Q&A

For the time being, you cannot register with UNHCR. As of 5 May 2015, registration for Syrians has been temporarily suspended until further notice. This follows instructions UNHCR has received from the Government of Lebanon.

At this point, UNHCR registration centre staff will only be collecting some basic information from you such as your name, names of your family members, dates of birth and your current situation in Lebanon, including any vulnerability.

UNHCR is working closely with the Government to address the impact of its decision not to allow UNHCR to register anymore.

Yes, and we encourage you to call UNHCR to schedule an appointment. You will be asked some questions over the phone about your name, your family size, your current situation in Lebanon and your date of arrival. After this information is collected, you will be given an appointment to approach UNHCR. Please note that this is not a registration appointment and you will not be given a registration certificate.

The UNHCR Registration Certificate (“UN Paper”) includes your family members’ pictures, dates /places of birth and a file number.

• It is not a replacement for the residency permit issued by the Lebanese authorities/General Security Office(GSO)
• It is not a formal identification document
• It is valid for two years and should be renewed at the UNHCR registration centre in the area where you live (See question 7).

The information you provide UNHCR with, including your photos, is confidential and will not be shared without your consent. In order to allow your information to be shared with humanitarian organisations for assistance or support, you and all adult family members will be requested to authorize in advance by signing at the back of the registration application form.

It is crucial to renew the registration. Only this way you will be able to receive support to access services such as health, education and other assistance offered by UN agencies and humanitarian organisation partners. More complete information on your family composition can also be included as well as changes of your address and phone number. If you do not renew the registration certificate, your registration with UNHCR will be cancelled.

Starting January 2015 the UN Paper will be valid for 18 months. The date of expiry is at the centre left and right side of your registration certificate (“UN Paper”).You should get a renewal appointment one month before the registration expires. The expiry date is written on your certificate. If your Certificate is expired, you will not be able to access services and assistance.

If your registration certificate has expired, you can still approach UNHCR registration centres and take an appointment for the renewal of your certificates for you and your family. UNHCR will then conduct an interview with you and your family and will decide based on the result.

You will need to request appointments for you and your family members. Then you will be interviewed in one of the registration centres based on where you live. All your family members will need to be present with you during the interview for the renewal of the registration. Anyone who is not present will be inactivated.

a) If you live in: Aley, Baabda, Beirut, Chouf, El Metn, Jbeil, Kerswane

You can register at UNHCR Beirut, Ramlet El-Baida, Dr. Philippe Hitti St. behind Spinney's Supermarket

b) If you live in: Baalbeck, Hermel, Rachaya, West Bekaa, Zahle

You can register at: UNHCR Bekaa, Zahle, Zahle Highway, next to Kaysar Ata Ice cream (Zahle)

c) If you live in: Akkar, Bcharre, Batroun, Koura, Minieh-Danniyeh, Tripoli, Zgharta

You can register at: UNHCR North Lebanon, Tripoli, next to Rachid Karame Exhibition Centre

d) If you live in: Bent Jbeil, Hasbaya, Jezzine, Marjaayoun, Nabatieh, Saida, Sour

You can register at: UNHCR South, Tyre, Villa Krischt, Al Hosh

Appointments can be requested individually at a UNHCR centre the closest to where you live. Only one person from each family is required to make an appointment.

- Mount Lebanon: In person, at the registration centre, Mon-Friday 8am - 2pm

- Tripoli: In person, at the registration centre, Mon-Friday 8am - 2pm

- Tyre: In person, at the registration centre Mon-Friday 8am - 2pm, but also call the appointments hotline Mon-Fri 8:30am- 4pm 76-500380

- Bekaa: No appointments in person; Call hotline number: 08-930468, Mon-Fri 8am- 4pm

- Akkar: Appointments at Tripoli registration centre

see question 1.

UNHCR has in place bus transportation for - Very poor families who cannot afford transport - Families living far from registration centres - Persons with medical, disability, protection/security concerns - In Mount Lebanon Districts you can approach UNHCR partner Terre des Hommes (Italy), who may provide transport assistance to the Registration Centres. If you live in Call the following TDH hotlines Approach TDH help desk in Jbeil 71 360077 Jbeil Kesserwan 71 359777 Hrajel Mten 71 579595 Mrouj Baabda 71 360096 Rowaiset el-Ballout Aley 71 577386 Baysour Chouf 71 579696 Barouk In the South, UNHCR Office in Tyre is conducting a busing operation once a week or when possible from certain areas coordinated by SHEILD.

See question 1.

Yes, and it is important that you communicate the change so that UNHCR and partners can continue to communicate and reach you if needed. When you move to a different place, please inform the nearest UNHCR registration centre so that you can continue receiving the assistance to your new address.

See question 1.