Visa policy of Syria

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.
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 This data is taken from open sources and may become outdated or irrelevant.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:
Visa policy map
Visa exemption
According to Timatic, nationals of the following 14 countries do not need a visa to enter Syria, for a stay up to the duration listed below:
Conditional visa exemption
Nationals of aged over 35 who are not permanent residents of Somalia can also enter Syria without a visa. However, they must obtain prior entry approval and present USD 2000 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, 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 11 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 and 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 Headquarters.
In addition, according to Timatic, nationals of any country without any "Syrian representation" may obtain a visa on arrival in Syria. However, Timatic specifically lists all nationals of India, Libya, Pakistan and the United States, as well as female nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand, as being ineligible for a visa on arrival - they are instead required to obtain a visa in advance.
Entry restrictions
Prior approval required
Nationals of are required to obtain prior approval from the Syrian Immigration Headquarters in order to enter Syria.
Female nationals of the following six countries are also required to obtain prior approval from the Syrian Immigration Headquarters in addition to a visa 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 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, Somaliland, Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh) and Transnistria.
After the recognition of partially recognized Republic of Abkhazia and Republic of South Ossetia — the State of Alania by Syrian Arab Republic in May 2018, citizens of these countries can enter Syria by obtaining a visa.
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 2011 and 2016, the real number of Russian citizens who entered Syria was several times more.
See also
Visa requirements for Syrian citizens
References
Syria
Foreign relations of Syria