BootsnAll Travel Community

For anybody who got the Syrian Visa at the Embassy in Washington DC, how long did it take you? Did you mail it in or drop it off in person? It doesn't say how the long the processing time is on their website and I know its only valid for 3 months, so I have to time this a little bit.

tia

Okay, its not Washington, but, with postage, it took us about 5 days to deal with the embassy in Ottawa - meaning they shipped it out the morning after it arrived. When I talked to him, the visa guy sounded like he didn't have much to do - and I doubt the guy in Washington is much busier.

Just give them a call and ask.

Did it in 2004 by mail from California. It was fast, as in a matter of days. Don't remember exactly, but I think they sent it back FedEx or express mail (which of course we paid for). The entire thing was done in like a week.

They even refunded us some money (in cash) that we accidentally overpaid by money order.

My very recent experience: February 6 I mailed my passport to the embassy in DC from Seattle. It took exactly 9 days to have it back in my hands.

This was using a visa processing company here in Seattle to make sure I had all the proper paperwork, photos, and application filled out correctly. The woman at the visa company told me it is normally completed in 2 weeks or under.

I assume you have to get the visa for Syria in your home country? I may be in the ME in the fall, but I"m not sure if I'd be able to make it to Syria. I also hear that the Syrian visa is $200, and I don't want to pay that if I'm not sure if I can make it.

So, for US citizens...is it possible to get a Syrian visa while on the road?

Chris

Generally not. Some people have successfully crossed from Lebanon without one, but there's no guarantees.

Unless its changed, the visa for US citizens is only $100 for single entry. And if you spend a few days, it pays for itself because Syria's so cheap.

I think I've read it on here, that some US Citizen's had luck getting a Syrian visa in Istanbul, but that also is very hit or miss. The other (not so cheap) alternative is to send it to the embassy in DC while abroad, but you would have to be w/o your passport for awhile.

Mr Chris D: The Syrian visa I just received was right around $80 USD.
And for some reason it allows me two entries when I only applied for a single entry visa.

Zeke14, how much on top of that $80 did the company in Seattle charge?

Hello everyone,

How far in advance do you think I could apply for this visa? I may be stumbling around the ME 3 or 4 months before I would head to Syria. How does the visa work? Is it good for a certain period of time after you receive it?

Thanks,

Chris

Validity is usually 3 months from the date of issue.

I do know someone, however, who claimed he paid double and got a visa valid for entry within 6 monts of issuance. It's worth checking out if you don't think you'll be there for 4 or 5 months.

(Note for anyone who might find this confusing: The visas themselves are most definitely not valid for 3 or 6 months in-country; you just have to enter Syria within 3 or 6 months)

Yes, single entry is 3 months, multiple entry is 6 months. Multiple entry costs twice as much.

You're only allowed two weeks in country without reporting to some government department...I left after two weeks instead of registering, but from what I've heard, it's pretty easy, cheap, and they'll pretty much extend your stay for any reasonable amount of time that you request.

Neil,

Ok, so, if I paid for the 6 month visa I'd be able to go into Syria more than once, for two weeks at a time?

For those of you that have been, what's your opinion of Syria?

Mr Chris D, I checked my receipt and I paid $100 for my visa.

The agency then charged a $40 fee for them to process it, and then about $20 for mailing it. Pricey I realize, but I don't like to stress about stuff like this and they made sure all my paperwork was in order and I'm willing to pay for that convienence.

quote:

Ok, so, if I paid for the 6 month visa I'd be able to go into Syria more than once, for two weeks at a time?

That, I'm not sure about, you'd have to ask, but from the Rules as they're laid out, that is kind of what it sounds like.

But that could just be my misinterpretation, you may have to register if you're in country for more than two weeks in total.

As for my opinion - Syria's a great country to visit. While I don't rate it quite as highly as its neighbours that I've visited (Jordan and Turkey), it comes pretty darn close. Damascus, in particular, is amazing.

I did this last year and it took the Syrian embassy about 3 weeks to return my passport with visa. The visa is valid for either 3 months or 6 months (single/multiple entry) from the date of ISSUE. So if you have a 3 month visa, that means you have a 3 month window from the date of issue until 3 months later (i.e issued on March 20, expires on June 20). Same is true for 6 month visa. I recommend the multiple entry and you should specify it on your application. If you want to go to Lebanon (highly recommended) for example, the only way in and out is through Syria (overland), so get the multiple or get ready for major headaches on your return at the border. Otherwise, if you're just cruising from Turkey to Jordan through Syria, than you'll only need the one entry... Have fun!