GoSyria Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

1、 Visa

Visiting Syria requires obtaining a visa.

（1） Required documents for holders of diplomatic and official passports: two visa application forms, each with a 4x4 photo attached; The Consular Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified the Embassy in China and explained the purpose of the visit; Visa free.

（2） Required documents for official ordinary passport (for official visits): Two visa application forms, each with a 4x4 photo of the person attached; An official note issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or other relevant government agencies) to the Embassy in China, stating the purpose of their visit. Visa free.

（3） Required documents for private passport: Starting from May 1, 2024, ordinary passport holders can apply for a Syrian entry visa by submitting an electronic visa application through the relevant link on the official website of the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in China. The Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in China has suspended offline reception.

2、 Entry and exit

The validity period of a visa is generally 15 days. If you need to extend your visa, please go to the immigration office in advance to handle the visa extension procedures. If your visa is overdue, you will face fines or even detention. Syria is currently in a state of war, and anyone suspected of being an "illegal immigrant" will be detained and directly transferred to the security department for security review.

There is currently no visa free agreement or other convenient arrangements for personnel exchanges between China and Syria. For specific matters, please consult the Syrian Embassy in China. Contact information of the Syrian Embassy in China:

Address: No. 6, Sanlitun East Fourth Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600

Telephone: (010)65321372/65321356

Fax: (010)65321575

Email: sy@syrembassy.cn

Customs epidemic prevention and control

According to the regulations of Syrian customs, the articles and necessities carried by foreigners for personal use on entry are duty-free. Foreign exchange controls are very strict, and anyone bringing foreign currency into the country must declare it, with a maximum limit of 100000 US dollars or its equivalent in other foreign currencies. The amount of foreign currency carried abroad must be less than the foreign currency declared upon entry, and a foreign currency declaration form or foreign currency source certificate must be provided upon entry.

Residency and Naturalization

According to Syrian laws, foreigners who need to stay in Syria for more than 15 days from the date of entry should apply for a residence permit to the Syrian Immigration Passport Bureau or its branches in the provinces. Non Syrian individuals born in Syria or non Syrian women married to Syrian citizens automatically obtain a residence permit. Residence permits are generally divided into three categories, with temporary residence permits valid for one year; Ordinary residence permit is valid for 3 years; The special residence permit is valid for 5 years. A residence permit is not considered a work permit. If working in Syria, one should apply for a work permit from the Syrian Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

Syria is a non immigrant country, so it is difficult for foreigners to obtain Syrian nationality, and children of foreigners born in Syria cannot directly obtain Syrian nationality. According to the provisions of Syria's Nationality Law, foreigners who have resided in Syria for more than five years consecutively, have good conduct and reputation, are free from infectious diseases or suffer from other diseases that hinder their work, if they wish to become Syrian nationals, they shall apply in person and be approved by the Minister of the Interior or even the President. The wife of a foreigner who has acquired Syrian nationality can obtain Syrian nationality with the approval of the Ministry of the Interior after two years of marriage. Syria recognizes dual citizenship.

The risk level for Syria is red (extremely high risk).                        

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens not to travel to Syria in the near future. Personnel and institutions in the area should evacuate or transfer to safe areas as soon as possible. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.                          

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas embassies and consulates will continue to closely monitor changes in the overseas security risk situation, dynamically adjust relevant risk assessments, and release and update corresponding security reminders in real time on platforms such as the China Consular Service Network. Please continue to pay attention.

public security

The Syrian conflict is still ongoing. The military conflict between the Syrian government army and terrorist organizations and armed opposition continues, with the theater of operations concentrated in parts of northern and eastern Syria, including Idlib, Hassakeh, Raqqa, Hama, and Deir ez Zor provinces. In addition, terrorist attacks against Syrian military, police, and civilians often occur within the government controlled areas, and the security situation remains bleak.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Syria remind Chinese citizens not to travel to Syria in the near future. Personnel and institutions in the area should be evacuated or transferred to safe areas as soon as possible. In case of emergency, please promptly report to the police and contact the Chinese Embassy in Syria.

natural disaster

Syria has a Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers, mild and rainy winters, and few natural disasters.

FDA

The food hygiene standards in Syria are relatively low, and visitors should pay attention to food hygiene and carry commonly used medicines with them. Vegetables and fruits in Syria must be washed clean, and it is recommended to purchase bottled water for consumption.

