Libya Entry Requirements

Visitors to Libya must have a valid passport and Libyan visa. Visa procedures may vary at different embassies, so visitors should check with their local embassy before applying. Processing for tourist visas typically takes between 4 and 15 days, but filing incomplete or incorrect paperwork can cause significant delays.

The Libyan government resumed issuing tourist visas to U.S. citizens after several years of barring American tourists from the country. Restrictions are still in place for travelers who have visited Israel, and anyone with a passport entry or exit stamp from Israel will not be allowed to enter Libya.

 All visa applications are vetted by Libyan authorities and are only issued by the appropriate Libyan Embassy upon receipt of approval by the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Visas for U.S. passport holders are not available at the port of entry. Do not use a tourist visa to enter Libya for business purposes, or you risk arrest.

Business travelers must provide an invitation or sponsorship letter from a Libyan company before they will be issued a business visa. The approval process for business visas can take anywhere from several weeks to several months.

Dual Libyan and U.S. citizens must enter and depart Libya with Libyan documentation. If U.S./Libyan citizens enter the country on outdated documents, they may not be allowed to leave until they obtain a current Libyan passport.

Libya have some HIV/AIDS and communicable disease restrictions for visitors and foreign residents. If you have questions about visiting Libya, contact the Libyan Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Click here to expedite a Libya visa.