Travel.State.Gov >
International Travel > Learn About Your Destination > Syria International Travel Information
Updated to reflect recent developments in Syria.
Do not travel to Syria due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, hostage taking, and armed conflict.
Country Summary: The U.S. government suspended operations of the U.S. Embassy in 2012. Czechia serves as the protecting power for the United States in Syria. The U.S. government is unable to provide any routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Syria. Do not travel to Syria for any reason.
Syria has experienced active armed conflict since 2011. No part of Syria is safe from violence. Hostage taking by armed groups, terrorism, remnants of war such as 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 inside the country.
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 hostage taking by armed groups, injury, or death.
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Syria. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more. Parts of Syria have experienced recent increases in incidents of bombings, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and assassinations. Providing material support or resources to designated foreign terrorist organizations, including ISIS and al-Qa’ida (AQ) affiliates, is a crime under U.S. law that can result in penalties including prison time and large fines.
There is an ongoing risk of hostage taking of U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals throughout the country. In the past, U.S. citizens have been targets of abduction and detention in Syria. Those in detention may not have access to fair judicial process or medical attention. Current detention center conditions are unclear but could be harsh and unsanitary. Failure to obtain a legitimate entry visa directly from the Syrian government could result in detention.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) advising against travel to Syria due to risks to civil aviation operating within or in the vicinity of Syria. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices. Read the country information page for additional information on Syria, including alerts related to the closure of airspace.
If despite this warning, you decide to travel to Syria:
We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage.
Must be valid at time of entry
One page required for entry stamp
Yes
None
None
None
The U.S. Department of State urges U.S. citizens not to travel to Syria. More information can be found in the U.S. Department of State’s Syria Travel Advisory. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus suspended operations in 2012, and therefore for over a decade has not been able to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens who choose to travel to Syria despite the Travel Advisory.
Czechia, acting through its Embassy in Damascus, serves as the Protecting Power for U.S. interests in Syria. The range of consular services Czechia provides to U.S. citizens is extremely limited. U.S. citizens in Syria who seek consular services should contact the U.S. Interests Section of the Embassy of Czechia in Damascus at damascus.usis@mzv.gov.cz.
U.S. citizens in Syria who are in need of emergency assistance but are unable to reach the U.S. Interests Section of the Embassy of the Czechia, should contact the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan:
Telephone: +962 (6) 590-6950
Emergencies: +962 (6) 590-6500
E-mail: Amman-ACS@state.gov
U.S. citizens may also call 1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S.) or +1 202-501-4444 (from overseas) for assistance.
See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Syria for information on U.S.-Syria relations.
Before traveling to Syria, please read the current Travel Advisory.
The Travel Advisory for Syria is Level 4, Do Not Travel. The Department of State recommends U.S. citizens do not travel to Syria due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, hostage taking, and armed conflict. Exercise increased caution due to the risk of unjust detention.
A passport and a visa are required to enter Syria. Visas must be obtained prior to arrival in Syria from a Syrian diplomatic mission located in the traveler’s country of residence. The Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in Washington, D.C., suspended all operations, including consular services, on March 18, 2014, and Syria does not have a protecting power currently providing consular services on its behalf in the United States.
Foreigners who wish to stay 15 days or more in Syria must register with Syrian immigration authorities by the 15th day of their stay.
A departure tax at Syrian land and sea borders is collected for all individuals departing the country except those on diplomatic passports and children under the age of 11.
Syria usually will not issue visas or residency permits to students wishing to study religion or Arabic in private religious institutions.
According to Syrian law, only Syrian diplomatic missions can issue a valid entry visa to Syria. Failure to obtain a legitimate entry visa directly from a Syrian diplomatic mission could result in detention.
Israel Travel: There are enforced restrictions on prior travel to Israel. Syria does not allow persons with passports bearing Israeli visas or entry/exit stamps to enter the country. Overland entry into Syria directly from Israel is not permitted. U.S. citizen travelers suspected of having traveled to Israel have been detained for questioning.
