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Consular Services  

Syrian visa, customs, foreign exchange, and other rules and regulations

A passport and a visa are required. Visas must be obtained prior to arrival in Syria. Foreigners who wish to stay 15 days or more in Syria must register with Syrian immigration authorities by their 15th day in Syria. In order to obtain a visa the passport must be valid for six months on submission and have at least two blank pages. The Syrian government rigidly enforces restrictions on prior travel to Israel, and does not allow persons with passports bearing Israeli visas or entry/exit stamps to enter the country. Likewise, the absence of entry stamps from a country adjacent to Israel, which the traveler has just visited, will cause Syrian immigration officials to refuse admittance.  Overland entry into Syria directly from Israel is not possible.  Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors or foreign residents of Syria.  There are no special immunizations required for entry to Syria.  AIDS tests are mandatory for foreigners from ages 15 to 60 who wish to reside in Syria.

Departure tax
Syria charges a departure tax at its land and sea borders for all visitors except those on diplomatic passports.  As of January 31, 2010, the land/sea departure tax is 500 Syrian Pounds ($11) for all visitors; however children under the age of 11 are exempt from paying the fee.  

Import regulations by Syrian Customs
Syrian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Syria of items such as weapons, narcotics, alcohol, tobacco, cheese, fruits, pharmaceuticals, modems, cosmetics, and some electrical appliances.

Free import (irrespective of age of passenger) is permitted of the following:

1. 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 50 cigarillos or 250 grammes of tobacco;

2. 1 pint (0.570 litre) of spirits;

3. 30 grammes of perfume for personal use;

4. 0.5 litre of lotion and 0.5 litre of eau-de-Cologne;

5. Gifts up to a value of SYP 250 (may be dutiable according to circumstances and quality of the gifts. Import licence required for gifts over SYP 250).

Prohibited:
1. Firearms and ammunition;
2. Live, frozen or stuffed birds or any bird derived products.

Export regulations:

Free export of any quantity of tobacco products and spirits.

Pets:

Cats and dogs must be accompanied by a government veterinarian health certificate issued at the point of origin. Pet birds of any description may not be brought into Syria either as cabin baggage, hold baggage or cargo, even when holding a valid health certificate; with the exception of falcons.

Baggage Clearance regulations:

Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in Syria.

Exempt: baggage of transit passengers travelling via Damascus to Aleppo, which is cleared at Aleppo, Nejrap Airport.

 

Currency rules

Currency Import regulations:

Residents: local currency (Syrian Pound-SYP): unlimited; foreign currencies: up to the amount of max. USD 5000.

Non-residents: foreign currencies: up to the amount of max. USD 5000.

All nationals of Arab countries and foreigners are allowed to carry USD 5000 when transiting Syria.

Currency Export regulations:

Residents: SYP 5000 when travelling to Lebanon.

Non-residents: foreign currencies: up to the amount of max. USD 5000

All nationals of Arab countries and foreigners are allowed to carry USD 5000 when transiting Syria.

Photography: No attempt should be made to photograph anything remotely connected with the armed forces or in the vicinity of defense installations, which even includes radio transmission aerials. It is wise to take a good look at what will be appearing in the background before pointing the camera.

 
 
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