Contents
Summary
Entry and exit requirements
Safety and security
Local travel
Laws that apply to you
Health issues
Where to get help
Additional information
Summary
- We advise you not to travel to Libya because of the unpredictable security situation throughout the country.
- UN Security Council Resolution 2016 has terminated the use of “all necessary means” to protect civilians and the “no-fly zone” over Libya. The “no-fly zone” in Libya was lifted on the night of 31 October 2011. Australians should check with their travel agent or airline about the resumption of normal commercial air services.
- Between February - October 2011, there has been widespread fighting and violent clashes across many populated areas in Libya. On 23 October 2011 the National Transitional Council announced it was in control of Libya and, on 22 November 2011, an interim Libyan government was announced. However, fighting between rival militias could erupt without warning.
- Australians in Libya should stay in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s 24-hour Consular Operations Centre on +61 2 62613305 or the Australian Embassy in Cairo on +202 2770 6600. You should ensure that we are aware of your location and your current plans, so we can contact you if need be.
- The Australian Consulate-General in Tripoli is closed until further notice.
- The fighting in Libya has placed severe strain on public services, especially hospitals, clinics and provision of clean water.
- There is an ongoing threat of kidnapping in Libya and foreigners may be targeted. Such kidnappings are more likely in sparsely populated border areas.
- We advise you not to travel to the border areas with Niger, Chad, and Sudan because of the presence of armed tribal groups, and the threat of kidnapping by terrorists in these areas.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details , so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
Entry and exit
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Libya for the most up to date information. Tourist visas are generally not available to individuals unless you are part of an organised tour group travelling with a Libyan tourist company.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from Libya. Your passport details must be translated into Arabic by an accredited translator and written into the passport, as prescribed by the Libyan Government. For details, please consult the Australian Passports Office web-site,
Arabic Translation.
Travellers whose passport contains evidence of entry to Israel or to other-country border crossings with Israel will be refused entry.
You should register your passports with the police station closest to your accommodation. Failure to do so may result in fines and problems during your stay or on departure.
Under Libyan law, children born to Libyan fathers need their father's permission to depart Libya.
A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for entry into Libya if you are arriving from a country endemic for yellow fever. The World Health Organisation provides a list of countries endemic for yellow fever.
Some airlines may require passengers to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before being allowed to board flights out of Libya. If in doubt, check with your airline.
Safety and security
Civil unrest/Political tension
We advise you not to travel to Libya because of the unpredictable security situation throughout the country. On 23 October 2011 the National Transitional Council announced it was in control of Libya and, on 22 November 2011, an interim Libyan government was announced. However, armed militias remain active in many areas and fighting between rival groups could erupt without warning. The situation across Libya is unpredictable and areas of conflict can change rapidly. Despite the end of the fighting the Australian government’s ability to provide consular assistance to Australians in Libya remains limited.
On 27 October 2011, UN Security Council Resolution 2016 ended the mandate for the no-fly-zone over Libya aimed at protecting civilians. NATO’s Operation Unified Protector, which implemented the no-fly-zone ended on the night of 31 October 2011. Libyan authorities will take control of their airspace from this time, however normal commercial operations may take some time to resume. Australians should check with their travel agent or airline about the resumption of normal commercial services.
Australian Consulate-General in Tripoli has not yet resumed operations.
Australian officials were evacuated from Tripoli on 26 February 2011. The Australian Consulate-General in Tripoli is closed until further notice
Australians in Libya who require consular assistance should contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia or the Australian Embassy in Cairo on +202 2770 6600.
Information for Australians who choose to remain in Libya
Australians in Libya should stay in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s 24-hour Consular Operations Centre on +61 2 62613305 or the Australian Embassy in Cairo on +202 2770 6600. You should ensure that we are aware of your location and your current plans, so we can contact you if need be. Australians who choose to remain in Libya should pay very close attention to their personal security at all times. Access to basic necessities and fuel is reportedly difficult. The fighting in Libya has also placed severe strain on public services, especially hospitals, clinics and the provision of clean water.
Large amounts of unexploded ordnance and landmines remain in the conflict zones. Australians are advised not to travel to areas of recent heavy fighting.
Australians are urged to avoid political gatherings and demonstrations as they have the potential to turn violent. If you are in an area where a protest is occurring you should either leave, if it is safe to do so, or remain indoors and away from windows.
Australians should be aware of the possibility of retaliatory measures from pro-Qaddafi supporters. There is a risk of attacks against public buildings including hotels.
Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks. You should ensure that your travel documents are in a safe place and accessible so that you can depart Libya at short notice. If travelling with children, carry documentation proving your right to have them accompany you, such as a consent letter, court order or a birth certificate. If you are seeking to depart Libya you should take adequate supplies of food, water and toiletries in case of delays.
Terrorism
We advise you not to travel to Libya because of the unsettled security situation and the threat of terrorist attack. Terrorist attacks could occur at anytime and anywhere in Libya, including at places frequented by foreigners. The current civil unrest in Libya and breakdown in law and order may provide increased scope for terrorists to operate in Libya. A number of militant groups are known to operate in Libya.
You should pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
There is a risk of terrorist attack against Western interests in Libya. In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. Possible targets include commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners such as hotels, office buildings, restaurants, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreation events, public transport, embassies, markets and shopping areas, historic sites and tourist areas. Significant concentrations of foreign workers in remote locations may also be at risk.
There is an ongoing threat of kidnapping in Libya and foreigners may be targeted. Such kidnappings are more likely in sparsely populated border areas. For more information about kidnapping, see our Kidnapping Threat travel bulletin.
The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it does not make payments or concessions to kidnappers. The Australian Government considers that paying a ransom increases the risk of further kidnappings, including of other Australians. If you do decide to travel to an area where there is a particular threat of kidnapping, you should ensure you have personal security measures in place, seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance.
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
Borders with Niger, Chad and Sudan: We advise you not to travel to the border areas with Niger, Chad, and Sudan, or undertake cross-border travel between Libya and Niger, Chad, or Sudan, because of banditry, the presence of armed tribal groups and the risk of kidnapping by terrorists. You should be aware of the very high threat of kidnapping by terrorists in these areas.
Crime
There may be an increased risk of crime in Libya as law and order has broken down in many parts of the country. There have been reports of violence and armed robberies targeting vehicles seeking to depart Libya by road. Due to the presence of large number of weapons there is a heightened risk of crime involving firearms and violence.
Money and valuables
Libya is a cash society and credit card use is extremely limited. Accessing money from banks may be difficult, as some banking services may be disrupted due to security situation. Travellers' cheques are not accepted and the number of ATMs is extremely limited.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
Replacing a passport incurs an additional fee. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports. For further information, see Lost or stolen passport.
Local travel
There have been reports of violence and armed robberies targeted vehicles seeking to depart Libya by road, including to Tunisia. You should not attempt to depart Libya through the borders with southern Algeria, Chad and Niger due to the very high threat of kidnapping in those areas.
Although road conditions are reasonable throughout Libya, driving standards are poor and the volume of traffic is heavy. Wind-blown sand can reduce visibility quickly. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
Visitors are required to carry identification documents at all times.
Airline safety
Libyan airspace reopened on the night of 31 October 2011. Normal commercial operations may take some time to resume.
Please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.
Laws
When you are in Libya, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
The law and order situation in Libya is in the process of being rebuilt by the National Transitional Council. It is unclear what laws are enforced and what police services are operating.
Penalties for drug offences are severe and include the death penalty or life imprisonment.
Other serious crimes, such as murder, may attract the death penalty.
Sexual relations outside of marriage are illegal in Libya and punishments include imprisonment.
Homosexual acts are illegal in Libya and punishments include a minimum three years imprisonment.
There are severe penalties for importing and using alcohol in Libya.
Photography around military zones, assets and personnel and police assets and police personnel is illegal and may result in arrest and detention.
Foreigners involved in business disputes may have their passports confiscated and/or may not be permitted to depart Libya until the dispute has been settled.
Child custody decisions are based on Islamic law.
The penalty for illegally exporting antiquities is three years imprisonment plus compensation for any damage caused.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties for up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.
Local customs
There are strong Islamic codes of dress and behaviour in Libya. You should take care not to offend.
During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims.
Information for Dual Nationals
Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.
Health
As a resulted of the recent fighting there are severe strain on public services such as hospitals, clinics and provision of clean water.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
Medical facilities in Libya are limited and some medicines are in short supply. Medical facilities in remote areas can be very limited or non-existent. Travellers may wish to consider carrying limited medical supplies for personal use. Foreigners will be required to pay an up-front deposit for medical services. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities would be necessary. Costs for a medical evacuation could be considerable (over $A50, 000).
Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including typhoid, hepatitis, tuberculosis, plague and measles) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis (bilharzia). Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Where to get help
The Australian Consulate-General remains closed until further notice. Australians in Libya who require assistance can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia or the Australian Embassy in Cairo on +202 2770 6600.
We encourage all Australians in Libya you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
Additional information
For parents
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.