemed to be of Israeli or Jewish origin may also be questioned or detained.

Travelers who have previously entered Lebanon illegally under Lebanese law, whether as refugees or for transit to a third country, may be denied entry, even if they are or have since become U.S. citizens.

Middle Eastern Heritage: U.S. citizens with names reflecting Middle Eastern heritage may face additional scrutiny at Lebanese ports of entry and may be required to show documentary evidence of their parentage: specifically, official proof of their father’s name such as a copy of their birth certificate.

Marrying in Lebanon: More than 18 separate and distinct religious sects solemnize marriages in Lebanon. Civil marriage is not available. U.S. citizen and Lebanese national couples should familiarize themselves with the rights and responsibilities of marriage as defined by the religion performing their marriage. They should be aware that religious clerics and religious courts dictate all personal status matters related to marriage, divorce, and child custody. In matters of marriage, child custody, inheritance, and divorce, personal status laws provide unequal treatment across the various confessional court systems but generally discriminate against women.  Nationality law also discriminates against women, who may not confer citizenship to their spouses and children. Civil marriages performed outside of Lebanon and registered with Lebanon’s Ministry of the Interior fall under civil court jurisdiction regarding divorce and child custody.

Military Service Obligation: Mandatory military service in Lebanon was abolished in 2007. However, travelers with questions about prior military service, desertion, or failure to register in the past should contact the Embassy of Lebanon in Washington, D.C. for details prior to traveling to Lebanon.

Customs: Lebanese customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning import and export of items, such as firearms, military paraphernalia, professional camera equipment, other communications equipment, or antiquities. You should contact the Embassy of Lebanon in Washington, D.C., for specific information regarding customs requirements. Please see our information on customs regulations .

For emergency services in Lebanon dial 112.

Ambulance services are:

• not widely available and training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards.
• not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.
• Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

We do not pay the medical bills.  Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Lebanon Ministry of Health to ensure the medication is legal in Lebanon.

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Air Quality:  Visit  AirNow Department of State  for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

Water Quality:  In all areas, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe.

Health facilities in general:

• Adequate health facilities are available in Beirut, but health care in rural areas may be below U.S. standards.
• Public medical clinics lack basic resources and supplies.
• Hospitals and doctors often require payment “up front” prior to service or admission. Credit card payment is not always accepted; most hospitals and medical professionals require cash payment, often in U.S. dollars.
• Private hospitals usually require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance before admitting a patient.
• Medical staff may have limited English proficiency.
• Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals.
• Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in the larger cities.

Pharmaceuticals      

• Due to the current economic situation in Lebanon, many medications are not available in pharmacies and medical facilities.
• Exercise caution when purchasing medication outside the United States. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments .
• Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Ministry of Health to ensure the medication is legal in Lebanon.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States. Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States. Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States. Please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration websites for more information.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Road conditions differ significantly from those in the United States. In certain areas, pedestrians have minimal access to sidewalks and are forced to walk along the sides of busy roadways. There are very few bicycle lanes designated for cyclists, and drivers are unaccustomed to sharing the road with cyclists. Beirut streets and highway lanes are known for their heavy traffic congestion and aggressive driving. Lanes are generally unmarked, and roads outside the capital may be poorly lighted.

Drivers generally will find inter-city directional signs and street markers, but side roads often bear no signposts.

An international driver’s license is required for visitors to Lebanon. Please refer to our Road Safety page and the website of Lebanon’s National Tourist Office for more information.

Traffic Laws:

• Drivers must carry a valid driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance while driving. Licenses are issued to those at least 18 years of age.
• Drivers must obey speed limits and traffic lights, and yield to ambulances, fire engines, and other emergency vehicles.
• Radar detection devices are prohibited.
• Seat belts are compulsory for both front and rear passengers in all vehicles, and helmets are mandatory for cyclists and motorcycle riders.
• A hazard triangle in the vehicle is mandatory.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is prohibited, as are open alcohol containers in a vehicle
• Cell phone use while driving is prohibited, except with a hands-free system.
• Children under the age of 5 must be secured in a car seat, and children under the age of 10 may not sit in a front seat or be carried on a motorcycle.

