Useful Arabic Words and Phrases

Here’s a list of common Arabic words and phrases which you’ll find useful when traveling to Syria, or indeed any Arabic speaking country. Familiarize yourself with them, but also remember that a lot of people in Syria speak English and quite a few speak French too, so you shouldn’t have too much of a problem communicating.

Notes:

- There are two types of Arabic, the first is called classical or formal, and is used in all official documents, school and university text books, news broadcasts, and most newspapers and magazines. It adheres to very strict grammatical, spelling and pronunciation rules, and is therefore understood by any Arab speaker even though it is never used in everyday conversation. The second type of Arabic is known as common, or local. It’s akin to slang, and is used primarily for conversation. This type of Arabic varies widely from country to country, and region to region. It has almost no rules whatsoever, and much of it’s vocabulary contains non Arabic words. Consequently, this type of Arabic is heavily accented, and will usually not be understood by other Arab speakers from outside the region. The type of common Arabic spoken in Syria and the surrounding countries is known as Levantine Arabic.

- “el” or “al” in Arabic, are the equivalent of “the” in English, ie: definite article.

- an ‘ apostrophe, is used to denote a glottal stop.

- There are quite a lot of Latin words used in common Syrian Arabic, a legacy of the French mandate.

- The following words and phrases are in common Levantine Arabic, and will be understood throughout the Levantine region.

Airports, Borders, Customs:

Gamarek,  Gimrok – customs

Hidood – border

Hajez – checkpoint

Basbor – passport

Visa – visa

Ta’sheera – entry, exit stamp

Rosoom – fees

Souk el Hurra – duty free

Mamnoo’ – banned, no entry

Bawabeh – gate

Dokhool – entry

Khorooj – exit

Greeting:

Al Salamu Aleykom – translates to peace be upon you. used to greet and sometimes also to say goodbye. This is the formal type of greeting.

Wa Alaykom el Salam – translates to : and peace upon you too. used to reply to the greeting/farewell above.

Ma al Salamah: translates to – peace be with you. used to say farewell.

Marhaba: translates to hello. Informal greeting, used with friends and close associates.

Shopping, Bartering:

Andak – Do you have

Kam, Be Kam – How much is it.

Kteer – its too much

Gheir lon- different color

Qmasheh, Qmash – Fabric, fabrics

Sigadeh – carpet, rug

Sigadeh Ajameyeh – persian rug

Kindra, Kanader – shoe, shoes

Amis – shirt

bantalon – trousers

Slib – underpants

Jrab – socks

Shahata – slippers

Klasheh – sandals

Mayo- swimwear

Manshafeh – towel

zeit – sunblock

Nadarat – eye glasses

Nadarat shamseya – sun glasses

Situational, Assistance, Places:

Shokran – thank you

Afwan – when used to reply to the above, it means you’re welcome. when used on its own, it can mean sorry or excuse me.

Min Fadlak, Lao Samahet – please

Bidee – i want

Taxi – Taxi

Ila el – to the

Wakef Andak – stop here

Wein el, Ayna el – where is the

Mathaf – museum

Bolice, Shirta – police

Makhfar Shirta, bolice – police station

Hotel – hotel

Matar – airport

Mahtat Bas, Bolman – bus, coach station

Mahatat Qitar – train station

Toilet, Hammam – toilet, bathroom, washroom

Mashfa, Mostashfa – hospital

Safara – embassy

Mat’am – restaurant

Souk – shops

Mak’ha – cafe

Mak’ha Internet – internet cafe

Talephone – telephone

Food, drink:

Akel – food

Khobez – bread

Somen – Buns

Maiye (pronounced “my”) – water

Kazooz, kola – soft drink

Fawakeh – Fruit

Beera – beer

Nbeet – wine

Hotels in Syria

Here’s a list of all the major hotels in Syria, sorted by location and class. If the  hotel’s name is colored, click on it to visit it’s website.

