Libya Visa

Please check our Libyan visa update: New Libyan Visa Law.

"You need to choose a Libyan Tour Operator to obtain an invitation letter before you can apply for the Libya Visa."

Libya visa was very difficult to secure in the past, as Libya itself was closed to the outside world. But now, after the Libyan government has relaxed its restrictions on tourism and foreign visitors, it receives about 300,000 Libya tourist visa applications a year. This figure is expected to rise in the coming years, as US-Libya trade and business relations have improved in recent times and, as a result, more companies and trade delegations are visiting Libya and showing serious interest in doing business with Libya.   Because of these recent changes, the authorities have begun to speed up the Libya visa process for both individuals and groups travelling with approved Libyan tour operators. The visa can be obtained from the Libyan embassy or can be issued at the border or the airport on arrival. However, recent laws have imposed restriction on visas for individuals or groups less than five tourists. This restriction does not apply to VIP, business or mission visas.

Libya Visas are granted for the following purposes:

Official mission, business, VIP, tourism, transit, or accompanying a resident. The Libya entry visa is valid for 30 days beginning from the day of issue, and it will allow you (as a tourist) to stay for one month. But if you wish to stay for longer, then it can be renewed. Libya business visa is valid either for six, three or one months.

Libya Visa For Arab Nationals:

All Arab nationals, with the exception of those from the Maghreb, need to apply to the Libyan embassy for a Libya visa. We are not allowed to provide tourist visas for Arab nationals.

Libya Visa For Africans & Asians:

Libyan tour operators currently are not allowed to issue visas for Africans and Asians (except Japanese and South Koreans). Citizens from these countries need to apply directly to the Libyan embassy for a Libyan visa. Please do not ask us for an invitation letter if you are from one of these countries. The African and Asian restriction is in place because the Libyan system was abused by organised traffickers to smuggle illegal immigrants into Europe via Libya. They enter Libya as tourists, then either stay and work in Libya, or pay to get smuggled into Europe, mostly via Italy and Malta. The Italian and Libyan governments are currently working on a joint project to install state of the art equipment along the entire Libyan coast. However, if you come from one of these countries and managed to secure the Libyan visa via the embassy, then we will be more than happy to provide you with all the other required services, like a guide and an itinerary.

Libya Visa For Americans:

Libya tourist visa for the citizens of the United States of America is currently not possible. There are talks that this will change in the coming months, as relations between Libya and the USA have improved. Please see our special page about Libya visa for Americans.

Libya Tourist Visa Procedure:

It is possible for your operator to obtain a visa for you at the entry point (airport, Tunisian-Libyan border, Egyptian-Libyan border, etc.), or send you the visa invitation letter once you book your tour with them so that you can obtain the entry visa from the Libyan embassy in your country of residence.  Some people think that it is up to the tour operators whether to grant you a visa or not without booking your holiday with them. Well, Libyan law requires from your Libyan-government-approved tour operator to provide you with a Libya visa only if you book your holiday with them, meaning they must provide you with a guide who must accompany you at all times. Talks of visiting Libya without a guide are outdated.

This however does not mean that you must book an expansive tour or a fancy group holiday before you can apply for the Libya visa. The tour operator is required to provide you with a guide (compulsory) and a visa, and the rest is entirely up to you. If you want to stay in a 5-star hotel, then we can arrange that for you; if you want to camp along the way, then we can guide you to a decent camping site or find a good spot for you. We are here to serve your needs and only you can decide how your holiday is run, within the boundaries of Libya law. You are always welcome to design your own tour or holiday. Please use our Design Your Own Tour   secure form to submit your proposal.

We can help you obtain the Libya visa yourself as follows:

1. After booking your holiday with us (via email or the Booking Form ), fill in the Visa Form or just email us your details (full name, number of visitors, nationality, profession, passport number and expiry date).  
2. Then we will send you an invitation letter , which you can take to the Libyan embassy in your country, together with a translated passport, an application form, 4 photos and fees. Recent law passed on last December (2008) requires all visitors visiting the Libyan embassy for a visa to provide their finger prints. This procedure however is rarely used by our visitors, most of whom go for the next option:

 

Or we can issue Libya visa for you on arrival:

1. You must book your holiday with Temehu Tours: either state this in an email, or fill in the Booking Form (whatever is easier for you).
2. Then send your original and the translated bio-page of your passport to us (as .jpg in an email), at least two weeks before arrival.
3. Then, we will use these documents to apply for the "Visa Approval" , about ten days before arrival. Once we have the visa approval, we can keep it until the day of your arrival and use it to obtain the Libyan visa at the entry point (border or airport). This is the easiest and most popular method, generally used by nearly all our visitors.

 

Price of Tourist Visa with Temehu.com:

We can complete the whole procedure for you for only €39 Euros per a visa. This price also includes passport registration (also required by law).

Business Multiple Libya Visa:

This visa lasts from one to six months after the date of issue and allows the holder to enter and exit Libya as many times as desired within the specified period. However, please make sure that you only apply for this kind of visa if you really do have a business to establish, as failure to establish a business or sign a contract with a Libyan company during your first business-visa (that is during the whole period of the multiple visa) can prevent you from obtaining another business visa in the future. This means that a three months visa is an ideal option as it allows you to return to Tripoli for further business enquiries, if the initial contact was not fruitful.

Passport Arabic Translation:

Several groups of tourists were refused entry to Libya despite having Libyan visa, because their passports did not carry an Arabic translation: read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7092589.stm) .

A recent Libyan Law (11 November 2007) requires all visitors to have an Arabic transcript of their passport’s details page printed directly onto their passports. This is the bio data page which contains biographical information about the passport holder. Visitors should contact the Libyan Embassy to enquire about acceptable (or approved) translation service providers for the inclusion of the passport holder’s bio details within this stamp. If you live in the UK, the Identity & Passport Service (IPS) will add a stamp providing blank fields in Arabic that will need to be completed in Arabic. Or the Arab British Chamber of Commerce can do both for you (the stamp and the translation) for about £25. Please get in touch with us if you need any help with passport translation in Tunisia. Some of our visitors find it easier, and cheaper, to complete the translation in Tunisia and then email us the documents to have the visa approval ready for them on arrival. This is the easiest way to get the job done, if you are arriving via Tunisia.

Libya Visa for Journalists:

Libyan tour operators are not allowed to issue Libya visas for journalists, who need to secure an entry visa directly from the Libyan embassy in their country of residence. Journalists wishing to visit Libya need a permit from the information ministry’s foreign media department. Remember that in addition to Libyan visa you must have confirmation from Libya that your visit is expected and never turn up at the airport without prior arrangements. Once inside the country, do not interview any officials unless you have a prior authorisation from the department of relations with the foreign press.

Libya Visa Form
Libya Visa Invitation Letter
Tour Booking Form

Top of page