A comprehensive listing of Lebanese traffic laws (in Arabic) is available on the website of the Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF).

Public Transportation:  In general, public transportation in Lebanon is safe. Buses operate throughout the country but serve a primarily working-class clientele. Taxis are widely available and rideshare services are also active in Lebanon. See our Road Safety page for more information.

Aviation Safety Oversight:   As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Lebanon, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Lebanon’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Because of the risks to civil aviation operating in airspace immediately adjacent to the Damascus Flight Information Region (FIR), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) that prohibits U.S. and codeshare flights from flying through the Damascus FIR and advises caution for flights operating in the airspace within 200 nautical miles of the Damascus FIR due to heightened military activity in or around Syria.

For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the  Federal Aviation Administration's Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Notices .

Maritime Travel:  “The U.S. Coast Guard has concerns about the safety practices in the Port of Beirut and finds that the Lebanese Ministry of Public Works and Transport has not fully implemented the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. As a result, the U.S. Coast Guard conducts additional screenings of ships that have stopped in Lebanon prior to arrival in the United States.  Assessments by the U.S. Coast Guard indicate that Mariners and passengers traveling through the Port of Beirut should exercise caution.”

Mariners planning travel to Lebanon should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts within the MARAD website . Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the NGA broadcast warnings website . Navigational warnings can be found under the “Current Warnings” section for the applicable NAVAREA from within the NGA site.

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in  Lebanon . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (ICAPRA)  report.

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• Lebanon Visa Exemption

Lebanon visa exemption & requirements

Lebanese visa exempt countries.

To enter Lebanon for a short term visit, citizens of the following countries are able to travel in Lebanon without a visa:

• Bahrain (6 months)
• Jordan (3 months)
• Kuwait (6 months)
• Oman (6 months)
• Qatar (6 months)
• Saudi Arabia (6 months)
• United Arab Emirates (6 months)

Nationals from all countries in Asia will need visas to travel to Lebanon as tourists.

Nationals from all countries in Europe will need visas to travel to Lebanon as tourists.

Nationals from all countries in Africa will need visas to travel to Lebanon as tourists.

Central America and Caribbean

Nationals from all countries in Central America and Caribbean will need visas to travel to Lebanon as tourists.

South America

Nationals from all countries in South America will need visas to travel to Lebanon as tourists.

Nationals from all countries in Oceania will need visas to travel to Lebanon as tourists.

Middle East

Nationals from 7 countries in Middle East are exempt from Lebanon visa, while those from 5 other countrie(s) will require a valid entry visa.

North America

Nationals from all countries in North America will need visas to travel to Lebanon as tourists.

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Introducing Lebanon

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Plan your trip

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• Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport

Lebanon Visa and Passport Requirements

To enter Lebanon, a passport valid for three months from the date of entry is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Nationals listed in the chart above require a visa to visit Lebanon and can obtain a one-month visa on arrival at Beirut International Airport or any other port of entry at the Lebanese border. The visa is renewable for three months. The visa on arrival is free .

The complete list of countries whose nationals can obtain a free tourist visa on arrival in Lebanon are as follows: Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau SAR, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela.

Important note: it is likely you will be refused entry if you have an Israeli visa or stamp in your passport.

Citizens holding a passport with a national number from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries – Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and United Arab of Emirates – as well as nationals of Jordan have a right to obtain an extendable tourist visa for stays of either 3 or 6 months.

Types and Cost

Single-entry visa on arrival: free.   In advance: single-entry tourist visa: £63; multiple-entry tourist visa: £125.  

Visa on arrival: one month initially, renewable for three months.

Single-entry visa in advance: 15 days, one month or three months; multiple-entry visa in advance: three or six months. If applying for a visa in advance from the embassy, you must enter Lebanon within 90 days of the date of issue.

Application to

On arrival at Beirut International Airport or at a consulate (or consular section at embassy).

Working days

Processing times for visas applied for before travelling to Lebanon vary according to the nationality of the applicant. Visa applications should be submitted at least 2 months prior travelling. Please contact the embassy for information on individual cases.

