BootsnAll Travel Community

I'm going to be walking from France thru the Middle East 5,000 ks. starting in April. It will take seven months or so. I know that Syria requires that you get a visa in your country of origin (US). However, it's only issued for 3 months. So by the time I arrive at the Syrian border, it's no longer valid. Anyone have any experience getting a Syrian visa in Ankara, Turkey? Any other suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

I don't know, but I will tell you that I was the only one on a full bus of backpackers to be turned away at the border. I was, obviously, the only American.

I'm heading through Syria on an overland from Turkey and found out that the visas allow for 15 days inside Syria and are valid for presentation for three months. Hope this helps and please let me know how it worked for you...

Thanks for the info. Just to clarify: are you getting your visa in Turkey? Istanbul or Ankara? Are you American? Do you know the cost? Thanks!

Last I heard (summer 2004), Syrian visas were available in Turkey, but they required a letter from your home country's embassy. The US doesn't do these letters.

A friend was in a similar situation -- traveling for a year, and hitting Syria about 5 months into the trip. He ended up getting some sort of visa with double the validity length. It also cost him double ($200, IIRC).

If you're feeling lucky, you can also just show up at the border and maybe pay a bribe. It's risky (and apparently that didn't work for Joe), but I've heard of some people making in through. Usually they're not Americans.

I read that it's best to get the visa in the US (I'm american as well). The visas are valid for 3 months from the date of issue (this might be a problem) and valid for 15 days of travel(though extensions are available for $1 on the 14th or 15th day). If you apply for a visa overseas you need a letter of recommendation from the US embassy, but LP said that the only embassy that will give a letter of recommendation is the one in Athens. I'm struggling with this one too as I won't be in Syria until the 4th or 5th month as well...

you know, it seems like bureaucrats don't understand that people go on extended road trips. Fortunately for Neil and I, we will (or at least we're planning to) be in Syria within 3 months of our trip start. And we've been told that it only takes 7-10 days to actually get the Visa here, so we won't have to get the extended visa at twice the price.
I think people just like to make things difficult (I'm biased - I'm currently working for my federal government....*grumble*)

From everything i've heard it's best to get you're visa in the US. The Syrian Visa...if I remember correctly...has the date on it that you're supposed to arrive in the country, so it should be good for then if you aproximate properly. Try to get help from someone inside Syria if you can, it would help a lot. Plus once you get there I believe there are multiple ways to extend your visa. There are plenty of websites that have this information. Just Google Syrian Visa. Good Luck!

I called the Syrian embassy today and spoke to someone in the visa office. I told them my predicament (that I won't be in Syria by the time the three month window is up) and the guy said no problem, just send in your passport 2 or 3 weeks before leaving and they'll give you a visa with a 6-month window. They need a few other things (2 applications, a couple of pictures, etc) so it would be better if you called them and got the scoop. The number is 202-232-6313 ext. 106. The guy was super friendly, unlike most embassy people, so I'm getting really stoked to go... Good luck!

A few years ago I managed to make it into Syria on an American passport without a visa. I first tried going overland from Amman, and was turned back at the border. I then flew to Beirut. Travelling from Lebanon into Syria by shared taxi was no problem. I crossed into Homs and the border guards were friendly.

I'm curious if this is still possible. With the Syrian withdrawl, I wonder if Damascus now takes their border with Lebanon more seriously.

Thanks for the Syrian visa tip. I think I spoke to the same fellow at their embassy. Actually, since I leave in April and won't arrive until late October, I'll be outside their 6-month window, too. Yesterday he assured me that if I call him 3 weeks before I leave that they will fax their embassy in Turkey and authorize them to issue me a visa there when I pass through in September. So, I'll keep my fingers crossed...Now, all I have to do is prepare for a 3500-mile trek!

Thanks, everyone.

www.pilgrimstales.com

And now for the latest news...I spoke with the Syrian embassy today and they now have new rules for granting Americans visas. Seems that they are no longer willing to grant them in Turkey for those of us on extended trips. (This only applies to American passport holders.) They suggest FedExing your passport from someplace along the way to DC and they promise to send it back right away. This means you might have to hang around for a week with your fingers crossed and meanwhile have no "papers" for ID, banking or crossing borders. FedEx said they would charge $119 to ship it 1-way from Istanbul to DC, and I guess the same coming back. Yikes. Plus, I guess you're counting on it not getting held up in customs. It is definitely a new wrinkle. On a positive note, they were apologetic and it seemed to be a reaction to new State Department rules.

Anyone have any new ideas? Again we're leaving mid-April to trek from France thru the Middle East and won't arrive in Syria until the end of October. Apparently, the time starts ticking on the visas when they are issued, not when you enter the country. Thanks.

So is it no longer possible to get that 6 month window? When I talked to him he said to send my passport in early May (I leave at the end of May and will be in Syria in Oct) and they'll give me that 6 month buffer. This puts dampers on things.... That said, how the hell will I get out of Lebanon overland? Suggestions anyone?

I would check with him again. My entry would be just slightly over the 6 months, and that's the problem.