- Citizens of other countries kept their existing entry procedures after the reversal.
- The broader guideline told tourists to book through an agency and secure advance visa approval.
Syria lifted a temporary Interior Ministry requirement for US and British citizens to obtain approval before entering, announcing the reversal on November 13, 2026. Previous entry arrangements were restored.
US citizens can obtain a 30-day visa on arrival for roughly $200 at Damascus International Airport or at land borders with Jordan and Lebanon, the U.S. State Department says. The department advises against travel to the country because of ongoing security risks.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates for Consular Affairs Muhammad Yaqub al-Omar said citizens of other countries would continue under their existing entry procedures. The change covers prior clearance for Americans and Britons.
A separate set of ministry guidelines, effective November 12, 2026, told tourists of all nationalities to book through a travel agency or tour operator and obtain visa pre-approval before arrival. The current status of those broader requirements remains unclear, as do visa-on-arrival terms for British travelers.
The reversal restores earlier entry arrangements for two nationalities
Al-Omar said the prior-approval measure had been temporary. He did not explain why officials introduced it or why they withdrew it. The announcement did not describe a change to the entry procedures for other nationalities.
The broader guidelines covered tourists arriving by air or land and gave immigration officials the final decision on approval and entry. They also warned visitors not to travel while their visa applications were pending.
That wider notice had raised questions for tourists beyond the two nationalities named in the reversal. Its status is distinct from the announced restoration of earlier procedures for US and British travelers.
Videos of refused travelers preceded the reversal
The announcement followed videos circulating online that showed Americans saying they had been refused entry. Several US travelers also complained that officials told them they needed visas in advance. Some foreign visitors said the abrupt change disrupted their plans.
Mazen Alloush, director of international relations and cooperation at Syria’s General Authority for Ports and Customs, said the authority carries out Interior Ministry instructions. It does not decide which nationalities require prior approval.
Alloush had confirmed that US citizens were recently added to the nationalities subject to advance clearance. He said visas were issued at border crossings, while certain nationalities needed approval from the relevant authorities first.
The change drew criticism from people concerned about its effect on tourism. Author Rime Allaf criticized the lack of warning and preparation. Analyst Michael Arizanti wrote, “Syria spent a year convincing the world to come back. Then it changed the rules overnight.” Tourism-sector workers also expressed concern, while some commentators defended tighter controls on security grounds.
Officials did not connect the online criticism to their decision. Al-Omar gave no reason for the measure’s introduction or withdrawal.
US travelers can seek a visa on arrival at listed entry points
The U.S. State Department’s guidance says Americans may obtain a visa valid for 30 days on arrival, for roughly $200. The listed locations are Damascus International Airport and land borders with Jordan and Lebanon.
That advice is specific to US citizens. British citizens are covered by the prior-approval reversal, but the current visa-on-arrival terms for them are unclear.
The department maintains a do-not-travel advisory because of ongoing security risks. Its stated visa-on-arrival option remains available at Damascus International Airport and the specified land borders.
