Lebanon's non-biometric passports no longer valid for Schengen visas

The French consulate in Lebanon announced on X that non-biometric Lebanese passports are no longer accepted for Schengen visa applications at Beirut's TLS center, which handles visa requests for France and other consular services.

According to the consulate, Lebanon's General Security said passports issued under the 2003 model, including those with numbers starting with RL, became invalid as of June 25, 2026. "If you currently hold a non-biometric passport, you will need to obtain a biometric passport before submitting a visa application," the message said, adding that applicants who registered with a non-biometric passport number can reschedule their appointment.

General Security had earlier said non-biometric passports would no longer be accepted for entry into Lebanon, citing a global shift toward biometric travel documents and rejection of older passports by several countries, in line with International Civil Aviation Organization standards. 

From October 1, 2026, the 2003-model passport will be phased out entirely, and holders will no longer be allowed to leave Lebanon with it.

A Schengen visa allows short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen Area, which covers most EU countries and several associated states. While biometric passports are now the global standard, some countries — such as Pakistan, which began its rollout in 2024 — are still transitioning.