... by the way, in case you haven't heard latest update on Libyan visa - you now have to provide an Arabic translation of your passport details within your passport (or attached on a separate piece of paper). New rules. They won't let anyone into the country without otherwise....

As some of you may know, this was the rule for Libya until a couple of years ago.
In London you used to be able to get the official UKPA-approved blank stamp (as pictured here: Sahara Overland ~ Libya visa information) done for free over the counter from the Passport Office in Petty France, SW1 (just inside on the right, no need to queue) and maybe other UK ppt offices too. Then I recall a place nearby off Victoria Steet filled it out for a small fee - but this was all 6+ years ago.
Once you have the stamp anyone who writes Arabic could fill it out for you or you could try and DIY using an online arabic trans like: Professional Translation and Free Translator for websites and text

AFAIK, don't simply expect matey at the Lib embassy to fill out your details in Arabic onto the blank stamp for you while processing your visa app - even if it would take them 60 seconds.

Right now I am told visa agencies are charging an extra £100 for this service.

Ch

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It sounds like complete chaos with the visa. A friend who works in Libya was due to fly out on Sunday from the Middle East having received a new work visa this week but has been warned that they need to go through the same process at 4.30pm yesterday ... despite the visa being OK'd & fresh ink!

Will update if I hear anymore

Kira

From here (Libyaonline.com):

Visitors to Libya Must Provide Arabic Translation of Their Passports when Entering Country 2007-11-14

Libya authorities confirmed that Libya will turn away visitors from all over the world unless they provide Arabic translations of their passports.

They also said that regulations that require Arabic translation for all visitors to Libya is here to remain in effect and would be strictly applied in all points of entry to the country including road, air and sea.

The regulations have been in effect for over two decades and usually applied but with some lax sometimes.

Although the Western media has made the issue as if it was directed against Western visitors, the regulations have been applied to all visitors to Libya from all over the world.

Speaking after a meeting between Libyan officials and Western ambassadors in Tripoli, a Libyan diplomat was quoted by AFP on Monday as saying "the Libyan authorities said they had informed airlines in time about the rule change but that they had not in turn informed their passengers."

"Libya will not reverse its decision, nor will it take into consideration the international reaction" and uproar triggered by the new restrictions, a Libyan official told AFP.

"The West demands that we translate our passports into English and therefore we must act in kind. It is only normal," said the official.
"Travellers arriving with foreign language passports are perturbing officials at border posts and airports because these officials don't know foreign languages," he added.

On Sunday Libya turned back scores of passengers on a flight from Paris because they failed to provide Arabic translations of their passports.

Libya adopted Arabic as the country's sole language since the revolution in 1969, a policy that remained the consistent ever since.
"We must defend our Arabic language. There will be no compromise," he said.

According to the AFP as it quoted a Libyan aviation official, the measure could be in response to a decision to prevent Libyans with visas for the EU's Schengen border-free zone from entering certain European countries, notably France and Britain.

{Tripolipost}

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Various reports:
Switzerland has lodged a formal complaint to Libya after about 40 air passengers on board a Swiss carrier were denied entry to Tripoli on Sunday. The travellers were forced to return to Switzerland on the same plane later that evening.

Another 83 French nationals, already in Libya, were not able to leave Sebha on Sunday night, as the rule change also applies to tourists seeking to leave.

Eighteen French nationals were stranded at the Tripoli airport since Sunday night, until the French ambassador to Libya intervened Monday on their behalf and they were allowed to return home, a French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Pascale Andreani, said in an online briefing Monday.

More than 170 passengers on board a charter flight run by France's Air Mediterranee had to do the same. They were not allowed to get off their plane which had landed at Sebha airport, in southern Libya.

An Italian cruise ship carrying more than 2,000 passengers was forced to turn away from Tripoli on Monday after being caught by surprise by the new unannounced measure.

"They enacted a law within 24 hours without informing us or giving tour operators time to respond," a press officer at cruise ship operator Msc Crociere in Rome said.

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Libya is basically a dance...

Two steps forward, one step back!

I love this:

"According to the AFP as it quoted a Libyan aviation official, the measure could be in response to a decision to prevent Libyans with visas for the EU's Schengen border-free zone from entering certain European countries, notably France and Britain."


Er, Britain is not a signatory to Schengen (a decision taken due to the lack of UK ID cards and not, as far as I know, simply to annoy the Libyans!).


Sam.

Hi

I've heard of people getting a Libyan transit visa in Tunis, but has anyone managed to get one in Cairo. I realise of course that I can only cross the coastal highway with this visa, but it's a long way round otherwise to get to Europe.

Thanks

Daniel

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for the benefit of anyone travelling from UK to Libya, you need to do the following -
Go to passport office and get an Arabic translation stamp in your passport.
you then need to get this filled in - name/DOB/passport no etc in Arabic - this can be done by any Arabic speaker (or more importantly writer).

You can post your passport to your local office by recorded delivery rather than go in person - include a detailed covering letter letting them know what you need. They then send it back to you by secure post and there is no charge.
You then need to get your personal details translated and written in the stamp - there are translation services offering to do this for £70 a time, but if you can find anyone to write proficiently in Arabic this will be ok.

Not everyone I spoke to in the passport agency knew anything about this, in fact the first person I spoke to asked which country Libya was in and couldn't help any further , so make sure you make it plain what you need!!

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Passport translation law’s has been often jumped or said to be un requested, but the truth (dancing or not ) is that up today its application is indispensable and never cancelled since the first publication. So it could be also useful to know that the same law request a legal/official translation. Make sure to have a good one!

Budrinna

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Budrinna Co.

I've heard that the US is being less than helpful with this issue. Does anyone know if I can present my US passport to a UK office for the Arabic stamp?

At the moment, it is between very difficult and impossible for Americans to enter Libya (translation or no). Before you get the translation done, check that they will let you in on an American passport - and be prepared to be disappointed.

Sam.

There is no/any restrictions for US citizens in visa and regulations that can obtain visas like all citizens of Eu. Procedure are the same and still request minimum of four pax , letter of invitation, passport ‘s translation , compulsory guide ecc.. Any good travel agency can do this job , or contact your Embassy that is located in Bab Corintyha Hotel.
Hundreds of US citizens are now entering Libya as tourists and more are expected to came coming days for Christma ’s holidays. Resident US population in Tripoli is growing speedy . Just came and seee!
Journalists are not considered tourists ! Specialized operators or so said must know this and others few exceptions .

Budrinna

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Budrinna Co.

Whilst the rules may say it's okay (I don't know), all I can say is that in practice it is much more difficult for Americans than for Europeans (etc.). Unless things have changed dramatically for the better in the last 2 months or so, I hold to this until I see different.

I'm sorry Budrinna, but that has been my experience (with American clients and friends over last 5 years).

Here's hoping, though, that things have relaxed and all are welcome! -subject to the passport translation, of course! ;-)

Sam.


PS MotoEdde can confirm this, as we failed to get him into Libya at the beginning of the year.

May be Your experience is an / the exception to the rule !
If You “don’t know “came and see and You will have the surprise to see that Bab el Corinthya hotel lobby’s is always full of US tourist, and this not since 2 months bur form more than two years
Cheers with Mirinda
Budrinna

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Budrinna Co.

Budrinna,

I didn't have any legal/official passport translation, nor was asked why I didn't have it, even a bad one, when I was getting a visa at the border in Ras Ajdir earlier his year.

Too many laws, not enough reasons to enforce them all...

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Roman (UK)

Mr. Roman

We only remind and/ or report the laws to the Knowledge of eveybody , we dont't discuss them , not the plaece and our job.

Budrinna

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Budrinna Co.