Syria:Visa Requirements

SyriaLearn the visa requirements for this country. Last check:Last update:

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Syria Visa Requirements Map

Syria: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa on Arrival Requirements

  • An entry or transit visa on arrival may only be issued for applications accepted by the competent Immigration and Passport Authority in circumstances prescribed by legislation. Traveling to the border crossing without prior approval does not grant a visa or the right to enter the country. The application may be subject to security and administrative review.
  • The passenger must present a valid passport or travel document replacing a passport. The alternative travel document must be issued by a competent authority and entitle the holder to return to the issuing country or to the country where it will be accepted.
  • Entry may only be made through official land, air or sea border checkpoints designated by the competent authority. The permission of the border authority must be obtained and the passport or travel document must be marked with an entry stamp.
  • The relevant fee must be paid for the visa on arrival process. The fee may vary depending on the visa type, number of entries and the practice applicable to the applicant. The current central fee amount applicable to all travelers and accepted payment methods have not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • It is clearly stipulated that the passport must only be valid on the date of travel. The additional minimum validity period that the passport must have after the date of entry has not been definitively specified in the central official source. The number of blank passport pages required has also not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The format of the application form, number and size of photographs, photocopy of passport, return or onward ticket, accommodation document, proof of financial means, bank statement, letter of invitation, travel health insurance, vaccination certificate, documents for minors and biometric data requirements for on-arrival processing have not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The processing time, validity period, maximum permitted stay, whether it is single or multiple entry, and the current complete list of border crossings where it can be used for the visa on arrival have not been definitively specified in the central official source.

Consular Visa Application Requirements

  • A physical consular visa application may only be made if the Syrian embassy or consulate to be applied to accepts this service. Some missions have stopped accepting physical visa applications and redirected applicants to the electronic system. The application method must be confirmed from the relevant mission before travel.
  • A valid passport or official travel document replacing a passport and entitling the holder to return must be submitted in the application. The visa must be issued by Syria’s diplomatic or consular mission or another authority authorized by the Syrian government for this procedure.
  • At missions accepting physical applications, the visa form must be completed with complete and accurate information, dated and signed by the applicant. The applicant is responsible for the accuracy of the information provided and for attaching the required supporting documents.
  • The official mission form may request first name, surname, mother's and father's name, date and place of birth, gender, nationality information, occupation, education or qualification, telephone number and full residential address. Passport type, passport number, place and date of issue, and expiry date may also be entered on the form.
  • In the travel section, estimated date of arrival, entry point to be used, purpose of visit, requested duration of stay, full address in Syria and previous visits to Syria may be asked. The name, occupation, city and address, telephone number and relationship to the applicant of a reference or inviting party in Syria may also be requested.
  • The application form contains a space for a personal photograph. However, the number of photographs, photograph size, background color, date of taking, file format and technical specifications valid for all missions have not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • How many months the passport must be valid after the date of entry and how many blank pages it must contain have not been definitively specified in the central official source. The requirement for a biometric passport or machine-readable passport has also not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • Requirements for a copy of the passport biographical page, national identity document, residence permit in the country of application, flight reservation, return ticket, hotel reservation, letter of invitation, sponsor documents, bank statement, employment or student certificate, travel itinerary and travel health insurance may vary by visa type and mission. A central document checklist applicable to all applicants has not been published.
  • The period the bank statement must cover, the minimum amount of funds required, and the minimum coverage of insurance have not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • There is no central short-term visa checklist indicating whether a birth certificate, parental consent, custody document or copy of parent's passport is required for minors. Requirements for translation, notarization, legalization or apostille of documents have also not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The visa type, its validity period and number of authorized entries may be determined by the consular authority based on the circumstances of the application. Fees may vary by nationality, visa type, number of entries and the mission applied to. The current central fee schedule and payment method applicable to all applications have not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • How far in advance the application must be made and a current common processing time applicable to all missions has not been published. It has not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The issuance of a visa by a diplomatic or consular mission does not alone grant an absolute right of entry to the country. The final decision on entry is made at the competent border checkpoint. The traveler may only pass through a designated official entry point and an entry stamp must be affixed to the passport.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • Syrian legislation recognizes a transit visa separate from an entry visa. A transit visa may be obtained from a Syrian diplomatic or consular mission, from a duly authorized authority, or in cases permitted by legislation, from the competent border checkpoint.
  • The applicant must present a valid passport or a valid travel document entitling the holder to return. Transit passage may only be made through an official land, air or sea entry point designated by the competent authority, with the permission of the border authority. The passport or travel document is stamped at the border.
  • A fee may be charged for a transit visa. The current fee, payment method and currency may vary depending on the applicant's circumstances and the authority processing the application. A central amount applicable to all applicants has not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • There is no current central transit visa checklist indicating whether an onward travel ticket, visa or residence permit for the next country, flight connection, accommodation document and proof of financial means are required.
  • The maximum validity period of the transit visa, the duration of stay permitted in the country, whether it is single or multiple entry, and the conditions applicable to travelers not leaving the airport transit area have not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The number and size of photographs, passport copies, insurance, health or vaccination certificate, application period and processing time for a transit application have not been definitively specified in the central official source. The competent authority may request additional documents or administrative review.
Population
26,472,497(2026 est.)
Official language
Arabic
Government type
Unitary presidential republic under transitional government
Continent
Asia
Capital
Damascus
Currency
Syrian pound
Area
185,180 km²
Phone code
+963

Syria: Key Destinations

Damascus, the capital and principal gateway, hosts the main international airport. Aleppo stands as another major urban center with significant historical and commercial importance. Most visitors arrive first in Damascus to begin their Syrian journey.

Syria's cultural heritage spans millennia, from ancient Roman ruins at Palmyra to the medieval citadels of Aleppo. The country's traditional souks and mosques offer deep historical insight. Coastal cities like Latakia provide a Mediterranean atmosphere with their beaches and harbors.

Travelers often plan routes connecting Damascus with Aleppo via the central region, passing through Homs and Hama. The coastal highway links Latakia with Tartus, offering access to historical sites near the sea. Regional connections make it feasible to explore diverse landscapes from desert to coast.