Dual Nationality: U.S. citizen males over the age of 18 holding dual Syrian citizenship, or non-dual U.S. citizen males of Syrian origin, even those born in the United States, may be subject to compulsory military service unless they receive a temporary or permanent exemption from a Syrian diplomatic mission abroad prior to their entry into Syria.
According to Syrian law, a child under the age of 18 whose father is Syrian or is of Syrian descent must have his/her father’s permission to leave Syria, even if the parents are separated or divorced and the mother has been granted full custody by a Syrian court. On occasion, the families of U.S.-Syrian dual-national women visiting Syria have attempted to prevent them from leaving the country, generally to compel the woman to marry. Although under Syrian law a woman wishing to depart Syria does not need her husband's explicit consent in every instance, a Syrian husband may take legal action to prevent his wife from leaving the country, regardless of her nationality. Once such legal orders are in place, the woman may not be able to depart Syria.
Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors or foreign residents of Syria. HIV/AIDS tests are mandatory for foreigners from ages 15 to 60 who wish to reside in Syria. The HIV and AIDS test must be conducted in Syria at a facility approved by the Syrian Ministry of Health. A residence permit will not be issued until the applicant is determined HIV negative. Foreigners wishing to marry Syrian nationals in Syria must also be tested for HIV. Please verify this information with the Syrian government before you travel.
Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction, and customs information on our websites.
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to Syria. Over the last 14 years, the Assad regime committed a range of atrocities, some of which rise to the level of war crimes and crimes against humanity. While thousands of former regime and militia members have surrendered weapons and reconciled, some elements or supporters of the former Assad regime remain active in the country and continue fighting with government security forces. Attacks from terrorists and other armed groups could happen with little or no warning. No part of Syria should be considered immune from violence, and the potential risk exists throughout the country for unpredictable and hostile acts, including kidnappings, sniper assaults, terrorist attacks, small arms fire, improvised explosives, artillery shelling, airstrikes, the use of chemical weapons, large and small-scale bombings, as well as unjust detention, torture, sexual violence, and extrajudicial killings. Individuals also face risk of being killed or injured by unexploded ordnance from the civil war.
Terrorism: Terrorist groups and those inspired by them may attempt to target U.S. citizens and interests. Unprotected or vulnerable targets may include.
Syria has been designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism since 1979 and the Bashar al-Assad regime gave support to a variety of terrorist groups, affecting the stability of the region. Syria is home to several groups hostile to the United States. Terrorists often do not distinguish between U.S. government personnel and private U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens who choose to travel despite this warning should maintain a high level of vigilance and be aware of their surroundings. It is especially important for travelers to be unpredictable in their movements by varying times and routes and maintaining a low profile.
Some non-state groups maintain anti-U.S. sentiment, which may intensify following significant events in the region, particularly those related to U.S.-Syria relations, international intervention in the ongoing conflict, regional conflicts, and the status of Jerusalem. The presence of terrorist organizations and still-nascent border security measures negatively affect Syria’s stability.
For more information, see our Terrorism page.
Crime: Since the suspension of operations of the U.S. Embassy in Damascus in February of 2012, the U.S. government has not been able to provide accurate information about crime involving U.S. citizens visiting or living in Syria.
Demonstrations may occur in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events.
Scams: Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Syria.
Review the Department of State’s Protecting Yourself from Scams and the FBI pages for more information.
Technology Usage Abroad: Mobile devices can be compromised, stolen, or damaged anywhere in the world. Before traveling abroad, it is best to keep all software (operating system and apps) updated. If possible, use a virtual private network (VPN) and encrypted voice over IP (VoIP) applications. Make sure that all VPN/VoIP are reputable, and U.S. based. Do not connect to unknown open Wi-Fi. It is illegal in Syria to possess specific-use electronic devices including GPS, short-wave or handheld radio equipment, or similar devices.
