Lebanon entry requirements for British passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Passport validity (FCDO advice): At least 3 months after the day you arrive
The FCDO words this as advice (“should” or “make sure”), not as a strict requirement: the full sentence is quoted below.
Visa (FCDO): Read the official visa text below
Official source: GOV.UK – Lebanon travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 10 August 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Whether you need a visa and how long your British passport must be valid to enter Lebanon, as published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), quoted word for word, with a checker for your dates.
Other passports: Canadian passport · Australian passport · Italian citizens: documenti per italiani
Driving in Lebanon, do you need an international driving permit? Australian licence
Do I need a visa for Lebanon with a British passport?
We quote the FCDO text word for word and do not summarise it: its first sentence has conditions or a wording we do not turn into a one-line answer.
British citizens can normally apply for a free single-entry tourist or family visit visa on arrival at Beirut airport. A tourist visa is valid for one month from the date of entry. Travellers can extend their visa for up to three months at the General Security offices.
British citizens can also obtain a visa from the Lebanese Embassy in London. These may be valid for a different time period. Travellers should make sure they understand their visa validity to avoid any penalties for overstaying.
Travellers overstaying their visa may have to pay a fine at the airport. Only Lebanese currency will be accepted for payment. This should be paid at departures before security procedures.
Entry requirements may change at short notice. Check with the Lebanese Embassy in the UK before you travel.
More from the FCDO visa section (extensions, border checks and other cases)
Name checks against offender database
Lebanese immigration authorities check all visitors’ names on arrival against a database of those wanted for, or convicted of, offences in Lebanon. If your name matches an entry on the database, you may be detained (or occasionally allowed entry by surrendering your passport) until they can be satisfied that the record does not relate to you. You might be able to do this by producing a copy of a birth certificate or other official documentation that allows parents’ names to be checked against the database. Consider carrying this kind of supporting documentation.
Official source: GOV.UK – Lebanon travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO), section “Visa requirements” · page last updated 10 August 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Passport validity: official text “Passport validity requirements”
Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months from the date you enter Lebanon.
Checks at border control
If your passport contains an Israeli stamp, you may be refused entry to Lebanon even if you hold a valid Lebanese visa.
Official source: GOV.UK – Lebanon travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 10 August 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Check your passport for Lebanon
Schengen rules count your whole trip in the Schengen area: if you visit several Schengen countries, enter the day you first enter the area and the day you leave the last Schengen country.
The check runs in your browser: your dates are not sent anywhere. It applies the FCDO sentence literally (for example “6 months” is counted as the same day of the month 6 months later).
For British passport holders only. These are the rules published by the UK government (FCDO) for British citizens. If you hold another passport, check your own government's advice. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice.
Recent FCDO updates to the entry requirements
- 10 December 2025: “New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 2 July 2024: “Updated information about: risks within Lebanon (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages); help and support available (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Getting help’ pages); costs related to visas and residence permits (‘Entry requirements’ page); the impact of the economic crisis, the risks related to photography, and dealing with extreme weather and natural disasters (‘Safety and security’ page); and healthcare (‘Health’ page). The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Lebanon and encourage those in country to leave.”
- 18 October 2023: “You are advised against all travel to the whole of Lebanon. If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave now while commercial options remain available. ('Warnings and insurance' page) British nationals in Lebanon should register their presence with the FCDO through the link in Travel Advice. ('Warnings and insurance' page.) Information added about visa validity (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 17 October 2023: “British nationals in Lebanon should consider whether they need to remain in Lebanon and, if not, leave by commercial means while they are still available. British nationals in Lebanon should register their presence with the FCDO through the link in Travel Advice. Lebanese tourist visas are now valid for one month, rather than three. Those departing Lebanon after more than one month are likely to be fined (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 28 September 2022: “Updated rules for Covid-19 testing for passengers travelling into Lebanon, passengers who are not fully vaccinated are exempt from pre-departure tests (see ‘Entry requirements’ page).”
Read the full FCDO travel advice for Lebanon (safety, visas, health) before you travel.
Spotted a change? Tell us.
Passport validity rules for all destinations · Liquids rules by airport · EES and ETIAS status