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Freelancing Vs Banks / Withdrawing money in Lebanon

Enlil

Hello everybody!

Apparently, this is really bad thing when the withdrawal card of an european citizen is disabled!

It happened to me recently and since this time, this is like hell...

My first move was to try to open an account here, in Lebanon. (Hello expatblog, "powered" by HSBC!)

I visited thus HBCS' and others banks branches but they are all asking for the same thing, a workink permit (and working residency).

When you work for a Lebanese company, that's nothing. But when you are a freelancer, what can you do? I'm also planning to create an activity here but I'd have the same problem anyway...

And because Paypal doesn't work with Lebanese accounts, this is very difficult without a withdrawal card to use money from a foreign account without losing a lot of money...

So if anyone experienced such a situation or has any tips about that, PLEASE let me know. Otherwise I'll have to leave Lebanon. Isn't it shameful?

Thanks
Pierre

See also

Living in Lebanon: the expat guideBusinessesHow to save money in LebanonLebanese banks during war or other crisisBelgian law degree in lebanon
Carina_

I opened a bank accont at Bank of Beirut without a working permit.. just used my passport as an ID and it was done. Dont know if that helps/is still relevant