Entry/Exit Requirements
"Passports and visas are required. The restrictions on the
use of U.S. passports for travel to, in, or through Libya were lifted
in February 2004. Please see the section below on Special Circumstances.
Without prior notice, the Libyan government on November 11, 2007
“reinstated” a requirement that all foreign travelers
must have an Arabic translation of their personal biographic data
added to their passport in order to apply for a Libyan visa, to
enter Libya, or to stay in Libya even with a Libyan visa. This requirement
includes foreigners who already received visas before the requirement
was put into place, including those foreigners currently resident
in Libya. Since that date, foreign travelers whose passports do
not have Arabic translations have been denied entry into Libya or
refused boarding by airlines on flights into Libya.
The U.S. passport is a U.S. travel document that meets all generally
recognized international standards. While the Libyan government
has the right to impose its own requirements for travelers in connection
with obtaining a Libyan visa, it also has the responsibility to
give travelers information on where and how to meet these requirements.
Travelers should be aware that in some cases, Libyan officials may
ask that U.S. citizens obtain translations from U.S. Government-approved
translation services. However, U.S. consular officers have no authority
to designate or certify private translations; nor do they have authority
to place a consular authentication stamp over a privately-obtained
translation.
American citizens who hold Libyan visas or who intend to apply
for a visa are advised to contact the nearest Libyan embassy or
consulate for information on how to obtain an acceptable translation.
Information from Libyan embassies and consulates may differ from
country to country. American citizens may also contact the Consular
Section at the U.S. embassy or consulate for additional information.
In a letter dated January 1, 2008, the Libyan government notified
airlines that, beginning January 7, 2008, all tourist visa holders,
both individuals and in tour groups, must show that they have at
least USD1000 or the equivalent in currency in order to be allowed
to enter Libya. Credit cards, bank statements, and traveler’s
checks will not be accepted to meet this requirement. This requirement
applies only to tourist-visa holders; persons traveling to Libya
on other types of visas are exempt from the requirement. Americans
planning to travel to Libya should contact the Libyan Embassy or
their air carrier for further information. Americans should remember
to be especially vigilant while carrying the large amount of currency
required by this measure.
The Government of Libya does not allow persons with passports bearing
an Israeli visa or entry/exit stamps to enter the country. At this
time, neither Libya nor the U.S. provides visa services to the general
public in each other’s countries; U.S. visitors to Libya should
therefore plan to obtain a visa via a third country. Libyan visas
require an invitation or sponsor, can take up to several months
to process, and should be obtained prior to travel. All visas are
vetted and approved by immigration departments in Tripoli and only
issued by the appropriate Libyan Embassy upon receipt of that approval.
There may be another wait for actual visa issuance once approval
has been received. For tourists, the visa application procedure
in most cases requires a letter of invitation from an accredited
tour company in Libya; for business travelers, a letter of invitation
is needed from the Libyan business entity. Americans who apply for
Libyan visas are experiencing significant delays, often waiting
several weeks or months if their applications are approved at all.
Inconsistent Libyan visa practice is subject to change without notice
and visa service to American citizens is often blocked without warning.
With few exceptions, Libya has stopped issuing tourist visas to
Americans. It is recommended that Americans always obtain individual
Libyan visas prior to travel, rather than group visas. Americans
who expected to enter on group tour visas or individual airport
visas arranged by Libyan sponsors have routinely been denied entry
at the air and sea ports and have been forced to turn back at the
airport or remain onboard ship at the port while other nationals
disembark. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli cannot provide assistance
to American citizens seeking Libyan visas.
Inquiries about obtaining a Libyan visa may be made through the
Libyan Embassy in Washington, D.C. The Embassy is located at 2600
Virginia Avenue NW – Suite 705, Washington, DC 20037, phone
number 202-944-9601, fax number 202-944-9606. Neither the Libyan
Mission to the UN in New York nor the Libyan Embassy in Washington,
DC accepts visa applications. The closest Libyan visa-issuing office
to the continental United States is the Libyan People’s Bureau
in Ottawa, Canada; however, that office frequently declines to accept
visa applications from American citizens. The land borders with
Egypt and Tunisia are subject to periodic closures even to travelers
with valid Libyan visas. Short-term closures of other land borders
may occur with little notice. Within three days of arrival, visitors
must register at the police station closest to where they are residing
or they may encounter problems during their stay or upon departure."
- US State Dept
For non-US Citizen requirements, please contact
us for updated information.
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