Yes	Yes	Yes
Yes	Yes	Yes
Yes	Yes	Yes
Yes	Yes	Yes
Yes	Yes	Yes
Yes	Yes	Yes

The Government of Syria refuses entry and transit to: holders of Israeli passports, any passenger holding a passport containing a visa (valid or expired) for Israel and those holding a stamp indicating an Israel-Jordan border crossing; nationals of Yemen Republic who hold a passport issued by the Democratic Republic of Yemen; all female nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Mauritius, The Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand, unless they can show approval from immigration head office; females aged between 14 and 35 years unless accompanied by a father, husband or brother (and with proof of such status); and holders of passports bearing evidence of entry at Sharm El Sheikh, Rafha, Gaza or Nablus.

Passport valid for at least six months required by all except nationals of Lebanon holding valid national ID cards.

Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen Republic;
(b) nationals of Morocco, except females aged 18 to 25 who require special permission from the Syrian Chief of Immigration, unless married to a national of Syria and having proof of marriage;
(c) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Single-entry: £32. Multiple-entry: £50. Transit. Payable in cash or by postal order only. These fees are only for nationals of the UK. The cost of visas for other nationalities varies; consult the Embassy for further information.

Single-entry (three months from date of issue). Multiple-entry (six months from date of issue). Transit (three months from date of issue). Entry visas initially allow stays of up to 14 days. Extensions for up to three months are possible; apply at the Department of Immigration.

Consulate (or Consular section at the Embassy); see Passport/Visa Information. In countries where the Syrian Arab Republic does not have diplomatic representation, visitors should apply by post to the nearest Syrian Embassy.

(a) Two completed application forms. (b) Valid passport with at least one blank page. (c) Two passport-size photos. (d) Fee. (e) A stamped, self-addressed envelope for postal applications. (f) For a Business visa, a company letter on headed paper stating the nature of the business.

Four.

Applications to the Department of Immigration in Damascus.
Note: Those wishing to stay in the Syrian Arab Republic for a period exceeding one year must submit an AIDS test certificate.

Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in the UK
8 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PH, UK
Tel: (020) 7245 9012 or 7201 8830/8831 (consular section).
Opening hours: Mon- Fri 1000-1200 (visa applications); 1400- 1500 (visa collection).
Website: www.syrianembassy.co.uk

Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in the USA
2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 232 6313.
Website: www.syrianembassy.us

Shukry El-Qutly Street, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Tel: (11) 221 0122 or 221 5916.
Website: www.syriatourism.org

8 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PH, UK
Tel: (020) 7245 9012 or 7201 8830/8831 (consular).
Opening hours: Mon- Fri 1000-1200 (visa applications); 1400- 1500 (visa collection).
Website: www.syrianembassy.co.uk

2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 232 6313.
Website: www.syrianembassy.us
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1530.

No	1
2	No
3	N/A
4	N/A

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming within six days from infected areas.

Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to the Syrian Arab Republic. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix.

Vaccination against typhoid is advised.

Malaria risk, exclusively in the benign vivax form, exists along the northern border, in the El Hassaka province, from May through October.

Mains water is normally chlorinated and relatively safe. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns is likely to be contaminated and sterilisation is considered essential. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Hepatitis A is common, so vaccination is recommended. Hepatitis B is endemic, and vaccination is recommended for those at high risk. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Visceral leishmaniasis occurs in the north and there is increasing incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health insurance is recommended. There is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Basic medical facilities exist in main cities but there are few outside them. Medical care is provided free of charge to those who cannot afford to pay. For more information, see the Health appendix.

Below are listed Publich Holidays for the January 2006-June 2007 period.

Jan 1 2006 New Year’s Day. Jan 10 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Jan 31 Islamic New Year. Mar 8 Revolution Day. Mar 21 Mothers Day. Apr 11 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). Apr 17 Independence Day. May 1 Labour Day. May 6 Martyrs’ Day. Oct 6 October Liberation War. Oct 23 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 31 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
Jan 1 2007 New Year’s Day. Jan 20 Islamic New Year. Mar 8 Revolution Day. Mar 21 Mothers Day. Mar 31 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). Apr 17 Independence Day. May 1 Labour Day. May 6 Martyrs’ Day.

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and working hours are 0900-1400. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix.