Revised entry measures approved by General Security this week will not exclude "extreme humanitarian cases" from crossing into Lebanon, a government source said Friday, adding that the criteria for these would soon be shared with the UNHCR. Lebanon's General Security approved revised entry measures for Syrian nationals who will no longer be able to enter Lebanon without a visa, in a move aimed at curbing the entry of refugees fleeing almost four years of conflict.
A statement released by General Security on New Year's Eve said that under the new regulations, which will go into effect on Jan. 5, 2015, Syrian nationals can apply for six types of entry visas, including tourist, business, student, transit, short stay and medical.
Syrians who own properties in Lebanon must also present supporting documents, whereas students are required to provide official admission letters proving they are enrolled in Lebanese schools and universities.
Two-day transit visas are granted to Syrian travelers through Lebanese ports and the airport, and to applicants to foreign embassies that had closed down their offices in Syria and relocated to Lebanon, the statement added.
Lebanon, which hosts over 1.2 million Syrian refugees, started tightening control on the entry of Syrian refugees last year by limiting access to extreme humanitarian and medical cases.
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