Moving to Lebanon: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

5,469,612

Population Growth Rate

-0.04%

Urban Population

87.200000

Population in Major Urban Areas

BEIRUT (capital) 2.022 million

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Age Structure

24.650000

Median Age

30.900000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

15

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

6.73

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

1.75

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

58%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

58%

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.050000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-8.48

Ethnic Groups

Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%

Nationality Noun

Lebanese (singular and plural)

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Literacy - total population

87.4%

Literacy - male

93.1%

Literacy - female

82.2%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

2.2%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

13.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

75.460000

Infant Mortality Rate

14.810000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

14.810000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

25

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

3.54

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

3.5

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

6.3%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

27.4%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

100.000000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

100.000000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

4.2%

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Economic Overview

Lebanon has a free-market economy and a strong laissez-faire commercial tradition.

The government does not restrict foreign investment; however, the investment climate suffers from red tape, corruption, arbitrary licensing decisions, complex customs procedures, high taxes, tariffs, and fees, archaic legislation, and inadequate intellectual property rights protection.

The Lebanese economy is service-oriented; main growth sectors include banking and tourism.

The 1975-90 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and derailed Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern banking hub.

Following the civil war, Lebanon rebuilt much of its war-torn physical and financial infrastructure by borrowing heavily, mostly from domestic banks, which saddled the government with a huge debt burden.

Pledges of economic and financial reforms made at separate international donor conferences during the 2000s have mostly gone unfulfilled, including those made during the Paris III Donor Conference in 2007, following the July 2006 war.

The "CEDRE" investment event hosted by France in April 2018 again rallied the international community to assist Lebanon with concessional financing and some grants for capital infrastructure improvements, conditioned upon long-delayed structural economic reforms in fiscal management, electricity tariffs, and transparent public procurement, among many others.

The Syria conflict cut off one of Lebanon's major markets and a transport corridor through the Levant.

The influx of nearly one million registered and an estimated 300,000 unregistered Syrian refugees has increased social tensions and heightened competition for low-skill jobs and public services.

Lebanon continues to face several long-term structural weaknesses that predate the Syria crisis, notably, weak infrastructure, poor service delivery, institutionalized corruption, and bureaucratic over-regulation.

Chronic fiscal deficits have increased Lebanon’s debt-to-GDP ratio, the third highest in the world; most of the debt is held internally by Lebanese banks.

These factors combined to slow economic growth to the 1-2% range in 2011-17, after four years of averaging 8% growth.

Weak economic growth limits tax revenues, while the largest government expenditures remain debt servicing, salaries for government workers, and transfers to the electricity sector.

These limitations constrain other government spending, limiting its ability to invest in necessary infrastructure improvements, such as water, electricity, and transportation.

In early 2018, the Lebanese government signed long-awaited contract agreements with an international consortium for petroleum exploration and production as part of the country’s first offshore licensing round.

Exploration is expected to begin in 2019.

Industries

• banking
• food processing
• jewelry
• cement
• textiles
• mineral and chemical products
• wood and furniture products
• oil refining
• metal fabricating

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$18,600.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$79,510,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$18,600.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2%

GDP - official exchange rate

$54,400,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 88% government
• consumption: 12.4% investment in fixed
• capital: 26.1% investment in
• inventories: 0.5% exports of goods and
• services: 20.4% imports of goods and
• services: -47.4%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

5.6%

GDP by Sector- Industry

24.7%

GDP by Sector- services

69.7%

Industrial Growth Rate

2.1%

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Inflation Rate

3.7%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

Lebanese pound (LBP)

Currency Name and Code

Lebanes Pouind (LBP)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

7.5%

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Labor Force

1,481,000

Major Industries

• banking
• food processing
• jewelry
• cement
• textiles
• mineral and chemical products
• wood and furniture products
• oil refining
• metal fabricating

Agriculture Products

citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco; sheep, goats

Population Below Poverty Line

28%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

54,387

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

7%

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Annual Budget

$9,001,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

170%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-9.4%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

21.8%

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Full Country Name

Lebanese Republic

Country Name

Lebanon

Local - Long

Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah

Local - Short

Lubnan

Former Name

Greater Lebanon

Etymology- history of name

derives from the Semitic root "lbn" meaning "white" and refers to snow-capped Mount Lebanon

Independence

22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 22 November (1943)

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Government Type

parliamentary republic

Constitution

• history: drafted 15 May 1926, adopted 23 May 1926
• amendments: proposed by the president of the republic and introduced as a government bill to the National Assembly or proposed by at least 10 members of the Assembly and agreed upon by two thirds of its members; if proposed by the National Assembly, review and approval by two-thirds majority of the Cabinet is required; if approved, the proposal is next submitted to the Cabinet for drafting as an amendment; Cabinet approval requires at least two-thirds majority, followed by submission to the National Assembly for discussion and vote; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of a required two-thirds quorum of the Assembly membership and promulgation by the president; amended several times, last in 2004

