Permanent Residence Permit (Financial Independence)

Lebanon's Permanent Residence Permit (Financial Independence) is a 3-year renewable residence permit for foreign and Arab nationals who can demonstrate sufficient financial means to support themselves without employment. Category 1 of the three permanent residence permit categories, it targets financially independent individuals — retirees, pensioners, and persons of independent means. The permit is administered by the General Directorate of General Security under the Law of 10 July 1962 and Decree No. 10188 of 1962 (Articles 12, 15, 16, and 17). A May 2024 policy change introduced a cash guarantee option with the Ministry of Finance as an alternative to the frozen bank account requirement, following Lebanon's banking crisis.

• Foreign or Arab national of any nationality
• One of the following financial proofs:
  • Cash guarantee of 4,500,000,000 LBP deposited with the Ministry of Finance — Treasury Directorate (via cash or fresh bank check); or
  • Savings passbook showing a frozen account of at least 4,500,000,000 LBP in an active Lebanese bank for more than 3 months; or
  • Certified monthly income of at least 20,000,000 LBP from foreign transfers or retirement funds abroad
• Notarized commitment not to perform any paid work in Lebanon (waived for applicants aged 64 and above)
• Valid accommodation in Lebanon (lease contract or property title deed)
• Passport with at least 3 years of remaining validity
• No educational or professional qualifications required

• Completed and approved application form
• Valid passport (minimum 3 years validity) plus 2 certified photocopies
• Three recent passport photographs (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
• Financial proof: savings passbook photocopy certified by the General Security office head, or receipt of 4,500,000,000 LBP cash guarantee deposited with the Ministry of Finance
• Notarized no-work commitment signed before a Notary Public (waived for applicants aged 64+)
• Lease contract or property title deed

The permit is valid for 3 years and is renewable under the same conditions. The original cash guarantee can be applied to renewals without depositing additional funds. Renewal applications must be filed at least 5 days before permit expiry. Holders who reside outside Lebanon cannot renew their residence card (Article 15, Decree 10188). A holder who spends more than 12 continuous months — or more than 18 cumulative months within 3 years — outside Lebanon loses their permanent residence status (Article 17, Decree 10188).

Spouse, minor children, and relatives aged 64 and above are automatically granted permits under the principal applicant's application. Adult male family members are reviewed separately and require approval from the Director General. No separate financial requirements apply to dependants. Minors under 15 are exempt from application fees.

Lebanon operates a territorial tax system: income sourced in Lebanon is taxable, while income from foreign sources is not taxed in Lebanon. Permanent residents living on foreign passive income (foreign pensions, overseas rental income, foreign investment returns) generally have no Lebanese tax liability. Dividends from Lebanese investments are subject to a 10% withholding tax. Residents holding foreign stocks or bonds who transfer profits abroad must file an annual income declaration by 1 March, with tax due by 1 April.

Applicants must appear in person at a General Security regional office or the General Secretariat. The cash guarantee must be deposited with the Ministry of Finance before submitting the application; the savings passbook photocopy must be certified by the head of the General Security office. The application fee is 54,000,000 LBP; minors under 15 are exempt. Foreign nationals must first enter Lebanon on an appropriate entry visa. Biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) is collected as part of the biometric residency permit system. Renewals may alternatively be submitted through LibanPost offices.

Lebanon does not offer automatic permanent residency conversion to citizenship. Lebanese citizenship may be pursued through naturalization after a minimum of 5 years of legal residence, demonstrated knowledge of Arabic, good moral character, a clean criminal record, financial means, and integration into Lebanese society — granted by Decree of the Council of Ministers.

Engagement in any paid employment in Lebanon is strictly prohibited throughout the permit's validity. Applicants must sign a notarized no-work commitment before a Notary Public. This requirement is waived for applicants aged 64 and above. Violation of residence conditions may result in expulsion and a 3-year entry ban for a first offense, or a 10-year ban for a second offense.