Travel Insurance Direct

Summary

• We strongly advise you not to travel to Syria at this time because of the extremely dangerous security situation, highlighted by ongoing military operations, protests and terrorist attacks. If you are in Syria you should depart immediately by commercial means while it is still possible to do so.

• Military action and other violence is occurring across Syria, including in suburbs of Damascus, and the security situation is likely to deteriorate further in the near-term. Thousands of people, the majority of them civilians, have died in the conflict since March 2011.

• Australia does not have an embassy or consulate in Syria. The Hungarian Embassy in Damascus is able to provide emergency consular services to Australian citizens in Syria, in conjunction with the Australian Embassy in Cairo. Due to the security environment, the capacity of the Hungarian Embassy to provide consular or evacuation assistance is severely limited. See Where to get help for more information.

• The Australian Government has recommended, since April 2011, Australians in Syria depart immediately by commercial means while it is still possible to do so. Commercial aviation services and airports are currently operating, but sanctions affecting commercial airlines and the security environment have the potential to affect your travel options to airports, the availability of seats on aircraft and the willingness of airlines to fly to Syria.

• Evacuation options are likely to be limited by telecommunication and travel restrictions. Road networks may become blocked due to violent clashes. Borders and roads may close with little or no warning.

• If, in spite of our advice to depart immediately, you choose to remain, you should make your own contingency and security arrangements and secure a valid exit visa in your passport in case you need to depart quickly.

• Australians should be aware that access to basic necessities and fuel could become difficult. You should take advantage of daylight hours to restock supplies. Ample stocks of water, food, fuel and any prescription medications should be included in your contingency plans.

• Australians choosing to remain in Syria should limit their movements as much as possible and avoid all protests and large gatherings as they may turn violent.

• You should also avoid areas where people congregate after Friday midday prayers in all parts of Syria and avoid funerals and mourning processions.

• Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media and other local information sources for information about possible new safety or security risks.

• Commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners are possible terrorist targets. See Safety and Security: Terrorism for a list of possible terrorist targets.

• We strongly recommend that you register your travel and contact details with us so we can contact you in an emergency. * Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:

  • organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy

  • register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency

  • subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.

Entry and exit

The Australian Government continues to recommend Australians in Syria should depart immediately by commercial means while it is still possible to do so. If, in spite of our advice to depart immediately, you choose to remain, you should make your own security arrangements and secure a valid exit visa in your passport in case you need to depart quickly.

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. The following information was current as of March 2011. Due to the dangerous security situation we are unable to verify the validity of this information. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Syria for the most up-to-date information. If you are planning to travel to Syria from a neighbouring country, you should first check visa requirements with the nearest Syrian Embassy.

Australians require visas to enter Syria and must also have a passport which is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their expected departure from Syria. Long delays can be experienced, particularly if crossing at a land border, if visas are not in order. Syrian authorities advise it can take up to 30 days to resolve visa irregularities.

If a traveller's passport contains evidence of entry to Israel, or another country's border crossing points with Israel, entry to Syria will be denied.

Travellers visiting for more than 14 days must register with Syrian immigration authorities before their 15th day in Syria. If you stay more than 14 days you will need to obtain an exit visa before leaving Syria. Australians who have been issued with Syrian Residence Permits will also need to get an “exit and return” stamp before leaving Syria.

If you are Syrian with Australian citizenship, or your child is, then you may leave Syria within three months from the date of your entry without obtaining an exit visa. If you have stayed more than three months, then you will need to obtain an exit visa for you and your children before leaving.

Children under 18 who were born in Syria must have their father's permission to leave Syria, irrespective of the status of their parents' marriage or if the mother has been granted full custody by a Syrian court.

Women in Syria can be subject to strict family controls and may be prevented from leaving the country. A Syrian husband may legally prevent his wife from leaving the country, regardless of her nationality.

Australians of Arab origin have been detained by Syrian authorities for long periods without charge on arrival.

Failure to declare all foreign currency and electronic equipment on arrival in Syria may result in delays on departure.

Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.

Safety and security

Civil unrest/political tension

We strongly advise you not to travel to Syria at this time because of the extremely dangerous security situation, highlighted by ongoing military operations, protests and terrorist attacks.

Violent clashes between the Syrian armed forces and armed groups are occurring across Syria, including in suburbs of Damascus, and the security situation is likely to deteriorate further in the near-term. Since March 2011, thousands of people, many of them civilians, have been killed. Military operations or other violence have occurred across Syria, including the cities of Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Deraa, Baniyas, Latakia, Der-ez-Zor, Tal Kalakh, Ar Rastan and Jisr al Shugur.

Military operations can block physical and communications access to a city. Mobile, landline, and internet services can all be affected. Blockades may also stop the supply of electricity, water, petrol, food and medical supplies.

An explosion in central Damascus on 6 January 2012 resulted in a large number of civilians being killed or injured. This follows earlier fatal explosions in Damascus on 23 December 2011.

