Lebanon eases tourist visa regulations

In a step to bolster tourism amidst regional unrest, the Lebanese government is now issuing visas on arrival for all nationalities residing in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries as long as they have a valid residence visa belonging to particular categories. The move to ease visa regulations came into effect last month. The earlier practice required certain nationalities to obtain entry permits in advance of their travel. According to a circular published on the Lebanese General Security Department (GSD) website, entry visas are being granted to those who fall under the categories of businessmen, directors/general managers, employers, physicians, engineers and lawyers who are legal residents of the GCC. The validity of the visa will not exceed the validity of the person's passport and residence. It further states that to enter Lebanon, a valid visa for up to 11 months is granted at the airport, district or frontier office to GCC residents of certain categories. Airlines are responsible for checking the validity of residents' GCC residence visas before transporting the traveller, the GSD circular stated. The visa campaign is aimed at boosting Lebanon's tourist numbers, "particularly after the disorder in the neighbouring country of Syria", said Kulwant Singh, general manager of Lama Tours. From / Gulf News