Which countries offer visa-on-arrival for Syrian passport holders?

Syrian citizens can obtain visa-on-arrival in 18 countries: Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Lebanon, Macao (SAR China), Madagascar, Maldives, Mozambique, Niue, Palau Islands, Rwanda, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, and Yemen. Requirements vary by country, so verify current entry conditions and fees with the destination's embassy before travel.

Can Syrian passport holders travel to Europe or the United States?

No, Syrian passport holders cannot travel visa-free to any European country or the United States. All EU/Schengen countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, etc.), the UK, and the USA require Syrian citizens to obtain a visa before travel. Visa applications face strict scrutiny, often require extensive documentation, and may be denied due to security concerns and the ongoing Syrian conflict.

Is military service mandatory for Syrian men, and does it affect passport renewal?

Yes, military service is mandatory for Syrian men aged 18-42. Men of military age who have not completed service or obtained exemption face significant challenges renewing passports and may be detained if returning to Syria. Syrian embassies abroad often require proof of military service completion or exemption for passport services. Many Syrian men abroad avoid returning due to forced conscription risks.

How can Syrian citizens apply for a Syrian passport from abroad?

Syrian citizens abroad must apply through Syrian embassies or consulates in their country of residence. Required documents typically include: current/expired passport, birth certificate, military service documentation (for men), proof of residency abroad, and passport photos. Processing times vary from weeks to several months. Fees range from $300-$800 USD depending on the country. Some embassies have suspended services, so verify availability beforehand.

Why has the Syrian passport ranking declined so dramatically since 2010?

Syria's passport ranking dropped from 87th place (39 visa-free destinations) in 2010 to 105th place (26 destinations) in 2025 due to the civil war that began in 2011. International sanctions, security concerns, refugee crises, and severed diplomatic relations led many countries to impose stricter visa requirements on Syrian nationals. The passport lost access to numerous countries, particularly in the Gulf region, Europe, and the Americas.

Can Syrian passport holders get e-visas for popular destinations like Turkey, UAE, or Thailand?

Yes, several popular destinations offer e-visas to Syrian passport holders: UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman (GCC countries), Turkey is not currently offering e-visas to Syrians and requires pre-approved visas. Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore offer e-visas. Georgia, Azerbaijan, Albania, and Ethiopia also provide online visa options. Always verify current policies as they change frequently, and approval is not guaranteed despite e-visa availability.

Are Syrian passport holders banned from entering any countries?

While not officially 'banned,' Syrian passport holders face extreme difficulty or de facto prohibition entering Israel (mutual restriction), and most Western countries impose very strict visa requirements. Some Gulf countries (Kuwait, Saudi Arabia) have heavily restricted Syrian entry since the conflict. Entry to the USA, Canada, Australia, and most European nations requires rigorous vetting. Each country sets its own policy, but security concerns have led to practical entry barriers in many nations.

What travel documents do Syrian refugees need if they don't have a valid passport?

Syrian refugees without valid passports may hold: (1) Convention Travel Documents (CTD/1951 Geneva Convention) issued by their asylum country, allowing international travel; (2) Refugee travel documents or 'titre de voyage'; (3) Temporary protection documents. These documents' acceptance varies by destination. Many countries accept CTDs for visa applications. Refugees should not travel to Syria with these documents as it may jeopardize asylum status. Contact the issuing country's immigration authority for specific travel rights.

Can Syrian passport holders transit through major international hub airports without a visa?

Transit rules vary significantly. Syrian passport holders generally do NOT qualify for visa-free transit in most major hubs. Dubai (UAE), Doha (Qatar), and Istanbul (Turkey) require transit visas or prior e-visa approval for Syrians, even for short layovers. Singapore, Hong Kong, and European hubs (Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris) require airport transit visas for Syrians. Malaysia allows visa-free transit up to 120 hours. Always verify specific transit visa requirements with airlines and destination authorities before booking connecting flights.

Syria Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 26 Countries

The Syria passport ranks 105th globally in 2025, offering visa-free access to only 26 destinations, making it one of the world's weakest travel documents. Syrian passport holders face significant travel restrictions and limited international mobility, with the ranking having declined substantially from 80th place in 2006 due to ongoing regional conflicts and diplomatic challenges. The passport provides minimal travel advantages compared to other nations, requiring Syrian citizens to obtain visas for most international destinations. This severe limitation on freedom of movement impacts Syrian nationals' ability to travel for business, education, and personal purposes worldwide.

