Syria entry requirements for British passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Passport validity (FCDO rule): At least 3 months after the day you arrive
Visa (FCDO): You need a visa to travel to Syria. Official visa text
Official source: GOV.UK – Syria travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 2 September 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Whether you need a visa and how long your British passport must be valid to enter Syria, as published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), quoted word for word, with a checker for your dates.
Other passports: Canadian passport · Australian passport · Italian citizens: documenti per italiani
Do I need a visa for Syria with a British passport?
In short: You need a visa to travel to Syria.
Our one-line summary of the first FCDO sentence below, which matches a wording we recognise. It applies to British citizen passport holders; read the full official text, which may add conditions.
You must have a visa to travel to Syria.
If you choose to travel to Syria against FCDO advice, ensure you have the right visa or you may be refused entry. You can apply for a visa, and check the status of your visa application via this website.
It currently takes approximately 5-7 days for a visa application to be processed and a decision to be made. Please note these times may vary. Contact the relevant interim Syrian authorities for further information.
More from the FCDO visa section (extensions, border checks and other cases)
Penalties for illegal entry
If you enter Syria illegally, you could be fined or given a a prison sentence.
Journalists travelling to Syria
Foreign journalists entering Syria should check with the Syrian authorities to ensure adherence to relevant regulations and requirements.
Official source: GOV.UK – Syria travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO), section “Visa requirements” · page last updated 2 September 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Passport validity: official text “Passport validity requirements”
To enter Syria, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the date you arrive.
Official source: GOV.UK – Syria travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 2 September 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Check your passport for Syria
Schengen rules count your whole trip in the Schengen area: if you visit several Schengen countries, enter the day you first enter the area and the day you leave the last Schengen country.
The check runs in your browser: your dates are not sent anywhere. It applies the FCDO sentence literally (for example “6 months” is counted as the same day of the month 6 months later).
For British passport holders only. These are the rules published by the UK government (FCDO) for British citizens. If you hold another passport, check your own government's advice. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice.
Recent FCDO updates to the entry requirements
- 10 December 2025: “New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 26 February 2025: “Updated information about entry restrictions, visa requirements and journalists travelling to Syria ('Entry requirements' page).”
- 14 February 2025: “Updated information about applying for a visa and the current security situation in Syria ('Entry requirements' and 'Safety and security' pages).”
- 18 May 2022: “Re-published with editorial amendments to the 'Entry requirements' page.”
- 21 August 2020: “Addition of information on the operation of some international commercial flights ('Summary' and 'Entry requirements' pages)”
Read the full FCDO travel advice for Syria (safety, visas, health) before you travel.
Spotted a change? Tell us.
Same FCDO rule (3 months after arrival)
Passport validity rules for all destinations · Liquids rules by airport · EES and ETIAS status