Visa Information for Temporary Visitors

Nonimmigrant visas are for international travelers (citizens of other countries) coming to the U.S. temporarily. This visa allows you to travel to a U.S. port of entry (airport, for example) and request permission of the Department of Homeland Security immigration inspector to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S.
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The Consular Section provides full Nonimmigrant Visa Services for Lebanese Citizens. Third-country nationals may apply for U.S. visas in Beirut if they have well established, long-term residency in Lebanon.

Hours of Operation

The visa section of the Embassy conducts nonimmigrant interviews, by appointment, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. No visa interviews are conducted on the last Friday of each month.

Applicants issued visas can collect their passports and ask for information at the upper entrance of the Embassy, Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Passports will be returned to visa applicants themselves or their immediate relatives only. The immediate relative will be required to present a document proving his relationship to the applicant in order to pick up a passport on the applicant’s behalf.

Please note that there will be no passport pass-back services on Friday, January 18, 2013 from 3:00 to 4:00pm.

How to Apply

After completing the application, applicants for nonimmigrant visas should visit any branch of Credit Libanais Bank, where they can pay the nonrefundable application fee and receive an appointment for an interview at the Embassy.  Applicants will need to complete the DS-160 before visiting the bank and will need to bring their confirmation page with them to the bank.

On June 4, 2010, application fees for most non-immigrant visa categories increased:

• B1/B2, F and J visa categories – increase to $160.00 USD
• H, L, O, P, Q, and R visa categories – increase to $190.00 USD
• K visa category – increase to $240.00 USD
• E visa category – increase to $270.00 USD

Application Forms and Instructions

Our application forms are becoming 100% electronic. On March 1, 2010, the new DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application replaced previous nonimmigrant application forms DS-156, 157, 158, and other related forms, such as the DS-156E and 156K. This new online form offers greater convenience for our applicants, allows us to handle applications more efficiently, and is more environmentally friendly. Complete and submit the DS-160 application here.

Applicants will need to bring with them to the interview their DS-160 confirmation page, a photo, the bank receipt, passport, and any other necessary documents. Failure to provide the necessary documents will delay the applicant’s interview process.

How to Reapply if Denied

Applicants who are denied visas to the U.S. may reapply by filling out a new application form and making an appointment at any branch of the Credit Libanais bank.  They will have their case heard by another consular officer. However, the applicant should be able to demonstrate changes in their personal situation that caused them to be denied in their earlier interview.

Who May Accompany Applicant to the Interview?

Lebanese applicants above the age of 79 years do not need to come to the interview. These applicants may choose to send a representative in their stead, or should bring their passport to the Embassy, along with their visa application confirmation page, two copies of the bank receipt obtained from any branch of Credit Libanais, and two recent 5x5 pictures in an envelope on the day of the appointment as shown on the bank receipt, between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM.  As appropriate, such applicants may want to include copies of their family extract, owned properties, bank account statements, and a letter detailing their purpose of travel.  The visa section may, however, ask for more documentation or for a personal interview.  After processing, the applicants will be contacted by the Embassy and notified of the outcome of their cases.  Applicants must make sure to include accurate contact information on their visa application forms.

Applicants should, in almost all cases, come alone to their interviews. Children between the ages of 14 and 18 must come to the interview and may bring a parent with them.  Children under the age of 14 do not need to come to the interview.  Either of the parents may apply for the visa on behalf of the child.  Applicants with serious medical problems may also choose to bring an escort with them, by sending an e-mail to the visa section at BeirutNIV@state.gov, or send a fax to 961-4-544037.

Replies will be sent within 3 working days.

Non-Lebanese citizens of all ages must be present at the time given by the bank.

Forgot to turn in your I-94?

If you forgot to turn in your I-94 when you departed the United States, please visit the following website for information on how to return it: http://travel.state.gov/visa/questions/questions_1253.html