Victims of Crime: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Czechia, through the U.S. Interests Section of the Czech Embassy in Damascus, currently serves as the Protecting Power for U.S. interests in Syria; however, their ability to provide services is extremely limited.
See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.
The U.S. Interests Section, in coordination with nearby U.S. embassies and consulates, may be able to:
The local equivalents to the “911” emergency line in Syria is 110 for ambulance, 113 for fire, and 112 for the police. Syrian operators usually do not speak English.
Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the U.S. Interests Section of the Czech Embassy in Damascus or U.S. Embassy Amman for assistance.
Tourism: No formal tourism industry infrastructure is in place on any level. Tourists are considered to be participating in activities at their own risk. Emergency response and subsequent appropriate medical treatment are not available in Syria. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.
See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.
Syrian Conflict: Sources estimate that prior to Asad’s December 2024 departure, the Syrian conflict had resulted in over 500,000 deaths with hundreds of thousands more wounded, arbitrarily detained, or forcibly disappeared since the conflict began in 2011. The Syrian conflict has resulted in over five million registered Syrian refugees, and millions more displaced inside Syria. More than 14 million people in Syria need humanitarian assistance.
Entities Operating in Syria: The Syrian government controls much of the country, but other armed groups exert control over northeast Syria and pockets of southern Syria. Some armed groups have used car bombs, improvised explosive device/indirect-fire attacks, sniper fire, and carried out kidnappings throughout the country. Foreign combatants – including members of Iran-aligned militia groups, Hizballah fighters, violent extremists, ISIS, and al-Qa'ida (AQ) elements – also participate in hostilities. Additionally, Türkiye engages in military operations in Syria, seeking to counter the influence of the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK), a designated terrorist organization. These operations have reportedly resulted in deaths. Israel has engaged in military operations in Syria that resulted in deaths and has extended its military position into the Area of Separation between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights and further into Syrian territory.
ISIS no longer controls territory in Syria but continues to operate as an insurgency throughout the country. ISIS continues to pose a significant threat to civilians residing in Syria and has demonstrated the ability to conduct coordinated attacks against armed actors and civilians. Tactics of ISIS and other violent extremist groups include the use of suicide bombers, kidnapping, small and heavy arms, improvised explosive devices, and chemical weapons. They have targeted major city centers, road checkpoints, border crossings, government buildings, energy infrastructure, shopping areas, and open spaces in Damascus, Aleppo, Hamah, Dara, Homs, Idlib, Deir Ezzor provinces and parts of northeast Syria. These groups have murdered, kidnapped or taken hostage U.S. citizens, both for ransom and political purposes; in some instances, U.S. citizens have disappeared within Syria. The U.S. government’s ability to help U.S. citizens kidnapped or taken hostage is very limited.
Kidnapping and Hostage Taking: There is an ongoing, high risk of kidnapping or hostage taking of U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals throughout the country. U.S. citizens remain a specific target, with several high-profile abductions having occurred since mid-2012. U.S. citizen victims have had diverse professional backgrounds, including journalism and humanitarian work. U.S. citizens held captive by ISIS have been murdered by the group, which released videos of killings and publicly took responsibility for their deaths. U.S. citizens also have been abducted by other individuals and groups in Syria, and from various locations, including Damascus and Aleppo. Other U.S. citizens have gone missing and are believed to have been kidnapped or taken hostage. U.S. citizens’ fate and/or whereabouts remain unknown after being kidnapped or forcibly disappeared in Syria by the Assad regime or non-state actors.
Detention Issues: U.S. citizens have been targets of abduction and unjust detention by non-state actors and the previous Assad regime. Detention conditions are unclear but could include harsh and unsanitary conditions, which can allow for the quick spread of various illnesses.
Borders: Porous borders and nascent border security measures have contributed to a complex security environment in Syria, compounded by a protracted violent conflict and influx of foreign fighters.