Extension of stay

Extending a stay in Lebanon without permission is a serious offence. A fee will be payable before departure is permitted. Nationals of the countries that can obtain a one-month visa on arrival may extend their visa to three months cost-free. To extend your one-month visa, you must visit the nearest General Security office ( www.general-security.gov.lb ). 

Entry with children

Sole parents entering the country with children may be required to present written permission from the other parent of the child in question.

Embassies and tourist offices

Embassy of the republic of lebanon in the usa.

Mon-Fri 0900-1630

Embassy of the Republic of Lebanon in the UK

Mon-Fri 0900-1500.

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Middle East Crisis Israel Appears to Soften Stance in Cease-Fire Talks

• Share full article
• Destroyed buildings in Rafah on Monday. Associated Press
• Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages protest in Tel Aviv on Monday. Ohad Zwigenberg/Associated Press
• Palestinians flee after a strike in Nuseirat in central Gaza. Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Mourning relatives killed overnight in Rafah. Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Looking at a damaged building in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday. Hatem Khaled/Reuters
• Posters of kidnapped Israeli hostages in Tel Aviv. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
• A Palm Sunday service at a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza City. Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Children at a makeshift movie theater set up among the tents in Rafah on Sunday. Haitham Imad/EPA, via Shutterstock
• Israeli soldiers resting outside the border with southern Gaza. Amir Cohen/Reuters

Israel is open to a truce involving an initial release of 33 hostages, officials say.

Israel’s latest offer would accept fewer hostages to be freed during the first phase of a new truce in Gaza, according to three Israeli officials, offering a hint of hope for cease-fire negotiations that could restart as soon as Tuesday.

For months, Israel had demanded that Hamas release at least 40 hostages — women, older people and those who are seriously ill — in order to secure a new truce. Now the Israeli government is prepared to settle for only 33, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss the sensitive matter.

The change was prompted partly by the fact that Israel now believes that some of the 40 have died in captivity , according to one of the officials.

Antony J. Blinken, the U.S. secretary of state, said at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday that Israel had made an “extraordinarily generous” offer and that Hamas alone stood in the way of a deal. David Cameron, the British foreign minister, said at the same conference that the offer included a sustained 40-day cease-fire and the release of potentially thousands of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the Israeli hostages.

Sameh Shoukry, Egypt’s foreign minister, said at the conference that he was “hopeful” about the latest cease-fire proposal, but did not say what it involved or who had proposed it.

“The proposal has taken into account the positions of both sides,” Mr. Shoukry said, adding that “we are waiting to have a final decision.”

The shift has raised expectations that Hamas and Israel might be edging closer to sealing their first truce since a weeklong cease-fire in November, when Hamas released 105 captives in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. A senior Hamas official, Izzat al-Rishq, said on social media on Monday that Hamas was studying a new Israeli proposal, but did not say what the proposal was.

Hamas and its allies captured roughly 240 Israelis and foreigners in their attack on Oct. 7, which prompted Israel to go to war in Gaza. More than 130 hostages are believed to still be held in Gaza, but some are thought to have died.

Negotiations over a new pause, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, have stalled for months over disagreements about the number of hostages and prisoners who should be exchanged in a future deal. Another obstacle has been whether Israel would allow civilians from northern Gaza who fled the Israeli invasion to return to their homes, and how many would be permitted to do so.

The length of a cease-fire has also been a key stumbling block. Hamas wants it to be permanent, while Israel wants another temporary pause so that it could still send troops into Rafah, the last major Gazan city under Hamas control, though one where more than a million displaced Palestinians have sought shelter. Far-right members of Israel’s governing coalition have threatened to bring down Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government if the war ends without Hamas’s total defeat.

A mid-ranking Israeli delegation is planning to fly to Cairo on Tuesday to restart talks mediated by Egypt, but only if Hamas also agrees to attend, according to two of the Israeli officials. A senior Hamas official said that a delegation was already in Cairo on Monday.

At the economic forum in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Cameron, the British foreign secretary, said something else must happen for the conflict to end: “The people responsible for Oct. 7, the Hamas leadership, would have to leave Gaza.”

