Reviewed 6 November 2026: This guide replaces older 2023–2024 visa application instructions for American visitors. Tourist visas, airline checks and advance-approval requirements may change. The U.S. Department of State currently advises U.S. citizens not to travel to Syria and warns that U.S. consular assistance is severely limited. Read the October 2026 U.S. travel advisory and entry guidance before making any decision.
Can American citizens get a Syrian tourist visa?
The U.S. State Department’s August 2026 entry guidance says the Syrian government may issue tourist visas to U.S. citizens on arrival at Damascus International Airport or at land crossings from Lebanon or Jordan. It also says travellers can seek a visa from a Syrian diplomatic mission and notes that the Syrian Embassy in Washington resumed operations in April 2026. These are possibilities described by the U.S. government, not a guarantee that a traveller will be issued a visa or allowed to board a flight.
Individual cases may involve advance security approval or airline documentation checks. Syrian Guides recommends confirming the procedure for your specific passport, entry route and airline before committing to non-refundable travel. The Syria visa requirements guide explains the general process, while our visa-fee reference covers historical fee schedules that must be reconfirmed.
What documents and checks should Americans consider?
- Passport: The U.S. State Department advises at least six months’ validity beyond your arrival and one available passport page for entry stamps.
- Visa and entry permission: Confirm visa eligibility and any required advance approval with an authoritative source and your carrier.
- Arrival route: Check your airline’s boarding requirements if flying to Damascus or Aleppo, or the crossing procedures if arriving from Lebanon or Jordan.
- Government fee: The U.S. advisory quotes an approximate tourist-visa cost of $200, but the payable amount and category must be confirmed for your date and route.
- Emergency arrangements: Check the advisory’s information on limited consular support, medical assistance, travel insurance exclusions and emergency planning.
Do not rely on the historical evisa.sy application link that appeared in earlier versions of this article. We have removed it because we cannot confirm that it is an appropriate current government application channel.
Travel planning with local guides
For people evaluating the available travel options despite the U.S. government’s warning, Syrian Guides can explain our private itineraries and small-group tours, including hotels, transport, guides and the entry information we can help check. Every booking request is assessed individually; guides and operators cannot guarantee immigration permission, a flight’s operation or a traveller’s safety.
Also read our Syria arrival routes, essential travel tips and frequently asked questions. Confirm the latest entry requirements before making travel arrangements.