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PayPal In Lebanon: Everything You Need To Know

Whether you’re a Lebanese entrepreneur, freelancer, or online business owner, this article answers the commonly asked questions about the availability of PayPal in Lebanon.

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In our globalized world, where businesses and individuals from different countries work together to deliver products and services across all segments, online payment services play an essential role, making it possible for all members of the global market to easily send and receive money across borders. Unfortunately for Lebanese citizens, one of the most important online payment services in the world, PayPal, doesn’t see Lebanon as its priority.

We’ve written this article to answer commonly asked questions about the availability of PayPal in Lebanon, hoping to clear up some of the confusion among Lebanese business owners, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and those who just want to purchase goods and services from outside Lebanon.

Does PayPal Work In Lebanon In 2024?

So, is PayPal available in Lebanon? The short answer is: No, PayPal doesn’t work in Lebanon in 2024.

At the time of writing this article, PayPal is available in more than 200 countries and supports 25 currencies, but Lebanon sadly isn’t one of them. This is the full list of supported countries.

The following Asia Pacific countries are supported by PayPal in 2024: Armenia, Australia, Bahrain, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Mainland China, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hong Kong SAR, China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Qatar, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis and Futuna, Yemen.

As you can see, Lebanon isn’t on the list, which is bad news for its nearly 7 million citizens, who are deprived of valuable opportunities because they don’t have access to one of the most used online payment services in the world.

Is PayPal Available In Lebanon? Why Not?

For some time in 2013, it seemed that PayPal would be available in Lebanon before the end of the year, at least according to what Elias Ghanem, the then general manager of PayPal Middle East, said at the Arabnet Beirut conference.

Unfortunately, it didn’t take a long time for PayPal to change its position. “When we announced the launch of PayPal services in Egypt in May, there was a misinterpretation about Lebanon’s launch,” said Laurent Wakim, then business manager of PayPal MENA.

He continued by explaining that PayPal is always trying to expand its geographic footprint, but the company needs to prioritize available opportunities against other initiatives. “So, while enabling Lebanon remains a priority for us, we don’t have any timeline that we can share. There are no reasons per se why PayPal is not launching Lebanon; it is a matter of priorities.”

Sadly, Lebanon has clearly still not become PayPal’s priority, and many Lebanese citizens would like to know why. One possible reason is that the laws, rules, and regulations for banks and online payment services in Lebanon don’t allow PayPal to offer its services in the way the company would like to.

However, it’s also possible that PayPal came to the conclusion that Lebanon isn’t worth the effort from the business perspective. The population of Lebanon is approximately 6.8 million, and only 80 percent of people in the country have access to the internet, which leaves us with around 5.4 million potential users.

Is There Some Way For People In Lebanon To Use PayPal?

While some online merchants that accept PayPal allow their customers to pay without a PayPal account using a credit card, most people in Lebanon would, understandably, prefer to use PayPal without any limitations.

is there a way to use paypal in lebanon

Questionable services like “PayPal Lebanon” are one way for Lebanese citizens to open a PayPal account. Essentially, all such services charge a small fee ($30 in the case of PayPal Lebanon) for opening a PayPal account linked to a virtual Visa card from another country.

However, such services violate PayPal’s User Agreement, which clearly states that “In connection with your use of our website, your Account, the Services, or in the course of your interactions with PayPal, other Users, or third parties, you will not: Access the Services from a country that is not included on PayPal’s permitted countries list“.

Note: NEVER share your personal or financial information (bank or credit card information) with strangers, or with websites that you do not trust or are not secure.

When the PayPal security system detects that someone is trying to access their account from a country that’s not included on PayPal’s permitted countries list, the company automatically restricts the account and makes the user wait 180 days before enabling them to withdraw their money.

The sad truth is that this exact scenario happens to a lot of people who try to use PayPal with a VPN, and it usually ends with them being unable to withdraw their money because PayPal won’t let them use their Lebanese bank account.

Read Now: 5G In Lebanon – Everything You Need To Know

Summary

Even after many years of waiting, people living in Lebanon still can’t legally use PayPal to send and receive money. While there are ways to use a PayPal account opened in another country, the risks involved make it not worth the effort.

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6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Omar

    May 1, 2022 at 12:13 AM

    Hello any one can help me? I want to convert sweat coins into dollars and they told me I should use PayPal, but since I can’t, is there any other possible way to convert my coins I mean like into a bank account in Lebanon or anything else other than PayPal? Please help me cause I don’t wanna use the app for nothing.

  2. Mireille

    April 18, 2022 at 9:00 AM

    If I have to work online I need to download PayPal app, but unfortunately I can’t download it in Lebanon. Is there any other way?

    • Bashir

      April 18, 2022 at 10:19 AM

      Unfortunately, this isn’t an option for you. Maybe consider looking into Payoneer if that’s an option.

  3. Tania Daher

    October 15, 2021 at 11:14 PM

    You can not convince us why your services aren’t working here. Yemen is in war how come PayPal is working there?

  4. Rateb Koulailat

    May 27, 2021 at 10:28 PM

    Hi! I need to create a PayPal account because I want to start a YouTube channel and receive money through AdSense, can you help?

    • Omar Younes

      September 20, 2021 at 4:48 PM

      How are you Rateb. I also need this to work as a freelance transcriber online, did you find any way? If you did, please contact me.

      0096176029820
      Omar Younes

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News

Abu Dhabi To Develop $1 Billion eSports Island Facility

Positioned along the picturesque Al Raha beach, the venue is poised to become a focal point for gaming enthusiasts worldwide.

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abu dhabi uae to develop $1 billion esports island facility
True Gamers

Despite the economic slowdown of global eSports, the Middle East has emerged as a beacon of innovation and investment, particularly in infrastructure aimed at attracting top talent. According to a report by BCG, the region’s population exhibits a remarkable fondness for gaming, with over 60% actively participating and some of the highest figures of mobile game downloads in the world.

The latest addition to the UAE’s burgeoning eSports landscape is Abu Dhabi’s ambitious eSports Island project. Positioned between the Al Bandar and Al Dana developments along the picturesque Al Raha beach, the island is poised to become a focal point for esports enthusiasts worldwide.

True Gamers — a key player in the gaming industry — has pledged a substantial investment of $280 million to develop Abu Dhabi’s eSports Island. Upon completion, the project is anticipated to cost a staggering $1 billion.

true gamers esports island details

The island will boast state-of-the-art amenities geared towards training aspiring eSports professionals and hosting international tournaments. The GG Bootcamp, equipped with cutting-edge gaming infrastructure, will provide a comprehensive training facility, dedicated rest areas and even nutrition programs.

At the heart of the eSports Island lies the True Gamers (TG) Arena, envisioned as a premier venue for hosting high-profile competitions with thousands of spectators. Adaptable spaces are designed to cater to various gaming formats and genres, and the arena will also serve as a hub for digital exhibitions and conferences. Additionally, the Digital Tower will offer a collaborative workspace for developers, and the island will host tourists and event goers in 200 rooms with in-built gaming computers.

Also Read: Top 10 Best Video Games Set In The Middle East

Establishing an eSports hub in Abu Dhabi will reinforce the UAE’s position as a global market leader, capitalizing on the region’s growing appetite for gaming. As international tournament organizers increasingly focus on the Middle East, the unveiling of Abu Dhabi’s eSports Island heralds a new era of innovation and growth for the industry.

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