How to Apply for a Lebanon Visa in Detroit

The Republic of Lebanon and its capital, Beirut – the “Paris of the Middle East” – continues to draw tourists who enjoy its Mediterranean culture, historic sites, cuisine, and diverse architecture.  Tourism has largely recovered since the end of the Lebanese Civil War in 1990, restoring relative stability to the country, yet the U.S. State Department continues to maintain travel advisories due to persistent regional strife.

Located on the western shore of the Mediterranean Sea, the Republic of Lebanon was part of the Ottoman Empire for more than 400 years before coming under French rule after World War I.  The country gained independence from France in 1943, which was followed by both civil war and armed conflict with neighboring Syria and Israel.  In recent decades, Lebanon has evolved into one of the most culturally influential countries in the Middle East, and is a destination that should not be overlooked by anyone in the Detroit area desiring a deeper understanding of this region.  The republic offers a unique blend of Arabic and European influences, with colorful sites ranging from Roman temples and Malluk mosques to Crusader Castles and broad French-built boulevards.  While Arabic (Levantine Arabic) is the official language, French and English are commonly spoken, reflecting both its colonial history and its emerging role in global commerce.

More Lebanese natives immigrate to the United States than to any other country in the world.  While the current population of Lebanon is estimated at 6.8 million, there are as many as 14 million Lebanese-born or Lebanese-descended people living around the world.  There are an estimated 80,000 people with Lebanese heritage living in the Detroit area and nearly 100,000 Lebanese living in the state of Michigan.  Dearborn is the center of this community, and also includes a large population of Arab-Americans who immigrated from Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Palestine, and other Middle Eastern countries.  This suburb of Metro Detroit includes many Lebanese restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, and other retails shops specializing in Middle Eastern products.  There are also several Lebanese cultural and business organizations in the Detroit area including the Lebanese American Club of Michigan and the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce.  Local people wanting to go even deeper into Lebanese and Middle Eastern culture should consider studying Arabic at one of the area’s colleges and universities, such as Wayne State University, University of Detroit Mercy, and Henry Ford College.  There are also several private schools that offer group classes and individual training in Modern Standard Arabic and Levantine Arabic. 

The United States ranks among the top five sources of international visitors to Lebanon.  Beirut, the largest city in Lebanon, is the nation’s financial and cultural hub.  The “Pearl of the Middle East” has been known as a lively party city since the 1960s, Marlon Brando and Brigitte Bardot hung out at Beirut’s open-all-night nightclubs and oceanside resort pools.  Rooftop bars, lounges, pubs, and clubs still draw partygoers with their diverse music and energetic atmosphere.  The city is also a center of cultural tourism with such attractions as the Roman Baths downtown, the National Museum of Beirut, Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque at Martyrs’ Square, Beit Ed-Dine Palace, and exotic Souk al Ahad market.  The Avenue de Paris in the Raouche is lined with cafes and clubs, and provides stunning views of Mediterranean cliffs and the sea’s unusual Pigeon Rock formations.

Historic and cultural sites are prevalent across the country.  The seaport of Tripoli, Lebanon’s second largest city, is home to the Mansouri Great Mosque and the Citadel of Raymond de Saint-Gilles, a one-time Crusader fortress.  Seven-thousand-year-old Byblos, one of Lebanon’s five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ranks among oldest Phoenician cities and hosts the surreal National Museum of Obelisks.  Another UNESCO site, the town of Baalbek in Beqaa Valley, contains the Roman temple of Bacchus, one of the world’s few standing Roman buildings.  The Beqaa Valley is also where visitors from Detroit can explore Lebanon’s vineyards and enjoy Lebanese wine, which is sure to delight even the most finicky of Napa Valley’s oenophiles.

Lebanon’s beaches and natural attractions are another strong draw for tourists from the Detroit area.  There are seaside destinations for every taste, from the Greek island style of Tahet El Rih village to the chic beach clubs at Batroun to the historic sites at Tyre and Byblos.  The bay at Tyre attracts snorkelers who can swim offshore with Mediterranean sea turtles.  Another popular snorkeling destination is the Palm Islands Nature Reserve off Tripoli, which protects endangered green turtles, migratory birds, and rare monk seals.