The Government of Türkiye restricts crossings of its border with Syria and may change border crossing procedures without warning. This restriction applies both to those trying to cross the land border from Türkiye into Syria and to those trying to cross from Syria into Türkiye. Individuals seeking emergency medical treatment or safety from immediate danger are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
U.S. citizens have reported facing dangers traveling within the country and when trying to leave Syria via land borders. Border checkpoints should not be considered safe, as some armed groups have sought funding through kidnappings for ransom. Border areas are frequent targets of shelling and other attacks and are crowded because of internally displaced persons. Errant attacks will occasionally hit border towns just outside the borders as well.
Engaging in Armed Conflict: The U.S. government strongly warns U.S. citizens against traveling to Syria to engage in armed conflict. U.S. citizens who undertake such activity face extreme personal risks, including kidnapping, injury, and death. The U.S. government does not support this activity, and our ability to provide consular assistance to individuals who are arrested, injured, or kidnapped, or to the families of individuals who die in the conflict, is extremely limited.
Fighting on behalf of or providing other forms of support to designated terrorist organizations can constitute the provision of material support to a foreign terrorist organization, which is a crime under U.S. law that can result in penalties including prison time and large fines.
Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you break local laws, even if you don’t know it, you can be expelled from the area, arrested, or put in prison. If you want to start a business or work in a job that needs special permits or licenses, you should get information from the local authorities before you start.
Syria imposes more severe penalties for certain crimes than the United States. For example, Article 39 of Syria’s Narcotics Act imposes the death penalty for drug trafficking or cultivation.
Women who are arrested under suspicion of immoral behavior (e.g., being alone in a room with a man who is not the woman’s husband or being in a residence where drugs or alcohol are being consumed) may be subjected to a virginity test.
Loitering or taking photographs of anything that could be perceived as being of military or security interest may result in questioning, confiscation of the images, or detention by security services.
Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.
Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Interests section immediately. See our webpage for further information on consular notification and access.
Military Service: U.S.-Syrian and U.S.-Palestinian men who have never served in the Syrian military and who are planning to visit Syria despite the U.S. Department of State’s Syria Travel Advisory should contact Syrian diplomatic missions prior to traveling concerning compulsory military service. See the “Dual Nationals” section above.
Special Circumstances: The security situation in Syria remains fluid with an elevated risk of violent armed conflict. The destruction of infrastructure, housing, medical facilities, schools, and power and water utilities has increased hardships in Syria. Communications in Syria are difficult as phone and internet connections are unreliable.
Customs Requirements: Syrian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary import into or export from Syria of items such as weapons, narcotics, alcohol, tobacco, cheese, fruit, pharmaceuticals, modems, cosmetics, and some electrical appliances.
Please refer to our Customs Information page for additional information.
Banking and Commerce:
Foreign currencies can be exchanged for Syrian pounds only by licensed money changers, the Commercial Bank of Syria (CBS), the Real Estate Bank, and at private banks, some of which maintain offices inside four- and five-star hotels.
Four and five-star hotels and high-end stores in Syria generally accept credit cards, although most restaurants, stores and shops operate exclusively in cash.
Foreigners visiting Syria are required to pay hotel bills in U.S. dollars, Euros, or other non-Syrian hard currency.
Traveler’s checks are not accepted in Syria and banks will not cash them unless the traveler has an account at the bank in question.
There are no U.S.-based banks operating in Syria.
There are 14 private banks operating in Syria, with branches and ATMs in most major cities. These ATMs usually honor major debit/credit systems.
Funds may be transferred into Syria through Western Union.
Wiring of funds through private banks is possible only if the traveler already holds an account with the bank in Syria. Private citizens seeking to transfer funds outside of Syria or to withdraw U.S. dollars from a bank in Syria should check with the relevant financial institution for the most up-to-date regulations.
Trade and Sanctions: Please consult the Department of Treasury and Department of Commerce websites for more details.
Requests for specific licenses to authorize transactions that are neither exempt nor covered by a general license may be submitted to the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
You can review the Department of Treasury’s Syria Sanctions page for more information.
