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Passengers often would like to scout everything before taking the decision to visit or entering any country, starting from their arrival airports, describing it inside out starting with their duty free, the overall airport facilities and lounges...etc.
OLBA would like to facilitate this information for their clients, and will introduce Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport from A to Z in order to make it easy to navigate through.
Beirut Rafic Hariri international Airport (BRHIA), is considered one of the best in the Middle East, it is known for its huge cigar humidor, high-end duty free shops as well as its selection of international franchises.
You will be greeted with an impressive metallic structure and high ceiling when you reach the departure or arrival areas, you can buy some snacks, packs of cigarettes or to exchange money for the trip before passing the first security checkpoint. You won't search for long as the screens will guide you along the way to any place you may need to visit inside the airport.
Beirut Duty Free is simple and easy to navigate through in less than an hour, one single alley of shops; divided clearly so you know where to head the minute you arrive, you can buy the most famous and prestigious products; electronics, cosmetics, perfumes, jewelry, cigars, tobacco, drinks, alcohol, sweets, nuts, accessories, watches, sunglasses, shoes, bags, artisanal crafts and Lebanese Souvenirs free of taxes. In addition to the giant humidor filled with Cuban and Dominican cigars like nowhere else on the earth, if you are looking for pure tastes, ask for visiting the vintage and premium stuff department.
In the commercial terminal there is 5 business lounges;
-          Two lounges owned by the Middle East Airlines (MEA); Cedar lounge to be used for MEA and sky team airliners, the other one for the other carriers handled by Middle East Ground handling (MEAG).  
-          Two business lounges owned by Lebanese Air transport, to be used by airliners that are using LAT for ground handling.
-          One business lounge owned by Qatar airways
Business class tickets owner will be able to use one of above lounges to spend their waiting time in luxurious seats while they are surfing free internet, eating and drinking in well ventilated, non-smoking, wide and vast lounges. special area for Smoking also is available outside the lounges.
Small praying separated rooms are available for Muslims and Christian inside the airport, Cafés, restaurants, limited internet accounts sellers are also available for economy tickets owners so they can rest and make the time of waiting pass smoothly.
It is recommended to buy your sweets, nuts, cigarettes and alcohol bottles from the duty free in the airport, as it is known for its high quality and it is cheaper than the same products available outside the airport.
All shops, cafes and restaurants are accepting Credit Cards payments, you can feel at home country and pay with your card, and even you can get cash from the ATM machines available in several corners in the airport.  
Lebanon is multicultural country, therefore there are no restrictions for any type of clothes, and you can feel free to wear your most comfortable clothes you like. And keep in mind that foreigners may have to fill some general security information cards. So please make sure to have a pen to use it frequently if needed.
At the airport you can find several taxi companies that can help you reach your destination promptly, just select your preferred taxi company and pay them the transportation fees to start your journey in Lebanon. You may find a public taxies waiting outside the airports, but it is not recommended for safety reasons. Some passengers also prefer to use Uber or Careem for getting their rides from the airport to destination which is applicable in Lebanon. OLBA also can serve you and provide you with Car rental services or Luxuries VIP transportation upon request.
As you are looking for the most luxurious journey, OLBA can provide you with the most helpful meet and assist services inside and outside the airport, our team ensures you that you will be very happy with arrival or departure meet and assist services. In addition OLBA can offer luxurious VIP transportation and hotel booking that fit all budgets.
OLBA wish you to have the most enjoyable journey in your second country Lebanon, and looking forward to serving you soon.

Foreigners holding a valid passport, wishing to visit Lebanon for business, can obtain a visa from the nearest embassy or consulate. However Lebanon facilitates Tourism Visa on Arrival for most nationalities

 Tourism Visa upon Arrival

Foreigners holding a valid passport can obtain Tourism Visa upon Arrival as follows:

• Residents of USA, European Union, Arabian Gulf and Malaysia can obtain visas at Rafic Hariri International Airport - Beirut.
• Visa upon arrival valid for three months or 6 months, extendable up to year, for citizens and their escorts, such as Drivers and maids who have valid residency, in below countries:
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Kuwait
  • UAE
  • Bahrain
  • Qatar
  • Oman

• Visa upon arrival for 3 Months for Citizens of Jordan
• Visa Upon arrival for 1 month, extendable up to 3 months, for citizens of the following countries:
  • Andora- Antigua and Barbuda- Argentina - Armenia-Australia-Austria-Azerbaijan-Bahamas-Barbados-Belarus-Belgium-Belize-Bhutan-Brazil-Bulgaria-Canada-Chile-China Peoples republic)–Costa Rica-Croatia-Cyprus-Czech republic -Denmark- Dominican republic-Estonia-Finland-France-Georgia - Germany-Great Britain Or United Kingdom-Greece-Holland-Hong kong(SAR)China-Hungary-Iceland-Ireland-Italy-Japan-Kazakstan-Iran -Kirgizstan-Latvia-Liechtenstein-Lithuania-Luxembourg- Macau(SAR)-Macedonia-Malaysia-Malte-Mexico-Moldova-Monaco-Montenegro-New Zealand-Norway-Panama - Paraguay -Peru-Poland-Portugal-Romania-Russia- Samoa-San Marino-Serbia -Singapore-Slovakia-Slovenia - S.Korea -Spain-St. Kitts &Nevis -Sweden-Switzerland-Tajikistan-Turkmenistan - Ukraine-Uruguay U.S.A-Uzbekistan-Venezuela.

• Citizen of Turkey, can obtain visa upon arrival up to 3 months, but can’t be obtained again until they spent 1 month out of Lebanon.

