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TRAVEL REPORT
Syria

1. RECENT UPDATES

Section 6 has been updated (malaria).

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Syria

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Most Canadian visitors to Syria do not experience problems. The security situation is generally stable.

Heightened tensions throughout the Middle East, together with increased threats globally from terrorism, put Canadians at greater risk. Canadians should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times, as the security situation could deteriorate rapidly without notice. Exercise appropriate caution in crowded places, including pedestrian promenades, shopping malls, open markets, and restaurants. The last major incident was the September 27, 2008 bombing of a security installation in Damascus. At least 17 persons were killed and many more were injured. No foreigners were affected. Canadians are advised to monitor local news reports and to follow the advice of local authorities.

Regions bordering Iraq and Lebanon should be avoided for security reasons. Border crossings may close or be subject to restrictions on short notice.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

The crime rate is low. Exercise normal precautions and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure.

Demonstrations

The political situation in Lebanon, Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, as well as the instability in Iraq, continues to have an impact on public opinion in Syria and may prompt demonstrations. Canadians are advised to avoid all political gatherings and demonstrations and to stay away from areas where they might occur, as they could turn violent without warning. They should also monitor news reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

Women’s Safety

There have been incidents of women being harassed. The Department publishes a booklet, Her Own Way: A Woman’s Guide to Safe and Successful Travel, whose prime objective is to inform Canadian women and encourage them to travel safely.

General Safety Information

Visitors must carry identification documents at all times. It is advisable to carry a photocopy of your passport and leave another one with a relative or a friend at home.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Syrian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic and its consulates for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Syria. The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from Syria.

Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required

Canadians who are not Arab nationals must obtain a visa from the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic or one of its consulates prior to departure. Visas cannot be issued at border points for these travellers.

Canadian citizens who are also Arab nationals are advised to contact the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic to verify if they require a visa, as regulations are subject to change.

Foreign Currency

Foreigners must declare foreign currency in excess of US$2000 upon arrival at customs to avoid problems upon departure.

Registration

All foreigners planning to remain in Syria for more than 14 days must register with the Syrian Immigration and Passport Office before their 15th day. For tourists, this requirement is applied each time they enter Syria, whether they have a multiple- or a single-entry visa.

Health Entry Requirements

Proof of yellow fever immunization is required for travellers arriving from an infected area.

Foreigners wishing to obtain a residence permit in Syria as well as foreigners wishing to marry Syrian nationals must be tested for HIV/AIDS. No residence permit is issued until the person has tested HIV negative.

Regional Travel

Canadians have been denied entry into Syria because their passports bore: (a) an Israeli visa; (b) an Israeli border stamp; or (c) an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued by an office bordering Israel (such a stamp would indicate the traveller entered from Israel).

Canadians travelling in the Middle East are advised that their passports could come under increased scrutiny by immigration authorities, and the authenticity of their passports could be questioned due to incidents of possible misuse. Canadians experiencing problems are encouraged to contact the nearest Canadian government office or Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada in Ottawa for advice and assistance.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following addresses:

Syria - DAMASCUS, Embassy of Canada
Address: Lot 12, Mezzeh Autostrade, Damascus
Postal Address: P.O. Box 3394, Damascus,
Tel.: 963 (11) 611-6692, 611-6851, or 611-6870
Fax: 963 (11) 611-4000
E-Mail: dmcus@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Syria.gc.ca

Syria - ALEPPO, Consulate of Canada
Address: Al Sabil Street No. 2, Al Rabat Avenue, Sector 12, Aleppo
Postal Address: P.O. Box 1250, Aleppo,
Tel.: 963 (21) 268-4160
Fax: 963 (21) 268-4100
E-Mail: mhismail@net.sy
Internet: http://www.syria.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Damascus and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

Malaria is a serious and occasionally fatal disease. It is caused by a parasite which is spread to humans by infected mosquitoes. There is no vaccine available against malaria. Travellers can reduce their risk by following the Public Health Agency of Canada’s recommendations.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Adequate medical care is available in major cities but not necessarily in remote areas.

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 Flu Virus.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Some Syrian authorities are unaware of their responsibility to assist foreigners in contacting their embassies, and the Syrian authorities have been very slow to inform the Canadian embassy of cases of arrest or other serious difficulties involving Canadian citizens.

The work week is from Sunday to Thursday.

Religion

Islamic practices and beliefs are closely adhered to in the country's customs, laws, and regulations. Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities, particularly when visiting religious sites. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour. Beachwear and shorts should be worn only at the beach or poolside. Alcohol consumption is permitted.

During the lunar month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim calendar), visitors should refrain from drinking, eating, and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset. In 2010, Ramadan is expected to begin on or about August 11.

Dual Nationality

Although dual nationality is legally recognized in Syria, the law indicates that Syrian nationality takes precedence. Canadians who also have Syrian nationality or who are eligible for Syrian citizenship may be subject to compulsory military service and other aspects of Syrian law. Holding dual nationality may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services. Canadian-Syrian nationals should check their status at an Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic or a consulate prior to departure from Canada.

Canadian-Syrian nationals contemplating travel to Syria should determine if they or one of their relatives or acquaintances is sought by the Syrian authorities for being or having been in contravention of Syrian law. Canadian-Syrian nationals who left Syria without a passport, who have previously been unwilling or unable to obtain a Syrian passport, or who have reason to believe that they have been convicted in absentia by a Syrian court, should be particularly vigilant if they are travelling to Syria.

For more information, see our publication Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know.
 
Illegal and/or Restricted Activities

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of drugs are very severe and may include the death penalty.

Photography of military or government installations is prohibited.

Homosexual activity is illegal in Syria.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Aggressive drivers and poor driving standards make travel hazardous. Avoid driving outside major cities after dark. Use only officially marked taxis. Urban buses are safe but may be crowded and uncomfortable. Pedestrians should remain vigilant.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The economy is primarily cash-based. The currency is the Syrian pound (SYP). Credit cards and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted. ATMs are available in major cities, such as Damascus and Aleppo, but cannot always be relied upon.

It is advisable to carry U.S. dollars. It is illegal to convert money on the street. Foreign currency must be exchanged in government banks or at their counters in international hotels. Keep all official exchange receipts, as they will be needed to exchange local currency into foreign currency before departure. The Syrian pound cannot be exchanged outside the country.

Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Syria is located in an active seismic zone. It is also subject to dust storms and sand storms.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Local law does not allow adoption of children by foreigners.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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