Syria’s cities and landscapes reflect millennia of history, layered with Arabic culture and ongoing change.
From the ancient streets of Damascus to the Euphrates region and Mediterranean coast, Syria’s geography and heritage remain deeply influential. Arabic is the primary language, and current conditions require careful, up-to-date planning, as regional realities can shift quickly.
Visa and residency reference data is available for Visitor, Long-Term Resident, Talent / Executive, and 4 more.
Current Syrian entry-law route requiring non-Syrian nationals to hold a valid passport or substitute document with an entry visa from a Syrian diplomatic or consular mission, another authorized authority, or a DoIP border center where Syria has no diplomatic representation.
Three-year regular-residence classification for qualifying Arab and non-Arab foreigners, including people born in Syria with at least three years of residence, children of Syrian women, and people with at least five years of legal residence.
Five-year special-residence classification for qualifying long-resident foreigners and people performing useful work for the national economy or scientific, cultural, technical, industrial, business, tourism, or other valuable services.
Temporary-residence route for students registered at public or private universities, colleges, and schools approved by the Syrian Government, granted in accordance with the period of study.
One-year residence classification covering temporary residence categories such as students, scientists, family visitors, investors, property owners, patients, refugees, and public-interest cases.
Tourist-stay residence route under Law No. 2 of 2014, with tourist residence capped at three months and group tourists exempted from address-change reporting for one month after arrival.
Work-residence route for Arab and non-Arab foreigners who obtain Ministry of Labor approval; Law No. 2 assigns work visa conditions and fees to Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Labor ministry decisions and caps work residence at one year.
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Syria.
Avoid all travel
Avoid all travel to Syria due to ongoing tensions in the region, the continued volatile security situation, armed clashes and airstrikes, criminality, kidnappings and the threat of terrorism. If you’re in Syria, you should consider leaving if it’s safe to do so.
FCDO advises against all travel
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). FCDO advises against all travel to Syria
Do not travel
Do not travel to Syria for any reason due to the risk of terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, hostage taking, crime, and armed conflict. Do not travel to Syria for any reason. The U.S. government suspended U.S. Embassy operations in 2012. The Czech Republic is the protecting power for the United States in Syria. The U.S. government cannot offer emergency or routine consular services to U.S. citizens in Syria due to the safety risks. Armed conflict Syria has experienced active armed conflict since 2011. No part of Syria is safe from violence. Hostage taking, terrorism, unexploded ordnance, and aerial bombardment pose significant risk of death or serious injury. The destruction of infrastructure, housing, medical facilities, schools, and power and water utilities has also increased hardships in Syria. The U.S. government strongly warns private U.S. citizens against traveling to Syria to engage in armed conflict. The U.S. government does not support this activity. U.S. citizens who undertake such activity face extreme personal risks, including being taken hostage, injury, or death. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence in Syria. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more.
Hostage taking Hostage taking of U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals continues to be a risk throughout the country. Air travel The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). This is due to risks to civil aviation operating within or nearby Syria. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.
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