U.S. Passports Continue to be Ineligible for Travel to Libya
Posted Dec 05, 2003

On November 24, 2003, the U.S. Department of State extended for another year the restriction on the use of U.S. passports for travel in, to, or through Libya as published in the Federal Register. For those familiar with the list of the state sponsors of terrorism, Libya continues on that list and citizens of these countries have to go through additional security clearances to travel to or from the United States. State sponsors of terrorism, according to the U.S. government, are Libya, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Sudan.

Since December 11, 1981, all U.S. passports have been declared invalid for travel to, in, or through Libya unless there is a specific or separate validation which enabled such travel. This restriction has been renewed annually because of the continued lack of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Government of Libya. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Libya, continues to remain closed, making it difficult for the U.S. government to provide support or diplomatic protection to U.S. citizens visiting Libya. The Federal Register announcement states there is an ongoing threat to lives of U.S. citizens traveling to Libya. Certain exceptions apply to a limited class of people who may travel to the country.

The continued restrictions on U.S. passport-holders' travel to Libya under this notification were effective from November 24, 2003, the date of publication in the Federal Register. The restriction is expected to continue for one year and expire at midnight November 24, 2004, unless extended or revoked. The U.S. Department of State will review this restriction every three months while it is in effect.