How to get a Syrian Visa – A Helpful Guide

If you plan to visit Syria, you will most likely need a visa.

This blog explains everything you need to know about the visa process.

How to get a Syrian Visa – A Helpful Guide

If you plan to visit Syria, you will most likely need a visa.

This blog explains everything you need to know about the visa process.

Hi, we’re Rach & Marty!

We’ve visited every country in the world and want to help you get the most out of your travels!

Whether you need an expertly planned itinerary, some experienced hints and tips, or just craving a delicious food adventure, we’ve got you covered!

Hi, we’re Rach & Marty!

We’ve visited every country in the world and want to help you get the most out of your travels!

Whether you need an expertly planned itinerary, some experienced hints and tips, or just craving a delicious food adventure, we’ve got you covered!

Hi, we’re Rach & Marty!

We’ve visited every country in the world and want to help you get the most out of your travels!

Whether you need an expertly planned itinerary, some experienced hints and tips, or just craving a delicious food adventure, we’ve got you covered!

We may earn affiliate commissions from websites we link to, at no cost to you. Click here for details.

 how to get a Syrian Visa
How to get a Syrian Visa – This is my stamp at the border

The requirements for obtaining a Syrian visa have changed in the past years, so if you have any updated information, feel free to comment below so we can keep this blog up to date.

How to Get a Syrian Visa:

Who needs a visa for Syria?

Currently, most nationalities require a visa for Syria unless you hold a passport from one of the following countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Syria visa for U.S. citizens:

Visa for Syria is now also possible for US Passport Holders. The process can take up to 4 weeks, and US Passport holders must travel as part of an organised tour.

Israelis and anyone with proof of travel to Israel:

Israeli passport holders are not permitted to travel to Syria. If you have proof of travel to Israel in your passport, you will be denied, too.

This includes entry or exit stamps from Egypt or Jordan, which show that you’ve crossed the land border into or out of Israel.

There are two options for how to travel to Syria – independently or with a travel agency. The visa process depends on which option you choose.

how to get a syrian visa
How to get a Syrian Visa – The Streets of Damascus

How to Get a Tourist Visa for Syria – What you will need:

  • Security clearance from the Ministry of Tourism.
  • Copy of your passport.
  • A completed application form if you are applying from the embassy.
  • If you apply via a travel agency, personal details must be provided: full address, occupation.
  • A visa fee is to be paid at the embassy or at the border.
How to get Syrian Visa Martina Sebova Syrian Flag

How to get a Syrian Visa when travelling on a tour

If you book a tour through a travel agency, they will apply for security clearance in Syria for you. All you need to do is email them your passport copies, personal details, and occupation.

Please note the process is different if you are a journalist. The process takes about two weeks (if you are lucky, you might get it in a week). It can take up to 4 weeks for US passport holders.

Your travel agency will notify you once the security clearance (a background check) is received. You can then obtain your Syrian visa at the border or the airport if you fly into Damascus.

Fee for Syrian Visa at the border:

  • Australians and New Zealand is 130 USD
  • European passport holders pay 50 – 100 USD (Slovak passport was 70 USD)
  • Americans 160 USD 
  • British 140 USD

When you leave Syria, you must also pay an exit fee of 2,500 SYP, around 5 USD.

You cannot get your visa at the border if you don’t have security clearance.

how to get a syrian visa
How to get a Syrian Visa – Aleppo 

How to get a Syrian Visa when travelling independently

Getting a Syrian visa is more complicated if you wish to travel to Syria independently.

In 2018, you could get a Syrian visa by paying 300-400 USD to a tour operator, crossing the border alone, and obtaining your visa at the border. At this stage, however, it seems that travel agencies cannot supply this security clearance for independent travellers.

You might be lucky to get it; in this case, you can also obtain your visa at the border.

You must obtain your visa from the Syrian Embassy before you go. The process varies from embassy to embassy. But generally speaking, if they accept your application, they will apply for the security clearance on your behalf.

The security clearance costs 60 USD. We know of travellers who could get their visas from the embassy in Berlin or Cairo, but it also depends on your nationality. Many others have been denied.

