Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| A-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| B-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| B-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-1/D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| C-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| CW-1 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| CW-2 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| E-1 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2C 12 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| F-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| F-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-5 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| H-1B | $733 | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-1C | $733 | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-2A | N/A | N/A | N/A 3 |
| H-2B | N/A | N/A | N/A 3 |
| H-2R | $2228 | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-3 | $733 | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-4 | $733 | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| I | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| J-1 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| J-2 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | $2077 | Multiple | 60 Months |
| L-2 | $2077 | Multiple | 60 Months |
| M-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| M-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| N-8 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| N-9 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| O-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | Multiple | 15 Months 3 |
| R-1 | $487 | Multiple | 60 Months |
| R-2 | $487 | Multiple | 60 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
| TD 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| V-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| V-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
Available: Birth certificates may be obtained from the district office of the Vital Statistics Bureau (also known as Civil Registry Office) in the district where the certificate of the event was registered and executed.
Fees: There is a nominal fee.
Document Name: “Wathikat Welada” translated to Birth Certificate or Certificate of Birth
Issuing Authority: Vital Statistic Bureau (also known as Civil Registry Office) under the authority of the Lebanese Republic, Ministry of Interior & Municipalities, Directorate General of Civil Status.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The original Arabic contains a table with biographic information, with stamps from the Ministry of Interior. English translations may appear in a different format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Local Civil Registry Officer
Registration Criteria: To register a child’s birth with the Lebanese Civil Authorities, parents need to submit an executed marriage or divorce certificate to the local Vital Statistic Bureau. The birth certificate of the child must be executed by the Ministry of Interior’s district-level Vital Statistics Bureau.
Procedure for Obtaining: In Lebanon, Lebanese citizens may obtain a government birth certificate from the district office of the Vital Statistic Bureau in the district where the applicant is registered. In Lebanon, foreigners born in Lebanon may obtain a government birth certificate from the Ministry of Interior. Outside Lebanon, government birth certificates may be obtained through a Lebanese Embassy abroad.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: Alternate civil documentation of birth (for Lebanese nationals whose place of birth is Lebanon) can be the individual or family civil registration sheet issued by the Vital Statistic Bureau, which records all members of a family. If a birth certificate is unavailable due to non-registration or the civil war, the statement of non-existence must be requested from the Ministry of Interior’s local Vital Statistic Bureau.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Available: Death certificates may be obtained from the district office of the Vital Statistics Bureau (also known as Civil Registry Office) in the district where the certificate of the event was registered and executed.
Fees: There is a nominal fee.
Document Name: Death Certificate
Issuing Authority: Vital Statistic Bureau (also known as Civil Registry Office) under the authority of the Lebanese Republic, Ministry of Interior & Municipalities, Directorate General of Civil Status.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The original Arabic contains a table with biographic information, with stamps from the Ministry of Interior. English translations may appear in a different format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Local Civil Registry Officer
Registration Criteria: Death certificates must be registered with, and executed by, the appropriate district-level Vital Statistics Bureau.
Procedure for Obtaining: In Lebanon, death certificates may be obtained from the district office of the Vital Statistics Bureau in the district where the subject was registered. In Lebanon, death certificates of foreigners in Lebanon may be obtained from the Ministry of Interior. Outside Lebanon, death certificates may be requested from a Lebanese Embassy abroad.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Available: Marriage certificates may be obtained from the office of the Vital Statistics Bureau (also known as Civil Registry Office) in the district where the certificate of the event was registered and executed.
Fees: There is a nominal fee.
Document Name: Marriage Certificate
Issuing Authority: Vital Statistic Bureau (also known as Civil Registry Office) under the authority of the Lebanese Republic, Ministry of Interior & Municipalities, Directorate General of Civil Status.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The original Arabic contains a table with biometric information, with stamps from the Ministry of Interior. English translations may appear in a different format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Local Civil Registry Officer
Registration Criteria: Lebanese civil law required certificates for all marriages, divorces, births, and deaths be registered with, and executed by, the appropriate district-level Vital Statistics Bureau. The execution date is the date the marriage is considered effective under Lebanese law. The husband submits the religious marriage certificate to the office of the Vital Statistics Bureau in the district where the event took place.
Procedure for Obtaining: Inside Lebanon, Lebanese citizens requiring a marriage certificate should request an application from the mayor's office in the district where the event occurred. The application should then be submitted to the Vital Statistics Bureau in the district where the event took place. Inside Lebanon, foreigners may obtain their marriage from the Ministry of Interior. Outside Lebanon, Lebanese embassies accept requests for civil documents. Applicants may experience indeterminately long waiting periods before they receive the documents. It is also possible to have a friend or relative in Lebanon submit a request on your behalf.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: Marriages that occurred prior to 1943 may not have been registered and the Vital Statistics Bureau may issue a statement of non-existence.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: Only religious marriages are conducted in Lebanon. There is no civil marriage in Lebanon.
Available: Divorce certificates may be obtained from the office of the Vital Statistics Bureau (also known as Civil Registry Office) in the district where the certificate of the event was registered and executed.
Fees: There is a nominal fee.
Document Name: Divorce Certificate
Issuing Authority: Vital Statistic Bureau (also known as Civil Registry Office) under the authority of the Lebanese Republic, Ministry of Interior & Municipalities, Directorate General of Civil Status.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The original Arabic contains a table with biometric information, with stamps from the Ministry of Interior. English translations may appear in a different format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Local Civil Registry Officer
Registration Criteria: Lebanese civil law required certificates for all marriages, divorces, births, and deaths be registered with, and executed by, the appropriate district-level Vital Statistics Bureau. The execution date is the date the divorce is considered effective under Lebanese law. The husband submits the religious divorce certificate to the office of the Vital Statistics Bureau in the district where the event took place.
