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TRAVEL REPORT
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Last Updated: August 16, 2006 10:09
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Still Valid: December 8, 2006 22:48
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1. INTRODUCTION
Section 2 of this Travel Report has been updated.
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2. ATTENTION
Heightened tensions throughout the region, 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, as well as register and remain in regular contact with the Canadian Embassy in Damascus (see Section 7 below) or Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (call collect 613-996-8885).
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises Syrian-Canadians that they are subject to Syrian law while visiting Syria. Those 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. Syrian-Canadians should also determine if they may experience difficulties upon arrival or departure from Syria. You should contact the Embassy of Syria for clarification with respect to travel to Syria. Those 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 should be particularly vigilant. See sections 6 and 8 below for more information on issues of concern to dual nationals.
The Kameshli (Syrian side)/Rabiaa (Iraqi side) and the Al-Tanaf (Syrian side)/Alwalid (Iraqi side) borders are operating. Canadians are reminded that they should not travel to Iraq under any circumstances. For more information, see our Travel Report for Iraq.
Most Arab nationals do not require visas to enter Syria. This policy also applies to Canadian citizens of Iraqi origin. Canadians are, however, advised to contact the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in Ottawa (see Section 8 below) for more information on entry requirements.
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Canadians should register with the responsible Canadian government office in this country if they are going to be there for longer than three months. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form. Canadians visiting for less than three months are strongly advised to: (a) leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact information with family or friends in Canada; (b) provide family with the emergency number for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (1 800 267-6788 or 613-944-6788); and (c) keep the phone number of the responsible Canadian government office on hand (see Section 7 below).
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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
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. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada publishes a booklet entitled Her Own Way, specifically targeted at female travellers. Its prime objective is to encourage Canadian women to travel safely.
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4. LOCAL TRAVEL
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.
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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
Syria is subject to dust storms and sand storms. Syria is situated in an earthquake risk zone due to fault lines on its western and northern borders.
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6. LOCAL 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 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.
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 should check their status at a Syrian Embassy or Consulate. For more information, see our publication Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know.
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of drugs are severe.
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 is permitted.
During the lunar month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim calendar), visitors should refrain from drinking, eating, and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset. The Islamic year is based on the lunar cycle, consisting of 12 months of 29 or 30 days each, totalling 353 or 354 days. Each month begins at the sighting of the new moon. Ramadan is expected to begin on or about September 24, 2006.
Photography of military or government installations is prohibited.
Homosexual activity is illegal in Syria.
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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
You can obtain consular assistance and further information at the following addresses:
Syria - DAMASCUS, Embassy of Canada
Address: Lot 12, Mezzeh Autostrade, Damascus, Syria
Postal Address: P.O. Box 3394, Damascus, Syria
Tel.: 963 (11) 611-6692, 611-6851, or 611-6870
Fax: 963 (11) 611-4000
E-mail: dmcus@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.damascus.gc.ca
Syria - ALEPPO, Consulate of Canada
Address: Al Sabil Street No. 2, Al Rabat Avenue, Sector 12, Aleppo, Syria
Postal Address: P.O. Box 1250, Aleppo, Syria
Tel.: 963 (21) 268-4160
Fax: 963 (21) 268-4100
E-mail: mhismail@net.sy
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 or use the services offered by Canada Direct.
Canada Direct, offered by Canada's major telecommunications companies, provides travellers with toll-free and hassle-free access to the Canadian telephone network. The Canada Direct access number from Syria is 0811, where a Canadian operator is always available. For more information, call 1 800 561-8868 or visit the Canada Direct Web site.
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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries 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 country or countries to be visited. Conditions are subject to change.
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.
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 may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
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. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa.
Canadians not of Arab origin must obtain a visa from a Syrian embassy or consulate in Canada or another country of residence. Visas are not issued at border points for these travellers.
Persons of Arab origin travelling on a Canadian passport require a visa, which may be obtained at any border point.
Persons of Arab origin travelling on the passport of their country of origin do not require a visa.
Dual-national Syrian-Canadians travelling on a Canadian passport do not require a visa, but a notation will be made in their passport by Syrian authorities upon entry. These persons are subject to Syrian law while in Syria.
An individual who is assessed to be a citizen of Syria or an Arab country by local authorities may be treated as a Syrian national and is subject to Syrian law whether travelling on a Canadian passport or not. The ability of the Canadian Embassy to offer adequate consular assistance to such individuals may be limited or denied by Syrian authorities.
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.
Canadians attempting to visit Syria have been denied entry for the following reasons: a) their passports did not contain a valid Syrian visa (visas cannot be obtained at the border); or b) their passports bear an Israeli visa, an Israeli border stamp, or an Egyptian and/or Jordanian border stamp issued by an office bordering Israel (such a stamp would indicate the traveller entered from Israel). Canadians contemplating a combined journey to Israel and Syria should seek the advice of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada prior to departure (see below).
Male dual nationals (Syrian/Canadian) travelling to Syria on Canadian passports are required to complete Syrian military service (regardless of their age) unless they have already done so or obtained an exemption when applying for a visa. However, when an exemption is obtained, care should be taken not to overstay the duration of the visa, as such an exemption is valid only for the validity of the visa.
Canadians citizens of Arab origin are advised to contact the Syrian Embassy to verify if they require a visa, as regulations are subject to change. To enter Syria, Canadians of Palestinian origin who were born, or whose parents were born, in Gaza must obtain permission from both the Palestinian Branch of Damascus and the Syrian Immigration Department, in addition to acquiring a Syrian entry visa. Failure to obtain such permission may result in being denied entry into Syria, even if a visa has already been issued. Care should be taken to clearly state on the visa application one's Palestinian origin in Gaza. Family or friends in Syria can approach the Palestinian Branch of Damascus (country and area codes: 963-11/ tel.: 446-4261/62) and the Syrian Immigration Department on your behalf to ensure that permission is obtained prior to your departure for Syria. Should such permission not be received beforehand, the traveller risks being delayed at the airport for days, with no guarantee of being allowed entry into Syria. These regulations are subject to change at any time without notification. We advise Canadian citizens to verify entry requirements with the Syrian Embassy (see below) before departure.
Canadians travelling in the Middle East should be aware that their passports could come under increased scrutiny by immigration authorities, and the authenticity of their passports could be questioned. Canadians experiencing problems should contact the nearest Canadian mission or Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada for advice and assistance.
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.
Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required
Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries 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.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
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9. MONEY
The economy is cash-based. The currency is the Syrian pound (SYP). Credit cards and U.S dollar traveller's cheques 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 ATMs 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. GENERAL INFORMATION
Syria (capital: Damascus) is located in the Middle East and borders Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, and the Mediterranean Sea. Tourist facilities are available but vary in quality. The work week is from Sunday to Thursday. Arabic is the official language. English and French are not widely spoken.
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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
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 Medicine Program 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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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Adequate medical care is available in major cities but not necessarily in outlying areas.
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13. RETURNING TO CANADA
Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.
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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
Local law does not allow adoption of children by foreigners.
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15. TRAVEL TIPS
Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.
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16. 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.
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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
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18. ANNEX
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