Lebanon: Information on the rights conferred to a person by possession of a laissez-passer where nationality states "A L'Etude"
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LBN16897.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Lebanon: Information on the rights conferred to a person by possession of a laissez-passer where nationality states "A L'Etude", 1 March 1994, LBN16897.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aac058.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to an official of the Embassy of Lebanon in Ottawa, a laissez-passer is a travel document which is issued to certain individuals in place of a passport and which allows them to travel abroad and re-enter Lebanon (30 Mar. 1994). He stated that the document indicates whether it has been issued for multiple visits or for a single trip. He added that the document must be renewed or validated in Lebanon on a yearly basis.
The source stated that if "A L'Etude" is inscribed under nationality on the pass, this indicates that the individual is not a Lebanese citizen and that his or her citizenship status is "under study" or is yet to be determined. He stated that passes inscribed in this manner have been issued to a few thousand individuals, including, for example, nomadic peoples who settled in Lebanon during the French mandate and some Palestinians for whom the government has yet to determine specific citizenship policy. The source added that people falling into this category also have the right to reside and work in Lebanon.
The official said that it is also possible to renew a laissez-passer while abroad by contacting a Lebanese embassy.
A source contacted at the Centre for Lebanese Studies at Oxford University in England corroborated the information given by the embassy (29 Mar. 1994). He stated that if a laissez-passer is inscribed with "A L'Etude," it means that the holder is not a citizen and that his or her citizenship status is under consideration. He also stated that laissez-passers that indicate "A L'Etude" have been issued to specific groups of people falling outside of normal Lebanese citizenship laws.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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.
References
Centre for Lebanese Studies, Oxford University, Oxford, UK. 29 March 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa. 30 March 1994. Telephone interview with official.
