Do Canada passport holders need a visa to visit SY?

As of 2026 a Canadian ordinary-passport holder can obtain a Syrian tourist visa on arrival (~US$100, cash) at Damascus or Aleppo International Airport and at the Lebanese/Jordanian land borders, following the policy liberalization by the transitional government after December 2024. However, Canada maintains an "Avoid all travel" advisory for Syria, the policy changes frequently, and some airlines still demand pre-approval, so confirm with a Syrian mission or licensed operator before traveling. Until late 2024, Syria required non-Arab nationals (including Canadians) to obtain a visa in advance from a Syrian embassy or consulate; visa on arrival was not available. After the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, the transitional government introduced a new visa policy in January 2025 that allows most nationalities, including Canadians, to obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Damascus and Aleppo international airports and at the Lebanese and Jordanian land borders. Canadians typically pay around US$100 in cash (USD or EUR) for a short tourist stay (commonly cited as 15-30 days, single entry), with fees set by nationality on a reciprocity basis. The defunct eVisa platform (evisa.sy) remains "Coming Soon" and is not operational. Israeli citizens are banned, and Iranian nationals face restrictions. Important caveats: the Government of Canada's official advisory still references the older embassy-visa requirement and has not fully caught up with the new VOA reality; the security and bureaucratic situation changes frequently; some airlines may still require an advance approval letter before boarding; and Canada rates Syria "Avoid all travel." Travelers should verify the current rule directly with a Syrian diplomatic mission or a licensed Syrian tour operator immediately before any trip. Passports should be valid at least six months, and stays over 14 days require registration with the Syrian Immigration and Passports Office.