Syria has adjusted its visa fees for international visitors wanting to enter the country based on their nationality.
Announcing the news, the Syrian Ministry of Interior stressed that the new fees reflect diplomatic and bilateral relations, suggesting the system favors nationals of countries with which Libya has a better relationship, VisaGuide.World reports.
The statement of the Ministry said that passport holders of Lebanon, Jordan, Mauritania, and Malaysia do not need to pay the visa fee and are permitted to stay in the country for up to six months.
On the other hand, the visa fees have changed for nationals of other countries. Under the new rules, nationals of Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, Yemen, and China need to pay a $40 visa fee, which is the lowest compared to that applied to other nationalities.
Nationals of Libya and Russia will now pay a $75 visa fee to enter Syria for short-term stays. On the other hand, passport holders of Bahrain, Somalia, and European Union countries need to pay a slightly higher fee compared to the nationalities mentioned above – $125.
Higher Fees for Other Nationalities
The fee is even higher for the rest of the classified countries. According to the Ministry, the visa fee for nationals of Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Türkiye, and Canada now stands at $150, Shafaq News explains.
In addition to the above-mentioned, the visa fee has also been adjusted for Iraq, UAE, UK, Australia, and New Zealand nationals, who now have a $250 visitor visa fee.
Lastly, the highest fee will apply to US passport holders. The Ministry explained that US nationals need to pay a $300 visa fee.
As for visitors who are from unclassified countries, they will pay a $100 fee for a 15-day visa or a $25 fee for a three-day transit visa.
Syria Launched Electronic Visa in 2024
In an attempt to attract more foreign visitors and make the visa application easier, the government of Syria launched the electronic visa in May of last year.
The electronic visas for entry to Syria have been available since May 1, 2024, with applicants being required to go to a Syrian embassy or consulate to obtain such a document.
Commenting on the matter, economic analyst Firas Shaabo said that the launch of the electronic visa will have a significant impact on the country’s economy, strengthening its treasury by generating more revenues in tourism.