Middle East and North Africa
Libya
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Still current at: 03 December 2008
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Updated: 26 November 2008
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and Entry Requirements section. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
See entire profile
Travel Summary
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We advise against all but essential travel areas bordering Sudan, Chad, Niger and Algeria (this does not apply to the towns of Ghadames and Ghat), owing to the threat from cross-border criminal activity and instability in the region. With the exception of the official land border crossings to Tunisia and Egypt, visitors and residents are not permitted to travel in the interior or to border areas without an officially sanctioned guide or specific permission from the Libyan authorities.
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The Libyan authorities may restrict access to the more remote parts of the country (e.g. desert areas and remote towns) at short notice. Visitors should check with their tour operator or the Libyan authorities for the latest information
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There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
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You should take sensible precautions for your personal safety and avoid political gatherings and demonstrations. You should follow news reports and be alert to developments in Libya and the Middle East that might trigger public disturbances, e.g. recent adverse developments in Swiss/Libyan relations have created difficulties for Swiss citizens in Libya.
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A visa is required for travel to Libya. The Libyan Government has announced that it intends to introduce a new visa system requiring visa-applicants to submit their biometric details, effective from 1 December 2008. Applicants will be required to attend the Libyan People's Bureau to give their fingerprints and submit the required documents and passport photos. On 11 November 2007, the Libyan authorities reimposed a requirement for all travellers entering (and including those re-entering) the country to have an Arabic transcript of their passport's details page. If you travel without this transcript, you may not be able to enter the country. See the Entry Requirements (Visas) section of this advice for more details.
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Over 16,000 UK citizens visited Libya in 2006 (Source: Libyan Tourist Board). Most visits are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Libya in 2007 was replacing lost or stolen passports.
- We strongly recommend that comprehensive travel and medical insurance is obtained before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
Violent crime is generally not a major problem in Libya. However, there was a shooting incident in the Gargaresh area of Tripoli in the early hours of 6 March 2008 (in which no one was hurt). You should take steps to protect your safety and personal security. There are increasingly frequent incidents of petty crime, such as pick pocketing in the busy market areas. Car theft has increased recently: be vigilant at all times.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
Safety and security in Libya are generally good. However, you should be aware of the impact that the situation in Iraq, as well as violence between the Israelis and Palestinians, has had across the Arab world and the risk of public disturbance in response. You should follow news reports and be alert to developments in the Middle East that might trigger public disturbances. For example, a recent deterioration in Libyan/Swiss relations has caused difficulties for Swiss citizens in Libya.You should take sensible precautions for your personal safety and avoid political gatherings and demonstrations.
Local Travel
Local Travel
We advise against all but essential travel to areas bordering Sudan, Chad, Niger and Algeria (this does not apply to the towns of Ghadames and Ghat - see advice below), owing to the threat from cross-border criminal activity and regional instability. There is a higher threat from terrorism and other criminal activity in these areas. With the exception of the official land border crossings to Tunisia and Egypt, visitors and residents are not permitted to travel in the interior or to border areas without an officially sanctioned guide or specific permission from the Libyan authorities.
Given their proximity to the border, you should exercise caution in Ghadames and Ghat, taking sensible precautions for your personal safety and travelling only with an officially sanctioned guide or specific permission from the Libyan authorities.
You require prior permission (a desert pass) from the Libyan authorities if you intend to travel to the desert regions. Your tour operator will usually be able to do this for you. If you obtain a desert pass you should avoid those desert areas where oil extraction is in operation. Oil companies will provide passes for their employees.
The Libyan authorities may restrict access to the more remote parts of the country (e.g. desert areas and remote towns) at short notice. Visitors should check with their tour operator or the Libyan authorities for the latest information.
Road Travel
The standard of driving in Libya is poor, but the roads are generally in a reasonable condition. You should take care when driving anywhere in Libya - always wear a seatbelt and drive defensively. All off-road driving to the desert is best done in groups. You should ensure that you are well prepared with enough fuel, water and food etc.
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
Local laws and customs
Local laws reflect the fact that Libya is a Muslim country. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. You should dress accordingly at all times, covering arms, shoulders and legs. Avoid shorts, tight fitting or revealing clothes in public. As a courtesy during Ramadan, non-Muslims should be careful not to eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours. Greater emphasis is placed on the need to dress and behave modestly.
It is advisable to take extra caution whilst driving at all times.
You should respect Libyan laws and regulations. Severe penalties are imposed for criticising the country, its leadership or religion. Sale and consumption of alcohol are against the law. Stern penalties are imposed for the possession or use of alcohol. You should on no account attempt to bring alcohol into the country.
