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Cyprus Now Requires Biometric Passports for Lebanese Visa Applications

Cyprus has tightened its visa procedures for Lebanese applicants. Since September 1, its embassy in Beirut no longer accepts non-biometric passports for any new visa filing, requiring applicants to hold a machine-readable biometric booklet before they can even schedule a consular appointment.

What changed

Previously, Lebanese citizens could submit older non-biometric paper passports to obtain short-stay permits or entry visas. That option is now closed. Under updated Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs guidance, the format of a passport directly determines entry screening, and legacy Lebanese booklets are no longer eligible for new visa stickers at the Beirut post.

The move aligns with Lebanon's broader phaseout of older travel documents. Importantly, the embassy did not add any new consular fees alongside the requirement — the change is purely about document type. Anyone attempting to file with a non-biometric passport will be turned away at the consular window.

Dual-passport rule for existing visas

There is relief for travelers who already hold a valid long-term Cyprus visa inside a now-canceled non-biometric passport. They do not need to reapply. Border officials will allow entry under a dual-passport rule, provided the traveler carries:

  • The canceled non-biometric passport containing the unexpired Cyprus visa
  • A valid Lebanese biometric passport showing identical personal details
  • The standard supporting documents required at the border

This matters for anyone mid-stay or planning return trips on a visa issued before the rule took effect.

What it means for nomads

If you are a Lebanese citizen or expat planning to apply for a Cyprus visa — whether for tourism, extended stays, or exploring residency options — secure a biometric passport from Lebanese General Security before booking any embassy slot. Filing with an older document now results in outright rejection, which can derail travel plans and appointment scheduling.

For remote workers eyeing Cyprus as a base, the practical takeaway is simple: verify your passport type first. Confirm you hold a biometric booklet before submitting any paperwork or traveling, and if you already carry a valid visa in an old passport, keep both booklets together when crossing the border.

Originally reported by Stamped Nomad.