Libyan visa - positive changes
 

There seems to be a marked improvement in the process of issuing Libyan visas. While invitation still necessary, they no longer need to verify the invitation with Tripoli, our group of four different nationalities all had their visas issued within one week at the embassies in London, Berlin and Budapest. Whole procedure was smooth and simlpe, sounds too good to last...

(invitation arranged by Arkno Tours)

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Happy Travels,
Andras

FJ Expeditions

Great news, like you say I hope its not another one of their whims. Could be the anticipated result following the improvement of relationships following the payout, etc.

Chris S

Is the presence of the guide always mandatory at Lybian border post ?

As it happens I just heard from someone over the weekend (and from others over the previous months) that a guy paid for a guide for 5 days and after that went off my himself for three weeks.

Ch

Yes compulsory !and now since almost four years.

A security policeman is also and sometines asked to join the group ( miminum of four)
upon unobjectionable request of Head of Baladiyas and/or Askarias Office.

currently applying for a libyan visa myself - I've just been asked to email an itinerary of my journey through libya - looks like we're going to need a guide - does anyone know how this works logistically? We're 2 people driving in an SWB LR - where the hell is he going to sit?! I don't fancy telling my mate he's going to have a Libyan security guard sitting on his lap thru Libya??!! I presume they have their own 4x4?
George

"I presume they have their own 4x4?"

You better hope not, it will cost you even more...

Ch

To Chris :

"As it happens I just heard from someone over the weekend (and from others over the previous months) that a guy paid for a guide for 5 days and after that went off my himself for three weeks.
Ch "

Can you give the adress of this agency ?
And how was the procedure at border post for this guy ?
Did the guide waited for him ?
Or did the officials at border post are OK with only the reservation of the guide ( + all other formaities as usual ).
Thanks for your response

RR.

I dont know who it was, i just hear it from others. I suppose it depends on the guide/agency. And I dont know if you pay for the full time but the guide leaves you once he's bored.
Technically the agency could get in trouble, i suppose.
Try the agencies on my .../countries/Libya page

Ch

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Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com and http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com

[QUOTE] .....I suppose it depends on the guide/agency. Technically the agency could get in trouble, i suppose....

You think right ! Even the consequences of the problem are more on charge for the tourist than for the agency and/or guide.
The question is infact to finf a trustable agency/guide.

I've phone today to a libyan agency : the man who's in charge told me there is no change : a guide from border post to border post ( and even a policeman , if the Board of tourism take this decision ) .
He disapprove this rule , but .....