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Syria travel guide

Visa and entry

Visa on arrival, fees by nationality, borders, documents, customs

Last checked: October 31, 2026

Every government we checked advises against travel to Syria. This guide describes no road, city or region as safe. Read your own government's current advice before you book.

Your nationality

Reconstructed from news reports and travel guides; Syria publishes no official list. Confirm with your airline and a Syrian mission before booking.

How entry works now (late 2026)

sources partly disagree
Legal basis
MoFA Decision No. 128
Last official confirmation
No change to entry procedures
Visa on arrival points
Damascus and Aleppo airports
Prior approval
Required for some nationalities
Sources and details

Foreigners need a visa or a fee-free entry to visit Syria. The legal basis is Decision No. 128 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, dated 1 July 2025 and in force since 6 July 2025. It sorts nationalities into 11 groups with different fees.

On 29 April 2026 the ministry told SANA that entry procedures had not changed and that Decision No. 128 still applies. The Director of Immigration and Passports, Brig. Gen. Othman Hilal, called reports of new rules (including a sponsor requirement for Maghreb nationals) baseless.

In practice there are two routes. Many nationalities pay a visa fee in cash on arrival at Damascus or Aleppo airport or at an open land crossing. Other nationalities must get prior approval first. A border-authority official described this two-tier system to Rudaw in July 2026: approval goes through a Syrian diplomatic mission or the foreign ministry.

No official list of who needs prior approval is published online. Lists from travel guides and tour operators differ. The full official fee annex is also not online; the fee tables in this chapter are rebuilt from news reports and guides.

Foreign-government pages do not agree with each other or with current practice. The UK says to apply at evisa.sy. Germany says German passport holders can usually get a visa on arrival. France and Canada still say visas must be obtained from a Syrian embassy in advance. Their pages may be out of date, but check them before travel.

Legal basis
MoFA Decision No. 128 (1 July 2025), in force 6 July 2025 as of April 29, 2026
Last official confirmation
No change to entry procedures (MoFA via SANA) as of April 29, 2026
Visa on arrival points
Damascus and Aleppo airports; open land crossings from Lebanon and Jordan; Iraqi crossings for eligible nationals as of October 2026
Prior approval
Required for some nationalities; no official list published as of October 2026

Sources:

E-visa (evisa.sy)

sources partly disagree
Portal status
'Coming Soon' page, no application form
UK FCDO statement
Apply via evisa.sy, about 5–7 days
Sources and details

Syria launched an e-visa portal, evisa.sy, on 1 May 2024. In September and October 2026 the portal showed only a 'Coming Soon' page with no application form, according to VisasNews and Wego.

The tourism minister said in January 2026 that an electronic visa system is being prepared. No date has been announced.

Sources conflict. The UK FCDO page (updated 27 October 2026) still tells British citizens to apply through evisa.sy, with processing of about 5–7 days. Australia's Smartraveller also says an eVisa can be applied for online. The Syrian embassy in Paris reportedly still refers applicants to evisa.sy. Travel guides say sites selling a 'Syria eVisa' are commercial intermediaries, not the government.

Portal status
'Coming Soon' page, no application form as of October 21, 2026
UK FCDO statement
Apply via evisa.sy, about 5–7 days as of October 27, 2026

Sources:

Rules by nationality: overview

sources partly disagree
Fee-free group
Jordan, Lebanon
Banned
Israeli citizens
Default fee (unlisted countries)
US$50, one month, single entry
Highest fee
Iran: US$400, one month, single entry
Sources and details

Fee-free entry: citizens of Jordan, Malaysia and Mauritania enter without a visa fee. Jordan News reported a stay of up to six months for this group. Serbian citizens were also reported as fee-free. Lebanese citizens are in the fee-free group but may enter only if they meet set conditions (see below).

Visa on arrival for a fee: most European, North American, Gulf and many Latin American and East Asian passports. Fees range from about US$25 to US$200 for a one-month single-entry visa. Iran is the highest at US$400.