Vivian Nereim and Edward Wong contributed reporting from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

— Patrick Kingsley and Adam Rasgon reporting from Jerusalem

Biden speaks to the leaders of Egypt and Qatar to press for Hamas’s agreement on a new cease-fire.

President Biden spoke on Monday with the leaders of Egypt and Qatar as he sought to increase pressure on Hamas to accept a deal that would result in a temporary cease-fire in the war in Gaza and the release of some of the hostages held there.

According to a statement from the office of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, he and Mr. Biden discussed the negotiations and Egypt’s efforts to broker a cease-fire. They also reiterated their support for a two-state solution, discussed the importance of containing the conflict to the region and emphasized their opposition to a military escalation in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, which Israel seems poised to invade.

Mr. Biden also spoke on Monday with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the emir of Qatar. According to the White House, Mr. Biden urged the Qatari leader “to exert all efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas,” saying that “this is now the only obstacle” to an immediate cease-fire.

Mr. al-Sisi and Mr. al-Thani have been prime intermediaries with Hamas through months of fitful negotiations to reach a deal to halt the hostilities, and Mr. Biden hopes they will prod the group’s leader, Yahya Sinwar, to accept the U.S.-brokered proposal on the table. On Sunday, Mr. Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, expressed a hopeful view of the prospects for an agreement. “In recent days, there has been progress in talks,” she told reporters at the White House.

Like other American officials, Ms. Jean-Pierre said that Hamas, not Israel, was the obstacle to an agreement.

“The onus is indeed on Hamas,” she said. “There is a deal on the table, and they need to take it.”

— Peter Baker reporting from Washington

Blinken meets with Arab officials to discuss Gaza and postwar plans.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Arab officials on Monday in Saudi Arabia about the war between Israel and Hamas and the difficult issues it has created, from humanitarian aid to hostages. Mr. Blinken plans to travel to Jordan and Israel on Tuesday.

After landing in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, shortly after dawn, Mr. Blinken met with Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, and then with foreign ministers and a top foreign policy adviser from five other Arab nations in the Persian Gulf that, along with Saudi Arabia, form the Gulf Cooperation Council. Prince Faisal was also part of that second meeting. On Monday night Mr. Blinken met with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

The State Department listed the cease-fire and hostage issues first in the summary it released of Mr. Blinken’s one-on-one meeting with the prince. The two “discussed ongoing efforts to reach an immediate cease-fire in Gaza that would secure the release of hostages held by Hamas,” the department said.

The two diplomats also talked about greater regional integration and “a pathway to a Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel,” the summary said. That was a reference to negotiations over a broad deal that would involve the United States, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Palestinian representatives agreeing to terms that would result in the creation of a Palestinian state and greater diplomatic recognition for Israel in the region.

Mr. Blinken planned to meet with Arab and European officials in a group later on Monday to talk about plans for rebuilding Gaza, even though Israel is still carrying out its war there and has not stepped back from its difficult — and perhaps impossible — goal of fully eradicating Hamas.

Saudi Arabia is hosting a three-day meeting of the World Economic Forum, and top Arab officials, including Mr. Blinken’s diplomatic counterparts, are attending the event in Riyadh. The gathering includes senior ministers from Qatar and Egypt, the two Arab mediators in multiple rounds of talks over a potential cease-fire between Israel and Hamas .

“The quickest way to bring this to an end is to get to a cease-fire and the release of hostages,” Mr. Blinken said in an onstage talk with Borge Brende, president of the World Economic Forum. “Hamas has before it a proposal that is extraordinarily generous on the part of Israel. And at the moment, the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a cease-fire is Hamas.”

“I’m hopeful they will make the right decision and we can have a fundamental change in the dynamic,” he added.

Mr. Blinken and other top aides of President Biden have also been trying to push for a long-term political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is where the broader deal comes in. In a call meant to pave the way for Mr. Blinken’s trip, his seventh to the region since the war began, Mr. Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel spoke by phone on Sunday afternoon for nearly an hour.

The two leaders discussed “increases in the delivery of humanitarian assistance into Gaza,” according to a White House statement released after the call, and Mr. Biden repeated his warning against an Israeli ground assault on Rafah in southern Gaza. He also reviewed with Mr. Netanyahu the negotiations over a hostage release.

