Al-Markaziah – Following its previous statements regarding the situation of Arab and foreign nationals residing in Lebanon and the sponsorship system, the General Directorate of General Security announced in a statement the start of regularizing the situation of violators of the residency system who wish to leave, effective from this date until December 31, 2022, as follows:
1. Arab and foreign nationals violating the residency system, regardless of the duration of their violation, are allowed to leave through the concerned departments and border centers, after regularizing their status with these departments and centers and paying the required fees up to the date of their departure, provided they hold the original residency permit, along with a work permit or a valid clearance issued by the Ministry of Labor for work permit holders, except for Egyptian nationals who are exempt from this requirement. Additionally, there is the possibility to request an extension for travel at the Public Relations Department or regional centers.
For holders of free residency permits (annual grace without fees of any kind), they are allowed to leave for free through the border departments and centers regardless of the duration of their violation, provided they hold the original residency permit.
2. The previously applicable instructions concerning the regularization of the status of Syrian nationals and Palestinian refugees in Syria will continue to be enforced.
3. Applications for transferring sponsorship for Arab and foreign nationals will be accepted regardless of the number of previous waivers, even if the 15-day period for organizing the waiver and undertaking has expired.
