Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | Visitor visas suspended |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | Full suspension: all visa categories |
| Where to apply | Check the State Department notice first |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Libya is covered by Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026. New B-1 and B-2 visitor visas are not being issued to Libyan nationals, apart from limited exceptions such as certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked and remain usable. An ESTA is not open to Libyan citizens. Check the State Department's announcement on travel.state.gov before paying for any part of a trip.
What the suspension means in practice
Presidential Proclamation 10998 suspends the issuance of new visitor visas to Libyan nationals. The rule covers B-1 business visitor and B-2 tourist visas, the categories used for a normal sightseeing trip to New York. While the proclamation is in force, a consular officer cannot issue one of these visas to a Libyan applicant, so an interview appointment does not by itself lead to a visa.
Limited exceptions exist. Certain dual nationals may travel on another country's passport and are not treated as Libyan applicants for this purpose. Anyone already holding a valid visa issued before the proclamation keeps it, because those visas were not revoked. The exceptions are narrow and each case turns on its own facts, so ask the nearest US embassy or consulate before booking anything.
Before you fly and on arrival
A trip to Manhattan begins with a valid visa in your passport. Travelers holding a visa issued before the proclamation should confirm its status with the issuing embassy or consulate before departure. An ESTA is not an option for Libyan citizens, so the Visa Waiver Program route is closed. Airlines check documents at check-in and can refuse boarding without the correct authorization.
Arrivals from abroad land at Kennedy or Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia takes some connecting and regional traffic. Customs and Border Protection officers inspect your passport, visa and purpose of travel, and may ask where you are staying. Answer directly and carry printed hotel details and return plans. Terminal assignments and inspection queues change, so check the airport's site and your airline's guidance before you fly.
Staying in Manhattan
Hotels in Manhattan ask for photo identification and a payment card at check-in, and a reservation in your own name keeps the process simple. Carry a printed confirmation showing the address and the nights booked. Officers may ask about the length of the trip and how it is funded, so have return plans and a short itinerary ready. Reservation terms and check-in times are best confirmed with the property directly.
Trains and buses reach Midtown from all three airports, and the subway covers most of the sights a first visit includes. Buy a transit card at a station and keep the arrival day simple. Taxis wait at marked ranks outside each terminal. Check service changes on the transit authority's site, since weekend work on lines is common.
Longer stays, work or study
A visitor visa does not permit work, study or a stay beyond the period granted at the border. Libyan citizens planning a longer stay need a different category, such as a student or work visa, and each category has its own requirements and application. The suspension described here covers new visitor visas, so do not assume another category follows the same rules.
Rules on visas, exceptions and permitted activities change and are set by the US government. Read the State Department's pages on travel.state.gov for the category that fits, and confirm details with the embassy or consulate handling the case. Requirements and forms change, so check the official site close to your travel date. This site gives travel information for Manhattan and does not issue visas, passports or immigration advice.
Step by step
- Read the State Department's announcement of Presidential Proclamation 10998 on travel.state.gov before making any travel plans.
- Check whether an exception applies, such as dual nationality with travel on another country's passport or a visa issued before the proclamation.
- Contact the US embassy or consulate responsible for Libya and ask in writing what the suspension means for your case.
- Keep bookings refundable and pay for nothing until the visa position is clear.
- Carry printed confirmation of the visa or of the embassy's answer when checking in for a flight.
Documents to carry
- Passport, with any visa already issued inside it
- Printed hotel confirmation showing the address and the dates booked
- Return ticket or written travel plan showing when you leave
- Travel insurance covering the dates of the stay
- Printed copy of the State Department announcement and embassy correspondence
Libyan citizens: questions
Can Libyan citizens get a visitor visa for the United States now?
Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, new B-1 and B-2 visitor visas are not being issued to Libyan nationals. Limited exceptions exist, such as certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Visas issued before the proclamation remain valid. Check travel.state.gov and the nearest US embassy or consulate before paying for anything.
Can Libyan citizens use an ESTA for a trip to Manhattan?
No. The Visa Waiver Program is not open to Libyan citizens, so an ESTA cannot be obtained and that automated route does not apply. A visa is needed for any category still available. Check the official sites, esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov, before booking.
Do visas issued to Libyan citizens before the proclamation still work?
Yes. Visas issued before Presidential Proclamation 10998 took effect were not revoked, and a valid visa in a Libyan passport can still be used to request entry at a New York airport. A Customs and Border Protection officer decides on admission at the border. Confirm the visa's status with the issuing embassy or consulate before flying.
Can Libyan citizens work or study in Manhattan on a visitor visa?
No. A visitor visa covers tourism, family visits and short business meetings, not employment or a course of study. Libyan citizens who plan to work or study need a different visa category, with its own requirements and paperwork. Read the State Department's guidance on travel.state.gov and ask the embassy or consulate which category fits.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.