Drugs laws are severe. Those found in the possession of any illegal drug may receive a prison sentence.
You are advised to carry some form of identification with you at all times
Homosexuality is considered a criminal offence in Libya. Sexual relations outside marriage are also punishable by law.
You are advised not to use cameras close to military or official sites.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
Visas
British nationals should obtain a visa before travelling to Libya. Passports showing previous travel to Israel are not accepted for travel to Libya.
The Libyan Government has announced that it intends to introduce a new visa system requiring visa-applicants to submit their biometric details, effective from 1 December 2008. Applicants will be required to attend the Libyan People's Bureau to give their fingerprints and submit the required documents and passport photos. For further information on entry requirements and biometric visas, you are advised to check with the Libyan People’s Bureau in London.
The Libyan Government has announced that it intends to introduce a new visa system requiring visa-applicants to submit their biometric details, effective from 1 December 2008. Applicants will be required to attend the Libyan People's Bureau to give their fingerprints and submit the required documents and passport photos. For further information on entry requirements and biometric visas, you are advised to check with the Libyan People’s Bureau in London.
On 11 November 2007, the Libyan authorities reimposed a requirement for all travellers entering (and including those re-entering) the country to have an Arabic transcript of their passport’s details page. You can obtain a stamp in your passport, which provides the format for this transcript, from the Identity and Passport Service at http://www.ips.gov.uk. UK travel authorities cannot provide the Arabic transcript itself. You should obtain this from a reputable translator, who will provide an accurate and legible transcript. The translator must stamp their translation. You should then submit your passport, containing the stamps and the transcript, to the Libyan People's Bureau in London, in order to obtain a visa. Transcripts on a separate piece of paper are not acceptable to the Libyan authorities. If you travel without the correct transcript in your passport, you may not be able to enter the country.
Passport validity
Passports should have at least six months' remaining validity.
Registering with the Libya authorities
All tourists and short stay visitors must register their passports with the police within one week of arrival. This is usually arranged by the company you are visiting or your local travel agency you are travelling with. A fee of LD 10-15 is usually charged for this. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to you being fined when you come to leave the country.
Health
Health care in Libya is on the whole below the standard available in the UK. There are, however, a couple of private clinics in Tripoli. If you require treatment local hospitals and private clinics should be able to stabilise you, but you would normally be medically evacuated to Malta or mainland Europe for further treatment. You should ensure that your insurance covers you for such an event.
If your itinerary includes travel to remote or desert areas you should be aware that it might prove impossible for you to receive timely assistance in the case of serious injury or illness. Even if your travel agent or insurance company has arrangements with an international air ambulance provider, they may not be allowed to carry out a rescue operation within Libya. The current status of Libyan rescue services is undetermined.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Libya and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
General
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake, including the costs of medical evacuation. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake, including the costs of medical evacuation. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
If you need your passport replaced
The Consular Section at the British Embassy in Libya offers a full passport issuing service. If you lose your passport while on holiday, you should immediately report the loss first to the nearest Police Station, and then to the Consular Section, who will advise on the arrangements for a replacement passport to be issued.
The Consular Section at the British Embassy in Libya offers a full passport issuing service. If you lose your passport while on holiday, you should immediately report the loss first to the nearest Police Station, and then to the Consular Section, who will advise on the arrangements for a replacement passport to be issued.
Money
Libya is a cash society.
Credit cards are not widely used although VISA and MASTERCARD are starting to be accepted in some outlets. There are few reliable ATMs in Tripoli. There are branches of Western Union and Moneygram at Tripoli International Airport and in Tripoli. Money transfers can also be arranged through some banks.
Consular Assistance
Libya is a cash society.
Credit cards are not widely used although VISA and MASTERCARD are starting to be accepted in some outlets. There are few reliable ATMs in Tripoli. There are branches of Western Union and Moneygram at Tripoli International Airport and in Tripoli. Money transfers can also be arranged through some banks.
Consular Assistance
In recent years Libya has received more British visitors and tourists to the region; 16,000 in 2006 according to Libyan figures. All British Citizens require a visa, which must be supported by an invitation, either from a company or local tour operator. Borders are not open to independent travellers wishing to travel across country without a local guide.
Travel advice for this country
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contacts
Libya, Tripoli, British Embassy
Address:
British Embassy
PO Box 4206
Telephone:
(218) (21) 340 3644/5 التليفون
(218) (21) 335 1084 Consular/Visa/Management
Fax:
(218) (21) 340 3648 Chancery
(218) (21) 335 1425 Consular/Management
(218) (21) 335 1427 Visa
Office hours:
GMT:
Sun-Thurs: 0700-1400
Local Time:
Sun-Thurs: 0800-1500