Damascus:

4 and 5 star hotels:

Four Seasons – Shukri Al Quatli St.  +963 11 3391000

Le Meridien – Shukri Al Quatli St.  +963 11 3738730/2452200/2229200

Cham Palace – Maysaloon St.   +963 11 2232300/320

Ebla Cham Palace – Airport road  + 963 11 2241900/45

Semiramis Hotel – rue victoria   +963 11 2233555

Fardoss Tower – Fardoss St.   +963 11 2322100/1

Sheraton Hotel – Omayyad square  +963 11 373430/2229300

Carlton Hotel – Mezza 17 April St.   +963 11 2122000

Omayad Hotel – Barazil St.  +963 11 2217700/2235500

Queen Center Rotana – city mall   +963 11 6664003

Royal Suites Hotel – Al Thawra St. +963 11 2322220

Plaza Hotel – Yosef azma St.  +963 11 2219226/221

Bloudan Al kabeer – Bloudan  +963 11 7161551/7127551

2 and 3 star hotels:

Venezia Hotel – Bahsa St.    +963 11 2316631

Al Amer Hotel – Baramkeh +963 112116600

Alaa Towers – Al Bahsah   +963 11 2311221/231

Orient palace – Hejaz sq.  +963 11 2211510

Al Dar Resturant & Hotel – Al Bahsa  +963 11 2318921

Al Tal Hotel – Al Marjeh Sq.  +963 11 2315582

Al Boustan – Victoria St.  +963 11 2224792/222

AL Daar – Bahsa St.  +963 11 2311350

AL Iwan – Bahsa St.  +963 11 2321476

AL Kairawan – Bahsa St. +963 11 2313334/35/

AL Nakhil – Bahsa St.  +963 11 2316452/231

Samir Hotel – Al Marjeh  +963 11 2219502

Samirkand – Al Marjeh  +963 11 2210956/221

Soria AL Kabeir – Sengekdar   +963 11 245889

AL Salaam – Al Marjeh +963 11 2225996/222

AL Tal – Al Marjeh  +963 11 2315582/83

Assia -  Bahsa St.  +963 11 2314100/01

Batra – Bahsa St.  +963 11 2315914/15

Cattan Hotel – Victoria St.  +963 11 2215785

Kalda – Bahsa St.  +963 11 2314800

Kertaja Hotel – Al Furat St.  +963 11 2220045

Kinda – Bahsa St.  +963 11 2318127/231

Omar Khayam Hotel – Al Shohada Sq. +963 11 2312666

Aleppo:

4 and 5 star hotels:

Sheraton Hotel – bab el Faraj   +963 21 2121111

Shahba Cham Palace – Chahba Cham Street    +963 21 2661600/227

Mirage palace – bab jenen   +963 21 2288555

Pullman Al Shahba – AlSHahba    +963 21 2667200/266

Riga Palace – bostan kil ab +963 21 9294/2112646

Beit Wakil – Al Jidaydeh    +963 21 2217169/224

Dar Zamria – Al jidaydeh   +963 21 3636100/363

Ramsis Hotel – Bostan kel Ab  + 963 21 2111102

Baron Hotel – baron St.  +963 21 2110880/1

2 and 3 star hotels:

Al Siyahi – Al jabri Sq. +963 21 2251602

Mandaloun – Al Telal  +963 21 2283008

Planet Hotel – Al Azzizeyeh +963 21 4658934

Kelekia – Nayal St. +963 21 2216992

New Omayad – baron St. +963 21 2211410

Biet Salahie – citadel rd. +963 21 3312222

1 star hotels:

