COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Officially known as the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Libya has a developing economy. Islamic ideals and beliefs provide the conservative foundation of the country's customs, laws, and practices. Tourist facilities are not widely available. Read the Department of State’s Background Notes on Libya for more information.
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REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit Libya, please take the time to tell our Embassy or Consulate about your trip. If you check in, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. Here’s the link to the Department of State’s travel registration page.
Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.
U.S. Embassy Tripoli
Jarraba Street
Ben Ashour District
Telephone: (+218) 21-337-3100
U.S. Citizen Emergency Only telephone (for after working hours) (+218) 91-220-5207
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ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Passports and visas are required. The restrictions on the use of U.S. passports for travel to, in, or through Libya were lifted in February 2004. Please see the section below on Special Circumstances.
Since December 1, 2008, the Libyan government has CatGenie Granules implemented a new biometric requirement for visa applicants. This requirement necessitates personal appearance at a Libyan Embassy by all visa applicants. At present, this requirement affects only applicants for Libyan visas in London and Paris, but will likely expand to other Libyan embassies in the near future.
The Libyan government, on November 11, 2007, “reinstated” a requirement that all foreign travelers have an Arabic translation of their personal biographic data added to their passport in order to apply for a Libyan visa and to enter Libya. Since that date, some foreign travelers whose passports do not have Arabic translations have been denied entry into Libya or refused boarding by airlines on flights into Libya. Authorities at Libyan airports and other ports of entry have not consistently enforced this requirement for tourists visiting Libya.
Travelers should be aware that in some cases, Libyan officials may ask that U.S. citizens obtain translations from U.S. Government-approved translation services; however, U.S. consular officers have no authority to designate or certify private translations, nor do they have authority to place a consular authentication stamp over a privately obtained translation. Various U.S. Consular sections in the Middle East, including in Tripoli, can provide an Arabic passport translation stamp free of charge. Please check the website of the U.S. Embassy nearest you to determine if this service is available.
U.S. citizens who hold Libyan visas or who intend to apply for a visa are advised to contact the nearest Libyan embassy or consulate for information on how to obtain an acceptable translation. Information from Libyan embassies and consulates may vary from country to country. U.S. citizens may also contact the Consular Section at the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate for additional information.The Government of Libya does not allow persons with passports bearing an Israeli visa or entry/exit stamps from Israel to enter Libya.
TOURIST VISAS: After halting the issuance of tourist visas to U.S. citizens for several years, in June 2010 the Libyan government again began issuing visas to U.S. tourists. Like European tourists, U.S. citizens must apply for tourist visas through tour operators licensed in Libya, who will file the necessary paperwork for the visa with the Libyan authorities. Through licensed tour agencies, tourist visas can be obtained for U.S. tourists within 4-15 days. Fees for obtaining the visas vary between tour companies. Upon completion of the process, the tourist will receive a letter in Arabic listing his/her passport number and authorizing the issuance of a visa at the Libyan port of entry. This letter must be obtained prior to travel to Libya. Once the tourist is in Libya, he/she must obtain a registration stamp in his/her passport from the Libyan tourist police; this procedure can also be handled by tour agencies. Libyan authorities have not yet provided information as to whether Arabic passport translations are required for U.S. citizen tourists. Most European tourists now travel to Libya without the passport translation, and since June 2010, several U.S. tourists have entered Libya without having the translation.
Note that these new procedures apply only to tourist visas and should not, under any circumstances, be used for business travel to Libya. Using a tourist visa to travel to Libya for business purposes contravenes Libyan law, and places the traveler at risk of arrest.
BUSINESS VISAS: U.S. citizens traveling to Libya on business visas require Arabic translations in their passports (see above), and an invitation from/sponsorship by a company operating in Libya. U.S. citizens who apply for Libyan visas often experience significant delays, regularly waiting several weeks or months for their visas. All visas are vetted and approved by Libyan immigration departments in Tripoli, and are only issued by the appropriate Libyan Embassy upon receipt of that approval. There may be an additional wait for actual visa issuance once approval has been received by the Embassy.