In their best-case scenario, the Biden administration envisions Saudi Arabia and perhaps a few other Arab nations agreeing to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel. In exchange, Saudi Arabia would receive advanced weapons and security guarantees, including a mutual defense treaty , from the United States and a commitment for U.S. cooperation on a civilian nuclear program in the kingdom .

For its part, Israel would have to commit to a concrete pathway to the founding of a Palestinian nation, with specific deadlines, U.S. and Saudi officials say.

“I think it’s clear that in the absence of a real political horizon for the Palestinians, it’s going to be much harder, if not impossible, to really have a coherent plan for Gaza itself,” Mr. Blinken said at the public talk on Monday.

Prince Faisal said Sunday that Saudi officials hoped to discuss concrete steps toward creating a Palestinian state during Mr. Blinken’s visit to Riyadh. Calling the war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza “a complete failing of the existing political system,” he told a news conference that the kingdom’s government believes that the only solution is “a credible, irreversible pathway to a Palestinian state.”

Before the war started last October, U.S. and Saudi officials were in intense discussions to reach an agreement on the terms of such a proposal. For those negotiators, a big question at the time was what Israel would agree to. Since the war began, the Americans and the Saudis have publicly insisted that Israel must agree to the existence of a Palestinian state.

But Israeli leaders and ordinary citizens have become even more resistant to that idea since the Oct. 7 attacks, in which the Israeli authorities say that Hamas and allied gunmen killed about 1,200 people and took about 240 people as hostages. Israel’s retaliatory military offensive has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, including thousands of children, say officials from the Gaza health ministry.

Vivian Nereim and Zolan Kanno-Youngs contributed reporting.

— Edward Wong traveling with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken

Deadly Israeli strikes hit residential buildings in Rafah, Palestinian news media say.

Deadly Israeli airstrikes flattened concrete buildings overnight in the crowded southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to news agencies, which published video on Monday of rows of body bags containing what Palestinian officials said were victims of the strikes.

The Reuters news agency said the strikes in Rafah, which Israel seems poised to invade , killed 20 people. The Palestinian news media said the death toll was at least 24. The Gaza Ministry of Health said 34 people were killed in the Gaza Strip during the previous 24 hours, but it did not specify how many of them were killed by the strikes in Rafah.

Asked for comment on the strikes, the Israeli military issued a statement on Monday saying that its “fighter jets struck terror targets where terrorists were operating within a civilian area in southern Gaza.”

More than one million Gazans have been crowding into shelters and tents in Rafah to seek safety from almost seven months of Israel’s military offensive. Israeli officials have said they will soon send ground troops into Rafah, the last Gazan city Israel has not invaded, in order to eliminate Hamas battalions there, an operation that the Biden administration has warned against because of the risk to civilians.

Palestine TV — a channel backed by the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank — said the strikes had hit residential buildings in Rafah. One survivor, carrying a baby she said had been pulled from the rubble, spoke to a Reuters video journalist.

“The entire world is seeing what’s happening to us,” the woman, Umm Fayez Abu Taha, said. She said the child appeared to be uninjured, but that her parents had been killed.

“Look at us with some compassion, with some humanity,” Ms. Abu Taha continued. “This is all we ask for, we’re not asking for much just end the war, nothing more.”

— Liam Stack reporting from Jerusalem

Hamas fires a barrage of rockets into Israel from Lebanon.

Hamas’s military wing said on Monday that it had launched a salvo of rockets from Lebanon into northern Israel, an apparent attempt by the group to signal that it is still capable of striking within Israel’s borders even as it studies the latest proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza.

The Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, said in a statement that it had targeted an Israeli military position in Kiryat Shmona, the largest city in Israel’s far north, with a “concentrated rocket barrage” from southern Lebanon. The Israeli military said in a statement that most of the roughly 20 launches that crossed the border had been intercepted, and that it had responded by striking the source of fire. There were no injuries or damage, the military said.

Though Hamas is based in Gaza, many of its leaders are exiled in Lebanon , where the group has a sizable presence and operates largely out of Palestinian refugee camps. Since the Hamas-led terror attack on Oct. 7 prompted Israel to go to war in Gaza, Hamas has occasionally launched rocket attacks into northern Israel from within Lebanon’s borders, though its ally Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, has launched far more. Both groups are backed by Iran. Israel has also targeted Hamas figures in Lebanon in deadly strikes.

Walid al Kilani, Hamas’s spokesman in Lebanon, said the attack was “the minimum duty” given Israel’s continued attacks in Gaza. “We know that Hezbollah is doing its duty and more, but the battlefield requires everyone to participate,” Mr. Kilani said.

The launches on Monday, although muted in their impact, highlighted Hamas’s continuing ability to threaten Israel with rocket fire despite more than 200 days of a devastating Israeli air and ground offensive that has decimated the group’s military capabilities in Gaza.

Mohanad Hage Ali, a Beirut-based fellow with the Carnegie Middle East Center, said the attack was likely an attempt by Hamas to signal that it was “still part of the fight.” While it was largely symbolic, it could also be a means to apply pressure amid the Gaza cease-fire negotiations, he said.

Data compiled by the online website Rocket Alert — which tracks warnings of rocket launches using Israeli military figures — shows that there were just 37 alerts in April in response to detected rocket fire from Gaza, compared to around 7,300 in October at the onset of the war. More than six months into the conflict, the data shows a significant drop-off in the number of warnings of rockets from Gaza.

Alerts indicating rocket fire from Lebanon, however, have remained largely steady, the data shows. Most of those are launched by Hezbollah, but Hamas continues to launch attacks from Lebanon with Hezbollah’s blessing.

Amin Hoteit, a military analyst and former brigadier general in the Lebanese army, said the latest attack was a sign of the “integrated front of operations” among Hamas, Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups in the region .

Hwaida Saad and Jonathan Rosen contributed reporting.

— Euan Ward reporting from Beirut, Lebanon

Israeli officials believe the International Criminal Court is preparing arrest warrants over the war.

Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on charges related to the conflict with Hamas, according to five Israeli and foreign officials.

The Israeli and foreign officials also believe the court is weighing arrest warrants for leaders from Hamas.

If the court proceeds, the Israeli officials could potentially be accused of preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and pursuing an excessively harsh response to the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, according to two of the five officials, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.

The Israeli officials, who are worried about the potential fallout from such a case, said they believe that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is among those who might be named in a warrant. It is not clear who might be charged from Hamas or what crimes would be cited.

The Israeli officials did not disclose the nature of the information that led them to be concerned about potential I.C.C. action, and the court did not comment on the matter.

Arrest warrants from the court would probably be seen in much of the world as a humbling moral rebuke, particularly to Israel, which for months has faced international backlash over its conduct in Gaza, including from President Biden , who called it “over the top.”

It could also affect Israel’s policies as the country presses its military campaign against Hamas. One of the Israeli officials said that the possibility of the court issuing arrest warrants had informed Israeli decision-making in recent weeks.

The Israeli and foreign officials said they didn’t know what stage the process was in. Any warrants would require approval from a panel of judges and would not necessarily result in a trial or even the targets’ immediate arrest.

Karim Khan, the court’s chief prosecutor, has previously confirmed that his team is investigating incidents during the war, but his office declined to comment for this article, saying that it does not “respond to speculation in media reports.”

Mr. Netanyahu’s office also would not comment, but on Friday the prime minister said on social media that any intervention by the I.C.C. “would set a dangerous precedent that threatens the soldiers and officials of all democracies fighting savage terrorism and wanton aggression.”

Mr. Netanyahu did not explain what prompted his statement, though he may have been responding to speculation about the arrest warrants in the Israeli press.

He also said: “Under my leadership, Israel will never accept any attempt by the ICC to undermine its inherent right of self-defense. The threat to seize the soldiers and officials of the Middle East’s only democracy and the world’s only Jewish state is outrageous. We will not bow to it.”

Based in The Hague, the I.C.C. is the world’s only permanent international court with the power to prosecute individuals accused of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. The court has no police force of its own. Instead, it relies on its 124 members , which include most European countries but not Israel or the United States, to arrest those named in warrants. It cannot try defendants in absentia .

