Visa Libya at the border

[gvdaa]

If I organise my Libyan visa at the border, I normally get a written document through my tour operator in advance. Isn't it? How many days before arrival is this document from the Libyan immigration office normally issued? (because I hope to enter Libya at ras Ajdir in about one week, but still haven't received it)

Thanks

[andrasz]

Sometimes the day before departure, sometimes two days after you were hoping to depart, and sometimes never...

On all my trips to Libya, a couple of days before departure several members of the group still did not have visas issued, on account of the embassies not receiving faxes that were "definitely" sent from Tripoli. A little discussion over the phone at raised voice tones usually does the trick.

[Kuno2]

Andrasz; I asume that you refer to the traditional visa which had to be picked up at the respective embassy. Since several years this is hardly used for tourists any more but replaced by a so called "visa upon arrival". The application procedure remained the same - only you do not have to go to the Embassy any more.

It is -in my eyes a very unfortunate- fact that the mandatory invitation from the local tour operator gets approved only very short prior to your planned entry to Libya. Common situation is about 2 days before the entry but for sure not more than 4 days before (would be keen to learn about other experience). If you have a nice tour operator, he sends then this approval or any sort of letter to you as a scan. Then you know that at least somebody is awaiting you at the border... such letter helps to let you pass the chekin at the airport but it requires as well that the civil aviation has informed the respective airline accordingly. If it's not in the computer you will not be allowed to enter the plane...

For travellers arriving at the border by car it is even more ucomfortable. They have to book & pay the ferry long before they know, if the visa is to be granted or not and they have no chance to receive the confirmation before they appear at the border.

However; normally it works fine.

Nevertheless I would advise to have some sort of a rough alternative-planning, just in case you cannot enter and have to spend some time in Tunsia.

Also very important to have a working telefone connection to the tour operator. Perfect if you have as well the number of this particular person who shall await you at the border.

If you cannot find "your" man at the border and cannot call the tour operator - do not waste time, do not start discussion with the border police but address to another representative of a tour operator. These people know each other and normally they are really willing to help.

(Sounds more complicated than it actually is).

[gvdaa]

Thanks a lot Kuno. I suspected it to work like this. I will try to relax .....