Whether someone who is the subject of judicial proceedings initiated by the Libyan government can obtain an exit visa under his own name and depart through the airport at Tripoli using a passport in his name [LBY41737.E]

Information on the above-mentioned topic could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

However, the Travel Information Manual (TIM), a monthly periodical published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Swedish Migration Board and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas reported that exit visas are not required for nationals of Libya (TIM July 2003, 266; Sweden 10 July 2002; Philippines n.d.). This information contradicts that provided in Country Reports 2002 which states that the Libyan Government "required citizens to obtain exit permits for travel abroad" (31 March 2003, Sec. 2d).

Although the Swedish Migration Board did say that the opportunities for Libyans to travel outside the country had "significantly" improved since the requirement for exit visas had been abolished, it did acknowledge that "there are very strict control routines for travellers exiting Libya," especially for Libyans (Sweden 10 July 2002). The same source reported that the process for obtaining passports has become easier, that the cost of doing so is "very reasonable", and that the waiting period for it is between one and two months (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2002. 31 March 2003. United States Department of State. Washington, D.C. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/18279.htm [Accessed 30 June 2003]

Philippines. n.d. Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). n.d. "Libya." http://www.cfo.gov.ph/mais/libya.htm [Accessed 10 July 2003]

Sweden. 10 July 2002. Swedish Migration Board. "Libya: Impressions from a Fact-Finding Trip to Libya and Malta 31 May-11 June 2002." http://www.indhomeoffice.gov.uk/default.asp?PageId=3233 [Accessed 30 June 2003]

Travel Information Manual (TIM) [Badhoevedorp, The Netherlands]. July 2003. "Libya."

Additional Sources Consulted


IRB Databases

The Canadian Embassy in Tripoli did not respond to an information request within time constraints.

Passport Handbook

The People's Bureau of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya-Canada in Ottawa did not respond to an information request within time constraints.

Internet sites, including:

Al-Fajral Al-Jadeed

Amnesty International

Colombus Guides

Freedom House

Human Rights Watch

Netherlands Department of Asylum and Migration Affairs

Swedish Migration Board

United States Department of State

WNC

Research Engine:

Copernic

Google

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