PassportSouth Africa

Lebanon: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans need to apply for a visa before travel to Lebanon.

Not published for South Africans. Set by the visa or authorisation issued.

Visa required in advance. South Africa is not on Lebanese General Security's lists of nationalities that get a visa on arrival or a free visa. Nationalities not listed (Article 11) must get a visa from a Lebanese embassy, or a prior entry authorisation from General Security, before travelling. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Lebanon and all but essential travel to others.14

Before you travel

Length of stay

Not published by official sources

Purpose of visit

Not published by official sources

Passport validity

GSA says at least 6 months for the visa application; the UK FCDO says at least 3 months from entry for its citizens. Use 6 months. Passports with Israeli stamps are refused entry.25

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

How to apply

Either apply for a visa at the Embassy of Lebanon in Pretoria, or have prior entry authorisation requested from the General Directorate of General Security (general-security.gov.lb). GSA says to apply one month before travel; the visa is issued 3 to 5 working days after approval; single-entry fee ZAR 1,400, paid only once the embassy confirms approval. Documents (GSA): passport valid 6 months with no Israeli stamps, hotel booking and invitation letter from your host, 3 months of bank statements, proof of international travel insurance, return ticket booking, employment letter.15

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Where South Africans apply

Embassy of Lebanon, 165 Lynwood Road, Brooklyn, Pretoria. Tel 012 430 2130/31. Email info@embassyoflebanon.co.za (GSA).5

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Travel insurance

Proof of international travel insurance is required with the visa application (GSA). Minimum cover not stated. The UK FCDO warns travel insurance may be invalid if you travel against its advice.5

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Return or onward ticket

Round-trip ticket booking required for the visa application (GSA).5

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Proof of funds

Bank statements for the last 3 months and an employment letter (GSA).5

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Accommodation or invitation

Hotel booking and an invitation letter from your host (GSA).5

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

Not published by official sources

Arrival forms

Not published. Immigration checks every visitor's name against a database of people wanted or convicted in Lebanon; carry documents such as a birth certificate in case of a name match (UK FCDO).2

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Extending your stay and overstaying

Extensions are handled by General Security offices. Overstay fines are charged on departure and payable only in Lebanese pounds, before security screening (UK FCDO).2

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

Not published by official sources

What changed

10 August 2026UK FCDO advises against all travel to the South and Nabatiyeh governorates, parts of Beirut's southern suburbs, northern Akkar, parts of Baalbek-Hermel and all 12 Palestinian refugee camps, and all but essential travel to other areas. Israel-Hezbollah fighting escalated from March 2026; a June 2026 ceasefire was followed by renewed fighting.

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

  1. 1General Directorate of General Security, Lebanon general-security.gov.lb

Other government

Official advice from other governments

  1. 2UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office gov.uk

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

  1. 4Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

Commercial

Visa agencies, law firms and travel companies

  1. 5The GSA (South African visa agency) thegsa.co.za

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book.