Attention! All services and assistance of UNHCR and its partners are free of charge!
What is in the new GSO decision?
➡️ https://www.general-security.gov.lb/ar/posts/501
- In November, GSO announced that Syrians who are working need to obtain a legal residency based on sponsorship or work permit, effective immediately.
- If your employer is a company or a business entity: you must obtain:
- A work permit from Ministry of Labor, and then
- Legal residency based on the work permit from GSO.
- If your employer is an individual: you may continue to renew your residency based on sponsorship. You do not need to obtain a work permit.
- Syrians holding residency based on UNHCR certificates who are employed must:
- Change residency to sponsorship or work permit status and
- Confirm their UNHCR file has been closed by signing an undertaking at GSO to close their UNHCR file (see below question on how to close your file for more information).
- Late fees will apply starting from the expiration date of their last UNHCR based residency.
- Transfers between employers/sponsors is allowed, except for transfers from companies to individual employers.
I do not have legal residency. Can I apply for a work permit?
- Yes. You can apply for a work permit from the Ministry of Labor even if you lack valid legal residency.
- After you receive the work permit from the Ministry of Labor, you must apply for a residency at GSO.
Is a work permit only required if I work for a company or business entity?
Yes. According to the GSO decision, if your employer is an individual and not a company or a business entity, you can apply or renew your residency based on sponsorship without the need to obtain a work permit from Ministry of Labor.
What is the timeline for me to obtain this new residency or permit?
According to GSO, you must obtain either a new sponsorship or work permit based legal residency before 31 March 2026.
How do I close my UNHCR file?
- Please be aware that you have the right to request a closure of your UNHCR file at any time.
- If you choose to obtain a legal residency based on sponsorship or work permit, you must go to GSO. There, you will sign a statement declaring that you voluntarily choose to close your file. GSO will regularly share names of those who signed the form with UNHCR. Once UNHCR reviews the list, it will inactivate your file.
- UNHCR does not provide you with any documented proof of file closure.
- Once your file is closed, you will no longer be able to access humanitarian assistance.
- If you choose to close your file, you may not be able to re-open it at a later date.
What will happen to my family members if I close my UNHCR file?
- GSO has confirmed to UNHCR that dependents may remain registered with UNHCR and continue renewing their legal residency based on the UNHCR certificate, unless they are benefiting from the same type of residence permit.
- For example, if a husband/father renews his residence permit through sponsorship, his wife and children may remain registered with UNHCR and renew based on their UNHCR certificates. However, if the wife and child also wish to obtain residence permit through sponsorship, they must also sign the undertaking and close their UNHCR files.
The cost to change legal residency and to obtain a work permit is very high. What if I cannot afford the fee?
- Costs and fees are set by the Government and applicable laws and will depend on the type of legal residency you are seeking (work permit or sponsorship based), whether your residence permit has expired, and for how many years your residence permit has expired.
- When you approach GSO, you can request to know the cost of the legal residency and fees. Please note: GSO may not be able to inform about the costs associated with Ministry of Labor processing.
- UNHCR does not provide support to cover the costs of fees at GSO and/or Ministry of Labor.