• Visa upon arrival for 3 months for the citizens of the following countries:
  • Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Ivory coast, Ghana, Sudan, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Libya, Somalia, Tunisia, Yemen. Provided that they have to prove that they are holding at least 2000 USD, to be used during their visit, in cash or by officially signed Bank Documents.
• Visa upon arrival 1 month for females ages 17 up to 25 years old who are citizens of the following countries : Armenia - Azerbaijan – Belarus -Bulgaria- people’s Republic of China - Croatia - Czech Republic – Estonia – Georgia –Hong Kong - Hungary – Kazakhstan – Kirgizstan -Latvia - Lithuania- Macau(SAR) – Macedonia –Moldova - Montenegro - Poland – Russia - Romania – Serbia - Slovakia-Slovenia-Tajikistan -Ukraine-Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan. Provided that they have refundable round trip tickets, Hotel reservation or specific address for their entire stay in Lebanon.

• All foreigners who have diplomatic passports can obtain visa upon arrival for 6 months and several visits.

• Escorts of Diplomats who is working in Lebanon or Syria Arab republic, such as Maids and Drivers, shall have the name of diplomat who is escorting on their passport in order to obtain visa upon arrival, provided that escorts shall leave with the Diplomats whenever they left Lebanon or traveled outside.

• Maids and Drivers, who are escorting Lebanese families, can obtain visa upon arrival provided that, the name of the family owner is mentioned in their passports. The escorts shall leave whenever the owner have left or traveled outside Lebanon.

• UN missions’ passport and EU diplomats’ biometric passports holders can obtain visa upon arrival.

• Visa upon arrival valid for 3 months per year for the Citizen of the following countries: Colombia, Brazil and Cuba.

• Diplomats, Investors, or any visitors who has valid first class residency or Study residency in Syria Arab Republic can obtain short stay tourism visa in Lebanon, provided that they have to provide an official Syrian documents prove their residency in Syria.

Prior Visa required Nationalities:

• Prior Visa from the Consulates or Lebanese Embassy is required for the citizens of the following countries :

Angola - Bangladesh – Benin republic – Bosnia - Botswana - Burkina Faso – Burundi – Cameroon – Central Africa Republic – Chad – Chinese Taipei(TW) – Comers Island -Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire) - Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)– Djibouti -Eritrea – Ethiopia – Fiji – Gabon – Gambia – India – Indonesia –Kenya – Liberia –- Malawi – Mali – Mauritania – Mauritius – Mozambique – North Korea – Namibia –     Guinea-Bissau- Nicaragua – Niger– Pakistan – Palau Islands – Philippines – Rwanda – Seychelles Island – Sierra Leone – Salvador – Somalia – Sri Lanka-St. Lucia –  St. Vincent  & Grenadines _ Suriname – Tanzania – Togo - Trinidad  & Tobago - Thailand – Honduras- Uganda – Vietnam – Zambia – Zimbabwe, any other country not mentioned in the visa upon arrival list.

• Females from Ghana, Sierra Leon, Indonesia and Egypt who are coming to work as maids in Lebanon: can’t obtain Visa upon arrival based on agreement and official request by their governments. Therefore, they have to apply for prior visa at the nearest Lebanese consulate or embassy to study their case by the General security.

• Visitors of Israel from any nationality who have Israeli Stamp on their passports will not be allowed to enter Lebanon, even if they are capable for Visa upon arrival. They shall revert to the nearest Lebanese consulate or Embassy to apply for Visa prior arrival in this case.

Crew Visa

Aircraft Crew who arrive to Main or Private terminal can enter Lebanon using their General Declaration provided that they are wearing their official uniforms, holding their valid Crew ID and willing to stay not more than 72 hours. Otherwise, they can obtain visa upon arrival according to their nationalities and eligibility. Crew, who intend to arrive via third parties commercial airlines, shall check before arrival for their eligibility to enter Lebanon. OLBA team will be under your disposal to help you and provide you with any information you may require.

Apply for Lebanon Visa or eligibility check free of charge with OLBA

The Lebanese Directional General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) along with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport have made a decision in banning Boeing 737 MAX from flying over the country’s airspace or landing in its airports. Among other countries, the Lebanese authorities explain “This ban is made for public safety purposes”.  Such measures have been carried out by over 40 countries and operators after the deadly and tragic crash of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET302 last Sunday leading to the death of all crew and passengers on board.

OLBA is pleased to offer free supervision in Beirut international Airport for all new clients who will flight to BRHIA during April.

PRFD announces a new home for its headquarters as part of its broader effort to develop a diverse workforce and boost partnership and engagement with regional and international agencies and operators.

Beirut, Lebanon - November 17, 2021— PRFD, a leading aviation support services provider announced that it has opened a new office in Beirut, Lebanon to better accommodate the needs of its partners and meet their global expansion goals for the coming year.

Plans to move operations to Beirut, Lebanon were initiated by PRFD CEO, Mr. Khaled Akkawi, who recognized that most of the qualified talent newly acquired by his team was coming from the Middle Eastern city and so he decided to capitalize on that fact. The new office includes all departments from sales and marketing to operations and dispatchers.

PRFD offers its clients all over the world overflight and landing permits along with detailed flight planning. On the ground, their network of local officers cover airports across the world ensuring PRFD is well placed to deliver crew briefings, cost-effective fueling arrangements, ground handling services, weather forecasts, NOTAMs, hotel reservations and all the other services that ensure a speedy turnaround for your flight.

For more information, visit https://www.prfd.aero/ and follow @prfd_aero.