🇱🇧Lebanon Visa for Russian Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

Work Visa

For foreign nationals authorized to work in Lebanon under a contract approved by the Ministry of Labor.

Requires prior authorization from General Security and Ministry of Labor before entry. Valid for 3 months, renewable once (total maximum 1 month per renewal per official source). Nationalities from worker-exporting countries (Bangladesh, India, Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, etc.) must obtain pre-authorization. Work visa category listed at fee of 2,000,000 LBP. Domestic workers have a separate category with specific conditions.

Domestic Worker / Household Staff Visa

For foreign nationals employed as domestic workers (maids, caregivers, cleaners) in Lebanese households.

Subject to specific conditions and prior authorization. Nationalities include workers from South/Southeast Asia (Philippines, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, etc.) and parts of Africa. Employee must leave Lebanon with their employer or following end of contract. Tied to employer sponsorship.

Foreign Technical Expert / Port Entry Visa

For foreign technical or administrative specialists brought in for short-term expert work at Lebanese ports, and for foreign sailors and maritime inspectors boarding vessels.

One-month non-renewable entry visa for foreign experts performing technical or administrative work at ports; stays beyond one month must qualify under first-class worker (work permit) requirements. Requires certified passport copy (6+ months validity), certified enterprise registration documents, documentation of the foreigner's profession, and employer-provided insurance. Foreign sailors and maritime specialists (superintendents, inspectors, marine surveyors) boarding foreign ships are issued a transit visa. Applied for through the enterprise's public relations bureau.

Artist / Performer Visa

For entertainers, artists, models, nightclub performers, and spa/massage workers performing or contracted in Lebanon.

Issued by the Department of Artists at General Security under special conditions. Requires prior General Security authorization regardless of nationality. Female citizens ages 17-45 classified as artists or masseuses from certain countries (Eastern Europe, Central Asia, some East Asian nations) face additional scrutiny and mandatory pre-authorization even if their nationality is otherwise visa-on-arrival eligible. Specific categories include nightclub performers, models, and spa/massage workers.

Student Visa

For foreign nationals enrolled in or accepted to educational institutions in Lebanon.

Arab students receive a free 3-month student visa upon presenting a valid student card or admission certificate from an accredited Lebanese institution. Non-Arab students follow their nationality's standard tourist/entry visa process then convert to a residency permit. Visa listed as a distinct sub-category under visit visas (post/159). Religious students, volunteers, missionaries, and clergy have a separate sub-category.

Religious / Missionary / Volunteer Visa

For foreign clergy, religious students, volunteers, and missionaries serving or studying in Lebanon.

Explicitly listed as a separate visa sub-category on the General Security site. Foreigners affiliated with the Vatican have a specific track. Requires documentation of affiliation with a recognized religious or humanitarian organization registered in Lebanon.

Medical / Sanitary Services Visa

For foreign nationals entering Lebanon to receive medical treatment or access sanitary services.

Explicitly listed as a visit visa sub-category on general-security.gov.lb/en/posts/159. Applicant must present documentation from a Lebanese medical facility confirming appointment or treatment plan. Conditions (duration, fee) follow standard visit visa rules for the applicant's nationality.

Family Visit / Reunion Visa

For foreign nationals entering Lebanon to visit family members or for family reunification purposes.

Listed as a distinct sub-category under visit visas (friendship/relationship visits and family reasons). Marriage certificates must conform to current Lebanese regulations for spousal applications. Spouse of a Lebanese national may qualify for extended stay. GCC nationals' domestic workers (maids, drivers, bodyguards) accompanying their employer-family are covered under employer's GCC entry.

Engagement / Fiance(e) Visit Visa

For foreign nationals visiting Lebanon to join a fiance(e) or for engagement purposes, with the option to marry during the same stay.

