Libya — Passport and Visa Information
Passports
| Country | Passport Required | Visa Required | Return Ticket Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other EU | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USA | Yes/1 | Yes | Yes |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Australian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| British | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Passport valid for a minimum of six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Passport Notes
(a) Holders of passports containing a valid or expired visa for Israel will be refused entry or transit.
(b) All visitors entering Libya must be in possession of a minimum of foreign currency equivalent to US$1,000 on arrival except: nationals who are joining a Libyan resident provided that the resident undertakes to bear the cost of the visitor's stay and medical treatment; nationals who are traveling in a tourist group arranged by a tour operator or travel agency where expenses have been covered before arrival and nationals of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, United Kingdom and the USA. Failure to comply with this will result in instant deportation and a fine to the airline.
(c) Passengers require an Arabic transcript of passport's details page. This is true even if a valid visa is held. This translation must be completed by an agency authorized by the embassy or it is not considered valid.
Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above, except:
(a) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.
Visa Note
Visitors must register with the immigration office within one week of arrival. Those visiting with an organized tour will usually have this done for them; some hotels also provide this service.
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist/Business: £100.
Validity
Three months from date of entry. Entry must be within 45 days of receipt of visa.
Applications to:
Any of Libya's diplomatic representatives in the relevant country or abroad (such as the Libyan People's Bureau in London; see Important Addresses). Nationals of Germany applying while out of their country must obtain their visas in Bonn/Berlin. Nationals of Canada in the UK at time of application must obtain their visas in Brussels, Belgium. US nationals who are green card holders must obtain their visas from the Libyan Embassy in their original country, unless specifically instructed otherwise by Libyan Immigration Authorities. Libyan consulates will not stamp visas in a US Government issued 'white passport' or Travel Document issued to a green card holder.
Working Days Required
24 hours.
Travel Warnings
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK advises against all but essential travel to Libya due to continuing demonstrations against the leadership in most towns and cities, particularly in the East. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises any remaining British nationals in Libya to contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (tel: (020) 7008 6865).
All tourists and short stay visitors must register their passports with the police within one week of arrival. This is usually arranged by the company you are visiting or the local travel agency you are traveling with. A fee of LD 10-15 is usually charged for this. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to you being fined when you come to leave the country.
Most visits to Libya are trouble-free.
Travelers are advised against all but essential travel to areas bordering Sudan, Chad, Niger and Algeria, owing to the threat from cross border criminal activity and instability in the region. The Libyan authorities may restrict access to the more remote parts of the country (e.g. desert areas and remote towns) at short notice.
Prior permission (a desert pass) to travel to the desert regions is required from the Libyan authorities. Tour operators usually arrange this. Once a desert pass has been obtained travelers should avoid those desert areas where oil extraction is in operation.
Libya shares with the rest of the North Africa region a threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
Visitors are advised to avoid political gatherings, and to be alert to developments in Libya and the Middle East that might trigger public disturbances.
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk
US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel
Health Care
Medical facilities outside the main cities are limited.
Vaccinations
| Vaccination | Special Precaution |
|---|---|
| Diphtheria | Sometimes |
| Hepatitis A | Yes |
| Malaria | Sometimes |
| Rabies | Sometimes |
| Tetanus | Yes |
| Typhoid | Yes |
| Yellow Fever | No* |
Special Notes
* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers arriving from infected areas.