Procedure for Obtaining: Inside Lebanon, Lebanese citizens requiring a divorce certificate should request an application from the mayor's office in the district where the event occurred. The application should then be submitted to the Vital Statistics Bureau in the district where the event took place. Inside Lebanon, foreigners may obtain their divorce certificates from the Ministry of Interior. Outside Lebanon, Lebanese embassies accept requests for civil documents. Applicants may experience indeterminately long waiting periods before they receive the documents. It is also possible to have a friend or relative in Lebanon submit a request on your behalf.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: Divorces that occurred prior to 1943 may not have been registered and the Vital Statistics Bureau may issue a statement of non-existence.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: Only religious divorces are conducted in Lebanon. There is no civil divorce in Lebanon.
Available: Official adoption certificates are not available. Instead, religious courts issue the controlling orders. For Christian sects, a religious court order granting adoption is issued. For Muslim/Druze sects, a religious court order granting legal guardianship is issued.
Fees: Fees vary, and are subject to change
Document Name: Court Decision
Issuing Authority: Appropriate religious court under the Ministry of Justice.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies depending on the court.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Judge
Procedure for Obtaining: In Lebanon, the request for a copy of the court decision is made to the Ministry of Justice through the appropriate religious court. Outside Lebanon, the request for a copy of the court decision may be submitted through a lawyer to the Ministry of Justice through the appropriate religious court.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: There is no general civil adoption authority in Lebanon. Lebanon is not currently a Hague Convention country. Information about the process to adopt a child in Lebanon, can be found on the country specific information page in the Intercountry Adoption section of Travel.State.Gov.
Available: A Lebanese identity card is available to Lebanese citizens.
Fees: There are no fees.
Document Name: Identity card
Issuing Authority: Ministry of Interior and Municipalities
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A red, white, and green colored credit card sized ID card with biographic information, and a photograph for people over 14 years old.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil Registry Officer
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Apply at the Vital Statistics Bureau (also known as Civil Registry Office) in the district in which the person is registered.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Available: The "Judiciary Police Record" is issued by the Judiciary Police Department, Internal Security Forces, Minister of the Interior and only shows final court decisions, final convictions, and/or court sentences.
Fees: There is a nominal fee.
Document Name: Judiciary Police Record
Issuing Authority: Judiciary Police Department, Internal Security Forces, Ministry of the Interior.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Blue ink on blue paper with gold foil in the upper left.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Chief of the Judiciary Department
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: To obtain the "Judiciary Police Record", an individual who is physically present in Lebanon must personally apply with his/her Lebanese identity card to the Police Record Department, Internal Security Forces, Ministry of Interior. For those residing outside Lebanon, the request must be processed through Lebanese embassies and consulates, but applicants may experience extremely long waiting periods before they receive the document. The “Judiciary Police Record” may also be requested through a lawyer having power of attorney from the individual authorizing the request.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: After completing his/her sentence, an individual could request that the Ministry of Justice remove the sentence from his "Judiciary Police Record" after three to ten years, depending on the type of crime. In 1992, the Lebanese Government issued a "General Amnesty" for all crimes committed before 1991. Also, in 1996 the Lebanese Government issued a "General Amnesty" to all drug-related crimes committed before 1994.
Available: Court records are issued by the Civil Courts and Military Courts and show case details and the final court decision, final conviction, and/or court sentences.
Fees: There are no fees.
Document Name: Military Court and Civil Court records.
Issuing Authority: Military Court or Civil Court under the Ministry of Justice.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Blue seal identifying the court and a table to contain specified and identifying information.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Judge.
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: To obtain the Court Record, an individual who is physically present in Lebanon must personally apply with his/her Lebanese identity card to the Archive section in the Military Court or the Civil Court. For those residing outside Lebanon, the request must be processed through Lebanese embassies and consulates, but applicants may experience extremely long waiting periods before they receive the document. The Court Record may also be requested through a lawyer having power of attorney from the individual authorizing the request.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Available: Military records are issued by the Ministry of National Defense to all active and retired military personnel.
Fees: There are no fees.
Document Name: Military Record
Issuing Authority: Ministry of National Defense
Special Seal(s)/ Color/ Format: The original Arabic contains a table with biometric and service information, with a seal from the Ministry of National Defense in the upper left corner. English translations may appear in a different format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Ministry of National Defense Human Resources
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Inside Lebanon a request must be submitted to the Ministry of National Defense. For those residing outside Lebanon, the request must be processed through Lebanese embassies and consulates, but applicants may experience extremely long waiting periods before they receive the document.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.): Biometric Passports issued for Regular, Diplomatic, Services, and special passports. Biometric Travel Document for Palestinian Refugees. Biometric Laissez-Passer for stateless individuals.
Fees: Fees vary depending on length of validity.
Document Name: Passport. Diplomatic Passport. Service Passport. Special Passport. Travel document for Palestinian Refugees. Laissez-Passer.
Issuing Government Authority: General Directorate of the General Security of Lebanon
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Dry seal on the front cover of the passport (Cedar tree) for all types. Regular passports, dark blue cover. Diplomatic passports, red cover. Service passports, gray cover. Special passports, green cover. Travel Document for Palestinian Refugees, light blue cover. Laissez-Passer, brown cover.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Major General of the GDGS
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Inside Lebanon, applications will be received at the Bureau of Public Relations or any passport agency office, as well as most regional bureaus. Outside Lebanon, replacement passports may be obtained at embassies and consulates.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Other Documents Available: There are no other documents available.
There are no other records.
Post Title: United States Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon
Address:
Awkar - near Antelias
P.O. Box 70-840
Beirut, Lebanon
Phone Number: Tel: (+961) (4) 542-600 or (+961) (4) 543-600
Beirut offers both IV and NIV visa services.
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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