The US Department of State recently lifted its travel advisory to Syria, leading Jaunted. com to ask if the Middle Eastern country might become the next travel hotspot.
Although security concerns and chilly US/Syria relations have kept the country off the radar of most US tourists, Syria actually has a lot to offer. In addition to the ancient city of Damascus, the city of Aleppo offers an intriguing mix of food, culture and shopping.
According to the New York Times, tourist visits to Aleppo are on the rise. The article quotes Joshua Landis of Syria Comment who says that “The whole infrastructure of tourism is improving dramatically. The spate of new boutique hotels and restaurants has shown the moneymaking potential of Aleppo’s Old City. But the pitch is to go now, before the masses arrive.”
To visit Syria, you need both a passport and a Syrian tourist visa. You must apply for your Syrian visa before you leave the US, and you will need the following documents:
- A valid US passport
- 2 completed Syrian visa application forms
- 2 recent passport photos
- A copy of your airline tickets and your itinerary
You should also be aware that Syria will not admit foreign visitors who have traveled to Israel in the past. If your passport has an Israeli visa stamp or an Israeli entry/exit stamp you will be denied entry. The US Department of State also notes that “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.”
RushMyTravelVisa can review your itinerary and look up the requirements for all the countries that you plan to visit on your trip. Then, we can help you apply for the necessary visas, assisting you in filling out the application forms and forwarding your documents to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible service.
I heard about the terror danger in Sinai. I pray that Israelis over there are safe.
April 13th, 2010 at 7:55 pm[…] Syria-You do need a travel visa to enter, and make sure you apply in advance. Also, you will not be allowed to enter if your passport shows entry/exit stamps from Israel. For more information, see Syrian Visa Requirements for Tourists. […]
May 21st, 2010 at 12:13 am