How to Apply for a Libya Visa in Orlando

Libya, the North African nation plagued by civil war and political unrest for more than a decade, has recently begun promoting foreign investment and tourism as it struggles towards political and social stability.  In early 2024, the Libyan government launched a strategic initiative to boost business development to help it achieve long-term economic stability.  Despite some progress, armed conflicts between rebels and tourists continue to plague the country, making this an unlikely travel destination for most people living in Orlando and the Central Florida region. “Do not travel to Libya due to crime, terrorism, unexploded landmines, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict,” the U.S. State Department warns on its website. “Crime levels in Libya remain high, including the threat of kidnapping for ransom.  U.S. citizens have been targets of these crimes.” (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/libya-travel-advisory.html

Bordered by Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Algeria, Tunisia, and the Mediterranean Sea, Libya has a population of almost seven million people, which is about 2 ½  times the size of Greater Orlando.  The vast majority of those people are Islamic Arabs who live along the coastline.  It is the fourth-largest African country and is largely covered by the Libyan Desert.  The regions known as Libya have been inhabited since ancient times, ruled by the Greek, Roman, Spanish, and Ottoman empires before becoming an Italian colony in the early Twentieth Century.  The State of Libya became an independent country in 1951.  The 2011 Libyan Civil War that overthrew dictator Muammar Gaddafi began a decade of armed conflict that largely ended in a 2020 ceasefire.  However, parts of the country remain until rebel control.

“Libya’s biggest challenge in the aftermath of the revolution is to unite the country and reconstruct the fragile economy,” World Travel Guide reported. “The National Transitional Council inherited an economy that is still bruised from the corruption of the Gaddafi regime, but foreign companies are beginning to return to Libyan shores and oil production is once again underway.” (https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/africa/libya/business-communications/) Oil and natural gas are the primary revenue source for Libya, which holds the largest oil reserves in Africa and the ninth-largest natural gas reserves globally.  The country recently brought in more international oil companies to explore and produce oil in new regions, according to Libyan conglomerate AlSahl Group (https://alsahlgroup.com/investment-and-business-opportunities-in-libya/). Orlando-based companies and others in Florida can also invest in airports, roads, and other infrastructure projects; agriculture; food products; and telecommunications.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture noted that Libya imports $1.5 billion in agricultural goods globally.  Top prospects for U.S. exporters include infant formula, baby food, beef, poultry, fruit juices, and beverage concentrates. (https://fas.usda.gov/data/libya-exporter-guide-0)

Expanding access to tourism is one of the government’s top economic development initiatives. “Its troubled past and ongoing war means that Libya's fascinating history and diverse landscape of desserts, highlands, and coastline are often overlooked,” according to World Population Review (https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/cities/libya). The Mediterranean city port of Tripoli, Libya’s capital and largest urban area, is the political center of the country and will be the most likely destination for Orlando-based travelers.  It is known for the historic Red Castle (Assaraya al-Hamra), Jamahiriya Museum, and the medina, a downtown shopping and sightseeing center.  Benghazi, the second-largest city and an important commercial center, is home to Libya's parliament and national library.  However, it was also the site of intense armed conflict, and remains politically unstable.  Libya also features five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Old Town of Ghadamès, the rock art sites of Tadrart Acacus, and the archaeological sites of Cyrene, Leptis Magna, and Sabratha.  Other popular attractions include the Akakus Mountains, the ancient Greek city-states of Pentapolis, and the preserved Roman estate of Villa Sileen.  Outdoor activities include exploring beaches along Libya’s more than 1,200 miles of Mediterranean coastline, camel riding, surfing sand dunes on snowboards, hiking, cave exploration, and snorkeling the Roman ruins of Apollonia and coastal shipwrecks.

Requirements for Obtaining a Libya Visa

Citizens of the United States and most other countries living in the Orlando area are required to obtain a visa before visiting the Libya. {Nationals from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey are exempt.} The main requirement to obtain a visa is holding a passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date with more than one blank page.  Libya currently has no vaccinations requirements.  However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends being up-to-date on these vaccines: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/libya.

Traditional embassy-issued visas for tourists and businesspeople have long been difficult to obtain unless you were traveling with a tour group or were invited by a Libyan organization.  However, the government revamped and expanded its electronic visa program (e-visa) in 2024 to encourage more visitors. “The impact of e-visas on the business climate in Libya is poised to be substantial,” Libyan Investment reported (https://libyaninvestment.com/libya-introduces-e-visa-transforming-business-climate). “With a more streamlined visa application process, the country is likely to witness a surge in business travelers, investors, and entrepreneurs.  This increased ease of access will foster stronger business relationships, encourage foreign investments, and stimulate economic growth in Libya.”

Travelers in Orlando now have two methods to obtain a visa: through the traditional process using an embassy or consulate in the country where you live, or by applying online for an e-visa.  The requirements for either type of visa are similar.  The e-visa program is aimed mainly at tourists and businesspeople.  Citizens of certain countries may be redirected to the traditional process. 

Option 1: Apply Online for Libya E-visa

The Libyan e-visa is available for tourism and business purposes.  While U.S. citizens and those from most other countries can use the e-visa system, not all nationalities can apply.  The e-visa is good for six months and allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 30 days.  You can also apply for an extension after you arrive in Libya.

The application requires travelers to provide personal and travel information, including passport details, travel itinerary, and accommodation details.  Those who do not qualify for the program can apply for a traditional visa through an embassy or consulate.  A complete guide to the process, including links to eligibility criteria, can be found at https://evisa.gov.ly/.

The basic e-visa process is:

  • Create an account at https://evisa.gov.ly/travel-type. (NOTE: You can use one account for multiple family members, but each must submit a separate application.)
  • Complete the online application, which includes such details as travel dates, purpose of visit, and personal identification details such as passport number and expiry date.
  • Upload documents, such as a digital copy of your passport, passport-style photograph, and certain documents required by the visa category.
  • Pay the $63 visa fee through the online portal. 

It can take three to 10 business days for Libyan officials to review your tourist visa application and respond. (Business visas typically take longer, because the organization inviting you to visit must first get approval from the Libyan government.) Upon e-visa approval, the government will send your e-visa electronically.

Business travelers must also submit proof of the reason for their visit, which extends the process. “In order to get a business visa to Libya, the company sponsoring you in Libya should put in a request for a visa approval through the Department of Passports and Citizenship and Foreigners,” according to the Libyan embassy in Washington, D.C. (https://www.embassyoflibyadc.org/visa) “Your approval should include the required period of your stay, passport number, and the name of the sponsoring company.” Business travelers may also be asked for proof of employment.

Option 2: Apply In-Person for Libya Visa

Traditional visas are also available for residents of Orlando through the Libya embassy in Washington D.C.  Work, journalist, diplomatic, and other types of visas must be handled by the embassy, as well as those for people who do not qualify for an e-visa.  Details about the visa process can be found at https://www.embassyoflibyadc.org/visa.

The requirements for traditional visas are similar to those for the e-visa:

  • Completed and signed application, downloaded from the embassy website.
  • A recent passport-size (2x2 inch) color photograph.
  • Passport valid for at least six months with two blank visa pages.
  • A prepaid envelope from FedEx, UPS, or USPS with a tracking number and completed return address label.
  • For business travelers, an invitation from a Libyan company that has been approved by the government, as described earlier.

The embassy fee is $160 for U.S. citizens to obtain a one-year visa that allows multiple entries.  For non-U.S. citizens, the fees are $150 for a 30-day, single-entry visa; $200 for multiple entries over 90 days; and $350 for a 180-day, multiple entry visa.

You can take your application to the embassy in person or mail it.  The address is:

Libyan Embassy
1460 Dahlia NW
Washington, D.C. 20012

 

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

Visa Supply can help you complete your application for your visa and answer your questions about visiting Libya.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the government of Libya.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans.

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

We provide the following Libya visa services for residents of Orlando:

  • Libya Tourist Visa
  • Libya Business Visa
  • Libya Family Visit Visa
  • Libya Diplomatic and Official Visas
  • Libya Hotel Accommodations