Prior approval reported: several guides and tour operators say that citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belarus, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, Yemen and most or all African countries need approval before travel. They then pay the fee on arrival. Some travellers report getting a visa on arrival anyway.

Restricted: Israeli citizens cannot enter or transit. Iranian citizens need prior authorization. Iraqi citizens need a visa from the Ministry of Interior unless they belong to an exempt group.

Countries not named in the decision pay a default fee of US$50 for a one-month single-entry visa. The per-country list in the 'nationalities' data is the best reconstruction available; check with your airline and a Syrian mission before booking.

Fee-free group
Jordan, Lebanon (conditional), Malaysia, Mauritania; Serbia reported as of July 6, 2025
Banned
Israeli citizens as of October 27, 2026
Default fee (unlisted countries)
US$50, one month, single entry as of July 5, 2025
Highest fee
Iran: US$400, one month, single entry as of July 6, 2025

Sources:

Visa fees

reliable secondary sources
Germany, France, other EU
US$75
United Kingdom
US$150
United States
US$200
Canada
US$100
Sources and details

Fees depend on nationality, visa type (entry or transit), length (one, three or six months) and number of entries. They are set in US dollars. You may also pay the equivalent in Syrian pounds at the Central Bank of Syria rate, with fractions rounded up.

Pay in cash. Cards are not accepted at airport visa counters. Bring new, clean US dollar notes; guides say US$100 notes must be the newer design. Some guides say euros may be accepted, but do not rely on it.

Common one-month single-entry fees reported since July 2025: EU countries, Switzerland, Norway: US$75. Canada and UAE: US$100. UK, Australia, New Zealand: US$150. United States: US$200. Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Japan, South Korea, India, Russia: US$50. Egypt, China, Pakistan, Morocco, Algeria: US$25.

Longer and multiple-entry visas cost more. For Egyptians (a US$25 group), Wego lists US$40 for three months and US$50 for six months multiple entry, and US$15 for a 15-day transit visa. In Your Pocket says transit visas are about half price, usually three days, and are issued only for land entry from Lebanon or Jordan. Most guides say three- and six-month visas are in practice given only for residence, work or study.

Older figures still circulate. A June 2025 schedule (e.g. US$300 for US citizens, US$250 for UK) was replaced by Decision No. 128. Some pages (Jordan News, Travel 963) print tables that disagree with all other sources. Fees change; check before travel.

Germany, France, other EU
US$75 as of October 21, 2026
United Kingdom
US$150 as of October 21, 2026
United States
US$200 as of October 21, 2026
Canada
US$100 as of October 21, 2026
Australia / New Zealand
US$150 as of October 21, 2026
Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar
US$50 as of October 21, 2026
UAE
US$100 as of October 21, 2026
Iran
US$400 as of July 6, 2025
Unlisted nationalities
US$50 as of July 5, 2025
Payment
Cash, USD (or SYP at CBS rate); no cards at airport as of October 21, 2026

Sources:

Length of stay and extensions

reliable secondary sources
Standard tourist visa
1 month, single entry
Extension office
Immigration and Passports Department, al-Merjeh, Damascus
Reported maximum total stay via extensions
About 90 days
Sources and details

The decision allows visas of one, three or six months. The standard tourist visa on arrival is one month, single entry. In practice officers often stamp 15 to 30 days. In Your Pocket reports 15 days at airports and 15 or 30 days at land borders.

Extensions are handled by the Immigration and Passports Department (Idaret al-Hijra wal-Jawazat) in the al-Merjeh district of Damascus. Offices elsewhere can process them but may wait for Damascus approval.

In Your Pocket reports 15- or 30-day extensions for a regular visa and 7 days for transit. The fee is usually nothing or a few dollars, and it takes 1–2 hours. The extension starts on the day it is issued, so apply only a few days before expiry. Travellers in spring and summer 2026 reported extending up to about 90 days in total; this is not an official limit.

Overstaying is illegal. Some travellers report small daily fines, but no official fine schedule was found.