The country is also known as the “Switzerland of the East” for its six ski resorts in the Mount Lebanon range (all located just an hour from the beaches of Beirut).  Mzaar Kfardebian is Lebanon’s largest and best-known ski resort, offering skiers and snowboarders access to the country’s most challenging slopes.  The nation also boasts numerous caves to explore, including the stalactites and stalagmites of Qadisha Grotto, the underground walk through An Wazein Natural Grotto, and the gondola tour of Jeita Grotto.  Other outdoor adventures include mountain cycling, forest hiking, paragliding, hiking to Baatara Gorge Waterfall, and viewing Lebanese cedar trees in Cedars of God National Park and Tannourine Cedar Forest National Reserve.

Lebanon Visa Requirements

Citizens of the United States and most other countries are required to obtain a visa before entering Lebanon.  Adults who are not fully vaccinated (or those above the age of 12) must produce a certified PCR test taken within 48 hours of boarding their flight, or a rapid antigen test (with QR code) within 24 hours.

One roadblock to visiting Lebanon is any recent visits to Israel. “Visas cannot be issued on passports bearing Israeli stamps, visas, or seals,” the Los Angeles consulate states on its website (http://www.lebanonconsulatela.org/services/visas.html). “A Lebanese Visa is rendered invalid if the passport was subsequently stamped with an Israeli visa or seal.” The U.S. State Department adds, “Travelers who hold passports that contain visas or entry/exit stamps for Israel will be denied entry into Lebanon and may be subject to arrest or detention.  Even if travel documents contain no Israeli stamps or visas, persons who have previously traveled to Israel may still face arrest and/or detention if prior travel is disclosed.” Current details about travel to Lebanon at available from the State Department at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Lebanon.html.

General visa requirements are summarized at the Lebanon Embassy website, http://www.lebanonembassyus.org/consular-services/visa/. “U.S. citizens with a US passport that is valid for more than six months do not need to obtain a Lebanese visa prior to traveling to Lebanon if the duration of their visit is less than one month,” the government stated.  There are no fees for the 30-day visa, which can be extended up to three months after arrival.  You may also be able to visit Syria for up to five days during the 30-day period.

For longer stays, you will need to obtain a visa through the Lebanese embassy in Washington, D.C., or a consulate in Detroit, Los Angeles, or New York.  Each of the four offices is responsible for a specific geographic area. 

Obtaining a Lebanon visa from Detroit

Residents of Detroit, or anyone living in the state of Michigan, must apply through the Consulate General of Lebanon in Detroit.  The list of states and territories overseen by each consulate office is available at http://www.lebanonembassyus.org/2021/05/05/jurisdictions.  The visa is valid within three months of issue and remains valid for three to six months after entry to Lebanon (depending on how long you notified the government you plan to stay).

If you live in the Detroit area, you can apply through the consulate by mail (or in person).  The requirements include:

  • Original U.S. passport valid for at least six months from your date of entry with at least one blank page.
  • A completed application (https://www.lebanonconsulategdetroit.org/pdf/eng_Visa.pdf).
  • One passport-sized photo.
  • Money order or cashier’s check payable to the Consulate General of Lebanon in Detroit. The fees are:
    • $88 single entry for each person
    • $125 two entries per person
    • $175 for multiple persons over a six-month period.
  • Health Insurance.  Although not required for the visa, we recommend purchasing international medical insurance to cover accidents, injuries, and illnesses while traveling in Lebanon.  International medical insurance from GeoBlue can be purchased from Visa Supply online through the following link: ⇒ Order Now.

For minor children, you will need to provide a notarized Parental Consent form signed by both parents, which allows dependents to travel to Lebanon.  You must also provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate and a copy of both parents’ ID.

If applying by mail, you must provide a large stamped, self-addressed envelope to be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service.  The embassy suggests adding tracking for your return envelope, as the Lebanese government is not responsible for mailing services.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

Visa Supply can help you complete your application for any of these visas and answer your questions about visiting Lebanon.  We also provide courier service to deliver your application and pick up your visa from the embassy in Washington, D.C.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the government of Lebanon.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

If you live in Detroit or anywhere in the state of Michigan and have difficulty applying for a Lebanon visa, or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Lebanon visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents. 

We provide the following Lebanon visa services for our customers in Detroit:

  • Lebanon Tourist Visa
  • Lebanon Business Visa
  • Lebanon Visitor Visa
  • Lebanon Official Visa
  • Lebanon Student Visa
  • Lebanon Hotel Accommodations