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Lebanon Evacuation Support

Please see the latest guidance we have to support loved ones who are U.S Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents trying to evacuate Lebanon. This page will be updated as new information becomes available.

ACCESS strongly encourages all U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) currently in Lebanon to register with the U.S. State Department by completing the Crisis Intake Form (https://mytravel.state.gov/s/crisis-intake) and enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) (https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step). 

We are here to support you through this process. Please contact Hind at 313 203-1877 or email at hkhraizat@accesscommunity.org 

Important Notes on the Crisis Intake Form:

  • It is essential for all U.S. citizens and LPRs to complete the Crisis Intake Form online at https://mytravel.state.gov/s/crisis-intake.
  • You will receive a response within 12–24 hours. Please submit the form only once.
  • Reserved tickets will be confirmed via email from the State Department.
  • Luggage is limited to one suitcase and one handbag. Due to staff shortages, luggage may arrive on a different flight.
  • Stay informed: Information is subject to rapid change. Regularly check the State Department website (https://mytravel.state.gov) or email lb.usembassy@state.gov for updates.

 

Departure Assistance:

If you need assistance leaving Lebanon, indicate this when filling out the Crisis Intake Form. You will receive an email from CACMS@state.gov—please reply, confirming your need for assistance and providing identification for yourself and eligible family members.

 

Current U.S. Embassy Operations:

  • The U.S. Embassy in Beirut is operational but is not offering routine services.
  • Services are being prioritized for U.S. citizens.
  • All visa appointments this week, and possibly next week, have been canceled. ACCESS can assist in transferring your case to another U.S. embassy if you can obtain a visa to travel there.
  • For cases in administrative processing (pending security checks), transferring to another embassy will not delay the timeline.
  • U.S. passports are still being issued. Appointments are available, and in some cases, passports can be issued on the same day.
  • The government is not providing assistance for travel to the embassy. Citizens must arrange for safe transport independently.
  • We encourage you to monitor the embassy’s visa page for updates.

 

Evacuation and Travel Options:

  • No foreign evacuations are currently planned.
  • If conditions at Beirut’s airport change, the State Department will reevaluate the situation.
  • The U.S. government is offering additional flights alongside commercial options. U.S. citizens will not be charged upfront but must sign a promissory note agreeing to repay approximately $280 per adult. Payment arrangements will be made later.
  • U.S. citizens are encouraged to use commercial flights. Loans are available for those needing financial assistance to purchase tickets.
  • For U.S. citizen children under 16, a family member with valid travel documentation (U.S. or Schengen visa) may accompany them to the United States. Travel is limited to Turkey or Germany, and the destination will be assigned—choices are not permitted.
  • Turkey requires departure within 72 hours, and Lebanese nationals are not allowed visa-free entry as usual.

 

Priority for Assistance:

The following groups will receive priority for assistance:

  • U.S. citizens with a valid U.S. passport.
  • U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) with a valid, unexpired LPR card.
  • Spouses of U.S. citizens (traveling with the U.S. citizen); Minor children (under 21) of U.S. citizens (traveling with the U.S. citizen); Parents of U.S. citizens (regardless of the age of the U.S. citizen and are traveling with the U.S. citizen): All non-citizen travelers must have an unexpired passport and a valid U.S. or Schengen visa.
  • U.S. citizen children under age 16 with a valid U.S. passport and traveling with one guardian who has a valid U.S. or Schengen visa.

Full evacuation will only occur if there are no commercial flights available at the time.

 

Expedited Immigration Support:

ACCESS is assisting clients with pending immigrant visa petitions at USCIS to expedite their cases due to the crisis. U.S. citizens filing for immediate relatives—spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 who currently reside in Lebanon—are eligible for this expedited process. Additionally, we are working with the National Visa Center to reassign certain completed cases to other U.S. embassies or consulates for interviews, as the U.S. Embassy in Beirut has suspended routine services.