Standard tourist visa
1 month, single entry (stamp often 15–30 days) as of October 2026
Extension office
Immigration and Passports Department, al-Merjeh, Damascus as of October 9, 2026
Reported maximum total stay via extensions
About 90 days (unofficial) as of October 9, 2026

Sources:

Passport and documents

sources partly disagree
Passport validity (UK FCDO)
3 months after arrival
Passport validity (Germany, Canada)
6 months
ID cards
Not accepted
Sources and details

Passport validity rules differ by source. The UK says at least 3 months after arrival. Germany and Canada say at least 6 months. Airlines may apply stricter rules. Plan for 6 months of validity and at least two blank pages.

Germany says identity cards are not accepted; you need a passport. Germany accepts refugee and stateless travel documents only if they are valid for Syria and for three months beyond the trip.

Guides list a return or onward ticket, a hotel booking or Syrian address, and cash for the fee. Travel 963 also lists a recent passport photo. For nationalities needing approval, the request usually needs a passport scan, a photo, travel dates and an itinerary.

Keep all visa documents and receipts until you leave. A lost or stolen passport, or no valid travel document, means refusal (UK FCDO).

Passports with an 'X' gender marker may not be accepted, according to Canada and Australia.

Passport validity (UK FCDO)
3 months after arrival as of October 27, 2026
Passport validity (Germany, Canada)
6 months as of October 30, 2026
ID cards
Not accepted (Germany) as of October 30, 2026

Sources:

Israeli citizens and Israel travel history

official sources
Israeli citizens
Entry and transit banned
Israeli stamps
May cause refusal
Sources and details

Israeli citizens cannot enter Syria. Turkish Airlines says this also applies to transit.

If your passport shows travel to Israel you may be refused entry. Germany adds that stamps from the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge (Jordan) or Taba (Egypt) crossings can lead to refusal, even with a visa. Canada mentions Egyptian or Jordanian stamps from posts bordering Israel. Germany says a birthplace in Israel can cause delays.

Refused travellers are sent back to their country of departure or origin (Germany).

Israeli citizens
Entry and transit banned as of October 27, 2026
Israeli stamps
May cause refusal; includes Allenby and Taba border stamps (Germany) as of October 30, 2026

Sources:

Prior approval and airline boarding

sources partly disagree

There is no official public list of nationalities that need prior approval.

Sources and details

There is no official public list of nationalities that need prior approval. Approval is usually arranged by a licensed Syrian travel agency, or through a Syrian embassy or the foreign ministry. Reported waiting times range from a few days to six weeks. Do not buy non-refundable tickets until approval is confirmed.

Airlines check documents before boarding. flydubai requires an 'OK to board' for some nationalities, requested at least 48 hours before departure. Russians reportedly also need an OK to board. Guides report that Turkish Airlines, AJet, Royal Jordanian and others usually apply the rules correctly, but problems have been reported with some carriers. Ask your airline before you pay.

One tour operator (CultureRoad) says every air arrival needs prior approval. Independent guides and airline notices do not say this. Some embassies have told applicants they do not issue tourist visas and referred them to visa on arrival.

If online check-in asks for a visa number, In Your Pocket advises checking in at the airport instead.

Sources:

Damascus and Aleppo airports

reliable secondary sources

Damascus International Airport and Aleppo International Airport are operating with some international flights; other airports remain closed (UK FCDO).

Sources and details

Damascus International Airport and Aleppo International Airport are operating with some international flights; other airports remain closed (UK FCDO). Flights can be suspended at short notice.

On arrival, go to passport control. Pay the visa fee in cash at the visa counter, then pass customs. Turkish Airlines advises carrying enough new-series US dollars for the fee.

The same fees apply at airports and land borders. Travellers on visa on arrival should carry a return ticket.

