India to Syria visa requirements

Yes, Indian passport holders need a visa for Syria. India is a "restricted" nationality, so you cannot simply get a standard visa on arrival. You must first obtain advance security clearance / prior authorization (usually arranged through a licensed Syrian tour operator or the Syrian embassy), which takes about 3-4 weeks. Only after that approval do you pay the visa fee in USD cash at Damascus airport or a land border. Flying in without pre-approval will normally get you denied boarding. Following the change of government in early 2025, Syria introduced a new tiered visa system. While many nationalities now receive a visa on arrival, India is on the "restricted nationalities" list (alongside China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Indonesia, the Philippines and others). Restricted nationals must obtain advance security clearance (a background-check based prior authorization) before travel; this is typically facilitated by a licensed Syrian tour operator or the Syrian embassy and takes roughly 3-4 working weeks. After approval is granted, the visa itself is issued/paid for in USD cash on arrival at Damascus International Airport or an approved land border (from Lebanon or Jordan). Airlines flying to Damascus will generally refuse boarding to travelers without a confirmed approval document, so the clearance is effectively mandatory before departure. The previously announced eVisa platform (evisa.sy) is not operational as of mid-2026. Absolute bars apply to anyone with an Israeli stamp or Israeli nationality. Because the pre-approval must be secured before travel and a no-visa channel cannot be confirmed for Indians, the correct verdict is visa-required. Travelers should treat this as a high-effort process and consult the Syrian embassy plus a reputable operator well in advance; note that Syria also carries a "Do Not Travel" advisory from most Western governments.