In order to visit Syria, travelers must have a valid passport and Syria
visa.Visas must be obtained in advance. The Syrian Embassy in
Washington DC has ceased operations since March 18, 2014 and has not
appoined a protecting power in the United States. Therefore, U.S.
citizens who plan to travel to Syria need to secure a visa in a country
where Syria still operates consular services.
Foreign nationals have 15 days to
register with immigration if they plan to be in Syria for more than 15
days.
Syria may consider all males of Syrian dual nationality or Syrian
origin, or Syrian heritage to be subject to Syrian laws regarding
military service. To avoid this obligation, any travelers who fit these
criteria should apply for exception from a Syrian embassy or consulate
before they travel.
Travelers may not enter Syria if their passports contain entry
or exit stamps from Israel, and may be detained if prior travel to
Israel is suspected. Syria may also detain or deny entry to travelers
who have visited Iraq. Travelers planning to enter or exit Iraq via
Syria should be warned that the border occasionally closes without
advance warning.
Paternal permission for travel outside Syria is required for
children under 18 if their father is a Syrian national or is of Syrian
descent. Even women who have been granted full custody of their
children must have the father's permission before she may take them out
of the country. Women who marry Syrian citizens may not be able to
leave the country if their husband files legal action to prevent them
from traveling.
Foreign nationals between the ages of 15 and 60 must submit to an
HIV/AIDS test if they wish to reside in Syria, and will not be granted
a permit without a negative result. Negative HIV/AIDS tests are also
required before foreigners are allowed to wed Syrian nationals.