Sources:

Land border: Lebanon (Masnaa – Jdeidet Yabous and others)

sources partly disagree
Masnaa – Jdeidet Yabous
Open to foreign tourists
Al-Arida
Open (Saiga Tours; Syrian border authority)
Approx. hours
Daily ~06:00–24:00
Sources and details

The main crossing is Masnaa (Lebanon) – Jdeidet Yabous (Syria) on the Beirut–Damascus road. Saiga Tours (March 2026) lists it as open to foreign tourists, on foot and by vehicle. Al-Arida (coast, towards Tartus) is also open. Jousieh and Aboudieh are used less by tourists.

Lebanese crossings are generally open daily from about 6:00 to midnight, but hours vary. No official timetable was found.

Visa on arrival is available here for eligible nationalities. Germany warns that visas, including transit visas, are not always issued at land crossings. Some travellers are turned away at land borders without a clear reason.

France's advice says French ordinary-passport holders can get a visa by road from Lebanon only if they live in Lebanon or entered Lebanon via Beirut airport. That page appears to date from 2022–2023 and conflicts with current reports.

Lebanon controls its own exit. Germany and CultureRoad say dual nationals should enter Lebanon and Syria on the same passport. Australia warns there have been clashes and bombings at Syria–Lebanon crossings and that crossings can close without notice.

Masnaa – Jdeidet Yabous
Open to foreign tourists (Saiga Tours) as of March 4, 2026
Al-Arida
Open (Saiga Tours; Syrian border authority) as of March 15, 2026
Approx. hours
Daily ~06:00–24:00 (unofficial) as of March 4, 2026

Sources:

Land border: Jordan (Nasib – Jaber)

reliable secondary sources
Nasib – Jaber
Open to tourists
Sources and details

Nasib (Syria) – Jaber (Jordan) is the only official Jordan–Syria passenger crossing. It has been open to tourists since early 2025. Saiga Tours reports 24-hour operation.

Visa on arrival is available for eligible nationalities. CultureRoad says transit visas are only available when entering from Jordan. Crossing can take much longer than at the Lebanese border, sometimes a full day.

Against the Compass reports a daily bus from Amman at 14:00 for 25 JOD (company Al Kamal); this could not be checked with the operator.

Nasib – Jaber
Open to tourists; 24/7 reported as of March 4, 2026

Sources:

Land border: Turkey (Bab al-Hawa, Bab al-Salama, Kasab and others)

reliable secondary sources
Status for foreign tourists entering Syria
Closed (multiple secondary sources)
Syrian expatriates
Allowed without prior permission
Sources and details

The crossings with Turkey are Kasab (Yayladağı), Bab al-Hawa (Cilvegözü), al-Hamam, Bab al-Salama (Öncüpınar), al-Rai (Çobanbey) and Jarablus. They are busy with Syrian travellers.

Several sources say these crossings are closed to foreign tourists entering Syria: Saiga Tours (March 2026), a Tripadvisor forum expert (June and July 2026), In Your Pocket (summer 2026), Against the Compass and Wego (October 2026). One traveller reportedly left Syria for Turkey via Bab al-Hawa on a French passport in March 2026; this was described as temporary.

Syrians with residence in a third country, or with a second nationality, can enter Syria through these crossings without prior permission since August 2025. Adults need their foreign passport plus a Syrian passport (expired is accepted). Children under 18 with only a foreign passport may enter on it. They must leave through the same crossing.

Entering Turkey via Bab al-Hawa requires prior approval from the Hatay Governorate, according to ShomoX. Turkey's own rules apply on its side.

Status for foreign tourists entering Syria
Closed (multiple secondary sources) as of October 21, 2026
Syrian expatriates
Allowed without prior permission (foreign passport + Syrian passport) as of August 20, 2025

Sources:

Land border: Iraq (Al-Bukamal – Al-Qaim and others)

sources partly disagree
Al-Bukamal – Al-Qaim
Reopened June 2025
Rabia – al-Yarubiyah
Reopened April 2026
Semalka
Official crossing
Sources and details

Al-Bukamal (Syria) – Al-Qaim (Iraq) reopened to passengers and freight in June 2025. Syrian authorities said in August 2025 that it operates 24 hours a day.

