Libya has temporarily suspended the issuance of visas on arrival at its airports.
In a circular dated June 9, 2026 (available at the end of this article), Libya’s Government of National Unity announced the provisional suspension of the system allowing visas to be granted to foreign nationals upon arrival by air. The document, addressed to the minister of interior and the head of the Passports, Nationality and Foreigners Affairs Authority, refers to visas issued “on arrival via airports and air entry points.”
Libya’s state news agency LANA also points in the same direction, describing the decision as applying to visas granted on arrival at Libyan airports as part of an effort to reorganize visa issuance procedures.
A temporary suspension of visas on arrival
According to the circular, the suspension is part of an effort to better regulate the entry of foreign nationals into Libya and limit abuses linked to admission procedures.
The Government of National Unity refers in particular to the risk of practices that could lead to the manipulation of entry procedures or attempts to circumvent the legal rules in force. The authorities also cite the security and administrative consequences that such situations may entail.
The suspension is presented as temporary. It is expected to remain in place until the visa issuance mechanisms have been reviewed and new rules have been introduced to secure the process.
The e-Visa does not appear to be affected
The text specifically targets visas granted on arrival “عبر المطارات والمنافذ الجوية,” meaning via airports and air entry points.
The circular does not explicitly mention other modes of entry, such as land or maritime borders. Nor does it provide a list of nationalities affected, suggesting that the measure primarily concerns the visa-on-arrival mechanism for air travel rather than a restriction targeting specific countries.
The circular also makes no reference to Libya’s electronic visa. It only concerns the system for visas issued on arrival at airports and air entry points.
At this stage, nothing in the text indicates that the e-Visa has been suspended. Libya’s electronic visa, whose rollout was announced in March 2024 by the Government of National Unity, appears to remain a separate procedure from the visa-on-arrival system.
For travelers, this means that obtaining a visa directly at a Libyan airport should no longer be considered a reliable option while the suspension remains in force. Anyone planning to travel to Libya should check their status before departure and prioritize securing authorization before traveling.
A 30-day deadline to propose a new framework
The Government of National Unity has instructed the Ministry of Interior and the Passports, Nationality and Foreigners Affairs Authority to prepare a comprehensive proposal to reorganize visa issuance procedures.
The proposal must be submitted to the prime minister’s office within no more than 30 days from the date of the circular. It must include technical, security and administrative rules designed to improve oversight of visa issuance.
The stated aim is to ensure better implementation of procedures, prevent cases of fraud or misuse involving visas issued at points of entry, and strengthen controls on the arrival of foreign nationals in Libya.
The circular states that it takes effect from the date of publication and that the competent authorities are required to implement it.
