Everything You Need To Know About A Syrian Visa

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued an advisory that asks no foreign national to travel to Syria. Even if British citizens are present in Syria, they should depart as early as possible. 

The country does not offer consular support to UK citizens within its borders since the activities of the British Embassy in Damascus have been completely suspended until further notice.

If you still wish to travel to Syria against FCO advice, you need to apply for a visa prior to your travel dates. Ensure that you carry a photocopy of your passport, especially the biodata and visa-stamping pages, as proof of identity at all times. 

Even your dependents must have valid exit stamps on their passports and you should possess comprehensive travel and medical insurance.

Syrian Visa Documentation & Application Process

If you need to apply for a Syrian entry visa, you must apply in person through the Syrian Embassy in London. We cannot assist you with the visa application process

Below are the documentation requirements for applying for an entry visa.

• An original passport with a minimum validity of 6 months and at least 2 blank pages
• 2 colored, passport-sized photographs
• 2 fully completed and signed visa application forms. You can complete the online application. Once you have submitted all the details, download it, and take 2 printouts of the document.
• A letter from your current employer in the UK specifying your employment status and position. If you are a student, you need to submit a letter from your university/college/academic institute OR present a photocopy of your student ID card. Unemployed applicants need to share a letter from the jobcentre or a letter of the benefits that he/she receives. Self-employed applicants can submit a business card OR a copy of the latest bank statement with the name, company name, and address OR a letter on a company headed paper indicating the nature of the business and role OR a copy of self-assessment form from HM Revenue & Customs
• A utility bill OR a council tax/ landline OR internet bill with the applicant’s name and address
• Hotel reservation OR full address, name and telephone number of friends/relatives in Syria

Once all your documents are in order, you can submit your application at the embassy on any working day (Monday to Friday) between 10 am-12 pm. 

The visa processing usually takes a time frame of 6 working days. For press or media visas, the process may take up to 10 working days.

Entry visas are issued in single entry with validities of 1 and 3 months. Multiple entry visas are valid for 6 months. Fees for each visa type varies as per the purpose of visit, validity, and the number of entries required.

The embassy accepts payments only in cash. Additionally, the validity of your visa begins from the date the visa is issued. So make sure that you obtain the visa before your travel to the country.

Previous travel to Israel

If your British passport or Emergency Travel Document contains entry/exit Israeli stamps, there are high chances that you will be refused a Syrian visa. 

This rule is applicable to citizens of almost all nations.

Additional points

The volatile situation in Syria has resulted in the temporary suspension of commercial flights, closed roads, and minimal access to land border crossing points. It has even caused the closure of some border crossings. Hence, you must plan your arrival and departure itineraries properly before entering or exiting the country.

The ongoing conflict has even diminished all levels of religious tolerance. 

The government has imposed restrictions on unlicensed political and religious activity, particularly political Islam. So, be careful when engaging in any religious activities during your stay in Syria. 

Additionally, you should know that if the authorities catch you in possession of drugs, you shall face life imprisonment. Drug trafficking can even result in the death penalty.