Rabia – al-Yarubiyah reopened in April 2026. Semalka (to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq) is now an official Syrian crossing; a border-authority official said in July 2026 that visas issued there are valid throughout Syria.

Status for foreign tourists is unclear. Saiga Tours (March 2026) says entry from Iraq is possible but uncommon. In Your Pocket (summer 2026) says entry from Iraq was not possible at the time. Ask a Syrian travel agency before planning this route. Iraq's own exit and visa rules also apply.

Al-Bukamal – Al-Qaim
Reopened June 2025; 24h reported as of August 4, 2025
Rabia – al-Yarubiyah
Reopened April 2026 as of June 10, 2026
Semalka
Official crossing; visas valid nationwide as of July 12, 2026

Sources:

Bringing a vehicle

sources partly disagree
Vehicle permit (schedule of 5 July 2025)
US$50 / 1 month
Reported fee at Jordan/Lebanon borders
US$100
Sources and details

Foreign-registered private cars can enter at land crossings for a fee. A fee schedule of 5 July 2025 sets US$50 for a one-month vehicle permit and US$200 for three months, with a late-return penalty of US$110 per week (SP Today).

In Your Pocket reported a US$100 vehicle fee at the Jordanian and Lebanese borders in 2026. The sources disagree; ask at the border.

Since 15 June 2026 (Decision No. 59), Syrians living in Turkey can bring a private car via Bab al-Hawa once per calendar month without the fee.

Vehicle permit (schedule of 5 July 2025)
US$50 / 1 month; US$200 / 3 months as of June 15, 2026
Reported fee at Jordan/Lebanon borders
US$100 as of October 9, 2026

Sources:

Special cases

sources partly disagree

Lebanese citizens: a Syrian border-authority official (March 2026) said Lebanese may enter if they have a Syrian residence permit, a Syrian wife or mother, property in Syria, a visit request from a…

Sources and details

Lebanese citizens: a Syrian border-authority official (March 2026) said Lebanese may enter if they have a Syrian residence permit, a Syrian wife or mother, property in Syria, a visit request from a Syrian citizen, or a medical report for treatment. Holders of another nationality or residence elsewhere, and some union-registered professionals, may also enter.

Iraqi citizens: a border-authority official said in June 2026 that most Iraqis need a regular visa from the Ministry of Interior. Exempt groups include Iraqis married to Syrians, Syrian residence holders, students at Syrian universities, approved businesspeople and media, and children under 15 of Syrian mothers. No guarantor is required, he said. The fee is US$50.

Iranian citizens: prior authorization is required (Turkish Airlines, January 2025). Some guides say entry is not possible at all. The fee in the decision is US$400.

Syrians with foreign passports: Syria treats dual nationals as Syrian (Germany, Australia). Children of Syrian fathers are Syrian at birth. In Your Pocket says children of Syrian fathers or people born in Syria are not charged a visa fee. Men of military age may face questions about military service (Canada, Travel 963).

Journalists: they need an approval letter from the Directorate of Foreign Media Relations, Ministry of Information, before arrival; approved media teams are exempt from entry fees (July 2026). Turkish Airlines also notes that religious groups need permission.

Palestinian refugee documents: no current source was found. Travel 963 says some sources claim Syrian-origin Palestinians are exempt from fees; this is unconfirmed.

Sources:

Customs and currency

reliable secondary sources
Foreign cash in
Up to US$500,000
Foreign cash out (non-Syrians)
Up to US$5,000 or amount declared on entry
New Syrian pounds
Up to 20,000 SYP in or out
Sources and details

Foreign currency: you may bring in up to US$500,000 or equivalent in cash. Amounts of US$5,000 or more must be declared on arrival. Non-Syrians may take out up to US$5,000, or the amount declared on entry if they show the declaration. Germany also says to declare more than US$5,000 if you want to take it out again.

