Lebanon — Complete Emigration Guide 2026
5,490,000 people · Capital: Beirut · Western Asia
Updated H2 2026 · Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis
Overview
Lebanon is located in Western Asia, with a population of 5,490,000. Its currency is the Lebanese pound. Our database tracks 12 visa pathways for Lebanon, each linked to a named source.
See also: Lebanon country profile
Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis. See our methodology and data sources.
Visa Pathways (12)
Sponsored Employment (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic workers | — | €188 | 6 mo | — |
| Work Visa for Indian Citizens | — | — | — | — |
Study (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residence card of individuals under study | €1,744/mo | — | 12 mo | — |
General Residence (3)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Residence | €484/mo | — | 12 mo | — |
| Granting a temporary visa until the foreigner gets his passport renewed | — | — | 6 mo | 72d |
| The biometric residency permit | €1,744/mo | — | 1 mo | — |
Permanent Settlement (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence | €526/mo | €562 | 36 mo | — |
Artists & Entertainers (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry visa of an artist to touristic enterprises | €1,744/mo | — | 11 mo | — |
| Residency of foreign artists | — | — | 6 mo | — |
Religious Workers (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visas or residency permits for students in religions, volunteers, missionaries and men of religion | — | — | 1 mo | — |
Diplomatic & Official (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courtesy Visa | — | €1,000 | 6 mo | — |
Tourism & Short Stay (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applying for a visa renewal via Liban Post | — | — | 3 mo | 72d |
Cost of Living
| Item | Lebanon | W. Europe Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | €450 | €1,200 | -62% |
| Rent (3BR) | €950 | €2,000 | -52% |
| Groceries | €85 | €350 | -76% |
| Transport | €15 | €80 | -81% |
| Utilities | €120 | €150 | -20% |
| Dining (meal) | €8 | €15 | -47% |
Salary & Employment
| Sector | Median (gross, €/yr) |
|---|---|
| Construction | €11,000 |
| Education | €12,000 |
| Engineering | €22,000 |
| Finance | €20,000 |
| Healthcare | €16,000 |
| Hospitality | €9,500 |
| IT | €28,000 |
| Retail | €8,500 |
Shortage Occupations
- Software Developer (IT)
- Civil Engineer (Engineering)
- Registered Nurse (Healthcare)
- Electrical Engineer (Engineering)
Tax
Healthcare
Education
| University | QS Rank | English Progs | Tuition (Intl) |
|---|---|---|---|
| American University of Beirut | 205 | 156 | €18,500 |
| Lebanese American University | — | 98 | €16,200 |
| Saint Joseph University | — | 67 | €14,800 |
| University of Balamand | — | 89 | €15,500 |
| Beirut Arab University | — | 54 | €8,500 |
Practical Info
Banking
Driving
Phone & Internet
Credentials
Quality of Life
Official sources
The visa data on this page is compiled from official government sources — 11 of the 11 pathways link directly to the government page they were verified against, and 4 financial requirements below carry the exact quote from the official source. Values that fail verification are removed, not guessed — see the live verification freshness index.
- general-security.gov.lb · 2 pathways · verified 2026-06-24
- general-security.gov.lb · 2 pathways · verified 2026-06-22
- general-security.gov.lb · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-09
- general-security.gov.lb · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- general-security.gov.lb · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- lebanonembassyus.org · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-21
- general-security.gov.lb · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- general-security.gov.lb · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-23
- general-security.gov.lb · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
Verified requirements — exact official citations
Each figure below was verified verbatim against the official page linked, on the date shown.
Residence card of individuals under study · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “A cost-free entry visa of 3 months will be granted to Arab students that plan to come alone or in groups [this page covers entry visas by nationality, not the student residence-card application fee, which is not published here].” — general-security.gov.lb, 2026-07-07
Savings / proof of funds: “General Security requires a bank statement / proof of financial capability for the student residence card but publishes no fixed amount.” — general-security.gov.lb, 2026-07-07
Permanent residence · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Savings ≥4.5B LBP frozen; fee 54M LBP (≈562 EUR at 89,500/USD); 3-yr permit; GS post/5” — general-security.gov.lb
Domestic workers · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Fee 18M LBP (women) / 24M LBP (men); requires notarised work contract; GS post/23” — general-security.gov.lb
Frequently Asked Questions
How many visa pathways does Lebanon have?
Our database tracks 12 visa pathways for Lebanon across 8 categories, the largest being General Residence, Artists & Entertainers, Sponsored Employment. Each entry links to a named source — 91% direct to an official government portal, the rest to a named embassy or professional reference while we complete direct verification.
What is the minimum income for the Annual Residence?
The Annual Residence lists a minimum income of EUR 484 per month, according to the official source (last checked 2026-06-23).
What is the average salary in Lebanon?
The average gross salary in Lebanon is EUR 671 per month. The statutory minimum wage is EUR 173 per month.
How much does rent cost in Lebanon?
A one-bedroom apartment in Lebanon averages EUR 450 per month, and a three-bedroom apartment averages EUR 950 per month.
What is the top income tax rate in Lebanon?
The top personal income tax rate in Lebanon is 25%. The standard VAT rate is 11%.
Start Preparing for Lebanon
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