Lebanon · Family
Courtesy Residence
Courtesy Residence is issued by General Directorate of General Security (Lebanon). VisaAI tracks 21 official requirements for it, each traced to the government page that states it.
Last verified against the official source on .
VisaAI is not a government body and does not issue visas. It cannot decide, predict or guarantee the outcome of an application, and this page is not legal or immigration advice.
Requirements change. Confirm every item on General Directorate of General Security (Lebanon)’s own page before you apply.
Each requirement below is written in plain English by VisaAI. The indented text beneath it is quoted from General Directorate of General Security (Lebanon)’s own page, so you can check what we say against what they say. Where a quotation shows “ ... ”, text has been left out.
Conditions you must meet
- Beneficiary 1: a Lebanese citizen with another nationality, applying on the second nationalityFirst of eight categories.
1- Lebanese citizen that has another nationality, and wishes to obtain a courtesy resident permit based on his second nationality.
- Beneficiary 2: an immigrant of Lebanese origin, born but not registered in LebanonSecond of eight categories.
2- The Arab or foreign immigrant of Lebanese origin (born but not registered in Lebanon)
- Beneficiary 3: the child, by birth or adoption, of a Lebanese father or motherThird of eight categories.
3- The Arab or foreign immigrant child of a Lebanese father or mother (birth/adopted child)
- Beneficiary 4: the husband of a Lebanese woman, married more than one yearThe one-year threshold is the requirement.
4- The husband of a Lebanese woman if their marriage is dated to more than one year
- Beneficiary 5: the wife of a Lebanese man, who does not workFifth of eight categories.
5- The wife of a Lebanese man, that doesn’t work
- Beneficiary 6: a person under 18 born in Lebanon to non-Lebanese parents, pursuing studiesSixth of eight categories.
6- The Arab or foreign citizen (under 18) born in Lebanon while having non Lebanese parents, that is perusing his studies
- Beneficiary 7: a diplomat of any nationality who has served in Lebanon and wishes to stay after retirementSeventh of eight categories.
7- Diplomats from all nationalities that have already worked in Lebanon, and that want to stay there after their retirement
- Beneficiary 8: holders of a residency permit "under consideration", with spouse and childrenEighth of eight categories.
8- The holders of a residency permit ‘under consideration’, their wife/husband and kids
Official forms
- All categories: an application form signed IN PERSON at the authorised General Security departmentSigned personally by the applicant, at the department — not posted.
- An application form that is filled out and signed personally by the applicant in the authorized general security department
Documents you must provide
- All categories: a passport valid at least three years, plus two photocopiesA three-year floor for a free temporary permit.
- A passport valid for at least three years, as well as two photocopies of the latter
- All categories: three recent 3.5 × 4.5 photosQuantity and dimensions both stated.
- Three recent 3.5 x 4.5 photos
- Category 1: an ID card, a civil-status certificate under 3 months old, or another official proof of being LebaneseThe three-month recency is part of the requirement.
An id card, a certificate of a recent civil status (less than 3 months), or any other official documents that prove that the applicant is Lebanese.
- Category 2: an official document proving Lebanese originKeyed to beneficiary 2.
An official document that proves that the applicant is of Lebanese origins.
- Category 3: a birth certificate or other proof of a Lebanese parentKeyed to beneficiary 3.
A birth certificate or any official document that proves that the applicant has a Lebanese mother/father
- Category 3: the Lebanese parent’s ID card or recent civil statusKeyed to beneficiary 3.
An id card or a recent civil status for the Lebanese mother/father
- Category 4: a marriage certificate complying with current lawKeyed to beneficiary 4.
A marriage certificate that complies to current laws and regulations
- Category 4: proof the marriage is at least a year old, and a lease or property titleTwo documents on one line, kept together.
An official document that proves that the marriage dates to one year at the least A lease or a property title
- Category 4: a certified copy of the husband’s ID card and an extract of the family civil registryKeyed to beneficiary 4.
A certified copy of the husband’s ID card, and an Extract of Family Civil Registry Record
- Category 5: an attestation of non-activityKeyed to beneficiary 5, matching the "does not work" condition.
- An attestation of non-activity
- Category 7: a Ministry of Foreign Affairs document proving prior diplomatic service in LebanonThe issuing ministry is named, which makes this document unobtainable anywhere else.
An official document that proves that the diplomat has already worked in Lebanon, delivered by the ministry of foreign affairs
Government fees
- Temporary courtesy residence permits are granted for freefreeThe only route in this registry so far that the authority states as free of charge.
Temporary residence permits are granted to Arab & foreign immigrants for free.
Official sources
- Courtesy Residence — Requirements, General Directorate of General Security (Lebanon)