The Australian Government has recommended since April 2011 that Australians in Syria depart immediately by commercial means while it is still possible to do so. Commercial aviation services and airports are currently operating, however, sanctions affecting commercial airlines and the security environment have the potential to affect your travel options to airports, the availability of seats on aircraft and the willingness of airlines to fly to Syria.

If, in spite of our advice to depart immediately, you choose to remain, you should make your own contingency and security arrangements and secure a valid exit visa in your passport in case you need to depart quickly.

Syrian authorities are particularly sensitive towards media reporting on the current unrest. Foreign journalists face a serious risk if they attempt to work in Syria. Foreign journalists have been targeted by Syrian authorities since the outbreak of violence. Some journalists have been detained and subsequently released by Syrian authorities, however phones and cameras have been confiscated.

Departure options

All Australians in Syria should depart immediately by commercial means while it is still possible to do so.

Commercial aviation services and airports are operating, but sanctions affecting commercial airlines and the security environment have the potential to affect your travel options to airports, the availability of seats on aircraft and the willingness of airlines to fly to Syria. We recommend you contact your airline to determine if there are any flight disruptions or cancellations.

Evacuation options are likely to be limited by telecommunication and travel restrictions. Road networks may become blocked due to demonstrations or violent clashes. Roadblocks and closures have already affected access to some border crossing points. You should check the status of access routes to airports and borders before travelling. Borders and roads may close with little or no warning.

Major highways, including Tartous-Latakia, Tartous-Homs, Latakia-Aleppo, Homs-Hama, Homs-Damascus and Damascus-Jordan, may become blocked due to demonstrations or violent clashes.

The main Jaber/Nasib border crossing with Jordan is open but with access limited due to numerous roadblocks along the route. At times this crossing has been affected by the ongoing unrest. You should avoid the Ar Ramtha border crossing to Jordan due to its proximity to Dera’a and the potential to encounter violent civil unrest there. You should also avoid the Tal Kalakh/Hdaideh crossing to north-east Lebanon because of violence in Tal Kalakh. You should not attempt to enter Iraq via the Syrian border as this area is subject to restrictions on both sides.

What to do if you wish to depart Syria

You should carry a current passport or travel document at all times. You are responsible for ensuring that your travel documents are up-to-date. If travelling with children, you should carry documentation proving your right to accompany them, such as a consent letter, court order or a birth certificate.

Australians who stay in Syria for more than 14 days will need to obtain an exit visa before leaving Syria. Syrians with Australian citizenship who stay longer than three months from their date of entry in Syria will also require an exit visa. See Entry and Exit Requirements below for more information.

Advice for Australians remaining in Syria

If, in spite of our advice to depart immediately, you choose to remain, you should make your own contingency and security arrangements and secure a valid exit visa in your passport in case you need to depart quickly.

Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Syria. The Hungarian Embassy in Damascus is able to provide emergency consular services to Australian citizens in Syria, in conjunction with the Australian Embassy in Cairo. Due to the security environment, the capacity of the Hungarian Embassy to provide consular or evacuation assistance is severely limited. See Where to get help for more information.

We strongly recommend that you register your travel and contact details with us, so we can contact you in an emergency.

Australians who choose to remain in Syria should stay in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s 24-hour Consular Operations Centre on +61 2 62613305 or the Australian Embassy in Cairo on +202 2770 6600. You should ensure that we are aware of your location and your current plans, so we can contact you if need be.

Australians who choose to remain in Syria should pay very close attention to their personal security at all times. You should position yourself in a safe place and limit your movements as far as possible.

You should be aware that access to basic necessities and fuel could become difficult. You should take advantage of daylight hours to restock supplies. Ample stocks of water, food, toiletries, fuel and any prescription medications should be included in your contingency arrangements.

You should avoid any large gatherings and demonstrations as they may turn violent. You should also avoid areas where people congregate after Friday midday prayers in all parts of Syria and avoid funerals and mourning processions. You should be aware that Syrian authorities have arrested people in the vicinity of demonstrations, regardless of their citizenship.

There is a large security presence on the streets, especially Damascus. You should be vigilant in public places and follow the advice of local authorities.

Under Syrian law, travellers are required to carry identification documents at all times.

Terrorism

We strongly advise you not to travel to Syria at this time because of ongoing violent clashes between the Syrian armed forces and armed groups across Syria, the deteriorating security environment, very high ongoing risk of violent protests and high threat of terrorism.

You should pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media and other local information sources for possible new safety and security risks.

In February 2012, there were explosions in a number of locations in the city of Aleppo. An explosion in central Damascus on 6 January 2012 resulted in a large number of civilians being killed or injured. This followed earlier fatal explosions in Damascus on 23 December 2011.

In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. Possible targets include commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners such as key transport installations including airports and public transport, premises and buildings associated with Syrian military and government, buildings associated with foreign governments and companies, hotels, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreation events, markets and shopping areas, promenades and tourist areas.

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Crime

Syria has a relatively low incidence of crime, although the breakdown in law and order could lead to an increase in opportunistic crime against foreigners.

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, is rare but does occur. There are also incidents of credit card and ATM fraud.