Syrian pounds: a Central Bank circular (July 2026) allows travellers to carry up to 20,000 new Syrian pounds in or out. Old banknotes stopped being legal tender on 31 July 2026.

Undeclared or excess cash is seized and sent to the Central Bank. You can apply to the Central Bank to get it back.

Goods: you must declare anything that may be prohibited or taxed (UK FCDO). Germany advises not to bring GPS devices and says electronic devices and video cameras have separate rules. Australia says to check with a Syrian embassy before bringing GPS devices, handheld radios or drones.

Antiquities: export is regulated by the state. Germany warns that items offered at historic sites are often fakes.

Foreign cash in
Up to US$500,000; declare ≥ US$5,000 as of July 2026
Foreign cash out (non-Syrians)
Up to US$5,000 or amount declared on entry as of July 2026
New Syrian pounds
Up to 20,000 SYP in or out as of July 2026

Sources:

Health entry rules

official sources
Mandatory vaccines
None for direct entry from Germany
Yellow fever certificate
Not required
Sources and details

No vaccination is mandatory for direct entry from Germany (Auswärtiges Amt). Canada says there is no yellow fever risk in Syria and proof of yellow fever vaccination is not required.

Canada says an HIV test is required for a residence permit or to marry a Syrian national. This does not apply to tourist visas.

Recommended (not required) vaccines include hepatitis A and keeping routine vaccines such as measles current. Germany notes a low seasonal malaria risk (May–October, mainly the north-east, e.g. al-Hasakah). The UK refers travellers to TravelHealthPro.

Mandatory vaccines
None for direct entry from Germany as of October 30, 2026
Yellow fever certificate
Not required (Canada) as of July 23, 2026

Sources:

Registration and exit

sources partly disagree

Canada says visitors staying more than 14 days must register with the Immigration and Passports Office before day 15, on every entry.

Sources and details

Canada says visitors staying more than 14 days must register with the Immigration and Passports Office before day 15, on every entry. France says anyone staying more than 15 days must report to immigration. Current travel guides do not mention this rule; ask your hotel or agency.

Canada says some travellers may need an exit permit from the General Security Department. Germany warns that some border crossings can close at short notice, which can prevent you from leaving.

Illegal entry can lead to prison and a fine (UK, Germany).

Sources:

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a visa on arrival in Syria?

Yes, for many nationalities, at Damascus and Aleppo airports and at open crossings from Lebanon and Jordan. Some nationalities need prior approval first. There is no official public list, so check with your airline and a Syrian travel agency.

[16][19][20][28]

How much does a Syrian visa cost?

It depends on nationality. Reported one-month fees are US$75 for most EU citizens, US$100 for Canada, US$150 for the UK and Australia, and US$200 for the US. Unlisted nationalities pay US$50. Pay in cash in new US dollar notes.

[10][13][16]

Can I apply for a Syria e-visa online?

Not at the moment. In September–October 2026 evisa.sy showed only a 'Coming Soon' page, although the UK FCDO still refers to it. Be careful with commercial sites selling e-visas.

[16][22][1][21]

How long can I stay?

The tourist visa on arrival is one month, single entry, but officers often stamp 15 to 30 days. You can extend at the Immigration and Passports Department in Damascus.

[16][19]

Where and how do I extend my visa?

At the Immigration and Passports Department in al-Merjeh, Damascus. Travellers report it takes 1–2 hours and costs little or nothing. Apply a few days before your visa ends.

[19][21]

Can I enter with an Israeli stamp in my passport?

You may be refused entry. Germany says stamps from the Allenby Bridge or Taba crossings can also cause refusal. Israeli citizens cannot enter at all.

[1][3][5]

Can I enter overland from Lebanon?

Yes, Masnaa – Jdeidet Yabous and al-Arida are reported open to foreign tourists, with visa on arrival for eligible nationalities. Germany warns that visas are not always issued at land crossings.

[14][31][3]

Can I cross from Jordan?

Yes, Nasib – Jaber is open to tourists and reported to run 24 hours. Expect long waits.

