The Lebanese Embassy in Kuwait will launch biometric passport services by early July 2026, becoming the first overseas mission to offer the technology, according to informed sources on June 22. Interior Minister Brigadier General Ahmed Hajjar plans to attend the official launch in Kuwait, which will let Lebanese residents complete fingerprinting and issuance locally. The step forms part of Lebanon’s plan to modernize consular operations and extend biometric capabilities beyond its borders.
Informed sources cited by Kuwaiti outlets including Times Kuwait and Al-Jarida reported that a specialized team from the Lebanese General Security Directorate has already arrived in the country. The officers have started technical installations, system testing and training for embassy personnel on handling applications and equipment. These preparations aim to ensure the service operates effectively from its initial rollout next month.
The Lebanese General Security directorate has issued biometric passports since August 1, 2016, according to its official website. The documents incorporate an electronic chip with biometric data to meet international security standards and streamline border crossings. Kuwait’s selection as the pilot location for overseas issuance builds directly on that established domestic framework.
Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry announced a 50 percent reduction in biometric passport fees at all embassies and consulates worldwide, effective March 1, 2026. The fee adjustment, paired with local processing in Kuwait, further eases access for expatriates who previously needed to travel to Lebanon for first-time biometric applications in many cases. Sources confirmed the embassy will now accommodate such requests on site.
The Lebanese Embassy in Kuwait will serve as the initial hub, with plans to replicate the model at other missions across the Gulf and eventually globally, the sources stated. This phased expansion reflects ongoing efforts to upgrade document services for the diaspora. Technical and logistical arrangements by the General Security team have focused on seamless integration with existing embassy workflows.
Brigadier General Ahmed Hajjar’s participation underscores the priority assigned to enhancing consular support for Lebanese citizens residing abroad. The sources noted that the service specifically targets the needs of the community in Kuwait by removing prior travel requirements for passport renewals and new issuances. Similar biometric programs already function in Kuwait for its own citizens since 2017, per public records.
