The U.S. Embassy in Libya announced on Wednesday, "a change in the visa reciprocity standards for certain Libyan and U.S. visas."

The embassy added in a statement that “Libyan and U.S. nationals who meet the criteria for regular business or tourist visas will now receive a one-year multiple entry visa, a significant change from the current visa validity of three months with a single entry.

The statement noted, "Students from both countries who qualify for a student visa will now receive multiple entry visas valid for one year whereas previously a single-entry visa was issued."

The statement considered that "These significant visa changes will help facilitate legitimate travel for diplomatic, educational, cultural, and business purposes and more importantly deepen people-to-people bonds between our two countries."