Global Rank

#105

out of 199 countries

Visa Free Access

countries worldwide

Mobility Score

out of 100 points

Quick Statistics for Syria passport

Visa-Free

On Arrival

ETA Required

E-Visa

156

Visa Required

Source: Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Syrian Citizens

Popular destinations where Syria passport holders can travel without a visa:

Country	Maximum Stay	Code
Malaysia	Up to 90 days	MY
Ecuador	Up to 90 days	EC
Bolivia	Up to 90 days	BO
Haiti	Up to 90 days	HT
Maldives	Up to 30 days	MV

Visa Requirements by Country

Complete breakdown of visa requirements for Syria passport holders

✅ Visa-Free

6 countries

🛬 Visa on Arrival

18 countries

🔐 ETA Required

2 countries

Kenya
Seychelles

💻 E-Visa

44 countries

❌ Visa Required

156 countries

Historical Ranking Trend

Syria's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 25 positions from 2006 to 2025

Official Syria Passport & Travel Resources

Access official government resources for passport services, travel advisories, and visa information:

🔗

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates

🔗

U.S. Department of State - Syria Travel Advisory

🔗

UK Foreign Office - Syria Travel Advice

🔗

Global Affairs Canada - Syria Travel Advice

🔗

DFAT - Syria Travel Advice

Compare Syria Passport with Other Passports

See how Syria's passport compares with other MIDDLE EAST in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Syria (You are here)	#105	26	3/100	47/100
Lebanon	#96	44	28/100	28/100
Iran	#98	41	12/100	8/100
Palestinian Territory	#99	39	8/100	60/100
Yemen	#103	31	8/100	8/100
Iraq	#104	29	28/100	52/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

As of 2025, Syrian passport holders can visit only 6 countries visa-free: Cook Islands, Dominica, Iran, Malaysia, Micronesia, and Sudan. Additionally, 18 countries offer visa-on-arrival and 44 countries offer e-visas or online visas. Syria ranks 105th globally on the Henley Passport Index with access to 26 visa-free destinations, making it one of the weakest passports for travel.

Explore More Passport Rankings

Discover Syria's passport power and compare with other countries to find the world's most powerful travel documents.

View All Passport Rankings

Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Syria Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 26 Countries

Country

Maximum Stay

Code

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 30 days

Historical Ranking Trend

Syria's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 25 positions from 2006 to 2025

Compare Syria Passport with Other Passports

See how Syria's passport compares with other MIDDLE EAST in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Syria (You are here)	#105	26	3/100	47/100
Lebanon	#96	44	28/100	28/100
Iran	#98	41	12/100	8/100
Palestinian Territory	#99	39	8/100	60/100
Yemen	#103	31	8/100	8/100
Iraq	#104	29	28/100	52/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Quick Statistics for Syria passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Syrian Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Syria's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Syria Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Syria Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many countries can Syrian passport holders visit without a visa in 2025?

Which countries offer visa-on-arrival for Syrian passport holders?

Can Syrian passport holders travel to Europe or the United States?

Is military service mandatory for Syrian men, and does it affect passport renewal?

How can Syrian citizens apply for a Syrian passport from abroad?

Why has the Syrian passport ranking declined so dramatically since 2010?

Can Syrian passport holders get e-visas for popular destinations like Turkey, UAE, or Thailand?

Are Syrian passport holders banned from entering any countries?

What travel documents do Syrian refugees need if they don't have a valid passport?

Can Syrian passport holders transit through major international hub airports without a visa?

Explore More Passport Rankings

Quick Statistics for Syria passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Syrian Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Syria's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Syria Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Syria Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many countries can Syrian passport holders visit without a visa in 2025?

Which countries offer visa-on-arrival for Syrian passport holders?

Can Syrian passport holders travel to Europe or the United States?

Is military service mandatory for Syrian men, and does it affect passport renewal?

How can Syrian citizens apply for a Syrian passport from abroad?

Why has the Syrian passport ranking declined so dramatically since 2010?

Can Syrian passport holders get e-visas for popular destinations like Turkey, UAE, or Thailand?

Are Syrian passport holders banned from entering any countries?

What travel documents do Syrian refugees need if they don't have a valid passport?

Can Syrian passport holders transit through major international hub airports without a visa?

Explore More Passport Rankings