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🇭🇰Hong Kong (SAR China)
🇸🇾SyriaHK-SY

Hong Kong (SAR China) to Syria visa requirements

Hong Kong SAR passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival (VOA) for short tourist visits to Syria, paid in cash USD at Damascus airport or land borders under the post-2025 transitional government policy. Passports showing any Israeli connection are refused entry. Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Syria's transitional government overhauled its visa policy in January 2025. The old eVisa platform was discontinued and traditional advance tourist visas from embassies were effectively suspended; instead, visa on arrival is now the standard channel for the vast majority of nationalities, including Hong Kong SAR ordinary passport holders. A traveler from Hong Kong simply arrives at Damascus International Airport or an open land border (commonly from Lebanon or Jordan) and pays the visa fee in cash. Fees follow a reciprocity principle and vary by nationality; Hong Kong is not separately listed in most published fee tables, so travelers should budget for the general/default Asian band (roughly USD 25-75) and carry extra USD cash. The visa typically grants a single-entry short stay of 15-30 days. The single most important restriction is absolute: anyone holding an Israeli passport, or whose travel document shows any stamp, visa, or evidence of a visit to or connection with Israel, is refused entry without exception. Because Syria remains an active conflict-affected country with shifting on-the-ground conditions and many governments (including widespread travel advisories) warn against travel, all figures should be reconfirmed close to departure. Syria is not in the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE 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.
Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe Hong Kong (PR)Living in Hong Kong (SAR China) as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Visa on arrival (tourist/short visit)
Maximum stay
15-30 days (commonly 15 days, single entry)
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
Approx. USD 25-75 (paid in cash on arrival; Hong Kong not separately listed, default/Asian band)
consular fee only
Processing time
Issued on arrival at airport or land border (minutes to ~1 hour)
standard track
Validity
Use on arrival; stay period begins at entry
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm passport validity and clean pages
Ensure your HKSAR passport is valid at least 6 months beyond entry with at least 2 blank pages. Critically, it must contain no Israeli stamps, visas, or any indication of travel to Israel.
· 6 months validity· No Israeli traces
/02
Check current travel advisories and security situation
Syria is conflict-affected with rapidly changing conditions. Review the Hong Kong Immigration Department Outbound Travel Alert and other government advisories before booking.
· Security check
/03
Arrange entry route and any local invitation/tour operator
Most tourists enter via Damascus International Airport or land borders from Lebanon/Jordan. Many travelers use a licensed Syrian tour operator who can assist with entry formalities.
· Air or land entry
/04
Carry sufficient USD cash for the visa fee
The VOA fee must be paid in cash US dollars (some borders accept EUR). Bring clean, undamaged bills plus a buffer, as ATMs and card payment are unreliable.
· Cash only· USD
/05
Present yourself at immigration on arrival
At the airport or border, complete the arrival form, present your passport and any supporting documents, and pay the visa fee to receive the stamp.
· On-arrival
/06
Register locally if required and keep documents
Follow any local registration instructions, retain your entry stamp and receipts, and respect the authorized length of stay.
· Keep receipts
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
Hong Kong (SAR China) -> Syria · Visa on arrival (tourist/short visit)
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredHKSAR ordinary passport valid 6+ months with 2+ blank pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredNo Israeli stamps, visas, or any evidence of an Israel connection
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredCash in US dollars for the visa-on-arrival fee (plus buffer)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredCompleted arrival/immigration form
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
required
RecommendedPassport-size photo(s)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
recommended
RecommendedConfirmed onward/return travel details
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedAccommodation booking or local host/tour operator contact
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedInvitation or tour operator confirmation letter
Signed or stamped letter with host contact details and visit arrangements
recommended
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance covering high-risk destinations
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedReview of current Outbound Travel Alert / government advisory
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
Visa-on-arrival fee (general/Asian band)USD 25-75Reciprocity-based; Hong Kong not separately listed, pay in cash on arrival
Default/unlisted nationality rate (some borders)USD 50Quoted as default for nationalities not in published tables
Local tour operator / fixer fee (optional)VariesOften used by tourists to ease entry and in-country logistics
Total estimateUSD 25USD 75incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Advance arrangement via licensed Syrian tour operator
Days to weeks before travel
Operator coordinates entry support; visa itself is still issued on arrival.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Israeli connection in passport
Any Israeli stamp, visa, or evidence of travel to Israel results in automatic, non-negotiable refusal of entry.
High
/02
Insufficient USD cash
The fee must be paid in cash US dollars; lacking clean bills or relying on cards/ATMs can block entry.
Medium
/03
Security/conflict-related entry refusal or closed border
Borders and airports can close or restrict entry at short notice due to the ongoing security situation.
Medium
/04
Incomplete documentation or unclear travel purpose
Missing arrival form details, photos, or unconvincing trip purpose can cause delays or refusal.
Low
/05
Passport validity under 6 months
Insufficient remaining passport validity can lead to denial of the visa.
Low
/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 · major
HK to Syria route verified
Confirmed against current sources that, under Syria's post-Assad transitional government policy (effective January 2025), the eVisa platform was discontinued and visa on arrival is now the standard channel for most nationalities, including HKSAR passport holders. Verdict set to visa-on-arrival. Israeli-connection entry ban reaffirmed.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Hong Kong passport holders get a visa on arrival for Syria?
Yes. Under the transitional government's January 2025 policy, most nationalities including HKSAR ordinary passport holders obtain a visa on arrival at Damascus airport or open land borders, paid in cash USD. There is no eVisa or standard embassy tourist visa channel currently.
How much does the Syria visa on arrival cost for Hong Kong travelers?+
Will an Israeli stamp in my passport be a problem?+
Can I get the Syrian visa in advance at a Syrian embassy?+
Is Syria safe to visit, and are there official warnings?+
Does the Schengen 90/180 rule or ETIAS apply to Syria?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Hong Kong (SAR China) passport

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