Can any Aussies or Kiwi's out there confirm as to whether they have been able to obtain a Visa on Arrival in Syria either via the airport or via overland. Apparently this is acceptable if you do not have an embassy in your country (we live in NZ and there is no Syrian Embassy here-closest being Canberra). Planning a trip to both Iran and Syria in April and don't feel confident that we can obtain visa's for both countries due to their stringent policies before departing. L/Planet book say VOA's for those with no embassy but can anyone confirm? Any help or knowledge would really be appreciated. Cheers
2
marcopoloo
I think most tourist wait around half hour to get visa on arrival.
USA passport holders need to wait longer few hours to get approval from Damascus.Recently has ben reported 3/4 hours waiting.
3
marielouise236
I know that this is not exactly what you are asking but just incase it helps. I am Australian and I got a single entry visa from the Syrian consulate in Damascus today with no problems (I had hoped to get a multiple entry but that was not possible). It cost 60 euros. The lady at the consulate said that I should just get another visa at the embassy in Lebanon or at the land border when I return to Damascus.
4
yakkalot
I am Australian and I got a visa on arrival at the border between Antakya (turkey) and Aleppo on the 10th of December 2009 no problems.
It costs $90aud (although to pay in USD they charge $95usd - work that one out) and you go to an office, an officer looks through your passport, you do a bit of a paper chase.
The biggest hassle is the lack of organization at the border by the officials (they will take stacks from busses and you'll sit there waiting until someone helps you by getting the attention of the immigration official to hurry up :-)
Ironically the only hassle was they semed very confused by the Papua New Guinea visas for some reason (perhaps they look like the israeli ones? Don't know)
Cheers, Luke
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