A Lebanon visa is not obtained in advance by citizens of Azerbaijan: a free visa is given at Beirut airport. This is not a fully visa-free regime, it is a visa on arrival, but no money, no form and no embassy are needed. A one-month visa is stamped into the passport on the spot.
That convenience has two conditions: there must be no Israeli trace in the passport, and an address and contact number in Lebanon must be given. In this article we explain the conditions of the visa on arrival, the extension rule, the safety question and the flight options from Baku to Beirut.
A Lebanon visa: the basics
| Visa type | Visa on arrival, free of charge |
| Length | 1 month, extendable by 2 months at the General Security Directorate |
| Passport | Valid for at least 6 months, with no Israeli visa or stamp |
| Required at the border | Return ticket, an address and telephone number in Lebanon |
| Direct flight | Seasonal; mainly via Istanbul or Doha |
| Currency | Lebanese pound, in practice US dollars |
How is the visa given at the border?
At Beirut’s Rafic Hariri airport and the other official entry points a free tourist visa is given to citizens of Azerbaijan. The border officer looks at your passport and your return ticket, writes down the address where you will be staying in Lebanon and your contact number, and stamps in a one-month visa. The process takes a few minutes. The visa is issued by Lebanon’s General Security Directorate and the extension is done there too; the official rules are on the site of the Lebanese General Security Directorate.
The Israeli trace: the only obstacle to a Lebanon visa
Lebanon is in a state of war with Israel and does not let in anyone whose passport has an Israeli visa, stamp or trace of an Israeli border crossing. Israel stopped stamping long ago, but an Israeli visa is stuck into the passport and is visible. The stamps of the Jordan–Israel land crossings count as an Israeli trace too. If you have been to Israel, go to Lebanon with a new passport. Otherwise they send you back from the airport.
Safety: before you go to Lebanon
The situation in Lebanon changes fast with the tension in the region, and in some periods the airlines suspend their Beirut flights. Before buying a ticket look at the travel recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and check the airline’s schedule. The situation differs between Beirut, Byblos and southern Lebanon; not going to the southern regions is the main rule. Insurance is not required, but insurance covering the region is a must.
Read next: A Jordan visa: at the border, online and how to get it free with the Jordan Pass
How do you fly from Baku to Beirut?
Baku–Beirut direct flights are seasonal and change with the situation; the most stable route is with Turkish Airlines and Pegasus via Istanbul and Qatar Airways via Doha, and the whole journey takes 5–7 hours. Baku–Beirut air ticket prices rise in summer, when the Lebanese diaspora comes back.
Lebanon is usually toured not alone but together with Jordan or Egypt; in Middle East tour programmes Beirut, Byblos and Baalbek come in as a 3–4 day section.
Things to know before the trip
- Money. The Lebanese pound has lost value sharply and in practice everything is paid in dollars. Take small dollar notes, as cards rarely work.
- Electricity. Cuts are normal, the hotels have a generator, but take a power bank with you on the road.
- Transport. Public transport is weak, and taxi apps and a private driver are the main option.
- Season. April–June and September–October are the best time, and in winter there is skiing in the mountains too.
Frequently asked questions about the Lebanon visa
Can a Lebanon visa be obtained in advance?
It can be obtained from the Lebanese embassy in Baku, but as it is given free at the border there is no need for that. For long-term and business trips, though, the embassy is needed.
Can the one month be extended?
Yes, by applying to the General Security Directorate for another 2 months, up to 3 months in all. Apply before the period runs out.
Can you cross from Lebanon into Syria?
Technically there is a land crossing, but a separate visa is needed for Syria and this route is not advised on safety grounds.
In closing
A Lebanon visa is given free at the border, and the only things to remember are having no Israeli trace in the passport and following the situation in the region. The Viza.az team helps with choosing the flight route, arranging insurance and planning combined Middle East trips.
You can read more about Lebanon as a destination or fill in the application form.
Note: the information here is as of the publication date. Lebanon’s entry rules and the situation in the region can change, so check the official sources once more before your trip.
