Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Middle East
Confusion about Syria visum: at border? Confusion about Syria visum: at border?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Middle East Topics specific to the Middle East countries, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman and the Emirates
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
Page 2 of 3 1 2 3
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 28 Nov 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Aalst, Belgium
Posts: 365
I can confirm Margus theory. We just showed up at the border and told the immigration officer we did not have visa. He asked why we did not apply in Belgium, as there is an embassy there. We said we already left Belgium 15months ago and thus were unable to apply there.
He had to discuss this answer with his chief/officer/whatever and they agreed that was a plausable reason.

They showed me a piece of paper with the different rates to purchase a visa on the border (depends on your nationality). As a Belgian we payed 36US/person (in the bank with an official receipt) and were good to go. No hassle at all.

Just make sure you have a good reason (having a full passport to back up your story sure helps).

This was at the border in Killis about two weeks ago. 2 Belgians in a Toyo Landcruiser.

Other costs at the Syrian side of the border:

Road tax: 9US
Insurance(no way around this): 38US
Diesel tax: 102US PER WEEK!

They seem to ask 200Syrian pound for stamping the carnet (and doing it wrong!), but this should obviously not be payed.

Lots more practical tidbits on Syria here: Radio Baobab » Informationsheet per country
__________________
2006-2007-2008 : Brussels - Cape town - Tokio - Lubumbashi - Brussels

http://www.radiobaobab.be
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 28 Nov 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 147
I crossed at Kilis, too and got my visa with no problem. Originally, I had tried to cross at a backwoods border point, got out of Turkey, but was refused entry into Syria... they recommended I try Kilis because it's a larger crossing. I did and, like I said, it was easy (with a Canadian passport). They asked me at the border if I wanted a multiple entry visa, but I didn't think I'd need it so I said no (which sucks, because now I'm in Lebanon and I need to re-enter Syria! Live and learn.)
__________________
Jeremy Kroeker
www.MotorcycleTherapy.com
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 28 Nov 2007
Gecko's Avatar
Slippery when wet
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Spain
Posts: 311
I just got my Syrian visa through the embassy in Brussels and was also told to show the hotel reservations..... which I didn't have so I went on-line booked a couple of hotels that would give me a quick confirmation and printed them off. The Sheraton in Aleppo will book you over the phone and fax you the confirmation immediately . Use the fax copy and email confirmations to get the visa and then cancel the bookings .... not that I would ever condone such behaviour of course

Euro 85 each from the embassy so it's cheaper getting them at the border from what I am reading here !
__________________
...on the road to nowhere...

Biking roads by bikers for bikers www.bestbikingroads.com
Last edited by Gecko; 10 Jan 2008 at 12:16.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 10 Jan 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 67
Have any Americans been able to get border visas?
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 1 Jul 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 33
Thank you all for this great resource. Syria seems to be the only country in the middle east that has such complicated visa applications, and actually wants you to apply from home. This makes life much easier.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 6 Jul 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: germany
Posts: 28
I got the visa at the syrian embassy in germany, without any hotel reservation. and on my way back from jordan, directly at the border...
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 8 Sep 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Romania
Posts: 7
I'm Canadian. Quite a few years ago (meaning that the situation might have changed by now) I was able to get a tourist visa for Syria from the Syrian Embassy in London. They didn't seem to have any problem issuing the visa to me, even though there's a Syrian Embassy in Canada. The funny thing is that I paid a lot less for my visa than my friends who got theirs in Canada. I think that it only took a day to get. If I recall correctly, I filled out a form, paid a fee, and handed them my passport. I came back the next day (or within a couple days - I can't remember exactly) and my visa was ready.

They had a big sign in the embassy that stated very clearly in English that if you had ever been to Israel, they wouldn't give you a visa under any circumstances.

So, if anyone else is in a foreign country and thinking of going to Syria, I'd recommend going into (or calling) the local Syrian Embassy. If they say "no", try calling another Syrian embassy that you may be travelling past en route to Syria.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 8 Sep 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Huntsville, AL USA
Posts: 117
I know of 2 brits that got SYR visas at the border with Killis, Turkey.
but I guess thats the only border crossing that you can.
I tried 2 days ago, about 250km east of Killis, at akchtakale, or something like that (S of Urfa)

they wouldnt give me one. I tried to even pay an extra 'fee'

no go.

Doug
__________________
www.motosapiens.org

My Motorcycle Hotel/Cafe in Bulgaria
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 9 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 621
This is our experience in 2007, if it helps. But the advice to try a different crossing/mission if the first one says no is correct.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ighlight=syria
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 25 Sep 2010
Gold Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 58
Hi,

I met as couple from the USA in Gaziantep who had been denied visas at the border and had had to go to the Embassy (fortunately) in Gaz. (rather than back in Istanbul) and apply properly.

Brits and Irish can definitely get visas at the border (09/2009), the USAs were the first people to be denied and I think they said that USAs were specifically denied and no-one else.

Cheers,

Ian
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 12 Oct 2010
chica diabla's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 103
syria visa at turkeyborder
We just entered Syria from Turkey, Kilis.
It was not really a problem, you need some time, money and a carnet is handy.

We paid 28 dollar for the visa each and you have to buy an insurance which we bought for a month (minimum) 80 dollars for 2 bikes.
It took about 3 hours and they prefer you to get the visa upfront, but its do-able.

greetz Els
__________________
Dream it, do it!
www.2fortheroad.nl
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 15 Oct 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4
Syrian visa at the border
Hi,
I'd like to place a recent experience on obtaining a Syrian visa at the border.

The official rule is that Dutch citizens should apply for a visa at the consulate in Begium because the consulate in the Netherlands does not supply visa. Due to a change of travelplan we headed to the Syrian border, coming from Sianlurfa in Turkey, without a visa. At the border we said we were getting it here and it was no problem at all. It took some time but at no point anything was said about getting it in the Netherlands or Belgium.

Enjoy your travel.

Arno
Last edited by gseast; 16 Oct 2010 at 00:02.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 16 Oct 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 21
My wife and I are the American couple mentioned in the previous post and yes we were denied a visa at the Turkey Syrian border. We tried two different borders and denied at both. It took us three weeks to recieve our visas from Gaziantep. We are currently in Cairo finding the Sudan visa as difficult and the procedure different from our European friends.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 16 Oct 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 30
I've spent a week in Syria three weeks ago. And I was told by Syrians that something had happened, that had anoyed Syrian officials. And because of that, no more visas where given to Americans.
__________________
What are you gona do about it?
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 18 Nov 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: uk
Posts: 110
We got visas o'k at Kilis earlier this year, plus no need for carnet. (Brits)


Is it true that Kilis is the easiest crossing for obtaining visas? I'd like a change of route this time but don't fancy hassle at another border post if they are more difficult.

ps. Ripped off tho' coming back from Jordan into Syria at Der'a crossing.
"Baksheesh"
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 3 1 2 3

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Syria Visa and TIP on border from Jordan persedel Middle East 1 7 Oct 2016 15:20
Sudan border crossing info required Matt Roach Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 3 13 Oct 2010 10:35
Visum on the border? Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Libia brend Middle East 13 12 Oct 2007 09:26
niger visum at burkina border? desert soul sub-Saharan Africa 0 10 Dec 2003 17:28
Border Procedures from El Salvador to Costa Rica Steve Puig Trip Paperwork 0 4 May 2000 13:41

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:58.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top