Explicitly listed as a distinct visit-visa sub-category ('engagement visit') on general-security.gov.lb/en/posts/159, separate from the general family visit. Requires standard visit-visa documents plus proof of engagement; the same visit may be used to complete the marriage without submitting a second application. Non-renewable and cannot be converted to a work visa without a decision of the General Director of General Security. Standard visit-visa fee of 2,000,000 LBP applies where charged.

Diplomatic / Official Visa

For holders of diplomatic, official, or service passports accredited to Lebanon or transiting on official duty.

Free multiple-entry 6-month visa issued at airport/border to all countries' diplomats, UN personnel, and DCAF workers. Many bilateral diplomatic passport waiver agreements exist (Armenia, Brazil, Colombia, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Malta, Switzerland, Venezuela) granting full visa-free entry. Domestic workers of accredited diplomats are also covered.

Investor Residence Permit

For foreign nationals making a qualifying investment in Lebanon seeking annual residence.

Requires a blocked bank account of at least 150,000,000 LBP at a Lebanese bank (3-month statement, bank-signed), lease contract or title deed, investment contracts, commercial register extract, and professional license. Annual renewal required. Mandatory health insurance for foreigners. Path to permanent residence or citizenship is not officially documented.

Annual Residence Permit (Foreign Worker)

For foreign nationals holding an approved annual work permit who reside in Lebanon, together with their accompanying spouse and children.

Renewable annual residency granted to foreign workers and tied to a valid Ministry of Labor work permit; validity follows the passport's remaining validity (must exceed 6 months, capped at one year). Spouse and children may obtain dependent annual residence with a marriage certificate, a notarized non-working attestation, and a passport valid at least one year (fee same as the sponsoring worker). Renewal requires a signed request from the employer, guarantor, or representative. Minors are exempt from fees; applicants over 64 are exempt from the work attestation.

Residence Permit for Spouse / Family of a Lebanese National

For foreign spouses and close family members of Lebanese citizens seeking to reside in Lebanon.

Free (0 LBP) renewable annual residency for foreign wives of Lebanese men, foreign mothers of Lebanese children (divorced or widowed and not remarried), widows of Lebanese or Palestinian citizens, and dependent parents or single sisters of Lebanese citizens. Requires the relevant marriage, birth, or death certificate and a notarized non-working attestation (applicants over 64 are exempt from the work attestation). Distinct from the short-stay Family Visit visa - this is a residence permit. Validity follows the passport's remaining validity (6 months to one year).

Annual Residence for Persons of Means (Independent Income)

For financially self-sufficient foreigners - including retirees and those living on foreign income - who reside in Lebanon without taking local employment.

Annual residency for 'persons of means' evidenced by a blocked Lebanese bank account of at least 1,000,000,000 LBP or a monthly income of at least 50,000,000 LBP. Fee 0 LBP. Family members receive automatic dependent permits (except adult males). This is Lebanon's de facto retirement / independent-means residency - there is no separately named retirement or digital-nomad visa. Validity follows the passport's remaining validity (6 months to one year).

Converting Visa

For foreign nationals already in Lebanon seeking to change their visa/entry status to a different category (e.g., tourist to work).

Listed as a distinct visa category on general-security.gov.lb/en/posts/37 with a standard fee of 2,000,000 LBP. Allows change of status within Lebanon without exiting. Specific eligible conversions and conditions are not detailed on the publicly available official page.

Renewing Visa

For foreign nationals extending their current visa or stay authorization while already in Lebanon.

Listed as a distinct category on general-security.gov.lb/en/posts/37 with a fee of 2,000,000 LBP. Tourist/visit visas (initially 1 month) are typically extended free of charge up to 3 months at General Security offices. Extensions beyond 3 months are subject to approval and may require additional documentation. Visa validity cannot exceed the holder's passport validity.

Courtesy Visa

For VIPs and dignitaries entering Lebanon on a complimentary basis at the discretion of Lebanese authorities.

Granted at the discretion of the General Director of General Security or through Lebanese embassies/delegations abroad. Reserved for VIPs. No publicly published criteria or application process.