Libya Entry Requirements
Libya 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.
The Libyan government announced a new biometric requirement for visa applicants that became effective on December 1, 2008.
This requirement necessitates personal appearance at a Libyan Embassy of all visa applicants. At present, this change affects
only applicants for Libyan visas in London and Paris, but will likely expand to other Libyan embassies in the near future.
In addition, The Libyan government released a list of additional documents required for visa processing. These documents
are similar to those required from Libyan citizens for travel to many European countries, and include proof of insurance,
a round-trip air ticket, and hotel reservations. American citizens seeking to travel to Libya should contact the Libyan embassy
where they plan to apply to determine exact requirements.
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,
or to enter Libya. 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.
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, website
www.libyanbureau-dc.org. Neither the Libyan Mission to the UN in New York nor the Libyan Embassy in Washington, DC accepts visa applications from
the general public. 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.
Women and children in Libya are often subject to strict family controls. This can be a particular problem for young single
women of marriageable age. Although a woman does not need her father’s or husband's explicit consent every time she wishes
to leave Libya, a Libyan husband may take legal action to prevent his wife from leaving the country, regardless of her nationality.
While not illegal, it is unusual for women and children to travel alone. Children under 18 whose fathers are Libyan must have
the father's permission to depart Libya, even if the mother has been granted full custody by a Libyan court.
The Libyan Government requires all its citizens, including dual nationals of Libyan descent, to enter and depart Libya on
Libyan documents. In some cases American citizens of Libyan descent have entered Libya on old or expired Libyan identity document
and then discovered that they cannot depart Libya without obtaining a valid Libyan passport, which can be a cumbersome process.
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