Guide for Incoming Students
Pre-Arrival Information
Health
Mandatory:
- Complete the following Enrollment Health Record and have it signed by your GP.
- You can substitute the immunization reports with a photocopy of your vaccination record booklet.
Submit the above-mentioned documents to the LAU Health Clinics on your campus upon arrival.
- You must have a health insurance policy that covers your stay at LAU. If you have one, please pass by the Office of the Dean of Students at LAU on arrival and provide proof of your insurance plan to get LAU insurance fees waived.
- As for the Social Security, only Lebanese, French, Belgium, and German students are required to bring a copy of their Social Security card to have NSSF fee waived. Students with other nationalities will not be charged this fee.
- For further information regarding medical coverage charges, please refer to student insurance plan.
General Tips:
- Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required if one arrives from an infected area
- Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are recommended if one intends to travel to rural areas
- Hepatitis A and Meningococcal Vaccines as well as a tuberculin skin test are mandatory for all those who wish to stay in LAU Residence Halls.
- Modern medical facilities are widely available in Lebanon, though some of the hospitals can be expensive, so one must take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy.
- Students who have chronic medical conditions are advised to bring their medications with them for their entire stay since medication costs can be somewhat high in Lebanon, and are not covered by LAU student insurance.
- Please visit the following website for the latest updates regarding arrivals to Beirut Rafic Hariri Airport.
For more assistance, contact our Health Clinics:
- Beirut: Ms. Joceline Karkour, Ext. 1040
- Byblos: Ms. Maria Sargi El Ghoul, Ext. 2040
Housing
- Please check housing on campus.
- For assistance on housing around our campuses you can contact Dina Abdul Rahman.
Airport Arrival
Rafiq Hariri International Airport is the only international airport in Lebanon.
- Entry Visa is granted based on the student’s nationality. You can find the list of countries that have a right to an Entry VISA on the following General Security link.
- You can negotiate a taxi upon arrival at the airport or you can reserve a taxi online for your pick up.
For assistance, please check the recommended companies below:
- Charlie Taxi: 01-285710
- Allo Taxi: 01-517070 or recommended to use their app, especially for airport pickup
- HEYA RIDE APP (for girls)
- Byblos Taxi: 06-545453
- Charbel Taxi +961 70-211555 (on WhatsApp)
Residency Papers
To get your residency papers sorted you will need:
- A valid passport with an expiration date of at least one year.
- Three colored copies of the stamped page in your passport (the one stamped by the Lebanese General Security upon arrival at Beirut Airport).
- Three (3.5 cmx4.3 cm) new color personal photos with a white background.
- An enrollment letter issued by the Registrar’s Office, after the collection of the statement of fees period:
- This enrollment letter will be certified by the Ministry of Higher Education (located in Beirut, in Palace Habib Abi Chahla next to UNESCO Palace-Ministry, Tel: 01-789611).
- This enrollment letter should also be certified by your respective embassy.
- Students living outside Beirut can send the letter for certification by Libanpost.
- Proof of your tuition payment (Scholarship Contract or Statement of Fees).
- Commitment not to work in Lebanon from a Notary Public: this document costs 2,000,000 LBP in Beirut and 2,500,000 LBP in Byblos.
- Recommended Notary around Beirut campus: Hamra, Leon Street, next to Lebanon and Gulf Bank: Jihan Saab; Phone Number: 01-752450 Or check this link
- Recommended Notary in Byblos, near Banque Libano-Francaise: Vera Daoud; Phone Number: 09-945471.
- Document showing the source of your living expenses.
- Housing attestation from “Mokhtar” (Mayor).
- After preparing all these documents, pass by the General Security and apply for your Residency Permit. Please note that you will need to submit a detailed address, so make sure you know your address and have it with you when you go:
- If residing in central Beirut: General Security office facing Sodeco ; phone number: 01-429060/1
- If residing in Byblos: General Security, Byblos branch, Saraya, facing Bank Byblos main street; phone number: 09-945868
- Please note that each step of the process requires official stamps, either from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) or General Security. You can request the necessary stamps from MEHE or any authorized library. The cost may vary, but in most cases, a stamp worth 100,000 LBP is required.
Note: Due to occasional shortages in official stamps, you can get payment receipts equivalent to the stamps from:- OMT branches
- Wish Money branches
- Authorized bookstores/kiosks
For any inquiries about Residency issues please contact the General Security Hotline 1717 or check their website.
Please note that whether you are planning to stay in Lebanon for four months, six months or even a year, you must apply for a one-year residency and the cost is 10,000,000 LBP, with an additional 4,900,000 LBP if expedited processing is required, and 2,500,000 LBP for any additional fees. The process will take more than 15 working days to be complete and the prices may sometimes vary depending on the student’s visa.
Living in Lebanon
Safety/Security
- Once you arrive to Lebanon, complete the Attestation Form and submit it to the International Services and Programs Office on your campus.
- Connect with your embassy to let them know you are here. View the Embassies directory
- LAU is committed to making its campuses safe and secure, providing students with an optimum environment for learning, pursuing interests, and socializing.
- Emergency numbers: Students can call the Protection Department on ext. 1100 (Beirut) and 2146 (Byblos) at any time.
