We aim to deliver our services within 10 working days

The Consular Section of the British Embassy in Beirut processes British passport applications from applicants in Beirut.

Processing your passport application

• You must be in Lebanon at the time of your application and when you pick the passport up. You will have to provide us with an address and a phone number in Lebanon where we can contact you.
• Provided applications and supporting documents are submitted correctly and fees are complete, we aim to deliver our services within 10 working days.
• Applications from residents of countries other than Lebanon can take up to 8-10 weeks to consider, as documents may have to be sent back to those countries to be authenticated.

If we have to interview you it may take longer than 10 working days to issue a passport.

Interviews of all first time passport applicants

From May 2007 onwards the UK Identity and Passport Service began the introduction of interviews for all first time adult passport applicants. This significant change is designed to help stop fraudulent passport applications by improving the integrity and security of British passports. The key benefits of the changes will be to:

• Help fight passport fraud and forgery
• Help protect the UK public from identity theft
• Ensure the British passport stays one of the most secure and respected in the world

As a result of this, the British Embassy in Beirut is now interviewing many applicants. All First Time passport applicants aged 12 years and over, should plan on having to attend our offices for an interview.  Some other passport applicants may also be required to attend interviews at the discretion of the British Embassy on a case by case basis.

Duration of Interview

The interviews take 30 – 60 minutes and we will ask you about your identity and your entitlement to British nationality and may ask for more documents in addition to those supplied with your application. We will tell you whether we need to interview you when we accept your application. We aim to interview you within 5 working days of having the correct documentation from you.

Application Forms

Applications forms can be collected from the embassy or downloaded from our website. There is a form for children under 16 years and a form for people 16 year olds and over. These are not the same forms to be used if you apply for a passport in the UK.

All applicants over 16 years will need to visit the Embassy in person to give us their application.

Method of payment

• Fees are paid when an application is made and are not refundable.
• Payments are made in cash and in local currency only (Lebanese pounds LBP).
• Credit Cards (Visa & MasterCard) will be accepted from March 5th 2009. No cheques accepted.

You should not make any travel arrangements until the new passport is received, as the Embassy cannot be responsible for costs incurred as a result of disrupted travel plans.

Our Offices

Consular Section
British Embassy
Serail Hill,
Beirut Central District
PO Box : 11 471 Beirut

Tel : 00961 (0)1 960800
Fax: 00961 (0)1 990420 & 960855
E-mail: Consular Enquiries

Opening hours

Monday - Thursday: 0830 - 1430