Frequently asked questions about the situation in Lebanon

• The colour code of the travel advisory for all of Lebanon is red. Do not travel to Lebanon. If you are in Lebanon, we recommend leaving the country as soon as possible while there are still commercial exit options.
• Due to volatile developments between Israel and the Palestinian Territories (Gaza), there are heightened tensions in Lebanon.
• There are rocket attacks and shelling from Israel and Lebanon in the border area. It is unpredictable whether this violence will spread to other parts of Lebanon.

• We hope everyone is in a safe location. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises you to leave Lebanon as soon as possible if it is safe to do so. Leave on commercial airlines while it is still possible.
• Are you staying in Lebanon? We hope you are in a safe location and advise everyone to stay at home and listen to local authorities. Inform yourself about the local situation before you move. If possible, make sure you have sufficient supplies of food, drink, medicine and fuel if necessary.
• Sign up for Foreign Affairs Information Service (information in Dutch). This way we know you are in the country and can update you on current information.
• Are you in Lebanon and in need? Let your family/friends know how you are doing. Always follow the instructions of the local authorities. Due to the security situation, the Dutch embassy in Lebanon currently has limited accessibility. You can contact the NetherlandsWorldwide contact centre 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We can be reached at +31 247 247 247. You may also send a message via WhatsApp at +31 6 82 38 80 55.

• The colour code of the travel advice for all of Lebanon is red. Do not travel to Lebanon. If you are in Lebanon, we recommend leaving the country as soon as possible while there are still commercial exit options.
• Check the travel advice for Lebanon (information in Dutch) for the latest information.

• A travel advisory indicates the security risks for Dutch citizens in a country based on research into the current situation.
• A specialized department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs keeps in touch with embassies worldwide for this purpose. The embassy conducts research into the security risks in the country. Sometimes areas are visited to assess the situation. Talks are held with local authorities, intelligence services, companies, partner countries and other organizations.
• The Netherlands actively exchanges information with other countries and includes it in its considerations of whether or not to adjust a travel recommendation.
• Would you like to know more about how a travel advice is prepared? You can find more information on the page How is a travel advice created? (information in Dutch)

• We hope your family is in a safe location. It is important that your family registers with the Foreign Affairs Information Service (information Dutch). If this has not already been done, the family should register immediately. You may also do this on their behalf and act as contact person.
• If your family members are fully registered with the Foreign Affairs Information Service (information in Duch), Foreign Affairs will contact them if there is any important new information.
• Please note that communication channels such as the internet and telephony may be down. We can only advise you to keep trying to contact your relatives.

• You can contact the NetherlandsWorldwide contact centre 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We can be reached at +31 247 247 247. You can also send a message via WhatsApp at +31 6 82 38 80 55.

• Evacuation by the Dutch government is not an issue at this time. As a precaution, however, the ministry is making preparations. However, it is by no means certain that an evacuation can or will take place if the conflict escalates further. Therefore, our advice is: leave while you still can with commercial airlines. Do not wait until it is too late.
• We call on Dutch citizens in Lebanon - who have not yet done so - to register with the Foreign Affairs Information Service (information in Dutch). Then we will know as much as possible who is in the country and how to reach them if necessary.

Foreign Affairs does not have exact information on the numbers of Dutch nationals who are in Lebanon and have a request for assistance. This is because there is no registration requirement for Dutch nationals abroad.

• Read on the page Applying for a passport or identity card if you live in Lebanon which documents you need to apply for a passport.
• Read on the page Applying for an emergency travel document in Lebanon which documents you need to apply for an emergency travel document.
• Send an email to bei-ca@minbuza.nl to make an appointment.

You can apply at VFS Global in Beirut for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands. Read on the page Applying for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands in Lebanon how to prepare for your appointment. You can also apply for a short-stay Caribbean visa.

Nuclear family members of Dutch nationals

Are you a Dutch national living in Lebanon and do you wish to travel to the Netherlands with your nuclear family members? If you have a ticket or flight reservation for departure within 15 days, you can apply for an emergency visa. Send an email to the embassy to make an appointment: bei-ca@minbuza.nl

If you will travel after 15 days, you can make your appointment directly at VFS Global in Beirut.

The nuclear family members of Dutch people who can apply for a visa are:

• husband/wife
• registered partner
• partner with whom an unmarried Dutch person has a notarial deed or runs a joint household
• dependent children (including adopted and stepchildren) up to the age of 18
• custodial parent of a Dutch child

You can collect your MVV from the embassy in Beirut. Read how to get and prepare your appointment to collect your MVV in Beirut.

The embassy in Beirut currently receives a lot of appointment requests. Appointments are scheduled in order of the IND’s approval date.

An MVV approval for a family member of a refugee is valid for six months. If your MVV approval has expired you need to contact the IND for a new MVV decision.

It is not possible to change back to the embassy in Beirut. Make sure to attend your appointment in the other embassy so your MVV approval does not expire.

You can do the civic integration examination in Beirut. Make an appointment at the Netherlands embassy in Beirut by emailing: bei-visa@minbuza.nl.

You can legalise your Lebanese document in Beirut. Read how to prepare your document for legalisation in Beirut.

Make your legalisation appointment in Beirut by emailing bei-visa@minbuza.nl.