Do France passport holders need a visa to visit LB?
French ordinary passport holders do NOT need a visa in advance: they receive a free visa on arrival at Beirut airport, valid for a 1-month stay (extendable up to 3 months). France is among the nationalities granted a free visa on arrival (VOA) in Lebanon. On landing at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (or other approved ports of entry), French ordinary passport holders are issued a free single-entry tourist visa permitting a stay of up to one month, extendable for an additional two months (three months total) through Lebanese General Security. No advance application or eVisa is required for a short tourist visit. Key conditions: the passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay (France Diplomatie's requirement; some sources cite three months) and have blank pages, and the traveler should be able to show a return/onward ticket plus an address and phone number in Lebanon. A strict, non-negotiable rule applies: any Israeli stamp, visa, or evidence of travel to Israel in the passport results in refusal of entry and possible detention. Note the broader context: as of 2026 the French foreign ministry formally advises against travel to Lebanon because the security situation remains volatile despite the November 2024 ceasefire with Israel, with continued Israeli strikes especially in the south and east. The visa rule itself is unchanged - the advisory is a separate safety consideration. Travel for work, internships, or NGO activity (even short) requires a long-stay multiple-entry visa from the Lebanese Embassy in Paris or Consulate General in Marseille.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
France (PR)Living in France as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→