Another country rolls out e-visas for foreigners

TRIPOLI – In a bid to attract more tourists, the authorities in Libya have rolled out a new e-visas system for foreign visitors, signaling a significant step forward in the country’s visa procedures.

The announcement was made by the Libyan government of National Unity (GNU) on Wednesday, aimed at streamlining the visa acquisition for foreign workers.

Scheduled to launch on May 1st, this year, the new e-visa system represents a major milestone in Libya’s efforts to modernize its entry processes.

State Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Adel Jumaa, hailed the e-visa service as a pioneering project that will revolutionize the entry process for foreign labor, marking a significant advancement in Libya’s administrative efficiency.

Moreover, Labor and Rehabilitation Minister Ali Al-Abed also emphasized the system’s potential to eliminate bureaucratic delays and corruption, thereby enhancing the regulation of foreign labor inflow. This digital transformation is aligned with Libya’s broader strategy to attract international talent and improve administrative efficiency, in line with global immigration trends favoring electronic governance.

The introduction of the e-visa service is expected to facilitate the integration of foreign workers into Libya’s economy, thereby fostering economic development and international cooperation.

Following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, Libya faced a period of instability marked by political turmoil and armed conflict. In 2014, after disputed elections, two rival governments emerged including the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli and the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR) aligned with the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by General Khalifa Haftar.

Despite efforts to reconcile rival administrations, political divisions persisted. However, in 2021, a new interim unity government led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah was appointed following UN-backed talks and a ceasefire agreement. The interim government is aiming to lead Libya towards national elections and a more stable political future.