The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli cannot provide assistance to U.S. citizens seeking Libyan visas.
Inquiries about obtaining a Libyan visa should be made through the Libyan Embassy in Washington, D.C. The Embassy is located at 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Suite 705, Washington, DC 20037, phone number 202-944-9601, fax number 202-944-9606. Libya’s land borders with Egypt and Tunisia are subject to periodic closures even to travelers with valid Libyan visas. Short-term closures of other land borders may occur with little notice. Within three days of arrival in Libya, visitors must register at the police station closest to where they are residing or they may encounter problems during their stay or upon departure.
The Libyan Government requires all its citizens, including dual nationals, to enter and depart Libya on Libyan documents. In some cases U.S. citizens of Libyan descent have entered Libya on an old or expired Libyan identity document and then discovered that they cannot depart Libya without obtaining a valid Libyan passport, which can be a time-consuming, cumbersome process subject to interference from Libyan family members. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli cannot assist dual citizens seeking to depart Libya without valid Libyan travel documents in obtaining such documents.
Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Libya. Please verify this information with the Libyan Embassy in Washington, D.C. before you travel.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.
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THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: As Libya has taken steps to cooperate in the global war on terrorism, the Libyan government’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism was rescinded on June 30, 2006. Recent worldwide terrorist alerts have stated that extremist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East region. Therefore, any U.S. citizen who decides to travel to Libya should maintain a strong security posture by being aware of surroundings, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, keeping a low profile, and varying times and routes for all required travel.
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to exercise caution when traveling in desert and border regions of Libya. All U.S. citizens in Libya are encouraged to comply with local regulations regarding desert travel, to maintain a high level of vigilance with regard to their personal security, and to remain aware of local developments. There have been no instances in which U.S. facilities or citizens in Libya have been targets of terrorist attacks; however, recent terrorist attacks in Algeria, the June 2009 murder of a U.S. citizen teacher in Mauritania, kidnappings of Western tourists in desert regions of Tunisia and Egypt in 2008 and Mali in January 2009, and the terrorist activity of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb in North Africa are indicative of a continued threat in the region.
Libyan security personnel may at times place foreign visitors under observation. Hotel rooms, telephones, and fax machines may be monitored, and personal possessions in hotel rooms may be inspected. Taking photographs of anything that could be perceived as being of military or security interest may result in problems with the Libyan authorities.
Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
There is nobody better at protecting you than yourself. Take some time before travel to improve your personal security—things are not the same everywhere as they are in the United States. Here are some useful tips for traveling safely abroad.
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CRIME: Crime against foreigners is a growing problem in Libya. The most common types of crime are property crimes of opportunity, including vehicle burglaries. Pick-pocketing and residential burglaries are also on the increase. Women routinely face verbal harassment. While physical violence is not common, there have been instances of assault against women, ranging from sexual groping or assault and battery to attempted rape.
Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, you may be breaking local law too.
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INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates). If your passport is stolen we can help you replace it. For violent crimes such as assault and rape, we can, for example, help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and help you receive money from them if you need it. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Libya is 193. This number is generally monitored only in Arabic.
Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
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CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in another country, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods or engage in child pornography. While you are overseas, U.S. laws don’t apply. If you do something illegal in your host country, your U.S. passport won’t help. It’s very important to what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.
