Non-biometric Lebanese passport (“RL” number): since 1 October 2026, it no longer allows you to leave Lebanon

If your Lebanese passport has a number that begins with “RL”, do not travel to Lebanon with it. Since 25 June 2026, General Security has been withdrawing it on entry into the country. Since 1 October 2026, it no longer allows you to leave Lebanon. It must be replaced with a biometric passport, preferably before you travel.

What has changed

• 25 June 2026: non-biometric passports of the “2003” model are withdrawn and cancelled on entry into Lebanon. They are returned to their holder, who is then required to apply for a biometric passport.
• 1 October 2026: these passports are withdrawn from circulation. Their holders can no longer leave Lebanese territory with them.
• Schengen visas: since 25 June 2026, the French consulate in Lebanon no longer accepts these passports for a visa application submitted at the TLScontact centre in Beirut.

Is your passport affected?

Look at the passport number. If it begins with RL, it is a non-biometric 2003 model: it is affected, even if it has not expired. Biometric passports carry the electronic chip symbol on the cover.

You live abroad

• Your RL passport, if still valid, remains usable for travel outside Lebanon, according to the Consulate General of Lebanon in Marseille. It can only be extended exceptionally, for one year, by embassies and consulates.
• To go to Lebanon, first apply for a biometric passport at the embassy or consulate responsible for you. Fingerprinting abroad is being rolled out in embassies and consulates: ask yours whether it is available there before going in person.
• Allow at least three months via the diplomatic bag, or around three working weeks with the paid DHL Fast Track option, according to the Marseille consulate.
• Fees recorded at the Marseille consulate: €264 for a 10-year passport (adult), €132 for 5 years (minor).

You are already in Lebanon with an RL passport

Submit an application for a biometric passport at a General Security centre before planning your return. Without a biometric passport, you will not be able to leave the country with this document.

Sources

• Consulate General of Lebanon in Marseille, “Suspension définitive des passeports libanais non biométriques du modèle 2003” (Permanent suspension of non-biometric Lebanese passports of the 2003 model), 20 August 2026.
• L’Orient-Le Jour, “Les passeports non biométriques ne sont plus acceptés pour les visas Schengen, indique le consulat de France” (Non-biometric passports no longer accepted for Schengen visas, says French consulate), 7 August 2026.
• Consulate General of Lebanon in Marseille, “Documents de voyage libanais” (Lebanese travel documents: fees, required documents), accessed on 1 October 2026.
• Consulate General of Lebanon in Marseille, “Passeports : DHL Fast Track” (Passports: DHL Fast Track), 17 April 2026.

Checked on 01.10.2026.