- There is a high level of security in Lebanon due to various security stops and armed guards in most areas.
- In Beirut, as in other towns and villages, streets are particularly safe day and night; random violence is seldom experienced by both locals and visitors.
- Consult your embassy or the International Services and Programs Office if you plan to visit peripheral areas of Lebanon.
- It is preferable to move around in groups.
- Watch out for theft in busy touristic areas.
- It is recommended that you do not discuss your political views with strangers.
- When visiting any religious place, one must dress modestly.
- Carry a valid form of identification at all times, as it may be requested at checkpoints.
University Emergency Numbers
- Medical Assistance Emergency during working hours: 1040 (Beirut) and 2040 (Byblos).
- Winter (September-May) 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Summer (June-August) 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- Medical Assistance Emergency outside working hours: 1500 (Beirut) and 2500 (Byblos).
- Facilities Emergency (to report fire, water flood or leakage, electricity problems, etc.): 1010 (Beirut) and 2020 (Byblos).
- Students can call the Protection department on ext. 1500 (Beirut) and 2500 (Byblos) at any time.
Lebanon Emergency Numbers
- Police: 112
- Fire: 175
- Red Cross: 140
Cost of Living (Subject to change)
As the capital of Lebanon, Beirut is the most expensive city in the country. Nevertheless, compared to Europe, living in Beirut is more or less affordable.
| Accommodation Within Beirut | $600–$1,000/month |
| Accommodation Outside Beirut | $400–$660/month |
| Food | $300/month |
| Leisure | $150/month |
Transportation
Buses
The new ACTC public bus system is a comfortable and safe option for travel, widely used by students. The buses operate from 6 AM to 7 PM. For more information on payment methods, active lines, bus stops, and regular updates, you can check their Instagram page.
Another option is Connexion, a private bus operator that operates routes between Beirut and northern cities, such as Tripoli. It offers more comfort, reliability, and fixed schedules, making it a more comfortable but pricier option. International students can use this as a getaway to explore northern Lebanon (Batroun, Chekka, Ehden, Bcharre (Cedars), Qadisha Valley, etc.).
Taxis and Service (ser-vees)
- “Services” and taxis are the most popular means of transportation in Lebanon.
- A service is a lot cheaper than a taxi because it is shared with other passengers, but the price must be negotiated before setting off.
- Both taxis and service are recognizable by their red plate.
- You hail either one.
- Specify if you want it as a taxi or a service. A taxi ride does not take any other passengers in the car and is usually more expensive. A service ride usually takes in more than one passenger at the same time and that is why it is cheaper.
- You can also opt for a taxi from a private company:
- Charlie Taxi: 01-285710
- Allo Taxi: 01-517070 or recommended to use their app, especially for airport pickup
- HEYA RIDE APP (for girls only)
- Byblos Taxi: 06-545453
- Charbel Taxi: +961 70-211555 (on WhatsApp)
Telecommunications
Lebanon’s country code is +961. It is worth your while to buy a local SIM card since you are staying more than one month. Touch and Alfa are the only providers.
New prepaid SIM or eSIM starts from $7 USD.
You can subscribe to a Student Plan for $5 USD/month (5 GB).
For larger data packages, please refer to the providers’ websites: touch.com.lb | alfa.com.lb
Prices are in USD but paid in LBP based on the Sayrafa exchange rate. To purchase a line, you must present a valid passport showing an entry visa (as per your nationality) and a valid residence permit for long stays.
The Buddy Program
How about a buddy to smooth your transition to our campus and the Lebanese community? Lebanese students are here to help before your arrival and during your stay in Lebanon. Learn more / request a Buddy.
Checklist
Before you travel
- Complete the LAU online application or the Common App application
- Make sure to submit all required documents as instructed by ISP or Admissions
- Complete the Enrollment Health Record and get it signed from your family physician
- Go through a general checkup and get a medical report in case you have any specific medical case
- Prepare an emergency medical kit that can be useful in case of emergency while you are here
- Make sure you have a medical insurance for your stay in Lebanon or else you will be charged the LAU Medical insurance fees. View LAU’s medical insurance fees and requirements.
- Bring with you 6 new colored personal photos (3.5 cm*4.3 cm) with a white background
- Send ISP your arrival and departure dates
- Complete your learning agreement and send it to ISP
When you arrive to your destination country
- Attend orientation and any other events organized by LAU
- Get to know your surroundings. Make sure to take safety measures, meaning, do not use large money notes at street kiosks but at the same time don’t get paranoid!
- Contact your embassy in Lebanon and provide them with your contact info
- Complete the Attestation Form and submit it to the International Services and Programs Office on your campus
- If there are any changes in your contact information in Lebanon during your stay at LAU, it is your responsibility to notify the ISP a.s.a.p.
- Submit the Enrollment Health Record to the Health Clinic on your campus
- Update your learning agreement and submit it to ISP before registration dates at LAU
- Embrace the difference because this is why you are here.
Before your leave Lebanon
- Confirm your departure date with ISP
- Meet with ISP staff to assess you experience at LAU
- Complete the online assessment form you will receive in order to guarantee smooth processing of all paper work
- Pass by the business office at LAU to make sure no outstanding fees are on your records. Any outstanding fees will result in a hold on your account and official transcripts cannot be issued.