Libya Visa RequirementsFor Australia passport holders
Australian citizens need a visa to visit Libya. The Australian Government advises against all travel to Libya (Level 4: Do Not Travel) due to the ongoing conflict and lawlessness following the 2011 civil war and Muammar Gaddafi's fall. Consular services for Australians are not available in Libya. The visa fee is approximately $100 USD, applied at the Libyan Embassy in Australia or a third country.
Australia passport holders require a visa to enter Libya.
Australian citizens who have essential reasons to travel to Libya must apply for a Libyan visa at the Libyan Embassy or Consulate. Check the Libyan Embassy in Canberra for current application procedures. Required: valid Australian passport, visa application form, purpose of visit documentation, and visa fee (~$100 USD). Processing time and requirements vary with the current political situation. The Australian Government cannot provide consular assistance to Australians in Libya; register with DFAT's Consular Emergency Centre.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Valid Australian passport (minimum 6 months validity)
Completed Libyan visa application form
Purpose of visit documentation (essential travel only)
Visa fee (~$100 USD)
Current Travel Situation
Australia to Libya: What You Need to Know
Libya has been in ongoing political and military conflict since the 2011 uprising and NATO-assisted civil war that ended the 42-year Gaddafi regime. The country is currently divided between competing armed factions and governments, with no single authority controlling the entire territory. Multiple armed groups operate throughout Libya. The Australian Government maintains Level 4 (Do Not Travel) advisory for Libya. Despite this, Libya contains extraordinary ancient heritage: the Roman cities of Leptis Magna and Sabratha (both UNESCO World Heritage sites) were among the best-preserved in the Mediterranean world, and the Saharan Fezzan region contains remarkable rock art and oasis landscapes.
How to Get There
Libyan airspace and airports have varying levels of operability depending on the political situation. Tripoli International Airport (TIP) has had intermittent service. Misrata and Benina (Benghazi) airports also operate at times. International connections have historically been via Malta (Air Malta), Tunis (Tunisair), Cairo (EgyptAir), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), and Dubai. From Australia, the routing would be: Sydney/Melbourne to Dubai, then onward to Tripoli or Benghazi when flights are available.
Money & Banking
Libya uses the Libyan dinar (LYD). The economy is severely disrupted. USD cash and LYD are both in use. International cards are not reliably accepted. Bring sufficient USD cash for any essential travel.
Practical Tips
Before the conflict, Libya was an extraordinary and largely unvisited destination: Leptis Magna (one of the world's best-preserved Roman cities, UNESCO, near Misrata, larger and better preserved than Pompeii), Sabratha (UNESCO Roman theatre, one of the finest in the world), the Saharan Fezzan (the Acacus Mountains prehistoric rock art, UNESCO, and the vast Ubari sand sea with its lakes), Cyrene (ancient Greek city, UNESCO) and Apollonia (ancient port). These magnificent sites, accessible only to adventurous travelers even before the conflict, are currently inaccessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Australian citizens need a visa for Libya?
Yes. Australians need a Libyan visa. However, the Australian Government advises against all travel to Libya (Level 4: Do Not Travel) due to ongoing armed conflict. No consular assistance is available in Libya for Australians.
Is Libya safe for tourists?
No. Libya has been in ongoing armed conflict since 2011. Multiple armed factions control different regions. The security situation is extremely dangerous throughout the country. No Western government currently recommends travel to Libya for tourists.
What were Libya's main attractions before the conflict?
Libya had extraordinary Roman archaeological sites. Leptis Magna (near Misrata) was one of the world's best-preserved Roman cities -- larger than Pompeii. Sabratha had a magnificent Roman theatre. The Saharan Fezzan contained UNESCO prehistoric rock art. These sites are UNESCO-listed but currently inaccessible due to the conflict.