[14][20]

Can foreigners enter Syria from Turkey by land?

Several 2026 sources say the Turkish crossings are closed to foreign tourists entering Syria. They are open to Syrians, including those with foreign passports. Fly to Aleppo or Damascus instead.

[14][16][36][33]

Can I enter from Iraq?

Al-Bukamal – Al-Qaim, Rabia and Semalka are operating, but sources disagree on whether foreign tourists can use them. Ask a Syrian travel agency first.

[27][28][14][19]

How valid must my passport be?

The UK says 3 months after arrival; Germany and Canada say 6 months. Airlines may apply the stricter rule, so plan for at least 6 months.

[1][3][5]

How much cash can I bring and do I need to declare it?

You may bring up to US$500,000. Declare US$5,000 or more on arrival if you want to take it out again. Non-Syrians may leave with up to US$5,000 or the declared amount.

[34][3]

I am Syrian with a foreign passport. Do I need a visa?

Syria treats you as Syrian. You can enter with Syrian documents; an expired Syrian passport is accepted with your foreign passport at the Turkish crossings. Men of military age should check military-service rules first.

[3][6][33][5]

Do I need any vaccinations to enter?

No vaccination is mandatory for direct entry from Germany, and Canada says no yellow fever certificate is required. Hepatitis A and routine vaccines are recommended.

[3][5]

