Lebanese visa resources
Residence permits in Lebanon explained
A country-specific guide to the courtesy, annual and permanent residence permits administered by General Security.
Important
Once a foreign national wants to stay in Lebanon beyond a short visit, they move from a visa to a residence permit issued by General Security. The main categories are courtesy residence, annual residence and permanent residence.
Courtesy residence is granted free to defined family categories — spouses of Lebanese citizens, people of Lebanese origin, children of Lebanese parents and certain dependants. Annual residence covers standard renewable stays, including work- and study-linked residence. Permanent residence is issued for two or three years to qualifying investors, businesspeople and holders of qualifying work permits, and a three-year permit extends to a spouse, minor children and dependent relatives over 64.
Applicants register at a regional General Security bureau and provide category-specific documents, typically including a valid passport, photographs, an application form and proof of address such as a lease or title deed.
The main residence categories
- Courtesy residence — free, for family of Lebanese citizens and people of Lebanese origin
- Annual residence — renewable stays linked to work, study or other grounds
- Permanent residence — two or three years for investors, businesspeople and qualifying work-permit holders
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.