Jordanians Exempt as Syria Implements New Entry Fee Policy - Jordan News

Jordan News

4 days ago

A decision to revise entry and transit visa fees for Arab and foreign nationals entering Syria came into effect Sunday, as part of what the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described as a new security and economic entry policy. اضافة اعلان Under Decision No. 128, the fees are to be collected in U.S. dollars or their equivalent based on the official exchange rates set by the Central Bank of Syria. Any fractional amounts are rounded up, and the fees are paid directly at border crossings or Syrian airports. The decision classifies countries into 11 groups, with four countries fully exempt from all entry fees: Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, and Mauritania. Additionally, Serbian citizens are allowed to enter Syria free of charge. For other nationalities, the entry fee varies based on entry type (single or transit), length of stay (one, three, or six months), and number of entries. The highest visa fee was set for Iranian citizens, amounting to $400 for a single-entry visa valid for one month. The United States follows with a fee of $200, while citizens of most European countries are subject to a $75 fee. A standard $50 fee applies to any country not specifically listed in the groupings, for a single-entry visa valid for one month. The move comes amid increasing travel to Syria for tourism, investment, and family visits, and reflects the government's aim to regulate border entries and boost state revenue in the post-war recovery phase. Previously, the Syrian Ministry of Interior issued a separate decision grouping countries into ten categories based on bilateral relations and geopolitical importance, with special consideration given to Arab nations and countries with global influence. Key Groups and Entry Fee Details: Group 1 – Visa-Exempt Countries Citizens of these four countries are exempt from entry visas and may stay up to six months: Jordan Lebanon Mauritania Malaysia This exemption is part of Syria's effort to ease travel for citizens of neighboring or strategically aligned countries. Group 2 – Multiple-Entry Visa (3 Months) – $150 Applies to countries with strong bilateral ties with Syria: Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey Despite political fluctuations, Turkey is considered an important economic partner. Group 3 – Single-Entry Visa (15 Days) – $40 or Transit (3 Days) – $25 Includes nations with moderate diplomatic ties to Syria, primarily from: Latin America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Cuba Asia: Nepal, Bangladesh Caribbean/Pacific: Samoa, Fiji Arab world: Yemen (only Arab state in this group) Group 4 – Single-Entry Visa (15 Days) – $75 or Transit – $25 Includes: Eastern Europe/Central Asia: Armenia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Ukraine Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia Asia-Pacific: South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand Group 5 – Single-Entry Visa (15 Days) – $125 or Transit – $30 Includes a large number of Arab and European countries: Arab countries: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Sudan, Libya, Bahrain Western Europe: Spain, France, Germany, Italy
The Syrian government says these adjustments reflect a balanced visa policy based on economic, geopolitical, and diplomatic considerations, while also targeting new revenue streams as Syria seeks to reengage with the region and the world.