To learn about the local Tour Operator we recommend for travel in Syria, read our post— Everything You Need to Know About Travelling to Syria.

Our post describing what it’s really like to travel to Damascus gives you our first impressions of the country and how we felt in this city. Also, Syrian food has to be one of our top 10 favourite cuisines.

Don’t miss these 9 Syrian foods; we love how fresh and tasty this food is.

If you’re planning on travelling to Lebanon, I highly recommend you visit the ancient ruins of Baalbek.

Our detailed guide about how to get from Beirut to Beirut using public transport has everything you need to know to have a fantastic day.

If you have successfully obtained a Syrian visa somewhere, please comment below. It might help other travellers.

Need some information about applying for other visas in Africa? Check out our Visa Guide.

Travel Tips for Asia

We have many travel guides and tips for Asia— a fascinating continent!

Delicious cuisine can be enjoyed across Asia, and our food map of Asia will inspire your food journey.

These top 5 best street foods in Asia are unmissable! We explain Central Asian food, including seven popular foods in this region.

Our Southeast Asia packing list will be helpful if you’re travelling here.

Furthermore, if you plan to travel long-term (or at least until the money runs out), these 21 cheapest countries to visit will help you make your hard-earned dollars stretch a bit further.

Not surprisingly, our top 10 best countries for food lovers include a few Asian countries.

You’ll need to stay connected while travelling in Asia. We recommend eSIM. It’s easy, reliable and affordable. View eSIMs for individual Asian countries, or consider a regional eSIM for Asia (which covers 18 countries).

If your travels in Asia are part of a much larger global adventure, then a Global eSIM may be the answer. It connects you in 124 countries, offering data-only eSIM and data/call/text eSIM. The Global eSIM has been a game-changer; we couldn’t imagine travelling without it now.

If you want to travel with like-minded travellers, consider joining a group tour. Check out our Group Tours first for any upcoming departures in Asia, or view Tourradar for great deals on tours in Asia.

Check out our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience.

Did you enjoy this article? Share it with friends and family!

Travel Planning Resources

✈️ Flights: We use Skyscanner to book cheap flights worldwide.

🏨 AccommodationBooking.com is our preferred platform for booking hotels and accommodation. We use Vrbo to book apartments and long-term stays.

🏥 Travel Insurance: We recommend Heymondo (Get 5% off Heymondo) & SafetyWing

🚌 Transportation: Trainline is the best website to reserve trains. We use Omio to book transport worldwide. For travel in Asia, we use 12Go. 

🚘 Car Rental: We use DiscoverCars to book rental cars worldwide.

👫 Group Tours: We now offer Group Trips; view them here! Alternatively, we recommend searching the Tourradar website. For Europe, Expat Explore is a good choice. *Get 5% off when you quote code VERYHUNGRYNOMADS to your Expat reservations agent. (*Valid for new clients only).

📸 Day Tours & TripsGetYourGuide & Viator are the only two platforms you need.

📚 Lonely Planet: The Best Range of Travel Guides & Ebooks, and FREE Shipping! (use code RACHELDAVEY10 for a 10% discount)

🎒 LuggageOsprey Farpoint 40L Backpack or Samsonite Luggage Range.

🛄 What to Pack: Don’t forget your Universal charger and a good power bank.  To help you pack the essentials, here is our ULTIMATE Packing List for all Travellers.

🐶 Become a House Sitter: Join Trusted Housesitters and enjoy FREE accommodation worldwide. Use our invite to receive 25% off your new membership.

💰 Send Money Anywhere: WISE & Revolut are the best online accounts that let you send money, get paid, and spend money internationally. Both are so easy to use and way cheaper than any bank transfer.

📶 Stay Connected: Airalo eSIM allows you to get connected the moment you land at your destination, and you can avoid those expensive data roaming charges. We LOVE this product! Use code RACHEL5045 to get $3 off your first Airalo eSIM.

✅ Check out our Travel Gear and Travel Resources for more valuable tips to save you money!

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