Visa policy of Syria

Visitors to Syria must obtain a visa from one of the Syrian diplomatic missions in advance, unless they are a national of a visa-exempt country or a country whose citizens are eligible to obtain visas on arrival or e-Visas online.

History
Before the start of protests, hostilities and conflicts and the start of the devastating Civil war in Syria in 2011, citizens of many Asian, European, African and American countries could visit Syria without a visa or get a visa on arrival, gradually Syria began to cancel visa-free entry and visa on arrival for many countries, and in 2014 the Syrian authorities officially announced the introduction of a visa regime for all countries. However, until now, citizens of some states can de facto enter Syria without a visa or receive a visa on arrival. The visa policy of Syria is now extremely unstable, and there is no exact data on the visa policy of this country. This data is taken from open sources and may become outdated or irrelevant. When entering Syria, the Syrian authorities ask to obtain a Syrian visa in advance by contacting one of the country's diplomatic missions in the world.

Until 2014, citizens of the former Soviet republics of the USSR (excluding the Baltic republics), Iran, some Asian, African, European, American countries, and almost all countries of the Arab world did not need a visa to enter Syria. According to IATA, which provides information provided by national governments, despite the Syrian government's officially stated need to obtain a visa in advance, a visa on arrival is still de facto valid for citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, but after the intensification of the Civil war, some citizens of these countries are denied a visa on arrival “for security reasons” and ask citizens of these countries to obtain a Syrian visa in advance:

Since May 2018, after the recognition of partially recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Syrian Arab Republic, citizens of these countries can enter Syria by obtaining a visa. In 2023, the Syrian Ministry of Finance imposed a new fee, which obligated foreign vehicles entering the country to pay a $100 fee for a temporary visit, valid for a period of two weeks. The amount is double ($200) for vehicles that have been in the country for up to four months. Jordanian and Lebanese vehicle plates are excluded from the requirement.

In April 2024, the introduction of electronic visa was announced, starting May 1.

Visa exemption
According to Timatic, nationals of the following 16 countries do not need a visa to enter Syria, for a stay up to the duration listed below: ID — May enter Syria with an ID card in lieu of a passport.

Conditional visa exemption
Nationals of Somalia who are not permanent residents of Somalia can also enter Syria without a visa, provided that they have obtained prior approval from the Syrian Immigration Directorate. However, if they have never entered Syria before on a previous visit, they must be aged over 35 and present 2000 USD upon arrival in Syria to qualify for visa-free entry.

In addition, nationals of any country (except Libya and the United States) who were born in Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates or Yemen do not need a visa to enter Syria.

Visa on arrival
Nationals of the following 12 countries are specifically listed on Timatic as countries whose nationals may obtain a visa upon arrival in Syria, for a stay up to the duration listed below:

Nationals of Armenia and Ukraine may also obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 15 days, provided that they have obtained prior approval from the Syrian Immigration Directorate.

In addition, according to Timatic, nationals of any country without any Syrian representation (except those who require a visa in advance) may obtain a visa on arrival in Syria.

Electronic Visa (e-Visa)
All foreign citizens (except those who require a visa in advance) are also eligible to obtain an e-Visa since 1 May 2024. If approved, the e-Visa allows applicants to stay in the country for up to 180 days or 90 days with a fee of 185 USD or 145 USD. The application must be submitted at least 3 business days before the trip. Syrian citizens can apply for the electronic visa on behalf of their friends and relatives through the special website. Arab and foreign nationals abroad can directly access the e-Visa website to register for the electronic visa.

The e-Visa system provides two options for paying the visa fees, via e-payment if available, otherwise, the concerned party will have to postpone paying the fees until they arrive at the border crossings where the money is collected in an integrated manner; including visa and military service exemption fees.

Visa required in advance
Nationals of the following countries are specifically listed on Timatic as being ineligible for a visa on arrival as well as an e-Visa, and thus they must obtain a visa in advance. According to the Syrian government, citizens of the United States may obtain an e-Visa only if they have a government or corporate sponsor in Syria; otherwise, they must obtain a visa in advance.

Prior approval required
Nationals of Palestine are required to obtain prior approval from the Syrian Immigration Directorate in order to enter Syria.

Female nationals of the following six countries are also required to obtain prior approval from the Syrian Immigration Directorate in addition to a visa obtained in advance in order to enter Syria:

If prior approval is not sought, affected nationals of the aforementioned countries will not be allowed to enter Syria, though they may still transit.

Admission refused
Nationals of Israel are banned from entering and transiting in Syria, even if not leaving the aircraft and proceeding by the same flight due to the non-recognition of this state, and accordingly, the passport of this state by Syria, which considers Israel an enemy state. Entry and transit into the Syria will be denied to holders of passports or other travel documents of all countries containing a visa, or an entry/exit stamp of Israel, or any information that a person has ever been to Israel, or an indication of any connection with the State of Israel.

Also, Syrian Arab Republic does not recognize the passports of citizens of the Kosovo, Northern Cyprus, Sahrawi Republic, Somaliland and Transnistria.

Statistics
Before the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Syria was one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Middle East. Tourism and the entry of foreigners into Syria in general began to develop especially since the late 1990s. Foreigners entered Syria not only to visit relatives or friends, but also for tourism, medical treatment and pilgrimage to Islamic and Christian sites, as well as for trade, as Syria became an important trading hub for the surrounding countries. Syria was popular especially for citizens of Turkey, Iran, almost all countries of the Arab world, Europe and South Asia, as well as for almost all countries of the Post-Soviet space as a budget travel option and a shopping point for merchants.

By country
The list does not include Russian citizens who entered Syria through third countries, as well as through the uncontrolled borders of Syria by the official government of the Syrian Arab Republic. Especially between 2012 and 2016, the real number of Russian citizens who entered Syria was several times more.