BEIRUT: Aid organizations have expressed concern over General Security’s new residency renewal measures for Syrian nationals, especially a provision requiring registered refugees to pledge not to work. Aid agencies were informed about the measures, which have not been publicized by General Security, in an internal memorandum circulated earlier this year that went into effect Jan. 5. The document, which was acquired by The Daily Star, lists nine different categories for Syrian nationals to legalize their stay in Lebanon. Notably, it draws a distinction between Syrian nationals registered with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and those outside its purview.

Refugees seeking to renew their residencies for this year must provide the General Security with a written pledge not to work, a fee of $200, a copy of their UNHCR registration document, a housing pledge, which typically requires a notarized declaration from a mukhtar who may charge for the service and valid ID.

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