Process and procedures to follow for a Libyan citizen wanting to exit the international airport in Tripoli (2007) [LBY103290.E]
Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa
In 26 October 2009 correspondence, an official with the Canadian Embassy in Tunis (responsible for Libya) stated that exit procedures and requirements in 2007 were the same as they are today. There are no restrictions on travel, in fact, Libyan citizens have not needed exit visas for almost fifteen years (Canada 26 Oct. 2009). However the Official reported that travel letters are sometimes requested "randomly" from the following people:
- If the person is a civil servant--they could be asked for a letter of permission for them to take their annual leave.
- If the person is a young male--they may be asked for proof of their military service.
- If it is a woman--she could be asked for a letter for permission to travel from her father to her husband. (ibid.)
When asked if citizens facing judicial proceedings faced travel restrictions in 2007, the Official stated that
…if the crime was not serious they would have been able to leave. If the crime was serious the name goes on a security list and the passport is seized; this still applies today. (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 for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Reference
Canada. 26 October 2009. Embassy of Canada in Tunis. Correspondence from official.
Additional Sources Consulted
Internet sites, including: Aneki.com, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook, Embassy of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in Washington, DC, Embassy of the United States, Tripoli, Libya, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, Freedom House, People's Bureau of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (Ottawa), The Foundation for Defense and Democracies, United States Department of State, World Refugee Survey.
