Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Lebanon

Lebanon
Lebanese Republic

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 24 Months
B-1 None Multiple 60 Months
B-2 None Multiple 60 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 60 Months
C-2 None Multiple 12 Months
C-3 None Multiple 60 Months
CW-1 11 None Multiple 12 Months
CW-2 11 None Multiple 12 Months
D None Multiple 60 Months
E-1 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2C 12 None Multiple 24 Months
F-1 None Multiple 60 Months
F-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-1 None Multiple 60 Months
G-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-3 None Multiple 60 Months
G-4 None Multiple 60 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 24 Months
H-1B $733 Multiple 36 Months 3
H-1C $733 Multiple 36 Months 3
H-2A N/A N/A N/A 3
H-2B N/A N/A N/A 3
H-2R $2228 Multiple 36 Months 3
H-3 $733 Multiple 36 Months 3
H-4 $733 Multiple 36 Months 3
I None Multiple 12 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 60 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 60 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 $2077 Multiple 60 Months
L-2 $2077 Multiple 60 Months
M-1 None Multiple 60 Months
M-2 None Multiple 60 Months
N-8 None Multiple 60 Months
N-9 None Multiple 60 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
Q-1 6 None Multiple 15 Months 3
R-1 $487 Multiple 60 Months
R-2 $487 Multiple 60 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
TD 5 N/A N/A N/A
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months 8

Country Specific Footnotes

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

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Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

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General Documents

There is no general document information

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

Available

Fees:  There are no fees.

Document Name: “Wathikat Welada” translated to Birth Certificate or Certificate of Birth

Issuing Authority: Lebanese Republic, Ministry of interior & Municipalities, Directorate General of Civil Status

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Local Civil Registry Officer

Registration Criteria: To register a child’s birth with the Lebanese Civil Authorities, parents need to submit an executed marriage or divorce certificate to the local Civil Registry Office.

Procedure for Obtaining: Lebanese and foreigners born in Lebanon (resident and non-resident) may obtain a government birth certificate from the district office of the Civil Registry Office in the district where the applicant is registered. Non-Residents may request a birth certificate from the Lebanese Embassy abroad or through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lebanon.  It is free of charge.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: Alternate civil documentation of birth (for Lebanese nationals whose place of birth is Lebanon) can be the individual or family civil registration sheet issued by the Civil Registry Office, which records all members of a family.  If a birth certificate is unavailable due to non-registration or the civil war, the statement of non-existence must be requested from the Ministry of Interior’s local Civil Registry Office.

Exceptions: None

Comments: Birth certificates, like all Lebanese civil documents, must be executed by the Ministry of Interior’s Civil Registry Office.

 

Death Certificates

Available: Death certificates may be obtained from the district office of the Vital Statistics Bureau in the district where the event was registered. There is no fee for a death certificate. Certified copies of records can be obtained for a minimal fee (currently less than one dollar).

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name: Death Certificate.

Issuing Authority: Vital Statistics Bureau.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: Obtained from the district office of the Vital Statistics Bureau in the district where the event was registered.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage and Divorce Certificates

Available: Marriage and divorce certificates may be obtained from the office of the Vital Statistics Bureau in the district where the event was registered. Certified copies of records can be obtained for a minimal fee (currently less than one dollar). The certificate itself is free of charge; the fee is for the stamps used on the certificate.

  • There is no civil marriage or divorce in Lebanon, though civil marriages and divorces conducted outside Lebanon are accepted as valid. Lebanese civil law requires all marriages, divorces, and deaths to be registered with the Vital Statistics Bureau. Any marriage conducted outside Lebanon must be registered with the nearest Lebanese embassy or consulate.
  • Divorces and marriages that occurred prior to 1943 may not have been registered. In this case, secondary evidence is acceptable along with a statement of non-existence from the Vital Statistics Bureau.
  • Since each divorce is granted under religious law, the basis for divorce depends on the religious affiliation of the parties to the marriage. 
  • Religious marriage and divorce certificates must be authenticated by the religious leaders of the issuing religious institution. Fees for religious documents vary among the communities.
  • In general, Lebanese embassies accept requests for civil documents. Applicants may experience indeterminately long waiting periods before they receive the documents, as is the case with police and prison records. It is also possible to submit requests in person while in Lebanon, or have a friend or relative submit a request on your behalf. Additionally, you may fill out an application with a mayor's office in Lebanon, giving the mayor's office authority to request a marriage or divorce certificate on your behalf from the civil registry office.

Fees:  The certificate itself is free of charge; the fee, which is currently less than on dollar, is for the stamps used on the certificate.

Document Name:  Marriage Certificate, Divorce Certificate

Issuing Authority: Vital Statistics Bureau

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A Ministry of Interior seal, including the district in which the certificate was issued.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The certificates are signed and stamped by the registrar's officer.

Registration Criteria: The husband submits the religious marriage certificate or divorce certificate to the office of the Vital Statistics Bureau in the district where the event took place. Marriages and divorces should be registered immediately after taking place, but there is no penalty for not doing so.

