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🇨🇳China
🇸🇾SyriaCN-SY

China to Syria visa requirements

No. A Chinese ordinary passport holder cannot travel to Syria visa-free. China is a "restricted nationality," so you must obtain prior security clearance/approval before travel — typically arranged through a licensed Syrian tour operator — and pick up the visa at the airport or land border. There is no working eVisa and no simple visa-on-arrival for Chinese citizens as of 2026-05-30. Syria requires advance approval for Chinese ordinary passport holders. Following the change of government in late 2024, the official eVisa portal (evisa.sy) is not operational, and the visa framework remains fluid. Citizens of "restricted" countries — which explicitly includes China (alongside the USA, Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and others) — must obtain a prior security clearance issued inside Syria, almost always handled by a licensed Syrian travel agency or tour operator. Airlines will not board a passenger flying into Damascus or Aleppo without this approval reference. Once approved, the physical visa is issued and the fee is paid in USD cash on arrival at the airport or at the Lebanese/Jordanian land border. Processing for restricted nationalities runs up to roughly one month. Passports must be valid at least six months, and any sign of prior Israeli travel (stamps/visas) or Israeli nationality results in refused entry. Given that there is no reliable visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or eVisa channel for Chinese citizens, the conservative and correct classification is visa-required.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Tourist visa via prior security clearance (issued on arrival)
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days (extendable at local immigration)
per entry
Entries
Single entry (multiple-entry possible at higher fee)
from issue date
Visa fee
USD 25 standard single entry for Chinese nationals (paid in USD cash on arrival); agency/clearance service fees additional
consular fee only
Processing time
Up to about 1 month for restricted nationalities (China)
standard track
Validity
Enter within 3 months of approval; passport valid 6+ months
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Engage a licensed Syrian tour operator
Because China is a restricted nationality, you cannot apply alone. Contract a Syrian travel agency to lodge your security-clearance application with the authorities inside Syria.
· Required· Restricted nationality
/02
Submit documents for clearance
Provide a passport scan (valid 6+ months), passport photos, itinerary, accommodation and onward/return flight details to the agency for the security-approval request.
· Passport scan· Itinerary
/03
Wait for security approval
Approval is processed by Syrian authorities. For restricted nationalities including China this can take up to about one month. Do not book non-refundable flights before approval.
· ~1 month
/04
Receive the approval reference
The agency sends you the approval document/reference number. Airlines flying into Damascus or Aleppo require this before letting you board.
· Needed to board
/05
Travel and obtain the visa at the border
On arrival at Damascus/Aleppo airport or a Lebanon/Jordan land crossing, present the approval and your passport; the visa is issued and the fee is paid in USD cash.
· USD cash only
/06
Register / extend if staying longer
For stays beyond the granted period, report to a local immigration office in Syria to extend before the visa expires.
· Local immigration
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
China -> Syria · Tourist visa via prior security clearance (issued on arrival)
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredChinese passport valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredPrior security clearance / approval arranged via a Syrian tour operator
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredApproval reference document carried for airline boarding
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredConfirmed accommodation and full itinerary
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredReturn or onward travel ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredUSD cash to pay the visa fee on arrival
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedRecent passport-style photographs
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
recommended
RequiredNo Israeli stamps, visas, or evidence of travel to Israel in passport
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RecommendedTravel insurance covering a high-risk destination
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedCheck current security/travel advisories before departure
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Application link included: Visa policy of Syria - Wikipedia
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Single-entry tourist visa (Chinese nationals)USD 25Paid in USD cash on arrival; transit ~USD 15
Multiple-entry visaUSD 50-100Higher tier; payable in USD cash
Agency / security-clearance service feeUSD 50-150+Charged by the Syrian tour operator handling clearance; varies
Total estimateUSD 75USD 250incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa issuance on arrival
Same day
After approval, the physical visa is issued and paid for at the airport or land border in USD cash.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
China is a restricted nationality
Syria lists China among nationalities that need advance security approval for all entry points, so no spontaneous visa-on-arrival applies.
High
/02
eVisa portal not operational
The official evisa.sy system announced in 2024 is currently down following the change of government, removing any online channel.
High
/03
Airlines require pre-approval to board
Carriers to Damascus and Aleppo will not board passengers lacking the security-clearance reference.
High
/04
Volatile post-conflict environment
Entry rules and border conditions change frequently in 2025-2026, so authorities default to advance vetting.
Medium
/05
Israel-related entry ban
Any evidence of Israeli travel or Israeli nationality leads to refused entry, requiring careful pre-travel checks.
Medium
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30
China to Syria route verified
Confirmed Chinese ordinary passport holders are a restricted nationality requiring prior security clearance (via a Syrian tour operator); no operational eVisa and no simple visa-on-arrival. Visa issued and paid in USD cash on arrival. Verified against Wikipedia visa policy, China-embassy notice, and CultureRoad travel guidance.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can a Chinese citizen get a visa on arrival in Syria?
Not on a walk-up basis. Because China is a restricted nationality, you must obtain prior security clearance through a Syrian tour operator; the physical visa is then issued at the airport or border once that approval exists.
Does Syria have an eVisa for Chinese passport holders?+
How long does the approval take?+
How much does the visa cost and how is it paid?+
Will Israeli stamps in my passport affect entry?+
Can I enter Syria by land from Lebanon or Jordan?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the China passport

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