South Africa to Lebanon visa requirements

South African ordinary passport holders need a visa BEFORE travelling to Lebanon. South Africa is not on Lebanon's visa-on-arrival list; applicants must obtain a pre-approval (security clearance) from Lebanon's General Directorate of General Security plus an entry visa from the Lebanese Embassy in Pretoria. Passports containing any Israeli stamp, visa or seal are refused entry. As of mid-2026, a South African (ZA) ordinary passport holder cannot enter Lebanon visa-free or on a visa-on-arrival. Lebanon's General Security places South Africa in the category of nationalities that require prior approval (security pre-clearance) from the General Directorate of General Security in addition to a tourist visa issued in advance by a Lebanese diplomatic mission. In practice the visa is obtained through the Embassy of Lebanon in Pretoria (also a consular office in Cape Town). The pre-approval step can take roughly 6-8 weeks, so applicants should apply well ahead (the embassy advises at least one to two months before travel). A standard tourist visa permits a stay of up to one month, extendable by up to two further months locally. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended stay and have blank pages; proof of onward/return travel, hotel booking, host details and supporting financial documents are required. A critical, strictly enforced rule: any Israeli stamp, visa or seal in the passport results in denial of entry. Lebanon is not in the Schengen area, so Schengen 90/180 and ETIAS rules do not apply.