Travellers to Lebanon Gain Online Entry Visas, Residency Renewals, Certificates

Lebanon's General Directorate of General Security has launched a new electronic platform called Ma'ak, announced on 12 November 2026. The service is designed to let citizens handle a range of General Security procedures online, including entry visa applications and residency permit renewals.

Key facts

• Launched: 12 November 2026, by the General Directorate of General Security
• Services online: residency permit renewals, entry visa applications and certificate requests
• Coming later: passport renewal services, described only as being introduced "in the near future"
• Payments: online by local or international cards through Mastercard Gateway
• Partners: BLOM Bank and Mastercard; built with Pro IT Solutions and Intelligencia

What services does Ma'ak cover?

The platform gives citizens secure digital access to selected General Security services. At launch these are residency permit renewals, entry visa applications and requests for official certificates.

Passport renewal is not part of the initial offering. General Security said only that it will be added in the near future, without giving a date.

How do payments work?

Users can complete payments online using local or international cards, processed through Mastercard Gateway. The platform was developed with the Lebanese company Pro IT Solutions and Intelligencia, a French firm specialising in artificial intelligence and data science, in coordination with General Security teams, and delivered in collaboration with BLOM Bank and Mastercard.

What has not been announced?

The announcement does not state any fees for the services, processing times, eligibility conditions or a web address for the platform. It also does not say whether the entry visa applications handled through Ma'ak cover all visa types or all nationalities.

What this means for travellers

Travellers and residents who need to lodge an entry visa application, renew a residency permit or request an official certificate from General Security now have a digital route for those procedures, with card payment available online. Anyone planning to use the platform should confirm the specific service, cost and requirements directly with General Security, as the announcement does not set these out.

Major General Hassan Choukeir, Director General of General Security, said the aim is to make services "more accessible, convenient, and secure." Passport renewals are expected to be added to the platform later, though no date has been given.