Local Laws

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws while in Lebanon. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Persons violating Lebanese laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested without bail for extended periods, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Lebanon can be significant, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. In Lebanon, the authorities may take you in for questioning if you don’t have your passport or other identification documents with you at government checkpoints. People taking pictures of certain buildings have been detained for questioning for hours by Hizballah. In Lebanon, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. A U.S. passport does not exempt U.S. citizens from local laws; all law-breakers are subject to relevant punishment, such as arrest or prosecution, regardless of citizenship.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Special Circumstances: In addition to being subject to all Lebanese laws, U.S. citizens who also possess Lebanese nationality may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on them as Lebanese citizens. Lebanese citizens who are discovered to have associated with Israeli citizens or officials, or to have traveled through Israel, are subject to arrest, detention, and prosecution. Any citizen arriving at a Lebanese point of entry with an Israeli stamp in their passport may be detained, arrested, or denied entry. Penalties are often especially harsh if the traveler is of Arab origin or a dual national. Travelers have also been detained if they have a family name that may be considered of Israeli or Jewish origin.

Travelers who have previously entered Lebanon illegally, whether as refugees or for transit to a third country, may be denied entry into the country, even if they are or have since become U.S. citizens.

U.S. citizens living in or traveling to Lebanon have occasionally been denied permission to leave the country because a criminal, civil, or family court has imposed a travel hold. For example, a head of household can place a travel hold against a spouse and children in family court even before the family arrives in Lebanon. Travel holds can be easily initiated and may remain in place for a substantial period of time. While the U.S. Embassy can direct U.S. citizens to options for legal representation, it cannot have travel holds removed, even in times of crisis.

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to Syria and strongly recommends that U.S. citizens remaining in Syria depart immediately. You can review the Department of State’s Travel Warning for Syria for additional information. U.S. citizens planning to travel to Syria from Lebanon despite the travel warning should travel only via legal border crossings and obtain a Syrian visa outside the United States in a third country, as they may have difficulty securing one in Lebanon. U.S. citizens who also hold Syrian nationality and enter Lebanon by land border on a Syrian identification card should be aware that they need to obtain an exit visa in their passport from the Lebanese authorities before they can depart Lebanon through the airport. To ensure the ability to transit Lebanon and depart via the airport, U.S. citizens holding Syrian dual nationality should apply for a Lebanese entry visa in their U.S. passport at the Lebanese border.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report.

LGBT Travelers: Current Lebanese law prohibits “unnatural sexual intercourse,” an offense punishable by up to one year in prison, although this provision has been recently interpreted in different ways by some Lebanese courts. While prosecutions are rare, the U.S. Embassy is aware that prosecutions have occurred for consensual same-sex relations between adults. Because homosexuality is taboo in Lebanon, very few people come forward about being arrested on these grounds. The authorities normally arrest people when caught in same-sex sexual conduct, or when they raid a club and same-sex couples are found dancing, kissing, or otherwise expressing affection in public; while it is uncommon for people to be prosecuted after arrests, short-term detentions do occur. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Lebanon, you may review the State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. See our LGBT Travel Information page and section 6 of the Department of State's Human Rights report for further details.

Persons with Mobility Issues: While in Lebanon, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from in the United States. Lebanon has passed laws that make it illegal to discriminate against those with disabilities but the laws are not uniformly enforced. These laws include sections on building accessibility, but building codes have yet to be updated accordingly. Most public transportation, including taxis, is not accessible. Roads are often in disrepair, and there are few sidewalks or road crossings. Buildings and tourist sites are also often difficult to access for those with physical disabilities because of uneven ground and the lack of elevators and ramps.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers: Please see information above under “Special Circumstances” heading about travel holds.

If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

Cell Phones: There is no need to register mobile devices brought into Lebanon. The requirement to do so, implemented in June 2013, was subsequently abolished in May 2014.

Working in Lebanon: U.S. citizens who come to work in Lebanon should ensure that their Lebanese employer arranges for proper documentation to remain in the country. This includes professional athletes, who should make certain that their sponsoring club/team arranges for them to receive the correct visas valid for the duration of their stay. Travelers coming to Lebanon as professional athletes should ensure that a written contract is in place before traveling, as many athletes have experienced problems with scams and false offers of employment.

Military Service Obligation: Mandatory military service in Lebanon was abolished on February 4, 2007. However, travelers with questions about prior military service, desertion, or failure to register in the past should contact the Military Office of the Embassy of Lebanon, 2560 28th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, or call (202) 265-2335 or fax (202) 667-0063 for details prior to traveling to Lebanon. Information about military service can also be found at the Lebanese government website.

Customs: Lebanese customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning import and export of items, such as firearms, military paraphernalia, professional camera equipment, other communications equipment, or antiquities. You should contact the Embassy of Lebanon in Washington, D.C., or one or one of Lebanon's consulates in the United States, for specific information regarding customs requirements. Please see our information on customs regulations.