Lebanon is packed with
history, archaeology, natural beauty and a handsome population of
fun-loving people whose hospitality and warmth extends the length and
breadth of the country.This website is dedicated to all Lebanese around the
world and it is a part of Tripoli-Lebanon.com
and Nasaco.net
Our main goal is to reflect the real and beautiful
image of our beloved country Lebanon. We have included a number of
resources on this site that will be useful for Lebanese in Lebanon and
for those living abroad. This website will be updated regularly and
the news section is updated around the hour.
General
Tips About Lebanon
Visa
Requirements & Fees
Tourist
visas are available at the airport for holders of the following
nationalities: Western Europeans, citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
countries, the US, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea. Passports
containing a visa to Israel (valid or expired) are denied entry.
Fifteen-days visa: 25,000 LBP
Three-months visa, single entry: 50,000 LBP
Multi-entry tourist visa: 100,000 LBP
Returning
Lebanese Nationals
Requirements
for customs clearance (at the airport or the port): Proof of residency in a
foreign country, change of residency certificate (attested by the Lebanese
embassy in the country of former residence), proof of residency in Lebanon
(a rent contract attested by the municipality or an ownership deed certified
by the mayor).
Non-Nationals
moving to Lebanon
Requirements
to avoid paying import duty on personal effects are the following: A
certified letter from former/present employer stating change of residence,
job title, nature of work you will be doing in Lebanon, legalised by the
Lebanese embassy in country of origin and by the local authorities. Also,
you will need a detailed packing list, a rent contract (legalised by local
municipality), a work permit and a residence visa. In case you are bringing
a pet with you, make sure to have an international health certificate from
your local vet. Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies (not more than 30
days).
Medical
checklist before arrival
You will
require the following: up to date tetanus injection, hepatitis A, valid
medical insurance and current medical report from your doctor.
Useful
Numbers
Fire Brigade
175
Civil Defense 125
Internal Security 112
Police 160
Red Cross 140
Operator 100
Information 120
Airport 01.628000
Tourist Police 01.350901 - 01.343286 - 01.343209
Climate
/ Tips for packing
On its
coastal area, Lebanon enjoys a Mediterranean climate (hot summers and mild
winters). Summer temperatures in the capital (Beirut) range from 29o C to 32
o C (84oF to 90oF). Winter temperatures range from 16oC to 20oC (61oF to
66oF).
In the summer, mountain regions, with their cooler and less humid weather,
attract many residents. In winter, temperatures at higher altitudes can drop
below zero and many mountaintops remain covered with snow throughout most of
the year.
Since Lebanon enjoys a summery climate from May to October, pack some light
cotton and linen cloths. Don’t forget your bathing suit! If you’re
planning on visiting Lebanon during the winter (November to April), it would
be advisable to wear warmer cloths (woollens, polo-necks…). We also
recommend you bring a coat and scarf.
Don’t forget to pack a couple of smart evening outfits, for dining out in
Lebanon can be a very stylish affair!
Geography
Lebanon is
situated along the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, with a 10,452Km2
surface. All regions are within easy reach: it will take a maximum of 4
hours by car to reach the most far-flung places from Beirut.
Beirut, Tripoli, Byblos, Sidon, Tyre and other major cities are situated on
the narrow coastal plain, only 6 Km2 at the widest point. Mount Lebanon, a
rugged and rocky landscape, rises steeply from the coastal plain, with the
highest peak at 3,360m. The Anti-Lebanon mountains are almost of the same
hight and length, and form a natural border with the neighbouring countries
to the east.
In between is the Beqaa Valley with a central plateau at an average of 760m
above sea level. Throughout history, the Beqaa Valley has been considered a
major agricultural region, rich with historical sites.
Population
Local
population: 4,000,000 citizens (with 17 religious communities, most of which
are Christian, Muslim and Druze)
Language
Besides
Arabic, most Lebanese speak French and English.
Spoken Arabic slightly differs from the written Arabic.
Currency
The local
currency is the Lebanese Pound or Lira (LL or LBP). You can pay in dollars
as well.
Notes are in denominations of LL1,000 – LL5,000 – LL10,000 – LL20,000
– LL50,000 – LL100,000.
Coins are in pieces of LL50 – LL100 – LL250 – LL500.
The US Dollar (to date): 1$ = ~ LL1,500
Time
Local time
is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+2 GMT) from October to March, and
3 hours (+3 GMT) from April to September.
Tourist
Refund - Value added Tax - VAT
Starting 01
February 2002, tourists departing from Lebanon are entitled to a VAT refund
on goods purchased during their stay.
During the February Shopping Festival, and until the management of the
tourist refund mechanism is handed over to a private company, the customs
administration will handle the VAT refund claims.
Who
can ask for a tourist refund?
Every
foreigner or Lebanese person residing abroad, and whose stay in Lebanon does
not exceed three continuous months, is entitled to ask for a VAT refund.
Which
purchases do not entitle the tourist to a VAT refund?
All kinds of
services (hotels, telecommunications, car rentals, guided tours. All kinds of foods and beverages (restaurants, cafés, supermarkets.
Fuel and tobacco.
What
are the conditions required for a VAT refund?
The goods
must be transported in the tourist's personal luggage.
The tourist must have bought the goods from a VAT registered retailer.
The total value for each invoice from each store must exceed 150,000 LBP per
year.
The purchases should be exported from Lebanon within three months of the
date of purchase i.e. the date of the invoice. The goods don't necessarily
have to be transported upon the tourist's first departure from Lebanon as
long as he is still within the time limit determined above.
The purchases should be new and not used in Lebanon (except used cars).
What
should the tourist do in order to claim a VAT refund?
The tourist
must ask the VAT registered retailer to issue, an invoice containing the
retailer's VAT registration number, his name and address, the tourist's name
and address, the description and value of the transaction, and the amount of
VAT paid.The tourist must obtain a refund claim from the registered retailer (or at
the airport when departing) and must fill it out.The tourist must present the customs administration at the point of
departure with the goods, the VAT refund claim, and the invoices related to
that refund.
It should be noted that the customs administration will keep the original
invoices. Therefore, any tourist wishing to retain copies of these invoices
must photocopy them in advance or ask the retailer to issue another copy
upon purchase of the goods. The customs administration will inspect the goods for which a refund is
claimed in order to ensure that they match the related invoices. It will
also stamp the refund claim and all its attachments.
When
is the decision of acceptance or refusal of the request issued?
The refund claims shall be
handled by the unit that will be in charge of the management of the tourist
refund. When the required conditions are met, the tax is refunded, either by check
or credit card transfer, after deduction of the company's commission. If the refund claim is rejected, then the tourist is notified of the
rejection of the claim, as well as the reason for the refusal.
For more info:
E-mail: vat@finance.gov.lb
Tel #: 01.398234
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