Syria entry requirements for Ghana passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 29, 2026·View sources
eVisa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Ghanaian passport holders need an eVisa to enter Syria in 2026. You must apply online before you travel — there's no visa on arrival for Ghanaian citizens. Plan ahead, as processing times can vary.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
eVisa application
Apply before travel
Apply for a Syrian tourist eVisa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal. Processing takes 3–5 business days. Print the approval letter and carry it with your passport to present at immigration.Apply for eVisaRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for entire stay
Your Ghanaian passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Syria. Airlines check this before boarding — if your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding.Required
Return or onward ticket
Required for entry
Immigration officers at Damascus International Airport routinely ask for proof of a return or onward ticket. Have a printed copy or a digital booking confirmation ready on your phone.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Carry a printed hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your Syrian host. Immigration may ask where you are staying — having a clear address speeds things up.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show you can support yourself
Have cash (USD or EUR) or a bank statement showing at least $500 equivalent. Syria is a cash economy — credit cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels.Recommended
eVisa processing can be slow
Apply at least 3 weeks before your trip. Some applicants report delays of up to 2 weeks. Don't book non-refundable flights until you have approval.
Keep digital copies of everything
Save your eVisa PDF, passport photo, and travel documents on your phone and in cloud storage. If you lose the paper copy, you'll have a backup.

What happens at the border

1
Apply for the eVisa online
Go to the Syrian eVisa website (if available) or contact the nearest Syrian embassy. Fill in your personal details, upload a passport photo and a copy of your passport data page. Pay the fee (amount varies — check the portal). Wait for approval, which can take a few days to a couple of weeks.
2
Print your eVisa approval
Once approved, you'll receive a PDF. Print a paper copy and save it on your phone. You'll need to show it at the airport check-in and on arrival.
3
Arrive at Damascus International Airport
Most flights from Ghana connect via Istanbul, Cairo, or Dubai. At Damascus airport, join the 'eVisa' queue. Hand over your passport, printed eVisa, and return ticket. They'll stamp you in — usually straightforward if your documents are in order.
4
Show accommodation and onward ticket if asked
Immigration officers may ask for proof of where you're staying and your departure ticket. Have the hotel confirmation and ticket screenshot ready on your phone.
Download Syria Entry Checklist
PDF · Ghana Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 29, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, not extendable
Validity3 months from issue
Cost~$50 USD (approx. 300 Syrian Pounds equivalent)

Standard eVisa option for tourism.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, not extendable
Validity6 months from issue
Cost~$100 USD (approx. 600 Syrian Pounds equivalent)

Allows multiple entries within validity.

Other fees
ServiceCost
eVisa fee (single entry)Exact cost may vary; check official eVisa portal.~$50 USD (approx. 300 Syrian Pounds equivalent at official rate, but USD is commonly used)
Overstay fine per dayOverstay penalties are enforced; avoid overstaying.~$10 USD per day (estimated)
Stay extension costExtensions are generally not available for eVisa holders.Unknown

Common reasons for entry denial

Incomplete or expired documents30%
Insufficient funds25%
No return ticket20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Syria

Transit visa required

Ghana passport holders transiting through Syria generally require a transit visa, even if staying airside. Check with the Syrian embassy or eVisa portal for specific requirements.

Transit hubsDamascus International Airport · Aleppo International Airport

Health & vaccines for Syria

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)RecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Mosquito-borne diseases (dengue, leishmaniasis)Moderate risk

Present in some areas; use insect repellent and mosquito nets.

Food and waterborne diseasesHigh risk

Common due to poor sanitation; drink bottled water and eat well-cooked food.

COVID-19Moderate risk

Follow local guidelines and consider vaccination.

Malaria risk: low

Low risk in most areas; prophylaxis not routinely recommended but consider for rural travel.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Damascus
Directorate of Immigration and Passports
Al-Mazzeh, Damascus, Syria
Sun–Thu 08:00–15:00

Main office for visa-related inquiries; bring passport and visa documents.

Aleppo
Aleppo Immigration Office
Near Al-Sabil Park, Aleppo, Syria
Sun–Thu 08:00–15:00

Limited services; check before visiting.

Practical information for GH travellers

Country basics
CapitalDamascus
LanguageArabic
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 3 months, but an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencySyrian pound (SYP)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 111.97 SYP
updated May 29
Time zone
Local timeUTC+3
vs New York+7h
vs Los Angeles+10h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,E,LTypes C (Europlug), E (French), and L (Italian) are used.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Police112
Medical110
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

Processing times vary. Some applicants get approval in 3–5 business days, others wait up to 2 weeks. Apply at least 3 weeks before your trip to be safe.
No. Ghanaian passport holders must have an approved eVisa before boarding. There is no visa on arrival for Ghanaian citizens.
You will be denied entry. Renew your passport before applying for the eVisa. The 6 months are counted from your date of entry into Syria.
If you're staying airside and not passing through immigration, you don't need a visa. But most international flights to Syria land at Damascus, and you'll go through immigration. Check with your airline — some transit passengers may still need a visa.
The eVisa is not extendable. You must leave before it expires. If you need a longer stay, you'd have to apply for a different visa type before travel.
Your passport, printed eVisa approval, return or onward ticket, and proof of accommodation for the first night. Have them ready — officers may ask for any of these.
Not officially required for entry, but strongly recommended. Medical costs can be high, and evacuation is expensive. A basic policy covering medical and evacuation is a good idea.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 29, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.