But warrants from the court can pose obstacles to travel for officials named in them.

The Hamas-led raid last October led to the killing of roughly 1,200 people in Israel and the abductions of some 250 others, according to Israeli officials. The subsequent war in Gaza, including heavy Israeli bombardment, has killed more than 34,000 people, according to Gazan officials, caused widespread damage to housing and infrastructure, and brought the territory to the brink of famine.

The Israeli assault in Gaza has led the International Court of Justice, a separate court in The Hague, to hear accusations of genocide against the Israeli state and has spurred a wave of protests on college campuses in the United States.

If the I.C.C. does issue arrest warrants, they would come with deep stigmatization, placing those named in them in the same category as foreign leaders like Omar al-Bashir, the deposed president of Sudan, and Vladimir V. Putin, the Russian president, who was the subject of a warrant last year tied to his war against Ukraine.

The I.C.C.’s focus on individuals rather than states differentiates it from the International Court of Justice, which settles disputes between states.

The I.C.C. judges have ruled that the court has jurisdiction over Gaza and the West Bank because the Palestinians have joined the court as the State of Palestine.

Mr. Khan has said that his team will be investigating incidents that have occurred since Oct. 7 and that he will be “impartially looking at the evidence and vindicating the rights of victims whether they are in Israel or Palestine.”

Mr. Khan’s office has also been investigating allegations of war crimes committed during the 2014 war between Israel and Hamas; one of the officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity believes the new arrest warrants would be an extension of that investigation.

Hamas and the Israeli military did not respond to requests for comment. The office of Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defense minister, declined to comment.

In general, Israeli officials say that they fight according to the laws of war and that they take significant steps to protect civilians, accusing Hamas of hiding inside civilian areas and forcing Israel to pursue them there. Hamas has denied committing atrocities on Oct. 7, saying — despite video evidence to the contrary — that its fighters tried to avoid harming civilians.

Marlise Simons , Gabby Sobelman and Myra Noveck contributed reporting.

— Ronen Bergman and Patrick Kingsley The reporters spoke to Israeli and foreign officials.

World Central Kitchen plans to resume working in Gaza.

World Central Kitchen said on Sunday that it would resume operations in Gaza with a local team of Palestinian aid workers, nearly a month after the Israeli military killed seven of the organization’s workers in targeted drone strikes on their convoy.

Israeli military officials have said the attack was a “grave mistake” and cited a series of failures , including a breakdown in communication and violations of the military’s operating procedures.

The Washington-based aid group said that it was still calling for an independent, international investigation into the April 1 attack and that it had received “no concrete assurances” that the Israeli military’s operational procedures had changed. But the “humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire,” the aid group’s chief operating officer, Erin Gore, said in a statement .

“We are restarting our operation with the same energy, dignity, and focus on feeding as many people as possible,” she said.

The aid group said it had distributed more than 43 million meals in Gaza so far and that it had trucks carrying the equivalent of nearly eight million meals waiting to enter the enclave through the Rafah crossing in the south. World Central Kitchen said it was also planning to send trucks to Gaza through Jordan and that it would open a kitchen in Al-Mawasi, a small seaside village that the Israeli military has designated as a “humanitarian zone” safe for civilians, though attacks there have continued.

Six of the seven workers killed on April 1 were from Western nations — three from Britain, one from Australia, one from Poland and one with dual citizenship of the United States and Canada. The seventh was Palestinian. They were killed in back-to-back Israeli drone strikes on their vehicles as they traveled toward Rafah after unloading food aid that had arrived by sea.

The attack prompted World Central Kitchen to immediately suspend its operations in Gaza and elicited outrage from some of Israel’s closest allies.

The World Central Kitchen convoy’s movements had been coordinated in advance with the Israeli military, but some officers had not reviewed the coordination documentation detailing which cars were part of the convoy, the military said.

Some 200 aid workers, most of them Palestinians, were killed in Gaza between Oct. 7 and the attack on the World Central Kitchen convoy, according to the United Nations. A visual investigation by The New York Times showed that, well before the World Central Kitchen attack, six aid groups in Gaza had come under Israeli fire despite sharing their locations with the Israeli military.