Legal System:

mixed legal system of civil law based on the French civil code, Ottoman legal tradition, and religious laws covering personal status, marriage, divorce, and other family relations of the Jewish, Islamic, and Christian communities

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Joseph AOUN (since 9 January 2025)
• head of government: Prime Minister Nawaf SALAM (since 8 February 2025)
• cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and the National Assembly election/appointment
• process: president indirectly elected by a qualified majority of two-thirds of Parliament members in the first round and, if needed, a two-thirds quorum of members by simple-majority popular vote for a 6-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms); prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly most recent election
• date: 9 January 2025
• election results: 2025: Joseph AOUN elected president in second round; National Assembly vote - 99 of 128 2016: Michel AWN elected president in second round; National Assembly vote - Michel AWN (FPM) 83; the president elected in its 46th attempt on 31 October 2016 expected date of next
• election: 2031

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral Lebanese Parliament or Majlis al-Nuwab in Arabic, Chambre des députés in French (128 seats; members directly elected in multi-member constituencies by open list proportional representation vote, apportioned evenly between Christian and Muslims; members serve 4-year terms)
• Elections: last held on 15 May 2022 (next to be held in May 2026)
• Election Results: percent of vote by coalition/party – NA; seats by party/coalition – FPM 16, LF 14, Amal Movement 13, Hezbollah 13, PSP 9, FM (candidates did not run in 2022; members ran as independents) 8, Kata’ib Party 4, other 30, independent 21;
• Composition: men 120, women 8, percent of women 6.3%;
• Note: a dozen of the elected deputies are from groups pushing for reform with origins in the recent protest movements against the established elite and have formed a group called the "Forces of Change"
• Note: Lebanon’s constitution states the Lebanese Parliament cannot conduct regular business until it elects a president when the position is vacant

Judicial Branch:

• office: Court of Cassation judges appointed by Supreme Judicial Council, a 10-member body headed by the chief justice, and includes other judicial officials; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Council members appointed - 5 by the Council of Ministers and 5 by parliament; members serve 5-year terms
• subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; specialized tribunals, religious courts; military courts

Regions or States:

8 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Aakkar, Baalbek-Hermel, Beqaa (Bekaa), Beyrouth (Beirut), Liban-Nord (North Lebanon), Liban-Sud (South Lebanon), Mont-Liban (Mount Lebanon), Nabatiye

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Al-Ahbash (Association of Islamic Charitable Projects) or AICP [Shaykh Hussam QARAQIRA]
• Amal Movement ("Hope Movement") [Nabih BERRI]
• Azm Movement [Najib MIQATI]
• Ba’th Arab Socialist Party of Lebanon [leader disputed]
• Free Patriotic Movement or FPM [Gibran BASSIL]
• Future Movement Bloc or FM [Sa'ad al-HARIRI] (resigned from politics in January 2022)
• Hizballah [Hassan NASRALLAH]
• Islamic Action Front or IAF [Sheikh Zuhayr al-JU’AYD]
• Kata'ib Party [Sami GEMAYEL]
• Lebanese Democratic Party [Talal ARSLAN]
• Lebanese Forces or LF [Samir JA'JA]
• Marada Movement [Sulayman FRANJIEH]
• Progressive Socialist Party or PSP [Taymour JUMBLATT] (JUMBLATT is also a member of Parliament)
• Social Democrat Hunshaqian Party [Sabuh KALPAKIAN]
• Syrian Social Nationalist Party or SSNP [Rabi BANAT]
• Tashnaq or Armenian Revolutionary Federation [Hagop PAKRADOUNIAN]

Suffrage:

• 21 years of age
• authorized for all men and women regardless of religion
• excludes persons convicted of felonies and other crimes or those imprisoned
• excludes all military and security service personnel regardless of rank

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: the father must be a citizen of Lebanon dual citizenship
• recognized: yes residency requirement for
• naturalization: unknown

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Capital Name

Beirut

Capital - geographic coordinate

33 52 N, 35 30 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight Savings Time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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International Organization Participation:

• ABEDA
• AFESD
• AMF
• CAEU
• FAO
• G-24
• G-77
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (national committees)
• ICRM
• IDA
• IDB
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IPU
• ISO
• ITSO
• ITU
• LAS
• MIGA
• NAM
• OAS (observer)
• OIC
• OIF
• OPCW
• PCA
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNHCR
• UNIDO
• UNRWA
• UNWTO
• UPU
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO (observer)

