Visitors to Libya must obtain a visa from one of the Libyan diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries.
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Libya currently does not issue tourist visas. As of 2014 there are plans to reintroduce tourist visas. Libyan borders with Chad, Niger, Sudan and Algeria are closed. In reality these borders are not controlled by the Government but by Tuareg people and Toubou people.
As of 2013, governments of the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Hungary, Latvia, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Norway, Croatia, Romania, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Russia, Denmark, Slovakia, Estonia, Italy, Poland advise their citizens against all (or in some cases all but essential) travel to Libya.
Visa exemption
Citizens of the following countries can visit Libya without a visa:
Visa is not required for holders of a copy of a letter issued by the Libyan immigration authorities confirming that a visa will be granted on arrival at the airport
Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports of Azerbaijan, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Pakistan, Slovenia, Sudan and Venezuela and holders of only diplomatic passports of Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Eritrea, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Togo do not require a visa for Libya.
Visas for nationals of Turkey were introduced as a reciprocal measure in August 2015.
Compulsory Currency Exchange
Visitors travelling to Libya for touristic purposes are required to convert US$1,000, or equivalent, in freely convertible cash or debit the amount from a valid credit card upon arrival. Failure to do so will result in the traveler being refused entry. Exempt are those visiting a resident, provided holding proof of sponsorship covering entire stay and those traveling as part of a paid tourist package if holding a valid visa.
Entry ban
Visitors will be refused entry if holding travel documents containing a visa (valid or expired) for Israel or any evidence of entry in Israel.
Entry and transit is refused to Israeli citizens, even if not leaving the aircraft and proceeding by the same flight.
Entry is also refused to nationals of Iran.