Al Sufara – baron St. +963 21 2123395

Afamia – baron St. +963 21 2217078

Al Faisal – bostan kil ab +963 21 2217768

Al Fayha – bostan kil ab +963 21 2210386

AL Horriyeh Al Kabeer – bostan kil ab +963 21 2215884

Al Ittihad Al Arabi – bostan kel ab +963 21 2212040

Al Jalla – bostan kel ab +963 21 2215035

Abi Al Fida – bostan kil ab +963 21 2211725

Al Abassieh – bostan kil ab +963 21 2238276

Al Alam el Arabi – bostan kil ab +963 21 2211721

Al Amal – bostan kil ab +963 21 2268280

Al Omara el kabeer – bostan kil ab +963 21 2213498

Al Arabi el Kabeer – bostan kil ab +963 21 2211375

Al Jama Al Arabiye – bostan kil ab +963 21 2220993

Al jandool – bostan kil ab +963 21 2217729

Al Jawaher – bostan kil ab +963 21 2239554

Al Khayam – bostan kil ab +963 21 2210982

Al Kindi – bostan kil ab +963 21 2227345

Al Safir – bostan kil ab +963 21 2212907

Al Madeneh – bostan kil ab +963 21 2210990

Al najem el Akhdar -bostan kel ab +963 21 2239157

Al qasr – bostan kel ab +963 21 2239365

Al Rabie – bostan kil ab +963 21 2223602

Al radwan – bostan kil ab +963 21 2238120

Al Raghdan – bostan kil ab +963 21 2210057

Al Siyaha – bostan kil ab +963 21 2216583

Al Umamwi Al Kabeer – bostan kil ab +963 21 2222369

Al Yarmouk – bostan kil ab +963 21 2217510

Al Zahraa – bostan kil ab +963 21 2220184

Semiramis – bostan kil ab         +963 21 2219990

Samir -bostan kil ab         +963 21 2238540

Somar – bostan kil ab          +963 212113198

Souria Wa Libnan – bostan kil ab        +963 21 221 37 02

Shtora – bostan kil ab      +963 21 2220691

Al Sahel – bostan kil ab +963 21 2238597

Al Salam – bostan kil ab +963 21 2217075

Al Shark – bostan kil ab +963 21 223 91 22

Al Shark el Awsat – bostan kil ab +963 21 221 16 30

Asia hotel – bostan kil ab     +963 21 2215214

Barada – bostan kil ab    +963 21 2220244

Bashar – bostan kil ab +963 21 3631424

Bor Said – bostan kil ab +963 21 2217586

Souria Hotel – bostan kil ab        +963 21 2219760

Tarek Bin Ziad – bostan kil ab      +963 21 2218446

Venecia – bostan kil ab +963 21 2239909

Wadi Al Nil – boastan kil ab  +963 21 2211624

Maysaloun – bostan kil ab +963 21 2216485

Halab Hotel – bostan kil ab +963 21 2214657

Ishbilia – bostan kil ab +963 21 2221830

Al Boustan – bab el faraj +963 21 2217104/2111976

Al Komeh – bab el faraj +963 21 2230840

Al kawakeb – bab el faraj +963 21 2226721

Qanat Sweis – bab el faraj +963 21 2217564

Qasr Al Andalus – bab el faraj +963 21 2239382

Qasr Al Hamra – bab el faraj +963 21 2126934

Qasr al Zafaran – bab el faraj +963 21 2211620

Al Rawdah – bab el faraj +963 21 2233896

Dimask – bab el faraj +963 21 2210786

Farouk – bab el faraj  +963 21 2238715

Granada – bab el faraj  +963 21 2114459

Ghassan – bab el faraj +963 21 2210882

Hanadi – bab jenen +963 21 2238113

Joul Jammal – bab jenen +963 21 2238382

Kawkab Al Salam – bab jenen +963 21 2239403

Arz libnan – bab jenen +963 21 2238859

Lattakia:

4 and 5 star hotels:

Cote D’Azur – Al shatea al azrak +963 41 428700

Le Meridien – meridien St. +963 41 428736

Riviera Hotel – Beirut St. +963 41 211806

Al Qasr – Al Cornish +963 41 217777

Al Samman Hotel – Al Maghreb el Arabi St. +963 41 214847

2 and 3 star hotels:

AL Nakabat Al Mihania – AL cornish +963 41 461140/ 461

Al Benda – takreek Al Kasr +963 41 428949/428

Al Dowali – Martakla Av. +963 41 477630

Al Kaisar – 8 march St. +963 41 475453

Al Nawras Hotel – basel el Assasd Stadium +963 41 239128

Al Nour Hotel – 14 ramadan St. +963 41 423980

AL Riyad Hotel – Al Shohada St. +963 41 239778/238

Al Roken Al Rossi – Al jamhoria St. +963 41 412222

Aphamya – Shtea al azrak St. +963 41 220330/225

Haroun Hotel – AL Jamhoria St. +963 41 212104/427

Omar khayam Hotel – +963 41 228219

Al jandoul – Al Cornish +963 41 477680/1

Al Sofara Hotel – Al Cornish +963 41 477725

Al Zahran – +963 41 425128

Wadi Al Kindeel +963 41 778400/777100

Zenobia hotel – Al Zeraa project – +963 41 425703

Embassies in Syria

The following is a list of Diplomatic missions and embassies in Damascus – Syria

If you do not see your country’s embassy here, please contact your foreign ministry for information. Please note: add the following prefix to all phone numbers: 0096311

Afghanistan Embassy       – mazzah      6112910     6133595
Algeria Embassy            3331446 – 3334548
Argentina Embassy      – Roudah     3334168 – 3334167     411058
Armenia Embassy       – Malki      3711757 – 3732992      3711757
Austia Embassy             6116730 – 6116838     6116734
Austiran Embassy             6114616
Australia Embassy             6132424 – 6132323
Bahrain Embassy             6132314 – 6132317
Belgium Embassy             3338098 – 3332821      3330426
Brazil Embassy             3337770 – 3335770
British Embassy 3391513 – 3391541
Bulgaria Embassy             3318445 – 3318205
Canadian Embassy – mazzah      6116692 – 6116851     6114000
Cheque Embassy             3330935 – 3331383
Chile Embassy             3338443
Chinese Embassy – Malki      3339594 – 3327968     3338067
Cuba Embassy             3339624 – 3337213
Czech Embassy 3331383 – 3339395
Cyprus Embassy             6130812 – 6130813
Denmark Embassy      - Abu Roumaneh      3332853 – 3331008      333 7928
Delegation of the European Commission             3327640 – 3320683
Eritrean Embassy           6112357
Egypt Embassy             3332932 – 3330756
Finland Embassy            3338670 – 3338809      3734740
France Embassy       – aljesr alabiad     3327993 – 3327992     3338632
German Embassy             3323801 – 3323800     3323812
Greece Embassy      – mazzah      6113035 – 6115009      6114920
Hungary Embassy      – mazzah     6110787 – 6117966      6117917
India Embassy             3719581 – 3718203
Indonesia Embassy             3331238 – 3331233
Italy Embassy      – Malki      3332521 – 3332621      332 0325
Irish Consulate              3342144
Japan Embassy             3338273 – 3332553
Jordan Embassy             3339313 – 3334642
Korea Embassy             4417614
Kuwait Embassy             3714760 – 3721973
Libya Embassy             3333914 – 3339747
Malaysia Embassy 612 2811/2812/2813
Maltese Consulate        3733601
Mauritania Embassy             3339317
Morocco Embassy             6620839 – 6110451
Netherlands Embassy             3337661 – 3336871      3339369
Norway Embassy       – Malki      3322072 – 3310733     3337114
Oman Embassy       – mazzah      6622194 – 6110408     6110994
Pakistan Embassy             6132694 – 6132695
Philippine Consulate       3335844
Poland Embassy             3332269 – 3333010
Qatar Embassy             3336717 – 3327451
Romania Embassy             3327571 – 3327570
Russia Embassy             4423156 – 4423155
Saudi Arabia Embassy             3334780 – 2124619
Slovakia Embassy            6132114 – 6132115
Somalia Embassy            3335534 – 3339844
Spain Embassy              6132903 – 6132900      6132941
Sudan Embassy            6622630 – 6622631      332 7749
Sweden Embassy             3327262 – 3327265
Switzerland Embassy             6111972 – 6111973
Tunisia Embassy            6132700 – 6132702
Turkish Embassy             3331411 – 3331370
Turkish Embassy/ Commercial Counsellor’s Office             3333142
Ukrainian Embassy 6113016
United Arab Emirates             3327560 – 3330308
United State of America Embassy – Abu Roumaneh 3330788 – 3332315 3319678
Vatican Embassy            3332446 – 3332601
Venezuela Embassy            3336863 – 3335356
Yemen Embassy            6133891 – 6133890
Yugoslavia Embassy     3333069 – 3336222

Syrian Embassies

Here is a list of Syrian Embassies throughout the world. If you can’t find your country here then please contact your foreign ministry for information. Did we miss a country? please contact us.

Europe:

Belgium – Bussels      F.D. Rooseveltlaan 3     6480135 – 6471909
Bulgaria – Sofia     Gveorguiew Str.     449580 – 441488
Cyprus – Nicosia     1 Androcleous Str.     473680 – 74481
Czech Republic – Prague     Pod Kastany 125     327289 – 326231
France – Paris     Rue Vaneau 20     45502490 – 45518235
Germany – Bonn     Andreas Hermes Str. 5     8199220 – 8190228
Greece – Athens DIAMANDIDOU 61,P.Psychico 154 52,  6722324 – 6715713 – 6825577
Hungary – Budapest     Hurangvirag Utca 3     176329 – 176186
Italy – Rome     Piazza Are Coeli 1     6797792 – 6797793
Poland – Warsaw     Narbutta 19A     484809 – 489179
Romania – Bucharest     Ana Ipatescu 50     503190 – 502629
Russia – Moscow     Mansour Viski Str. 4     2031528 – 2031521
Spain – Madrid     Plaza Platerias Martinez 1     2394619 – 4201602
Switzerland – Geneva     Lausanne Str. 77     326626 – 326522
Turkey – Ankara     Cevdet Sokak 7     1409658 – 1409657
UK – London 8 Belgrave Sq.     2452948 – 2456070
Yugoslavia – Belgrade     Mlade Bosne 31     430619 – 449985

North & South America:

USA – Washington 2215 Wyoming Avenue     2326313 – 2326314
Argentina – Buenos Aires     Avda Callao 956-1023     8144117 – 422113
Brazil – Brasilia     Sen Avenida Nacoes L.1     2260970 – 2441916
Chile – Santiago     Carmencita No 111     2327472 – 2327471
Cuba – Havana     5ta Avenida No 7402e     225266 – 225634

Canada:

Ottawa 151 Slater Street Suite 1000          (613) 569-5556
Toronto      7370  Bramalea Road, Suite 14          (905) 564-0955
Montreal – Quebec       307 Barton Avenue          (514) 345-0160

Asia:

China – Peking      Dong Sijie 6      5321372 – 5323943
India – New Delhi     Vasant Marc 288     670233 – 676304
Indonesia – Jakarta     Karang Asem 1 No. 8     5201641 – 5204117
Japan – Tokyo     Akasaka Minato Ku 107     3568978
Korea – Pyong Yang     Moun Sou Dong
Pakistan – Islamabad     30 Hill Road     821077 – 821303

Africa:

South Africa – Pretoria    123424701
Cameroon – Conakry      Rue Cameroune      46132 – 461370
Nigeria – Lagos     25 Kofo Abayomi     615680 – 618963
Senegal – Dakar     Rue 1 X BD     246277 – 251755
Tanzania – Dar El Salam     Aly Khan Road 276     27568 – 20568

Middle East and North Africa:

Algeria – Algiers      Kadoush Str.      782067 – 782068
Egypt – Cairo     Sabri Str.     717020 – 718320
Jordan  – Amman      Afghani Str.     641944 – 641935
Kuwait – Kuwait     Damascus Str.     531166 – 531164
Libya – Tripoli      Rida Str.     31783 – 37955
Mauritania – Nwak Shot     Ghandi Str.     54500 – 54527
Morocco – Rabat     Zair Str.     57521 – 57522
Oman – Muscat     Inshirah Str.     617904 – 607858
Qatar – Doha     Al Sad Str.     21873 – 21323
Saudi Arabia – Riyadh     Aroubeh Str.     4633198 – 4633013
Somalia – Mogadishu     Afjawi Str.     80231
Sudan – Khartoum     Imtidad Jadeed Str. No. 3     44663 – 44664
Tunisia – Tunis     Hay Al Manar     535392 – 235484
UAE – Abu Dhabi     Airport Str.     446744 – 448768
UAE – Dubai (Consulate)     Al Sadik Str.     661213 – 663354
Yemen – Sanaa     Jeddah Str.     247750 – 247752

Australia:

Australia – Canberra 41 Culgoa Circuit, O’Malley, Act 2606   (61) 2 6218 5200

Syrian Visa

In order to enter Syria, you need to obtain a valid visa issued by a Syrian embassy or consulate in the country of your residence.* Click here for a list of Syrian embassies and diplomatic missions. If you can’t find your country there, then it’s possible that the role of the Syrian embassy is being handled by another diplomatic mission, in which case you should contact your country’s foreign ministry for information.

Usually you’ll be required to fill out a visa application form in order for your visa to be processed.  Depending on your country of residence, this maybe an online form which you can print then fill out and mail, or you maybe required to visit the Syrian embassy in person and fill out the form and submit it there, along with any other required paperwork.

Visa application is generally a straightforward and easy affair, and it’s highly unlikely that anyone will get turned down for a tourist visa.

An important note: Make sure that you do not have an Israeli visa on your passport prior to applying for a Syrian one, or you maybe turned down. Also make sure that you do not have an Israeli visa or an Israeli customs stamp on your passport before visiting Syria, or you maybe denied entrance into the country, even if you do have a valid Syrian visa.

* Note: Sometimes visas are issued at the Syrian border, this is true for certain nationalities and for short stays. Contact the Syrian Embassy in your country to find out if you are eligible.

The following is an official visa fact sheet issued by the Syrian ministry of tourism:

Entry Visas and Customs Facilities

Entry visas

First : General Instructions For The Tourists Coming To Syria:

Arab and foreign arrivals to Syria should have the following:
1- A Passport valid for a period not less than one month after the elapse of the period of the entry visa, provided that the passport is issued by a state recognized by Syria, does not carry an Israeli visa, and the name of the passport owner is not listed among those forbidden from entering Syria.
2- An entry visa or transit visa issued by the Syrian embassy or consulate in the original country of the tourist or his place of residence. Entry or transit visas are granted by Emigration And Passport Department at the border, for the subjects of foreign countries which have no diplomatic representation in Syria, and for the foreigners living permanently in Syria provided they show their residency cards.
3- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Syrian diplomatic missions issue the following entry visas : the diplomatic, the private, the complimentary and service visas.
4- entry visa: two kinds

- six months from the date of its issue: valid for one or many entries. Exceptionally, visas can be granted for one year

- entry visa valid for three months, serves for one entry.
5- transit visa: two kinds

- three months valid for one or many entries

- three months valid for one entries

6- could include: wife of the visitor and his underage children, provided that their names and ages are registered in the related boxes.
7- The visitor who wants to stay in the Syrian Arab Republic for over a fifteen days period from the date of his entry, should report to the Emigration And Passport Department, or its branches in the governorates to apply for a permission of residency.
8- Permission of residency is spontaneously granted for the Arabs and foreigners born in Syria, and wives of Syrian nationals.
9- In case of missing or damaging the residency card, the owner of the card should report to the Emigration And Passport Department in Damascus or any of its branches in the governorates, within three days from the date of missing or damaging the card in order to obtain a new one.
10- A residency permission is not considered a work permit. He, who wishes to work in Syria, should get a work permit from the Ministry of Labour & Social Welfare
11- Any Arab or foreigner over fifteen years old, registered in the residency card of one of his parents, should get a new separate residency card similar to that of his parents in order to cover the remaining period of residency and to pay the required fees regardless of whether he bears a passport or not.
12- Arabs and foreigners who have special or ordinary residencies have no right to leave Syria for a period over six months.
13- Arabs and foreigners who have temporary residencies and an exit and return visa, have no right to stay outside Syria for more than three months. Lebanese citizens should report to the nearest police station within six days from their entry into Syria in order to obtain an I.D. card to facilitate their stay and movement in Syria.

Second : Facilities And Exemptions Offered To Incoming Tourists:

1- Arab nationals are allowed to enter Syria and transit through it exempted from entry or transit visas, provided that they are properly registered in the arrival and departure records . Their passports , travel documents, or entry cards (of the Lebanese nationals allowed to enter by their IDs, or civil record extracts ) are properly sealed upon entry and departure.
2- Entry visas are granted gratis for tourist foreigners of non registered nationalities who are coming for tourism whether singly or in groups, against letters issued and sealed by tourist offices and companies in their countries and personal passports, on the condition that they enter and depart on the responsibility of properly licensed tourist offices in Syria.
3- Citizens of all Arab states, Gulf Emirates and Sultanates, are exempted from entry and transit visas, residence permits and exit visas.
4- The following categories of visitors are exempted from duties:
- Foreign and Arab students officially registered in one of the recognized universities.
- Clergymen.
- Arab and foreign advisors and contractors.
- Journalists and correspondents of news agencies.
- Non diplomat workers in the Arab and foreign political and consular organizations.
- Parents, children, wife, brothers, sisters, governesses and servants of the member of diplomatic or consular mission accredited in the country.
- Palestinian refugees and their underage children.
- Foreigners and Arabs whom the director of Emigration and Passports Department exempt them for special considerations: courtesy, or because they are unable to pay.
5- Arab Syrian expatriates bearing foreign passports are exempted from obtaining entry visas or residency permits. Those of them who are not registered in the civil records should report to register in the Civil Register Secretariat. If they stay more than three months from the date of their entry , and if they want to depart using their foreign passports, they should obtain exit visas. Those of them under the age of military service should obtain the approval of the Conscription Department. They are allowed to enter using their foreign passports even if these passports are not sealed by the Syrian Arab missions abroad.

Third: Customs Facilities:

1-The foreigner is allowed to bring with him gifts, personal effects, and the private articles necessary for personal use, duty free.
2- Car owners permanently residing abroad, and coming to Syria to stay for a short time, are allowed to bring in their own, or rented cars which are properly registered in the country of expatriation in conformity with a legal authorization allowing the use and driving cars outside the country of registration according to the following customs duties:
> Duties of (US $ 40 or equivalent) levied on cars in accordance with a temporary entry card for a period of 15 days and (US $ 30 or equivalent) in return for the obligatory insurance of the car to be paid to the Syrian Insurance Company.
> Duties of (S.L 5035 or equivalent of other foreign currencies) levied against the book granted to cars registered in the Arab countries, plus (US $ 30 or equivalent) in return for the obligatory insurance to be paid to the Syrian Insurance Company.
>The wife or adult member of the family is allowed to bring a car or to drive it in Syria provided they meet the residency conditions outside the country.

Fourth : Health Regulations:

1- Travelers coming from places infected by yellow fever should, introduce a vaccination certificate against this fever.
2- Those wishing to stay in Syria for a period exceeding one year, have to submit an AIDS free certificate.
3- The tourist who brings pets, has to submit their health certificates written in English and authenticated in his country. As for cats and dogs, a certificate of vaccination against rabi should be presented.