Persons violating Libyan laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Libya are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Libya's economy operates on a “cash-only" basis for most transactions, even though U.S. law now permits the use in Libya of credit cards and checks drawn on U.S. banks. A few hotels, restaurants, and major airlines are the only businesses known to accept credit cards (Visa is accepted more often than MasterCard). It is recommended that travelers consult their credit card entity prior to travel to ensure that transactions from Libya can be accepted by that entity. A number of ATMs are in service at a few large hotels, major office complexes, the airport, and one or two markets, although their availability is sporadic. Foreign visitors should be aware that the penalties for use of unauthorized currency dealers are severe. Foreign visitors should also be aware that in the event of a business dispute, their passports might be confiscated and/or they may not be permitted to depart Libya until the dispute has been settled. The Libyan workweek is Sunday-Thursday. Most U.S. economic sanctions against Libya were terminated effective September 21, 2004. For further information, please contact the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
On June 30, 2006, the U.S. Department of State officially rescinded Libya’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. On August 31, 2006, the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published an amendment to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) in the Federal Register to update the BIS license requirements for Libya under the EAR due to its removal from the State Sponsors List. For further information specific to Libya, contact the BIS Office of Nonproliferation and Treaty Compliance/Foreign Policy Controls Division at (202) 482-4252. Libya-related information is also found on the BIS website.
Libyan customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning the introduction into Libya or removal from Libya of firearms, religious materials, antiquities, medications, and currency. Importation of pornographic materials is illegal. The importation and consumption of alcohol and pork products are illegal in Libya.
At times, passengers arriving in Libya have been required to bring varying amounts of convertible currency into Libya. This requirement is subject to a border check, and the passenger faces possible deportation if this requirement is not met. It is advisable to contact any Libyan Embassy abroad for specific information regarding customs requirements. Please see our Customs Information.
In addition to being subject to all Libyan laws, U.S. citizens of Libyan origin may also be subject to laws that impose special obligations on Libyan citizens. The Government of Libya considers all children born to Libyan fathers to be Libyan citizens even if they were not issued a Libyan birth certificate or a Libyan passport. Dual Libyan-American nationals may not enter or leave Libya on their U.S. passports and must obtain a Libyan travel document before traveling to Libya. Persons with dual nationality who travel to Libya on their Libyan passports are normally treated as Libyan citizens by the local government. The U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide U.S. consular assistance to those traveling on Libyan passports is extremely limited. For additional information, please see our dual nationality flyer.
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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: While some health care providers have been trained in the United States or Europe, basic modern medical care and/or medicines may not be available in Libya. Many Libyan citizens prefer to be treated outside of Libya for ailments such as heart disease and diabetes. A representative list of healthcare providers is available at the U.S. Embassy Tripoli’s website.
Good information on vaccinations and other health precautions, can be found via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
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MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:
1)Does my policy apply when I’m out of the U.S.?
2)Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or an evacuation?
In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors’ and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn’t go with you when you travel, it’s a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.
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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Libya is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Paved roads in rural areas are satisfactory; however, many rural roads are unpaved (i.e., dirt roads). Also, major highways along the seacoast and leading south merge into single-lane highways once they are outside the cities. These roads are heavily trafficked and can be precarious to navigate, especially at night and during the winter rainy season. The presence of sand deposits, as well as domestic and wild animals that frequently cross these highways and rural roads, makes them even more hazardous.
The availability of roadside assistance is extremely limited and offered only in Arabic. In urban areas and near the outskirts of major cities there is a greater possibility of assistance by police and emergency ambulance services, although they are usually ill-equipped to deal with serious injuries or accidents. Very few streets are marked or have signage, and highway signs are available only in Arabic.
Driving in Libya can be hazardous, and there is a high accident rate. Police enforcement of traffic laws is rare. As a result, it is often difficult to anticipate the actions of other drivers on Libyan streets and highways. Wind-blown sand can reduce visibility without warning. Road conditions are poor, and public transportation, which is limited to occasional bus service, is poor. Taxis are available, but many taxi drivers are reckless and untrained, and English-speaking drivers are extremely rare. The sidewalks in urban areas are often in bad condition and cluttered, but pedestrians are able to use them.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
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AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Libya, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Libya’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
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CHILDREN’S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
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* * *This replaces the Country Specific Information for Libya dated January 7, 2010, to update sections on Registration/Embassy Location, Entry/Exit Requirements, and Threats to Safety and Security.
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