Syria Visa?

Old Jan 11th, 2007, 06:35 AM
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Syria Visa?

does someone know what is the visa requirement for US citizens to enter Syria? on Syria Tourism board site, i read that tourist with confirmed itineraries can enter without visa. on the Syrian embassy (in DC0 weebsite, it says visa costs $100 (yikes!)
what is the actual situation? we will be traveling independently (booking hotels directly) and will also visit Jordan. Jordan seems quiet easy (visa on entry, $14) but confused about syria.
thanks!
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Old Jan 11th, 2007, 06:49 AM
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Some websites can be confusing, I'd call the Embassy in DC for the information. Whether you require ahead of time (even with confirmed itinerary), upon landing? And, if it's $100, then that's it. Where are you visiting in Syrian? Balbak, Palmyira, Biblos, other? They have some great ruins throughout, with few vehicles and tourists.

Jordan is wonderful; where will you be visiting and for how long?
 
Old Jan 12th, 2007, 06:03 AM
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I was just in Syria less than two months ago - (I'm also a US citizen). Just print out the form on the Syrian embassy's website and send in your 100 bucks along w/the passport photos - I received my visa back in less than a week. (You don't need to worry about filling in the blank about a reference in Syria - just leave it blank - they don't care.) I have not heard of any Americans getting in without a visa, so I don't see any way around this. Syria is wonderful - have fun!

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Old Jan 12th, 2007, 06:57 AM
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thank you both. we are still in early stages of planning. might go in march. we were thinking of going to Syria and Jordan. In syria - Damascus, Aleppo. Chevalier, Palmyra. In Jordan - Amman (for transit) and Petra. Still working out details.
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Old Jan 18th, 2007, 09:46 PM
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It's probably best to get your visa before you go. I have a friend who traveled alone throughout the Middle East last spring and he was able to get a visa at the border, but it took several hours of waiting. He couldn't get one from any of the embassies in Egypt or Jordan.

Don't forget that you can't have an Israeli stamp in your passport, not even one from an Egyptian or Jordanian "entry location" where you had the Israelis stamp a blank piece of paper--they're onto that trick.

My friend loved Syria; said the people were amazingly hospitable, Damascus reminded him of Paris, it was modern and clean. Great ruins to visit. Don't miss the waterwheels, he said they were awesome.

Have a great time.
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Old Jan 19th, 2007, 07:47 AM
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Syria is wonderful, I biked through there a few years back and we got Syria Ach by 9am every day. Basically everyone smiles and says hello so you do too. I also found people invite you into their houses and buy you meals as well. We even stayed with a tank regiment (including maids dressed in french maid outfits no really).

Damascus, Aleppo. Chevalier, Palmyra. Plus city to south of Damascus (Balbek) (Biblos is in Lebenon surely) with added castle. Damascus the famous straight street, the mosk and the market is fantastic. I could spend days there.

Country has high levels of unemployment or underemployment and so people will stop and talk. I found french was the best solution though english is spoken. i also found the christian areas around chevalier and the white towers around are very friendly.

Local hotels are ok but down load a map (or get it from Embassy) because apart from the Hotel Palaces there are a very limited range of hotels (say one per city..) so we arrange bike route to go hotel to hotel.

Now do you like chick peas in houmous with lemon on them. If so you are going to heaven. But don't touch the wine.

Need more come then back

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