UAE to Open Electronic Visa Centre in Beirut Next Month

The United Arab Emirates will open an electronic visa centre in Beirut, Lebanon, in October 2026, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on 28 September. Lebanese applicants will be able to complete the entire visa application process without leaving the country, under an initiative announced by Under-Secretary Omar Obaid Al Shamsi.

The centre is part of the ministry’s push to digitise and streamline visa procedures, and is being framed as a step toward stronger UAE–Lebanon bilateral cooperation. Full details of the centre’s location in Beirut and its exact opening date have not yet been announced.

What the New Visa Centre Will Do

The announcement says applicants in Lebanon will be able to handle their UAE visa paperwork end-to-end locally. While the ministry has not published an itemised list of services, an electronic visa centre typically handles document submission, biometric capture, and application tracking — removing the need to courier passports abroad or book appointments outside the country.

According to the report of the announcement, the move sits within a broader effort by the UAE to move visa processing online and cut waiting times. For now, the key takeaway is simple: Lebanese residents applying for UAE visas should soon be able to do it closer to home.

Passengers waiting in a modern visa application centre in Beirut

A visa application centre serving applicants in Beirut, Lebanon

Why It Matters for Lebanese Travellers

Lebanon has long had a large community travelling to the UAE for work, business, and family visits. Dubai alone is one of the most common destinations, and the airport routes between Beirut and the Emirates run busy year-round. Anything that shortens or simplifies the visa step is welcome news for regular travellers.

If you are planning a trip, our Dubai tourist visa guide covers the current application routes, processing times, and what documents you will need. You can also check our Dubai International Airport guide so you know what to expect on arrival, from visa-on-arrival counters to terminal transfers.

What We Don’t Know Yet

The announcement is light on operational detail. A few things remain unconfirmed as of publication:

  • Exact opening date: the ministry says “next month” — meaning October 2026 — but no day has been given.
  • Location: the centre’s address in Beirut has not been disclosed.
  • Fees: no application fee schedule has been published for the new centre.
  • Scope: it is not yet clear whether the centre will handle all visa categories or only tourist and visit visas.

We will update this article as the ministry releases more information. For background on the UAE’s official requirements, the original announcement report via Virgin Radio Dubai carries the ministry’s statement as carried by WAM.

Planning Your UAE Trip Around the New System

Once the centre opens, it is worth building the extra step into your travel timeline — allow a few working days after submitting your application before booking non-refundable tickets. Our Dubai trip cost breakdown helps you budget the visa fee alongside flights, hotels, and daily spending, and the Dubai currency and payments guide covers how to pay for things once you land.

Travelling at the right time of year matters too: check the best time to visit Dubai before you lock in dates, especially if you want to avoid peak-season hotel rates.

Beirut's skyline with the Mediterranean Sea at sunset

Beirut, Lebanon — the new visa centre will let applicants process UAE visas locally

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the UAE electronic visa centre open in Beirut?

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcement on 28 September 2026, the centre will open in October 2026. An exact date has not been confirmed.

Who announced the new visa centre?

The announcement was made by Omar Obaid Al Shamsi, Under-Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

What services will the centre offer?

The ministry says applicants will be able to complete the visa process without leaving Lebanon. A detailed list of services, opening hours, and fees has not yet been published.

Will this change UAE visa fees for Lebanese applicants?

No fee changes have been announced. The initiative is described as a digitisation and streamlining measure, not a fee revision.

Where can I follow official updates?

Watch for statements from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE embassy in Beirut, and see the full announcement report for the ministry’s statement.