Libyan visa?

[Vleis]

Hi Andy

This is my exact same problem. I have contacted a couple of shipping companies to container into Alex. I have 2 quotes already and waiting on 2 more. Email me if you need some of this info.

Cheers
-h

[Cam Johnson]

Hi All,
We are attempting to resolve this issue now for all of our expat workers currently in Libya. The answer is that there is no clear answer. As I understand it the London might be able to help you out, or maybe they can't... We're dealing with the Malta embassy and things have come to a halt with no workable answers put forward in the short term.

I myself entered into Tripoli from Malta a couple of weeks ago carrying a letter from the NTC and also from my own employers indicating that I in fact had legitimate business in Libya, but was not required to show it to anyone. However some people have been turned around and sent back from whence they came without said letter.

At the moment, Libya is one great big pending issue. While the new government is installing itself, issues like these have been de-prioritised (forgotten about is more correct). If you are able to cross a border at this time without a visa, which undoubtedly is possible, you will attract a lot of attention at checkpoints in a foreign registered vehicle. Be prepared to do a lot of smooth talking.

Misurata, Sirte and Brega still suffer from a UXO + landmine threat (2 X Brit EOD guys injured in an accident yesterday with AP mine).Also Benghazi has seen an increase in criminality over the last months.

If you want a real adventure, give it a go.

Let me know if anyone is in country.

Cheers,
CJ.

[Chris Scott]

I have to say the more I read the more I think all this talk of going back to Libya as a tourist may be as premature as galloping off to Iraq after Bush made his declaration on that aircraft carrier back in 2003.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/02/wo...n.html?_r=2&hp

Ch

[bxldev]

Originally Posted by eightpot

If you have a firm plan to go there and need some help in country, I have a Libyan friend based in Tripoli who works for a tour operator who may be able to assist you - drop me a message if you want me to pass details on - Darren

Eightpot,

I have been trying for months to get a visa for Libya, is your friend really able to get the invitation letter AND the approval from Immigration and Passport Office? I have contacted many people in Libya and to date nobody has been able to do that. I was seeking a business visa but really any sort of visa would do in the circumstances.

[bxldev]

Originally Posted by Cam Johnson

Hi All,
We are attempting to resolve this issue now for all of our expat workers currently in Libya. The answer is that there is no clear answer. As I understand it the London might be able to help you out, or maybe they can't... We're dealing with the Malta embassy and things have come to a halt with no workable answers put forward in the short term.

I myself entered into Tripoli from Malta a couple of weeks ago carrying a letter from the NTC and also from my own employers indicating that I in fact had legitimate business in Libya, but was not required to show it to anyone. However some people have been turned around and sent back from whence they came without said letter.

At the moment, Libya is one great big pending issue. While the new government is installing itself, issues like these have been de-prioritised (forgotten about is more correct). If you are able to cross a border at this time without a visa, which undoubtedly is possible, you will attract a lot of attention at checkpoints in a foreign registered vehicle. Be prepared to do a lot of smooth talking.

Misurata, Sirte and Brega still suffer from a UXO + landmine threat (2 X Brit EOD guys injured in an accident yesterday with AP mine).Also Benghazi has seen an increase in criminality over the last months.

If you want a real adventure, give it a go.

Let me know if anyone is in country.

Cheers,
CJ.

CJ,

The Libyan British Business Council is now saying that they can obtain business visas if you are one of their members the catch being the hefty membership fee (£500 to £1500 it seems). Plus I'm not sure if anyone off the street can just join.

LBBC - Libyan British Business Council | Multi Entry Business Visa Applications

[Wolle]

Originally Posted by Trumpton

Thanks Wolle for that, but how did you get on with your visa, did youy get it before you left via a tour operator or at the border, what type of visa did you have??

Andy

Hi Andy,

I had no visa. I just got a stamp. I followed an invitation connected to a private relief project in favour of Libyan refugees in Tunisia. My hosts received me at the border and managed the stamps for me during 5 Minutes.

So I have no authoritative information how to manage an entry as tourist. There is still no new procedure for tourist visa, so I think that in first step it will be like before: Inviation by an “operator”, pickup service by him at the border and only a stamp in thepassport.


regards
Wolfgang

[eightpot]

Originally Posted by bxldev

Eightpot,

I have been trying for months to get a visa for Libya, is your friend really able to get the invitation letter AND the approval from Immigration and Passport Office? I have contacted many people in Libya and to date nobody has been able to do that. I was seeking a business visa but really any sort of visa would do in the circumstances.

I don't know that he can do it, probably a tall order at the moment, but it's what he used to do before the war - though for tourist rather than business trips (along with arranging guides/tourist police escorts etc). For serious requests I'd be happy to pass details on in the hope he can pull the strings and earn an arrangement fee.

When I spoke with him recently he said the biggest problem was with armed 'bandits' roaming around. So as Chris says, don't think it sounds like a good idea to rock up there just yet as a tourist, would also seem a bit like going to have a look at a car crash. Can't wait to return though and hope the new regime means a more helpful visa system - inshallah

[Cam Johnson]

Hi All,
Just did the coastal road trip. The (hopefully) attached images show the kind of check point you can expect and a pile of UXO by the roadside right next to a petrol station. Items in the pile included artillery shells, Grad rockets, mortars and even the thermal batteries for SA-7 infrared shoulder fired rockets.

It would appear that the immigration department just can't cope at the moment and our visas have been passed on to the Ministry of Defence.

It would seem to be a hopeless case for individuals to obtain the correct documentation at the moment.

I would wait a while for tourism.
Regards.

CJ.

[Sam Rutherford]

Libyan visas, no problem.

Please contact me or Hadi -

fessano AT gmail dot com

or website www.advantagelibya.com

Takes 3 days, then collect from the Libyan embassy of your choice.

We're processing several every day.

Safe travels, Sam.

[Chris Scott]

FEATURE-Tense reconciliation begins with Libya's Saharan tribes | Reuters

[I propose this thread becomes a place for all relevant news from Libya - including tourist visas as asked by the OP. Otherwise it all gets scattered.]

Ch

[Patrik911]

Visas suspended again?

Libyan Visa: Law & Procedure In Libya:

[Chris Scott]

Wasn't going to mention it, but it seems this is what they are referring to:
BBC News - Libyan factions in deadly clashes near Zawiya

Ch

[Sam Rutherford]

@Patrik911

Your source is an independant company/operator. They are saying that THEY are no longer doing visas.

We are still doing visas, but please note that tourist visas are not currently being issued by Libyan authorities - so business or diplomatic only. If you need a visa, please contact us.

The situation in Zawiya (where I was a short time ago) remains unstable. For info, Zawiya is on the highway between Tripoli and Ras Ijdir (Tunisian border), to be noted if you are entering by land.

Travel safe, Sam.

[Chris Scott]

... but please note that tourist visas are not currently being issued by Libyan authorities

Well what are we concerned about here if not tourist visas?

This is not the HU Chamber of Commerce.

[Sam Rutherford]

Sorry if it wasn't clear.

If you want to come to Libya you'll need a business visa.

It doesn't matter if you're actually coming for business or tourism.

Cheers, Sam.