Lebanese authorities imposed new fees on non-Lebanese travelers crossing the land border on Monday morning, May 19. They also tightened the entry procedures for Syrians coming from Rafic Hariri Airport.

Drivers working on the Damascus-Beirut route confirmed to Enab Baladi that the Lebanese General Directorate of General Security required Syrian travelers to pay an amount estimated at approximately $12 or one million Lebanese pounds.

Driver Munir Shahoud, who operates on the Damascus-Beirut line, explained to Enab Baladi that the new fees are represented by a financial stamp that must be affixed to the entry form or passport before crossing. This is a requirement for all travelers across the land border.

The border is open from 6 AM to 4 PM, which is exhausting and difficult for drivers and travelers, according to Shahoud, who pointed out that “drivers pay an entry fee to Lebanon of one dollar, and the same amount upon exiting.”

Financial stamp on entry form to Lebanon – May 19, 2025 (Enab Baladi)

For those with an embassy appointment, the embassy must send their name to the border for them to be allowed entry into Lebanon, and they must pay an additional $60 aside from the new fees now imposed.

Conditions for entering Rafic Hariri Airport

Today, the head of General Security at Rafic Hariri Airport, Major General Jouni al-Saissah, issued a circular stating that no Syrian citizen traveling to Syria via Beirut Airport would be allowed to enter Lebanon unless they possess a valid residency abroad for more than six months.

Violators will be returned on the same flight they arrived on.

Decision by General Security at Rafic Hariri Airport in Lebanon – May 19, 2025 (Social Media)

Conditions for Lebanese citizens to enter Syria

In contrast, the General Authority for Land and Sea Crossings in Syria specified the conditions under which Lebanese citizens are allowed to enter the Syrian Arab Republic.

According to what the Authority mentioned on January 23, these conditions include holders of a valid Syrian residency, the spouse and minor children of the residency holder provided they are accompanying him, the husband of a Syrian citizen and her children, and the wife of a Syrian citizen (Palestinian Syrian).

It also includes relatives of a Lebanese woman who married a Syrian and later acquired citizenship.

These conditions also cover domestic workers accompanied by their Lebanese sponsor, holders of valid Arab or foreign nationality or residency for no less than one month who wish to enter with Lebanese documentation.

Additionally, employees of the United Nations and international organizations operating in Lebanon, diplomats, and holders of special passports and mission passports and their companions (not exceeding two companions) are included.

Among the cases permitted to enter Syrian territory are ambulances to transport a Syrian patient to the Masna point and transfer him to a Lebanese ambulance for transport into Lebanon, and the transport of a patient from Lebanon to the Jdaidet Yabous crossing to be transferred to a Syrian ambulance for transport into Syria.

Lebanese media reported at that time that the Lebanese General Security stopped allowing Lebanese citizens to cross into Syrian territory based on recommendations from Syria, except for those holding Syrian residency.

This decision applies to all eastern Bekaa border crossings in Lebanon and the northern crossings in al-Arida, al-Aboudiya, and the Qamar Bridge.

The decision from the Syrian side came in response to similar Lebanese measures preventing non-compliant Syrians from entering Lebanon, the most notable of which is having a valid Lebanese residency, according to An-Nahar newspaper.