International Law Organization Participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Dorothy C. SHEA (since 11 March 2020)
• Embassy: Awkar-Facing the Municipality, Main Street, Beirut
• Mailing Address: 6070 Beirut Place, Washington DC 20521-6070
• Telephone: [961] (04) 543-600
• FAX: [961] (4) 544-019
• Email: BeirutACS@state.gov
• Website: https://lb.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Wael HACHEM, Counselor (since 15 March 2021)
• Chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
• Telephone: [1] (202) 939-6300
• FAX: [1] (202) 939-6324
• Email: info@lebanonembassyus.org
• Website: http://www.lebanonembassyus.org/
• Consulate(s) General: Detroit, New York, Los Angeles

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Geographic Location

Middle East

Geographic Coordinates

33 50 N, 35 50 E

Total Area

4,015 Square Miles 10,400 Square Kilometers

Land Area

3,950 Square Miles 10,230 Square Kilometers

Water Area

66 Square Miles 170 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

282 Miles 454 Kilometers

Border Countries

Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km

Coastline

140 Miles 225 Kilometers

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Terrain

narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains

Highest Point

3,088 Meters

Highest Point Location

Qurnat as Sawda' 3,088 m

Lowest Point Location

Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Natural Resources

limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land

Irrigated Land

402 Square Miles 1,040 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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Climate

From May through October, sunny weather prevails and rain is infrequent.

Temperatures rarely go above 90°F in the summer.

Fall and spring are relatively short.

Winters are mild (in the city, winter temperatures rarely drop below 40°F and damp.

Most of the country's annual rainfall (about 36 inches) occurs from December through March.

Winter storms frequently are accompanied by high winds, lightning, and thunder.

Terrain

narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains

Location

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria

Total Area

4,015 Square Miles 10,400 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km

Environment - Current Issues

• deforestation
• soil erosion
• desertification
• air pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes
• pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation

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Exports

$5,187,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$17,970,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

authentic jewelry, inorganic chemicals, miscellaneous consumer goods, fruit, tobacco, construction minerals, electric power machinery and switchgear, textile fibers, paper

Major Imports

petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, meat and live animals, consumer goods, paper, textile fabrics, tobacco

Top Export Partners

UAE 11%, Switzerland 9.1%, Saudi Arabia 8.2%, US 6.2%, Jordan 4.2%

Top Import Partners

Italy 11.3%, France 10.7%, Germany 8.3%, US 5.6%, Syria 5.4%, China 4.8%, Belgium 4.5%, UK 4.2%

Export Partners

UAE 11%, Switzerland 9.1%, Saudi Arabia 8.2%, US 6.2%, Jordan 4.2%

Import Partners

Italy 11.3%, France 10.7%, Germany 8.3%, US 5.6%, Syria 5.4%, China 4.8%, Belgium 4.5%, UK 4.2%

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Country Description

The Republic of Lebanon is a parliamentary republic.

Political power is concentrated in the office of the President, Speaker of Parliament, and Prime Minister, each representing one of Lebanon's three largest religious sects (Maronite Christians, Shia and Sunni Muslims, respectively).

Since 1973, Lebanon has been in a state of war with Israel; UN peacekeeping forces are present in Lebanon to monitor the ceasefire that went into effect with the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Safety & Security

The current Department of State Travel Warning advises U.S. citizens against travel to Lebanon.

U.S. citizens who visit or reside in Lebanon despite the Travel Warning should be aware that there are a number of serious security concerns, and should consult the Travel Warning for up-to-date information.

U.S. citizens traveling to Lebanon should also be aware that personnel from the U.S.

Embassy are not able to travel in all areas of Lebanon.

In the case of an emergency involving a U.S. citizen in areas where it is unsafe for Embassy personnel to travel, the Embassy may not be able to render assistance.

In the event that the security climate in the country worsens, U.S. citizens will be responsible for arranging their own travel out of Lebanon.

U.S. citizens with special medical or other needs should be aware of the risks of remaining given their condition and should be prepared to seek treatment in Lebanon if they cannot arrange for travel out of the country.

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Crime

The crime rate in Lebanon is moderate, and both car theft and burglaries occur.

Violent crime and sexual assault are rare, but do happen.

The Embassy receives regular reports, however, of domestic abuse.

Petty theft -- such as pick pocketing and purse snatching -- is common in crowded public areas.

Police are responsive but often unable to affect a positive outcome.

There are no special concerns with regard to targeted victimization of U.S. citizens in scams or confidence schemes.