Urgent Help

First aid: 110

Military emergency: 118

Firefighting: 113

Police officer: 112

Traffic police: 115

Military and police: 116

Water conservancy emergency repair: 114

Power repair: 117

Emergency hotline for insurance: 00963-944265018

air traffic

There are no direct flights between Syria and China. Passengers traveling to Syria usually take a flight to Beirut, Lebanon, and then enter Syria by land from Beirut. Damascus Airport operates flights to destinations such as Dubai, Sharjah, Doha, Cairo, and Kuwait, and requires purchasing tickets from local travel agencies and ticketing agents. Damascus Airport is about 30 kilometers away from the city center, and transportation to the airport mainly relies on taxis. Since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011, the safety of roads leading to Damascus Airport cannot be guaranteed, and Damascus Airport has been repeatedly attacked and forced to shut down. Please pay attention to the operation of flights in a timely manner.

land transport

Domestic transportation in Syria is mainly by road, connecting cities and towns, and leading to Türkiye, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon. Drive the vehicle to the right.

water communication

In Syria, waterway transportation is not the main mode of transportation. Ships are generally used for transporting goods. The main ports are Latakia Port and Tartus Port.

Urban transportation

There are taxis and mini buses in urban areas of Syria. The road conditions in the city are generally good, with clear traffic lights at major intersections and traffic police command. Local drivers lack awareness of traffic rules, leading to an increase in traffic accidents in recent years.

major city

Damascus, the capital of Syria, has a documented history of 4000 years and is one of the oldest cities still alive in the world. In history, it has been known as the "Fragrant City" and the "Pearl of the East". Arabs like to call it 'Sham Damascus' or simply' Sham '. According to legend, it was founded by Alexander the Great of the Macedonian dynasty in the third century BC. Since the establishment of the Islamic Umayyad dynasty in 661 AD, it has been the political, religious, commercial, and cultural center of Syria.

Commodity prices

Before the outbreak of the Syrian crisis, agriculture dominated the national economy and was an important engine for economic and social development, accounting for 31% of GDP and providing 23% of employment opportunities. The most common crops are wheat, barley, cotton, vegetables, citrus fruits, olives, tobacco, and sugar. Since 2011, large agricultural production areas have been occupied by opposition armed groups or extremist organizations, resulting in a significant reduction in government agricultural yields.

Affected by Western sanctions and war, prices in Syria have been continuously rising in recent years. The official currency of Syria is the Syrian pound (referred to as the Syrian pound). After the crisis broke out, the Syrian pound depreciated continuously, and the current official exchange rate between the Syrian pound and the US dollar is 13500:1 (July 2024 data). Commercial activities within Syria are generally paid in Syrian pounds in cash or by cheque.

Insurance Medical

Syrian public hospitals basically implement a welfare medical system, symbolically charging treatment fees, but medical conditions are limited, infrastructure is poor, and medication costs need to be borne by patients. Private hospitals have complete facilities and good conditions, but the cost is relatively high. At the beginning of 2023, there were cholera cases in Syria.

Customs taboos

Syria is an Islamic country, but with a high level of secularization and harmonious coexistence of diverse cultures.

1、 Meeting Gift

Syrians have the custom of shaking hands, hugging, and kissing faces when meeting. Colleagues and friends usually greet each other with a handshake. When family and friends reunite after a long separation or go on a long journey, they will warmly embrace and kiss their cheeks three times (limited to the same gender, males on the left, right, left; females on the right, left, right. For close relationships, they may also make a smacking sound while kissing their cheeks). For foreign guests, when meeting for the first time, they are usually welcomed with a handshake. If it's their second meeting, they should warmly embrace and kiss each other on the face, usually twice, from left to right. If the friendship between the two is deep, it should be three times (left, right, left). Men and women greet each other with a handshake.

2、 Diet

The staple foods of Syrians are white flour and rice. The dough cake made by fermenting flour is a favorite food of people from all walks of life. Syrian cuisine includes grilled lamb, chicken, fried fish, boiled beef, cucumber, pickled olives, cheese, tomato salad, lettuce, onions, stewed fava beans, and more. Sweets are also a favorite food among Syrians, almost a must-have at every meal. In daily life, people often drink black tea and coffee.

3、 Title:

Syrians usually refer to themselves as' Mr. ',' Ms. ', or' Miss'. Those who have a good relationship and are familiar with each other usually refer to each other as aliases, such as "Abu Moumou" or "Moumou's father". Women add "Siti" before their names, meaning "Mrs. XXX" or "Mrs. XXX".

4、 Taboo

The taboos in Syria can be divided into two categories: one is religious: Muslims fast pork, do not eat animals slaughtered or self killed by non Muslims, fast animal blood, and do not eat land animals that do not ruminate; Devout Muslims abstain from alcohol. Secondly, in terms of general daily life: such as not making any sound when drinking soup or other hot drinks; Food does not come back into the mouth; When eating, use your right hand to grab food and avoid using your left hand.

5、 Festivals

There are many festivals in Syria, including not only Muslim and Christian holidays, but also specific holidays such as National Day (April 17), Revolution Day (March 8), Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha, Easter, May Day, Christmas, New Year's Day, and Prophet Muhammad's birthday.

Communications Power

The standard power supply voltage is 220 volts and 50 hertz. The socket has two round heads. The mobile network standard is the same as in China and is compatible with Chinese mobile phones. The development of the domestic Internet in Syria is backward, the network speed is slow and the cost is high.

contact information