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Libya: Updated Immigration Regulations

13th November 2007 With immediate effect passengers traveling to Libya must have an Arabic translation of the whole page containing their personal details in their passport. The translation must be completed by a certified translator.

The information should include :

* Nationality of Passport
* Passport type
* Code of issuing state
* Passenger Nationality
* Passport Number
* Passenger Surname
* Passenger Given Names
* Passenger Date of Birth
* Personal ID Number (if stated in passport)
* Gender (male/female)
* Place of Birth
* Height (if stated in passport)
* Passport date of issue
* Passport place of issue
* Passport expiry date

Passengers holding a diplomatic passport are exempt.

The change, which was not officially announced, makes Libya the only country in the Middle East to currently demand Arabic translations for foreign passports.

Government officials could not be reached for comment Monday.

The measures are in response to a decision to prevent Libyans with visas for the EU's Schengen border-free zone from entering certain European countries, notably France and Britain, a Libyan aviation official said.

The following is taken from the FCO Website
"A visa is also required for travel to Libya. On 11 November 2007, the Libyan authorities reimposed a requirement for all travellers entering and exiting the country to have an Arabic transcript of their passport’s details page. Thet transcript should be submitted to the Libyan authorities on applying for a visa. Travellers without this transcript may not be able to enter or exit the country."

The Libyan Embassy can be contacted at the following address:#

Embassy of Libya in the United Kingdom
61-62 Ennismore Gardens
London SW7 1NH
Telephone: (020) 7589 6120
Fax: (020) 7589 6087
Nearest Underground Tube station: South Kensington

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