Two people hold their Lebanese passports. (Credit: AFP)
General Security announced on Thursday that Lebanese living abroad who do not already have a biometric passport and who wish to obtain this type of document will have to apply for it at General Security in Lebanon.
"The Lebanese wishing to obtain biometric passports for the first time will have to go to Lebanon and consult directly the passport department at the General Security," the security apparatus announced in a statement.
When contacted by L'Orient-Le Jour, a General Security spokesman said that people who already have a biometric passport will be able to renew it at Lebanese diplomatic representations abroad.
The General Security statement also pointed out that as of May 1, 2023, it will no longer be possible for Lebanese residing abroad to obtain a so-called "2003 model" (non-biometric) passport if they have never obtained a biometric passport before.
Commenting on these decisions, the contacted spokesman explained that the embassies are not equipped to collect the data necessary to issue biometric passports.
These passports require specific devices to take fingerprints from applicants and to photograph them. "A project to equip embassies was drafted but never implemented due to the economic crisis," he added.
The spokesman also said that General Security will define the procedure to be followed by expatriates who wish to apply for a biometric passport and will clarify by Monday whether or not it is necessary for them to apply from abroad before traveling to Lebanon.
"When an expatriate goes to the passport department in Lebanon, General Security will transfer his file to the public relations department so that his renewal application can be expedited. He will have to pay an amount of LL2,100,000 to benefit from the fast-track service, in addition to the renewal fees which amount to LL2,000,000 for a biometric passport valid for 10 years," he continued. The spokesman also noted that the expatriate must have "a passport with an expiry date that does not exceed 18 months" in order to renew it.