Procedure for Obtaining: Individuals requiring a marriage or divorce certificate should request an application from the mayor's office in the district where the event occurred. The application should then be submitted to the Vital Statistics Bureau in the district where the event took place.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None   

Adoption Certificates

Available: For more information about obtaining adoption certificates in Lebanon, please visit travel.state.gov

Fees: Fees vary, and are subject to change

Document Name: Document decree

Issuing Authority: A Religious court, affirmed by the head of the relevant jurisdiction, must first affirm the adoption. To be valid, the adoption decree must be granted exequatur, or endorsed, by the Civil Courts Enforcement Bureau. The adoption decree must then be submitted to the Lebanese Bureau of Vital Statistics so that the civil status of the adopted child can be amended in the registry book.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil Courts Enforcement Bureau of Registration Criteria: The following documents must be attached to the request for adoption filed before the religious court:

  • Photocopy of the ID of the prospective parent(s) and the adopted child.
  • Certificate of good behavior, issued by the priest of the church where the prospective adoptive parents belong.
  • A medical report stating the reasons for not having children; this is mandatory for the Orthodox Church.
  • A home study report done by the reliable authority of agency. The same study submitted with the I-600A may be used.
  • Additional documents may be requested.

Procedure for Obtaining: A Religious court, affirmed by the head of the relevant jurisdiction, must first affirm the adoption. To be valid, the adoption decree must be granted exequatur, or endorsed, by the Civil Courts Enforcement Bureau. The adoption decree must then be submitted to the Lebanese Bureau of Vital Statistics so that the civil status of the adopted child can be amended in the registry book.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: Please see travel.state.gov  for further information. Lebanon is not currently a Hague Convention country.

Identity Card

Available: A Lebanese identity card, which also contains biographic information, can be used as secondary evidence along with the certificate of non-existence of birth registry from the Civil Registry Office.

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name:  Identity card.

Issuing Authority: Civil Registry Office.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: There is no procedure for obtaining.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None   

Comments: Palestinian refugees born in Lebanon must apply for their birth registration sheets at the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities Directorate General for political Affairs and Refugees.

Police, Court, Prison Records

Available: The "Judiciary Police Record" is issued by the Judiciary Police Department, Internal Security Forces, Minister of the Interior and only shows final court decisions, final convictions, and/or court sentences.

After completing his/her sentence, an individual could request that the Ministry of Justice remove the sentence from his "Judiciary Police Record" after three to ten years, depending on the type of crime. In 1992, the Lebanese Government issued a "General Amnesty" for all crimes committed before 1991. Also, in 1996 the Lebanese Government issued a "General Amnesty" to all drug charges-related crimes committed before 1994.

The criminal records are indexed and in alphabetical order. They include, in addition to the individual's name, the number and place of each individual's place of civil registration. The "Judiciary Police Record" is issued in Arabic and signed by the Chief of the Judiciary Department.

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name:  Judiciary Police Record.

Issuing Authority: Judiciary Police Department, Internal Security Forces, Minister of the Interior.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Chief of the Judiciary Department.

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: To obtain the "Judiciary Police Record", an individual who is physically present in Lebanon must personally apply with his/her Lebanese identity card to the Police Record Department, Internal Security Forces, Ministry of Interior. The document will be issued within 48 hours.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None   

Comments: For those residing outside Lebanon, the request must be processed through Lebanese embassies/consulates, but applicants may experience extremely long waiting periods before they receive the document. The "Judiciary Police Record" may also be requested through a lawyer having a power of attorney from the individual authorizing the request. The "Judiciary Police Record" presented by an individual does not mean that the individual is clear. It just states that "this person does not have any court sentence against him".

Military Records

Unavailable

 

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.): Biometric Passport.

Fees: Fees vary depending on length of validity: $40 for one year and $200 for five years.

Document Name: Passport.

Issuing Government Authority: Bureau of Public Relations, Nationality and Passports Office

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Dry seal on the front cover of the passport (Cedar tree).

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: The applications will be received at the bureau of public relations or any passport agency office, as well as all regional bureaus except the following:  Babnin and Chabaa. 
Citizens that live in one of these areas, should deposit its applications in the nearest functional bureau.

Alternate Documents: Palestinian refugee travel documents have a light blue cover. The cover says “Travel Document for Palestinian Refugees”. The older style is slightly larger than a normal passport with a brown cover.

The laissez passez for stateless individuals has a brown cover. The cover states that it is a laissez passez.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Other Documents Available: Palestinian refugee travel documents, the laissez passez for stateless individuals.

 

Other Records

Not applicable.

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title: Beirut, Lebanon (Embassy)

Address:

Awkar - near Antelias
P.O. Box 70-840
Beirut, Lebanon

Phone Number: Tel: (961) (4) 542-600 or (961) (4) 543-600

Visa Services

Beirut offers both IV and NIV visa services.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.