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TRAVEL REPORT
Syria

1. RECENT UPDATES

Minor editorial changes have been made.

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

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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

On September 27, 2008, a bombing occurred at the intersection of  Airport Road and Damascus South Circular Road, in Damascus. At least 17 persons were killed and many more were injured. No foreigners have reportedly been affected. Canadians are advised to monitor local news reports and to follow the advice of local authorities.

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 large gatherings and crowded places, including pedestrian promenades, shopping malls, open markets, and restaurants. Ongoing conflicts in Lebanon, Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and the Iraq situation continue to have an impact on public opinion in Syria and have raised the possibility of demonstrations. Canadians should monitor local developments and avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.

Travel to Iraq

The Qamishli (Syria)/Rabiaa (Iraq) and the Al-Tanaf (Syria)/Alwalid (Iraq) borders are operating. Before undertaking any trip to Iraq, Canadians should read our Travel Report for Iraq.

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.

The crime rate is low. Exercise normal precautions and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure. Visitors should carry identification documents at all times.

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

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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 confirmed with 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 the country.

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.

Canadians 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.

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).

Foreigners must declare all foreign currency and electronic equipment upon arrival at customs to avoid problems upon departure. Amounts in excess of US$2,000 for those holding dual nationality are subject to confiscation upon departure unless declared upon entry.

All foreigners who plan 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.

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

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 license, 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.

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.

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

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.

The work week is from Sunday to Thursday.

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

Photography of military or government installations is prohibited.

Homosexual activity is illegal in Syria.

Dual nationality

Although dual nationality is legally recognized in Syria, the law indicates that Syrian nationality takes precedence. 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. They should also determine if they may experience difficulties upon arrival or departure from Syria. Canadian-Syrian nationals should contact the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic for clarification with respect to travel to Syria.

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.

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. Canadians-Syrian nationals should check their status at a Syrian embassy or consulate prior to departure.

For more information, see our publication entitled Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know.

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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 in U. S. dollars are not widely accepted. International hotels only accept traveller's cheques to pay your bill. They do not cash them in. A small number of ABMs are available in major cities, such as Damascus and Aleppo, but they are unreliable.

There are a few foreign banks now operating in Syria. They offer better service as they are less crowded but operate under strict Syrian currency laws. Carry U. S. dollars, as Canadian dollars and traveller's cheques are not easily exchanged. 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 of the country.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Syria is subject to dust storms and sand storms. Syria is situated in an active seismic area due to fault lines on its western and northern borders.

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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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