Do UAE passport holders need a visa to visit SY?

UAE passport holders need a visa for Syria, issued as a visa on arrival (paid in USD cash) at Damascus airport and open land borders under the post-2025 transitional government. No advance e-visa exists. United Arab Emirates ordinary passport holders are NOT visa-free for Syria. Following the change of government in early 2025, Syria's transitional authorities reorganised the visa system: almost all foreign nationals — including Emirati and other Gulf (GCC) citizens — must obtain a visa, issued as a visa on arrival (VOA) at Damascus International Airport, Aleppo Airport, and the open Lebanese and Jordanian land borders. Only Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, and Mauritania currently enjoy visa-free entry. The former government eVisa platform is no longer operational, so there is no functioning advance online visa; travellers pay the fee on arrival in clean US-dollar cash. Reported UAE/GCC fees vary by source and entry point (roughly USD 50–250 single entry; many guides cite around USD 100–150 for Gulf nationals), reflecting a fluid, reciprocity-based pricing system that is still being standardised. A short tourist stay is typically granted for 15–30 days. Critically, any Israeli stamp, visa, or evidence of travel to Israel in the passport results in refused entry, regardless of nationality. Syria is NOT in the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. Importantly, the situation on the ground remains volatile: the US and most Western governments maintain do-not-travel advisories for Syria, the security environment is unpredictable, and entry rules can change with little notice. Travellers should confirm current requirements with a Syrian diplomatic mission immediately before departure and arrange entry through a reputable local operator.