Syria at a glance
| Visit with an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | No: a visitor visa is needed |
| E-1 treaty trader visa | Not available |
| E-2 treaty investor visa | Not available |
| Own line in the Visa Bulletin | No: worldwide line |
| Green card lottery (last published list, DV-2026) | Eligible |
| Entry restrictions | Full: most visas suspended |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | Terminated |
| Where visas are processed | The U.S. Embassy in Damascus has been closed since 2012; Syrians may apply for nonimmigrant visas at U.S. embassies abroad, and immigrant visas are processed at the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan (or Beirut for Palestinians holding Syrian travel documents). |
Green card lottery: registration for DV-2027 had not opened as of mid-October 2026. A federal court ordered the State Department to open it, and that order may be appealed.
What is specific to Syria right now
- It is under a full U.S. visa suspension (Proclamation 10998, effective January 1, 2026) covering all immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, with no exception for spouses, children or parents of U.S. citizens; narrow exceptions remain for green-card holders, dual nationals using another passport and case-by-case national-interest waivers. DHS terminated Syria's TPS designation in September 2025, and the Supreme Court allowed the termination to proceed on June 25, 2026 (Mullin v. Doe). Syria was also on the 75-country immigrant-visa pause, which a court set aside in August 2026.
Common U.S. immigration paths for people from Syria
Marriage green cardGreen card through your U.S. citizen or resident spouseFamily petitionSponsor children, adult sons and daughters, or siblingsAsylumProtection for people who fear persecution in their home countryRemoval defenseWhat to know if you have a case in immigration courtRefugee/asylee familyBring your spouse and children to join you (Form I-730)Humanitarian paroleTemporary permission to enter the U.S. for urgent humanitarian reasonsImmigration waiversForgiveness for unlawful presence, past removal and other bars
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can people from Syria visit the U.S. with an ESTA?
No. Syria is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a visitor visa (B-1/B-2) from a U.S. embassy or consulate is usually needed.
Can people from Syria get an E-2 investor visa?
Not on Syria nationality alone: there is no E-2 treaty between Syria and the United States. Some people qualify through a second nationality from a treaty country, or use other paths such as EB-5.
Can people from Syria enter the green card lottery?
Syria was eligible in the last published program (DV-2026). Eligibility is set again every year, so check the official instructions when registration opens.
Where do people from Syria have their visa interview?
The U.S. Embassy in Damascus has been closed since 2012; Syrians may apply for nonimmigrant visas at U.S. embassies abroad, and immigrant visas are processed at the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan (or Beirut for Palestinians holding Syrian travel documents).
Can I work with a U.S. attorney while I am still in Syria?
Yes. MyUSVisa works online: you tell your story from anywhere, licensed U.S. immigration attorneys review it and send proposals, and you choose. This works before you travel or once you are already in the United States.
More countries in the Middle East
Last checked by the MyUSVisa team and counsel in October 2026. Country rules change often, especially entry restrictions, TPS and parole programs. Always verify on travel.state.gov and uscis.gov, or ask your attorney.
MyUSVisa is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.