Middle East University was founded to serve the Middle East region. Lebanon is a most hospitable country and MEU welcomes students from around the world.

If you are an international student considering MEU, please read through the following important information as part of your application process. 

Who needs a student visa?
If you’re an international student studying at MEU, you will need a student visa.

How can I get a student visa?
After you have been accepted as a student and gotten academic and financial clearance, you will be put in touch with Mr. Larry Barkanian, our liaison for visas. He will walk you through the process.

Can I travel outside Lebanon with my student visa?
Yes, but you are responsible to make sure your student visa is valid and that you have the necessary visas for any countries you will be visiting.

What other requirements do I need to fulfill?
International applicants should have passports that are valid for a period not less than one year from the date of joining the University. You may also be required to supply certain medical records for health clearance as requested by the University. Additionally, International applicants must pay an advance deposit and are required to present a satisfactory budget for financing their studies and living costs at MEU.

When can I arrive at MEU?
Once you have received an official letter of acceptance from MEU and you have met the travel requirements, including necessary documents or visas, you have the clearance to arrive at MEU.

  1. Check with your Lebanese embassy to see if you need to apply for a tourist visa before traveling to Lebanon. If you do, go to step 2. If you don’t, go to step 3.
  2. If you need a tourist visa before you travel to Lebanon, you will need to apply at your Lebanese embassy. We will be happy to help provide documents that you may need for the visa interview, but you will be responsible for the process. Helpful websites include http://www.generalsecurity.gov.lb/en/posts/38 and http://www.lebanontourism.com/travelertools/visa.asp
  3. If you do not need a tourist visa before you travel to Lebanon, you can get one when you arrive at the Beirut airport. When entering the passport control, go to the Bank Exchange or Tourist Visa section and pay $37 for a stamp. Then get in the line that says Visas and the officer will put the stamp in your passport.
  4. Your tourist visa will most likely say one (1) month (unless you applied for a three (3) month visa at the Lebanese embassy before traveling). Please note that even if the visa says one (1) month, you are legally permitted to stay in the country up to three (3) months. During this time, we will apply for your student visa/permit.
  5. We will contact you when it is your turn to convert your tourist visa to a student visa/permit. You will need to bring three (3) passport photos, your passport, and a photocopy of your visa.
  6. The process will take three (3) to five (5) months, due to the heavy influx of immigration in Lebanon. During this time, your passport will be held at the General Security so you cannot travel outside the country. Your student permit is valid for one year from the date it was applied on, so if it takes 5 months to come then you have 7 months left before you have to apply for a new one. The student permit is renewed every year.
  7. You will need to purchase a return ticket for exactly three (3) months after arriving in Lebanon. Make sure the return date can be changed after your visa has been converted to a student one.

  • Your passport must be valid for at least one (1) year.
  • International undergraduate students are expected to carry a full course of study—a minimum of twelve credits per semester and six credits in the summer session, in order to maintain their international student status.
  • International applicants are reminded that application procedures may take time, and those needing a visa to enter Lebanon must allow for ample processing time. It is advisable to allow time for the application form, the supportive documents, recommendations, and the application fee to reach the University three months before the beginning of the semester.
  • Nationals of Arab countries but non-G.C.C. (Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Comoros Island, Ghana, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen) need to bring a $2,000 USD deposit when they enter the country. Please confirm with your Lebanese embassy.
  • If you need to apply for a tourist visa to enter Lebanon, you are responsible for making the necessary arrangements through your Lebanese embassy.
  • If you are applying from outside the country in September for a student visa, you will need to send our liaison a scanned copy of your high school diploma and a clear scanned passport copy.
  • We recommend you request an invitation letter from MEU that you can bring to your visa appointment at the Lebanese embassy or show at the airport if you get your visa upon entry. An invitation letter is prepared after you have received financial clearance and sent to you by email. You will need to provide your passport details and specific arrival/departure dates and will then receive a scanned, signed and sealed invitation letter. This invitation letter is required for students who must bring the $2,000 USD deposit with them. Please print a copy and have it on hand at the airport if the officer asks for details at your arrival.
  • Be sure you bring Mr. Larry Barkanian’s mobile number (we will send it to you) and MEU’s physical address with you. You will need to write down the physical address on the white entry card that is distributed in the airplane before you land. General Security may check this address later. MEU’s physical address is: Middle East University
    75 Ferdous Street Sabtieh, Beirut