Libyan Visa procedures and formalities

[hanibal_travel]

1- Passport Note
(a) Holders of passports containing a valid or expired visa for Israel will be refused entry or transit.
(b) All visitors entering Libya must be in possession of a minimum of foreign currency 1000 $ on arrival. Failure to comply with this will result in instant deportation and a fine to the airline.

2- Passports
Passport valid for a minimum of six months required by all nationals of countries referred to in the chart above.

3- Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above, except the following:
(a) 1. US nationals (including family members who may be of a different nationality) do not require a visa if traveling together and holding a letter with proof of sponsorship from an established Libyan company. If family members are traveling individually, the sponsorship letter must include confirmation that prior arrangements were made with the Libyan Immigration Department to obtain entry to the country.
(b) Transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

4- Visa Note
Visitors must register with the Immigration Office within one week of arrival. Those visiting with an organized tour will usually have this done for them; some hotels also provide this service.

5- Types of Visa

• Tourist
• Business

6- Arabic translation rules
Travellers to Libya must now attach an Arabic translation of their personal details to their passports or risk expulsion from the country, even if they have a valid visa.

7-Visa Validity
One months from date of entry for tourist visa and 3 month for business visa. Entry must be within 45 days of receipt of visa.

8- Applications to:
Any of Libya's diplomatic representatives in the relevant country or abroad (such as the Libyan People's Bureau in London). Nationals of Germany must obtain their visas in Bonn/Berlin. Nationals of Canada must obtain their visas in Brussels, Belgium.

9- Working Days Required
5 to 7 working days.

10- Warning
Most visits to Libya are trouble-free.
However, travelers are advised against all but essential travel to areas bordering Chad and Sudan, because of instability in the region. With the exception of the official land border crossings to Tunisia and Egypt, visitors and residents are not permitted to travel in the interior or to border areas without an officially sanctioned guide or specific permission from the Libyan authorities.
Prior permission (a desert pass) to travel to the desert regions is required from the Libyan authorities. We usually arrange this. Once a desert pass has been obtained travelers should avoid those desert areas where oil extraction is in operation.
Libya shares with the rest of the North Africa region a threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
Visitors are advised to avoid political gatherings, and to be alert to developments in Libya and the Middle East that might trigger public disturbances.

Form more information don't hesitate to post your question or contact me.

Edited by: ennaji nabil

[Roman]

Hello ennaji,

That's very useful info. Would you also know about the current procedure for road travel by transit visas holders?

[roro]

Hello Ennaji,
What is your opinion about transit visas ? I'm planning a trip to Egypt (and return, of course) and I want to know if I can obtain a transit visa with double entries ( I'm coming from Tunisia with my car) .
Do you think it's possible ?
How many days for a transit visa : 7 days ?
Last question : If I drive only on the coastal highway to go to Egypt , do I need a guide (or a policeman) ?
Thanks for your forecoming reply .
RR.

[Chris Scott]

.... if I can obtain a transit visa with double entries

I asked an agency this recently and they said not possible, but it was possible to have the second visa ready for when you come back - you just pay double.

The answer could vary from agency to agency of course...

Ch

[eightpot]

hope this is useful for UK travellers also - you need an arabic translation stamp - the passport agency will do this free of charge, you have to send your passport with a request for a stamp, and they will stamp and return by special secure delivery free of charge within a couple of weeks. You then need to get your passport details translated onto the stamp - I did this with a local language school for about £40 for two passports.

The $1000 dollars is a new thing though?? Seems kind of pointless as you would have to work very hard indeed to spend a grand in Libya, even if you wanted to. Thats a lot of lamb soup.

[roro]

Thanks Chris for your reply .
And about validity of a transit visa : 7 days or 3 days ?
And about the need of a guide/policeman when you drive only on tarmac beetween Tunisia and Egypt ?
RR.

[hanibal_travel]

Dear;
Pleased to read all post concerning Libyan visa procedure and I hope that our information will be helpful.
Concerning Libyan transit visa, I think that the ideal procedure is to proceed for a tourist visa that allow you for a month of stay in Libya and you can recommend your entry and departure border to the agency, it will be easy than transit visa that may be refused regarding some rules.
When we proceed to an entry visa as an agency we explain the duration of stay, entry and departure border (there are: airport, Tunisian border, Egyptian border etc).
For that your visa will mention your entry border: Tunisian border (ex) and departure border Tunisian border (ex), then you have to ensue for your car registration, if you will across the country by car, that the travel agency will inform you about ( carnet de passage, insurance, plate etc..).
A transit take about 5 to 7 days (about 1576 Km), you can get you between Tunisia and Egypt along the north coast highway. Apparently a guide is not required if you don't leave main coastal road, but you have to hand out photocopies of your documents at each checkpoint, for that guide will be useful and help for all passage also assist for place where you will be stay during your crossways.
You should know also with tourist visa you can sightsee all archaeological site in the country by applying to tourist site permit (you should have a guide to be entitled in the permission), often the agency will occupied for this procedure. With transit car you don’t have this option.
A police man is required when the group is up 4 people, the travel agency will proceed for this procedure and you will be charged of his accommodation and transport during the transit or you have to pay the agency and will be including in your services.
I hope that my post will be helpful and remain at the entire disposal for any further details.
Many regards

[pedrofconti]

A transit take about 5 to 7 days (about 1576 Km), you can get you between Tunisia and Egypt along the north coast highway. Apparently a guide is not required if you don't leave main coastal road, but you have to hand out photocopies of your documents at each checkpoint, for that guide will be useful and help for all passage also assist for place where you will be stay during your crossways.

We don´t ride snails and don't need babysitters either. Most amazing...
Pedro

[pedrofconti]

"A transit take about 5 to 7 days (about 1576 Km), you can get you between Tunisia and Egypt along the north coast highway. Apparently a guide is not required if you don't leave main coastal road, but you have to hand out photocopies of your documents at each checkpoint, for that guide will be useful and help for all passage also assist for place where you will be stay during your crossways."



We don´t ride snails and don't need babysitters either. Most amazing...
Pedro

[hanibal_travel]

you are right dear and also you can across border in 20 hours consecutive if you want, but there are many tips to know concerning road health, procedures (entry and departure point), check point (all cities), accommodation, roadmap (most road direction in Arabic language) etc...
Guide is not necessary but recommended