Additionally, U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in financial transactions which a U.S. person knows or has reasonable cause to believe pose a risk of furthering terrorist acts in the United States. For additional information about Terrorism List Government Sanctions Regulations, consult the terrorism brochure on the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s OFAC home page or via OFAC's info-by-fax service at (202) 622-0077.
Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:
International Volunteers:
Gay and Lesbian Travelers: Syrian law criminalizes consensual same-sex conduct under penal code article 520, which states that each sexual act "against the order of nature" is punishable by as long as three years imprisonment. LGB persons in Syria have been arrested on charges such as abusing social values; selling, buying, or consuming illegal drugs; or organizing and promoting “obscene” parties. LGB persons and persons perceived to be LGB have reportedly been murdered by non-state actors.
See our LGB Travel Information page.
Travelers with Disabilities: The law in Syria prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in education, access to health, or provision of other state services; however, the Assad regime did not enforce these provisions. Sidewalks are generally unevenly paved and often blocked by parked cars. Stairs must be used to access many public buildings, restaurants, cafes, and other tourist spots.
See our Travelers with Disabilities page.
Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.
Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers.
For emergency services in Syria, dial 110 for ambulance and 113 for fire.
Ambulance services are not present throughout the country, except in the capital and provincial cities.
Basic medical care and medicines are available in Damascus and some coastal areas, but not necessarily in other areas. Serious illnesses and emergencies may require evacuation to a neighboring country or more developed medical facility. There are shortages of food, water, medicine, and medical supplies throughout Syria.
Review our Health Abroad page for more information.
The Department of State, U.S. embassies, and U.S. consulates do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.
Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our Insurance Overseas page for more information on insurance providers with overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Insurance page for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.
We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.
Vaccinations: Be up to date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Further health information:
Air Quality:
Air pollution can be a significant problem in many destinations overseas.
Water Quality & Food Safety
In many areas, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe. You should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks may source from tap water.
Road Conditions and Safety: Exercise caution if driving in Syria because road conditions are hazardous.
Visitors may encounter hostile activity, harassment, or even abduction at both official and unofficial security checkpoints on roads throughout the country. Although drivers generally follow traffic signs and signals in urban centers, they maneuver aggressively and show little regard for vehicles traveling near them. Lane markings are usually ignored. Unlike in the United States, vehicles within Syrian traffic circles must give way to entering traffic. At night, it is very difficult to see pedestrians, who often walk into traffic with little warning. Outside major cities, it is common to find pedestrians, animals, and vehicles on unlit roads at night.
Pedestrians should exercise caution. Parked cars, deteriorating pavement, and guard posts obstruct sidewalks, often forcing pedestrians to walk in the street. Vehicles often do not stop for pedestrians and regularly run red lights or “jump” the green light well before it changes. Drivers and passengers are subject to demands for money, harassment, and abduction throughout the country. Rule of law, including traffic laws, and law enforcement is absent in many areas of the country.
See our Road Safety page for more information.
Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Syria’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international standards for aviation safety oversight. FAA’s website includes more information on its assessment program.
Because of the risks to civil aviation operating within or in the vicinity of Syria, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) that prohibit U.S. flights from flying within Syrian airspace and advises caution for flights operating within 200 nautical miles.
U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration's Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Notices for more information.
Maritime Travel: Mariners and passengers planning travel to Syria should check for U.S. Maritime Advisories and Alerts. The NGA Navigational Warnings website may also provide relevant information.
The U.S. Coast Guard determined Syrian ports do not have effective anti-terrorism measures. Vessels that arrive in U.S. ports from Syrian ports must meet additional U.S. Coast Guard conditions of entry as described in the current Port Security Advisory, International Port Security Program - Port Security Advisory. Mariners and passengers traveling through Syrian ports should exercise caution and implement enhanced security measures.
Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Syria. For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (ICAPRA) report.
Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.
Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.
Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative.
You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.
Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.
You are about to visit: