Before anyone pounces on these questions, you should know I have done a ThornTree search and (surprisingly) the answers were not availible. First and foremost, I know that (as an American) I can obtain a visa for Jordan either by contacting the embassy or on arrival at Queen Alia Airport. Is the cost the same either way? Also, is it just as easy to get a multiple entry visa at the airport or would it be best to get that from the embassy? OK... here's where it gets a little complicated. I have good friends in Damascus and they really want me to visit them. Their plan is to send their driver to pick me up in Amman and bring me to Damascus. I've read all about people trying to obtain visas from other countries and I know that in theory, visas at the Syrian border are impossible. However, this trip has been put together very last minute and I was wondering what people's thoughts are on my getting a single entry visa for Syria at the Jordan border. I am worried I would not receive my Syrian visa from the embassy before I leave. But ultimately, like I said, I know the bottom line is probably 'don't bother'. Just looking for thoughts. Thanks very much for any advice at all!
Visa for Jordan : the airport people don't issue multi entry visas and there's really no point in them since a single entry visa is so easy to get at the border. In fact consulates tend to be reluctant to issue visas at all (just lazy!) and tell you to get them on arrival. Almost certainly the consulate charges more than the equivalent of 10JD, but I can't swear to that.
At first I was thinking that your chances of a visa at the border are virtually nil, until I read the bit about your friends "sending a car" for you. If they have any strings to pull they might be able to get your through. Certainly it might be easier if you have somebody Syrian driving you, at the very least he would understand the baksheesh procedure!
But I should try quite hard for a visa in the US if you can. Usually the embassies are very cooperative about this, and would send your passport back by express mail. Obviously this depends entirely on how much time you have to spare before you leave!!!
Thank you so much for your very helpful information! I think my friend's father does indeed have 'connections', but I'd really really prefer not to impose on them like that. I have 4 weeks before departure so perhaps the Syrian embassy would help me out by rushing it a bit.
Can I ask what the baksheesh prodecure is? Very curious...
So basically if I end up going to Syria, I should just get a single entry at the airport, then another single entry upon returning to the Jordanian border? I think that sounds reasonable. :)
Again, though... thanks very much.
Kate
Sorry, just re-read what I wrote and I want to clarify that I was refering to the Jordanian visa at the airport and upon returning to the border from Syria.
4 weeks is plenty of time to get a visa from the Syrian Embassy in Washington DC. No problems. The London embassy issues them in 2 working days by next-day delivery mail (pre-paid). I followed their online application (not really online, since you have to print it out and put it in an envelope, but never mind), mailed my passport to them on a Thursday and had it back with my visa in it the following Tuesday.
re baksheesh - there is no "procedure" as such. Ruth was just talking about your driver being familiar with how baksheesh can oil the wheels of bureaucracy. But it's all academic - in your OP you said this was "last minute", then you say you have 4 weeks before departure. Just apply tomorrow to the embassy, fill out the forms properly, and you'll have your visa. No baksheesh needed.
Forget about multiple entry visas to Jordan. Not worth it. Just buy a visa when you land, and another when you enter at the land border. Simple, painless, hassle-free procedures. The embassy in DC will charge you US$15 (=11JD) plus next-day delivery postage (several more dollars) for the same single-entry visa you can buy for 10JD on the spot.
lol... yeah, I guess its not that 'last minute'. Last minute was the month long trip I took to Kenya last Oct and booked just 5 days in advance! Thanks for the advice on the embassy; just to 'hear' that it'll be no problem from someone is enough for me.
I'm getting very excited now! I've been wanting to go to Jordan for a long long long time.
Thanks heaps for the help.
Kate
I was able to get mine back within 1 week (the embassy in Australia). I rang to explain how short of time I was i.e 3 weeks until leaving and they said no problem, you have enough time. Just to be sure I put a copy of my itinerary with the date of departure in and a short, polite letter thanking them for their consideration of this.
Good luck and have a nice time.
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