The episode forced World Central Kitchen to decide between ending its efforts in Gaza or continuing, “knowing that aid, aid workers and civilians are being intimidated and killed,” Ms. Gore said in the statement.

“Ultimately, we decided that we must keep feeding, continuing our mission of showing up to provide food to people during the toughest of times,” she said.

At a memorial in Washington for the World Central Kitchen workers on Thursday, the group’s founder, the celebrity chef José Andrés, said that there were “many unanswered questions about what happened and why,” and that the aid group was still demanding an independent investigation into the Israeli military’s actions.

The seven aid workers had “risked everything to feed people they did not know and will never meet,” Mr. Andrés said. “They were the best of humanity.”

— Anushka Patil

Arab ministers suggest ways to ‘force peace’ amid Israel’s refusal to recognize a Palestinian state.

At a conference in Saudi Arabia’s capital on Monday, senior diplomats from around the world appeared to agree on one thing: The pathway to a durable peace between Israel and the Palestinians is the creation of a Palestinian state.

But with Israel’s refusal to recognize a Palestinian state, three Arab foreign ministers posited how best to proceed, with Ayman Safadi of Jordan presenting the bluntest proposal among them. The international community, he said, should find a way to “force peace” against the will of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.

“If we come up with the best plan ever, and all of us in the international community agree that this is the plan to go forward, and then Netanyahu and his government say no, what happens then?” Mr. Safadi said during a World Economic Forum panel discussion in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, with the foreign ministers of Egypt and Saudi Arabia. “Will he face consequences?”

He added, “The party that is responsible for denying Palestinians, Israelis and the whole region peace must be held accountable.”

Israel’s foreign ministry declined to comment, and the prime minister’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Both before and during this war in Gaza, which began after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, Mr. Netanyahu has rebuffed calls for the creation of a Palestinian state.

Analysts say that the attack, in which about 1,200 people were killed and about 240 people taken captive, according to the Israeli authorities, has made it even more unlikely that the Israeli government would agree to such a path. Israeli officials have said that they are trying to eradicate Hamas.

“There is a contrary move, an attempt to force, ram down our throats, a Palestinian state, which will be another terror haven,” Mr. Netanyahu said this month.

Polling shows that a majority of Israelis oppose creating a Palestinian state.

In the Biden administration’s plan for resolving the underlying conflict — and end a war in which Israel’s military has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to officials from the Gazan Health Ministry — it envisions Saudi Arabia agreeing to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel.

In exchange, Saudi Arabia would receive advanced weapons and security guarantees, including a mutual defense treaty from the United States and U.S. commitment for cooperation on a civilian nuclear program in the kingdom .

For its part, Israel would have to commit to the founding of a Palestinian nation, with specific deadlines, U.S. and Saudi officials say.

“In the absence of a real political horizon for the Palestinians, it’s going to be much harder, if not impossible, to really have a coherent plan for Gaza itself,” Antony J. Blinken, the U.S. secretary of state, said on Monday during the conference in Riyadh.

On Sunday at the same event, the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, said that the only solution was “a credible, irreversible pathway to a Palestinian state.”

He added, “We need to move from talk to action, to concrete steps, and it can’t be left up to the warring parties.”

Prince Faisal implied that diplomats could maneuver around an Israeli refusal, referring to “mechanisms within the toolbox of the international community that can overcome the resistance of any party.”

“If we make that decision, the pathway will unfold before us, even if there are those that will try to stop it,” he said. “There are levers clear, there are levers hidden, that can push us in that direction.”

Mr. Safadi, the Jordanian foreign minister, said that the challenge Arab states had faced while trying to resolve the conflict was that “we don’t have a partner in Israel now.”

“Do we allow Netanyahu to doom the future of the region to more conflict, war and destruction — or do we do what it takes to force peace?” he said.

Speaking on the same panel, Sameh Shoukry, Egypt’s foreign minister, said that if the international community made a “categorical” commitment to creating a Palestinian state, there were “points of leverage that can fulfill that requirement.”

“We have the mechanisms, but is there the political will to utilize it?” he asked.

— Vivian Nereim reporting from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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