Unaccompanied women can be vulnerable to harassment.

Money and valuables

As a result of international sanctions, financial institutions in several countries have suspended their transactions with Syrian counterparts. Credit cards may not be accepted in Syria and you may not be able to access your funds via ATMs. If you must travel to Syria you should check with your financial institution prior to travelling to see if your cards will be accepted. It is also recommended you carry sufficient cash in either US dollars or euros. Foreigners must declare foreign currency in excess of US$2,000 upon arrival at customs.

It is illegal to change money on the streets. Money can be changed in government banks or recognised exchange shops. However, many exchange bureaux are no longer able to exchange currency. Credit cards and travellers' cheques are not widely accepted, but can be used at international hotels and local banks. Syrian pounds cannot be converted into US dollars on departure.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

Local travel

Australians who choose to remain in Syria should ensure that they take into account the security environment before contemplating any travel in Syria.

Australians remaining in Syria should be aware that ongoing military operations and civil disorder in Syria may cause land borders to neighbouring countries to close without warning.

Road travel can be dangerous because of local driving practices and excessive speed. Outside major cities, some motorists drive without headlights illuminated at night. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.

Travel to Iraq: We strongly recommend Australians do not travel to Iraq due to the extremely dangerous security situation and very high threat of terrorist attack. If you plan to go to Iraq, you should first read our travel advisory for Iraq.

Airline safety

Please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.

Laws

When you are in Syria, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail. Due to the dangerous security situation in Syria the Australian government’s ability to provide consular assistance is severely limited.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Australians who might engage in activities that involve local legal matters, particularly with regard to family law (divorce, child custody and child support), are strongly advised to seek professional advice and ensure they are aware of their rights and responsibilities. See also Information for Dual Nationals below.

Serious crimes, such as murder, may attract the death penalty.

Penalties for drug offences are severe and include the death penalty.

Homosexuality is illegal and laws are strictly enforced.

Photography of military or government installations and other sensitive infrastructure is strictly prohibited.

Under Syrian law, travellers are required to carry identification documents at all times.

Anyone considering preaching a religion other than Islam should seek local advice as restrictions may apply.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties for up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.

Local customs

There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in Syria, particularly around religious sites. You should take care not to offend. If in doubt, seek local advice.

During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims.

Unmarried couples of Syrian or Arab descent may face difficulties securing shared accommodation.

Information for dual nationals

Syria recognises dual nationality, but Syrian citizenship takes primacy over the second nationality. If you are an Australian/Syrian dual national, you will be treated as a Syrian national by government authorities. This may limit the ability of the Australian Government to provide consular assistance to Australian/Syrian dual nationals who are arrested or detained.

Children of Syrian men acquire Syrian citizenship at birth.

Syria may allow dual nationals who have been resident in Australia to enter and stay for up to 3 months before becoming liable for military service, but dual nationals should seek this advice in writing from the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Syria before departing Australia. Payment of fines in lieu of military service is possible in certain circumstances.

Children under 18 must have their father's permission to leave Syria, irrespective of the status of their parents' marriage or if the mother has been granted full custody by a Syrian court.

Women in Syria can be subject to strict family controls and may be prevented from leaving the country. A Syrian husband may legally prevent his wife from leaving the country, regardless of her nationality.

Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Health

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

Due to the ongoing violence in Syria access to hospitals may be limited. Medications may also be in short supply.

The standard of medical facilities in Syria's major cities is adequate for routine procedures. Most hospitals are well equipped and medicines are available. However, facilities and medicines may not be readily available in smaller towns or in outlying areas of the country. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation out of Syria to a destination with appropriate facilities would be necessary. Costs for a medical evacuation are considerable.

Insect-borne diseases (such as leishmaniasis) are prevalent in Syria. Malaria occurs in the northern border region, particularly Al Hasakah Province. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling, taking prophylaxis against malaria where necessary, using an insect repellent, wearing long, loose-fitting, light coloured clothing and ensuring your accommodation is mosquito proof.

Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including brucellosis, typhoid, hepatitis and tuberculosis) are prevalent, with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes, unpasteurised dairy foods, and raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

Avian Influenza: The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world, including several in the Middle East. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For more information see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Where to get help

Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Syria. The Hungarian Embassy in Damascus is able to provide emergency consular services to Australian citizens in Syria, in conjunction with the Australian Embassy in Cairo. Due to the security environment, the capacity of the Hungarian Embassy to provide consular or evacuation assistance is severely limited. Australians in Syria should contact the Hungarian Embassy in Damascus on +963 11 611 07 87 or the Australian Embassy in Cairo on +202 2770 6600 for consular assistance. You may also contact the Australian Embassy in Amman on + 962 6 580 7000 or Beirut on + 961 1 960 600 for consular assistance.

Hungarian Embassy, Damascus

Australian Embassy, Cairo

If you are travelling to Syria, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the missions, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 62613305

Additional information

Natural disasters, severe weather and climate

Syria is subject to earthquakes.

Dust and sand storms also occur.

Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Wildlife

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

For parents

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure.

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.