There have been incidents involving a theft ring that appear to target foreigners using service cars.

Service cars are privately owned vehicles bearing red license plates that act as public transportation for multiple passengers at one time.

Typically, a service car that already contained two people (the driver and one passenger), picked up the potential passenger.

The driver then took the victim to a more isolated area or the freeway where the first “passenger” robbed the second passenger by threatening him/her with a gun.

Because of the risks inherent in using any unknown transportation, U.S. citizens should be wary of these service cars and carry the number of a reputable taxi company in case of emergencies.

Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Lebanon, you are subject to all Lebanese laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own.

For example, you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you.

It is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings, including some government buildings.

In some places, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States; for example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Lebanon your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It is very important to know what is legal and what is not where you are going.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case.

To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

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Medical Facilities

n Beirut and the surrounding areas, modern medical care and medicines are widely available.

Modern facilities are not always available in outlying areas, although no location in the country is more than three hours from the capital.

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for services, and without such payment, may deny service even in emergency cases.

A list of doctors who speak English and a list of hospitals are available from the U.S.

Embassy and at the Embassy's website.

Traffic Safety

While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Lebanon is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

An international driver’s license is required for visitors to Lebanon.

Drivers in Lebanon often maneuver aggressively and pay little regard to traffic lights and stop signs.

Lanes are generally unmarked and roads outside the capital may be poorly lighted.

Pedestrians should exercise particular caution.

Intercity directional signs and street markers are slowly improving throughout the country, but side roads are often not signposted at all.

Public transportation is generally safe.

While there is limited enforcement, the laws of Lebanon prohibit both drunk driving as well as cell phone usage when driving.

Emergency services in Lebanon are adequate.

In case of a road accident, emergency numbers are “140” for the Red Cross and “125” for the emergency civil police.

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Airports - total

8

Airports with Paved Runways

5

Heliports

1

Railways

249 Miles 401 Kilometers

Roadways- total

4,331 Miles 6,970 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Antilyas, Batroun, Beirut, Chekka, El Mina, Ez Zahrani, Jbail, Jounie, Naqoura, Sidon, Tripoli, Tyre

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Pipelines: Gas

55 Miles 88 Kilometers

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Telephones

750,000

Cell Phones

1,260,000

Internet Users

950,000

Internet Country Code

.lb

Internet Hosts

51,451

Broadcast Media

• 7 TV stations, 1 of which is state-owned
• more than 30 radio stations, 1 of which is state-owned
• satellite and cable TV services available
• transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are accessible through partner stations

Telephone System

• assessment: repair of the telecommunications system, severely damaged during the civil war, now complete
• domestic: two mobile-cellular networks provide good service; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 100 per 100 persons
• international: country code - 961; submarine cable links to Cyprus, Egypt, and Syria; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean); coaxial cable to Syria

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

9,793,000,000

Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

1,114,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

10,410,000,000

Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

150,000,000

Natural Gas Imports- Cubic Meters (cu m)

150,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

106,700

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Anthem History

Written by Rachid Nakhlé and composed by Wadih Sabra

Anthem Lyrics

Koulluna Lilwatan Lil ’Oula Lil Alam, Mil ’ou Ay Nizzaman Sayfouna Wal Qalam, Sahlouna Waljabal - Manbiton Lirrijal Kawlouna Wal Amal.

Fisabilil Kamal.

Koullouna Lilwatan Lil ’Oula Lil ALam, Koullouna Lilwatan Shaykhouna Walfata Indasaoutil Watan Ousdou Gha Bin Mata Sawarat Nalfitan Sharkouna Kalbouhou Aba Dan Loubnan Sanahou Rab Bouhou Lima Dal Azman Koullouna Lilwatan Lil ’Oula Lil ALam, Koullouna Lilwatan Bahrouhou Barrouhou Dourratou Sharqain Rifdouhou Birrouhou Mali ‘oul Koutbain Ismouhou Izzouhou Mounthou Kanal Joudoud Majdouhou Arzouhou Ramzouhou Lilkhouloud Koullouna Lilwatan Lil ’Oula Lil ALam, Koullouna Lilwatan

Anthem Lyrics English

All for the country, for the glory, for the flag From the beginning of centuries, our pencil and sword Our field and mountains are making the men Our word and work on the way of perfection All for the country, for the glory for the flag Young and old at the voice of the country Lions of forest at the time of violation Our east is its heart forever Lebanon Its God protects it all over the time All for the country, for the glory for the flag Its sea, its land, are the pearl of the two orients Its symbol, its charity, fill up the two poles Its name is its triumph since the time of our grandfathers Its glory is its cedars, its symbol is for the end of epochs All for the country, for the glory for the flag