Lebanon’s General Security approved unprecedented entry restrictions for Syrian nationals who will no longer be able to enter Lebanon without a visa, in a move aimed at curbing the entry of refugees fleeing almost four years of conflict.
A statement released by General Security on New Year’s Eve said that under the new regulations, which will take effect on Jan. 5, 2015, Syrians can apply for six types of entry visas, including tourist, business, student, transit, short stay and medical.
Tourists should provide a hotel booking, cash worth US $1,000, in addition to valid passports and identification papers in order to get a visa for the duration of their hotel reservation.
Business visitors should be able to submit additional papers proving they have business interests in Lebanon or are invited by local or Lebanon-based companies, to be granted a maximum one-month visa, the statement said.
Syrian nationals, who own properties in Lebanon, must also present supporting documents, whereas students are required to provide official admission letters proving they are enrolled in Lebanese schools and universities.
Two-day transit visas are granted to Syrian travelers through Lebanese ports and airport, and to applicants to foreign embassies who had closed down their offices in Syria and relocated in Lebanon, the statement added.
Lebanon, which hosts over 1.2 million Syrian refugees, started tightening control on the entry of Syrian refugees last year by limiting access to extreme humanitarian and medical cases.
No comments:
Post a Comment