Places on this topic

Ancient City of Aleppo
Castles & fortressesUNESCO

Ancient City of Aleppo

حلب القديمة

Aleppo

Not yet verified (15)
  • The official annex of Decision No. 128 (full fee table by group, 3- and 6-month and multiple-entry fees) is not published online; fees here come from news reports and travel guides, which differ in places (Jordan News and Travel 963 tables conflict with others).
  • No official list of nationalities needing prior approval exists; approval lists come from guides, tour operators and airlines and conflict (e.g. US, South Korea, Thailand, Serbia, Russia).
  • evisa.sy could not be opened by the research tool; its 'Coming Soon' status relies on Wego and VisasNews (Sept–Oct 2026). FCDO and Smartraveller still refer to it.
  • No official Ministry of Interior / Immigration and Passports Directorate or Ministry of Foreign Affairs web page with tourist visa rules was found or opened; no URL is given for them.
  • France Diplomatie and Canada pages appear outdated (say no visa at borders); US State Department country-information page could not be opened (only the advisory page).
  • Official opening hours for Masnaa/Jdeidet Yabous and Nasib/Jaber not found; hours given are from Saiga Tours. Aleppo airport-specific procedures not separately sourced.
  • Whether foreign tourists can enter via Iraqi crossings (Al-Bukamal/Al-Qaim, Rabia, Semalka) is unclear; sources conflict.
  • Status of Turkish crossings for foreigners relies on secondary sources and forum posts; no official Syrian or Turkish statement on foreigners was found.
  • Rules for Palestinian refugee travel documents and Palestinian passports could not be sourced.
  • Specific rules on drones, satellite phones and medicines (prescription limits) could not be verified; only general advice from Germany and Australia was found. The web search budget ran out before these could be searched further.
  • Iranian entry status in 2026 is not confirmed by a 2026 source; it relies on January 2025 reports and 2026 guides.
  • Official overstay fines and the official maximum stay with extensions were not found; figures are traveller reports.
  • Registration within 15 days (Canada, France) is not confirmed by any current Syrian source.
  • A Palmyra security permit is reported by Travel 963 (from unnamed traveller reports) but could not be verified; not included in the body.
  • Vehicle entry fee sources disagree (US$50/1 month per 5 July 2025 schedule vs US$100 reported at borders in 2026).
Sources (40)
  1. GOV.UK (FCDO) – Syria travel advice: Entry requirements October 27, 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  2. GOV.UK (FCDO) – Syria travel advice: Safety and security September 2, 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  3. Auswärtiges Amt – Syrien: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Einreise und Zoll) October 30, 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  4. France Diplomatie – Conseils aux voyageurs: Syrie (Entrée / Séjour) Last checked: October 31, 2026
  5. Government of Canada – Travel advice and advisories: Syria July 23, 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  6. Smartraveller (Australian Government) – Syria Last checked: October 31, 2026
  7. U.S. Department of State – Syria Travel Advisory Last checked: October 31, 2026
  8. SANA – Ministry of Foreign Affairs: entry procedures unchanged, Decision No. 128 still in force Last checked: October 31, 2026
  9. North Press Agency – Syria revises entry visa fees for Arab, foreign nationals July 6, 2025 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  10. Enab Baladi (English) – Highest fees for Iranians: Syria sets entry visa fees for foreigners July 5, 2025 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  11. Enab Baladi (Arabic) – أعلاها للإيرانيين.. سوريا تحدد قيمة تأشيرة دخول الأجانب Last checked: October 31, 2026
  12. 963+ (963media) – Syria sets new visa fees for foreign visitors July 5, 2025 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  13. Saiga Tours – Syria new visa fees July 2025 (fee table by group) July 6, 2025 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  14. Saiga Tours – A guide to Syrian land border crossings March 4, 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  15. Jordan News – Jordanians exempt as Syria implements new entry fee policy July 6, 2025 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  16. Wego Travel Blog – Syria visa on arrival 2026: fees by passport and who needs approval first October 21, 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  17. Wego Rahhal (Arabic) – فيزا سوريا للمصريين 2026 (Syria visa for Egyptians) October 19, 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  18. CultureRoad Travel (tour operator) – Update Syria visa: October 2026 October 16, 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  19. In Your Pocket – Syria: visas and red tape October 9, 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  20. Against the Compass – How to travel to Syria in 2026 October 21, 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  21. Travel 963 – Syria visa guide 2026: fees and rules October 15, 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  22. VisasNews – Syria: foreign arrivals surge, but where does the e-Visa stand? September 24, 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  23. VisaGuide.World – Syria updates visa fees for foreign visitors based on their nationality (earlier 2025 schedule) Last checked: October 31, 2026
  24. Wikipedia – Visa policy of Syria Last checked: October 31, 2026
  25. Turkish Airlines – Information for passengers traveling to Syrian Arab Republic Last checked: October 31, 2026
  26. Iran International (Arabic) – Iranians need prior entry permits for Syria January 17, 2025 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  27. Rudaw – Syria denies requiring guarantor for Iraqi citizens to obtain visas June 10, 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  28. Rudaw – Semalka crossing is official, visas issued there valid anywhere in Syria: official July 12, 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  29. Shafaq News – Syria: Iraqi visa fee remains $50 June 11, 2025 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  30. Shafaq News – Syria-Iraq's Al-Bukamal crossing open 24/7 August 4, 2025 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  31. Al Jazeera Net (Arabic) – Syrian official: no displacement from Lebanon, and these are the entry conditions March 15, 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  32. Enab Baladi (English) – Syrian border authority allows expatriates to enter from Turkey without prior permission August 18, 2025 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  33. UNHCR Help Syria – Notice regarding Syrian expatriates entering through border crossings with Turkey August 20, 2025 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  34. Enab Baladi (English) – How much Syrian currency can travelers carry? Last checked: October 31, 2026
  35. SP Today – Syria exempts Turkey-resident cars from monthly entry fee (Decision No. 59) June 15, 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  36. Tripadvisor Syria forum – Syria-Turkey border update (Bab al-Hawa), posts March–August 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  37. ShomoX – Bab al-Hawa border crossing 2026: rules and transport August 8, 2026 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  38. Syria eVisa portal (evisa.sy) – could not be opened by the research tool (robots block) Last checked: October 31, 2026
  39. AGBI – Iraq and Syria reopen vital border crossing (search-result title only) June 2025 Last checked: October 31, 2026
  40. Bab al-Hawa crossing official website (cited by ShomoX; not opened) Last checked: October 31, 2026

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