Travellers From 10 Countries Can Cross Into Syria Without Extra Permits

Turkish authorities have issued a decision allowing citizens of 10 countries to use land border crossings with Syria under Turkey's existing visa rules, without obtaining any additional prior permission. The move affects travellers from Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Yemen and Palestine.

The source does not state when the decision takes effect.

Key facts

• Who benefits: citizens of Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Yemen and Palestine
• What changes: land crossings with Syria can be used under Turkey's existing visa rules, with no extra prior permission
• Syrians with foreign citizenship: may leave Syria via any land crossing with Turkey to transit to their country of residence
• Documents: a valid Syrian passport is required at three named crossings, with details matching the foreign passport
• Open crossings: six border crossings between Turkey and Syria are currently operating

What is changing?

Citizens of the 10 listed countries can now use land border crossings between Turkey and Syria under Turkey's existing visa rules. No additional prior permission is required, according to the decision issued by Turkish authorities.

Who else is affected?

Syrian citizens who also hold foreign citizenship can now leave Syria through any land border crossing with Turkey in order to transit to their country of residence. This applies regardless of how they entered Syria — through border crossings with Turkey or neighbouring countries, or through Syrian airports.

Mazen Alloush, director of the International Relations and Cooperation Department at Syria's General Authority for Ports and Customs, outlined the arrangements in a post on his official Facebook page.

What documents do dual nationals need?

At the Turkish crossings opposite Bab al-Salama and al-Rai in Aleppo governorate and at Tal Abyad, Syrian citizens holding foreign citizenship — except those who also hold Turkish citizenship — must present a valid Syrian passport when departing. The personal details in the Syrian passport must match those in the foreign passport for the traveller to be allowed to leave.

Alloush stressed that all of these decisions and instructions were issued by Turkish authorities and may be amended or cancelled without prior notice. Implementation procedures may also vary between border crossings.

What is happening at the other crossings?

Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat said Turkey had completed preparations to open the Nusaybin crossing, opposite Qamishli in al-Hasakah governorate, but the Syrian side had yet to complete the infrastructure needed to operate it. He said that, at a meeting two months earlier with Qutaiba Badawi, head of the General Authority for Ports and Customs, the Syrian side reported it was working to be ready by the end of 2026.

Bolat said opening the crossing would allow transit to Syria and Iraq, and that Turkey was urging the Syrian side to accelerate the necessary work. He confirmed that six border crossings between the two countries were currently open.

How busy are the crossings?

From the start of this year through the end of August, Bab al-Salama recorded more than 1,233,000 passenger crossings in both directions and received more than 73,000 Syrian citizens returning voluntarily. The General Authority for Ports and Customs is running a project to upgrade the crossing's infrastructure and service facilities.

Tal Abyad recorded approximately 100,000 passenger arrivals and departures since the beginning of this year, while al-Rai recorded approximately 181,000 passenger crossings in both directions during the first seven months of the year, along with around 3,000 Syrian citizens returning voluntarily.

What this means for travellers

Travellers from the 10 listed countries should check whether their nationality is covered before planning a land crossing into Syria, and confirm which of the six open crossings they will use. Dual Syrian nationals departing via Bab al-Salama, al-Rai or Tal Abyad should carry a valid Syrian passport whose details match their foreign passport. Because the rules may change without notice and procedures differ between crossings, travellers should verify the requirements at their specific crossing before travelling.

The next milestone to watch is the end of 2026, the date by which the Syrian side has said it aims to complete preparations for the Nusaybin-Qamishli crossing.