Uk Visa For Syrians

Are you a Syrian citizen? Is it time for you to travel outside of Syria or enter the United Kingdom for the first time? Then you need to know about the UK visas for Syrians.

A lot of changes are taking place in the UK related to immigration policy, starting with the people needing visas. The Home Office, one of the most popular government offices in UK is getting revised policies that affect.

Uk Visa For Syrians

The UK has recently announced that it will be granting a visa to all Syrians who wish to come here. The visa will allow them to enter the country and start a new life, but they will be required to stay in the UK for at least 50 years.

This is a great opportunity for Syrians who want to start over, as well as those who are already living in the UK and want their families or friends to join them. The visa will allow them to do so without having to apply for asylum or go through any other vetting process.

However, this does not mean that Syria will be completely safe once these visas are granted. There are still some issues that need addressing before people can return safely.

If you’re a Syrian citizen looking to travel to the UK, you should consider applying for a UK visa.

The UK’s Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (SVPRS) offers refuge to certain categories of Syrian refugees in need of protection. To qualify for this protection, you must be able to demonstrate that you are at risk if you return to Syria.

To be considered for resettlement under the SVPRS, you must have been in the United Kingdom (UK) before 1 January 2020, and be staying there at the time of application. You should also be willing to accept accommodation provided by the Home Office in either Glasgow or Edinburgh.

You can apply for a UK visa from inside Syria if:

  • You are a Syrian national who has been recognised as being eligible for resettlement by the UNHCR or another international organisation working with refugees; or
  • You are a family member of someone who has been recognised as being eligible for resettlement by the UNHCR or another international organisation working with refugees; or
  • You have a legal right to enter the UK on humanitarian grounds because there is a serious threat to your life

Entry Requirements

This page has information on travelling to Syria.

This page reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British Citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Syria set and enforce entry rules. If you’re unsure how Syria’s entry requirements apply to you, contact its UK embassy, high commission or consulate.

The FCDO advise against all travel to Syria. The information on this page covers the most common types of travel and reflects the UK government’s understanding of the rules currently in place. Unless otherwise stated, this information is for travellers using a full ‘British Citizen’ passport.

All travellers

If you choose to travel to Syria against FCDO advice, you will need to get a visa and security clearance before you travel.

In June 2013, the Syrian regime issued a law stating that individuals who enter Syrian territories illegally will be punished by a prison sentence of 5 to 10 years and/or a fine of 5 to 10 million Syrian pounds.

If you’re fully vaccinated

If you’re fully vaccinated, you can enter Syria without needing to test but you may be required to isolate.

If you’re not fully vaccinated

If you’re not fully vaccinated, you’ll need to show proof of a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before entry) when entering Syria. See information on getting a test before entry.

Check your passport and travel documents before you travel

If you are visiting Syria, your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 3 months from the date of entry into Syria – local authorities may ask you to produce a copy of your passport; you should carry a copy with you at all times.

Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.

Previous travel to Israel

If you have an Israeli stamp in your passport or Emergency Travel Document it is highly likely that you will be refused entry into Syria, regardless of your nationality.

Syrian Visa Documentation & Application Process

If you need to apply for a Syrian entry visa, you must apply in person through the Syrian Embassy in London. We cannot assist you with the visa application process

Below are the documentation requirements for applying for an entry visa.

  • An original passport with a minimum validity of 6 months and at least 2 blank pages
  • 2 colored, passport-sized photographs
  • 2 fully completed and signed visa application forms. You can complete the online application. Once you have submitted all the details, download it, and take 2 printouts of the document.
  • A letter from your current employer in the UK specifying your employment status and position. If you are a student, you need to submit a letter from your university/college/academic institute OR present a photocopy of your student ID card. Unemployed applicants need to share a letter from the jobcentre or a letter of the benefits that he/she receives. Self-employed applicants can submit a business card OR a copy of the latest bank statement with the name, company name, and address OR a letter on a company headed paper indicating the nature of the business and role OR a copy of self-assessment form from HM Revenue & Customs
  • A utility bill OR a council tax/ landline OR internet bill with the applicant’s name and address
  • Hotel reservation OR full address, name and telephone number of friends/relatives in Syria

Once all your documents are in order, you can submit your application at the embassy on any working day (Monday to Friday) between 10 am-12 pm. 

The visa processing usually takes a time frame of 6 working days. For press or media visas, the process may take up to 10 working days.

Entry visas are issued in single entry with validities of 1 and 3 months. Multiple entry visas are valid for 6 months. Fees for each visa type varies as per the purpose of visit, validity, and the number of entries required.

The embassy accepts payments only in cash. Additionally, the validity of your visa begins from the date the visa is issued. So make sure that you obtain the visa before your travel to the country.

Previous travel to Israel

If your British passport or Emergency Travel Document contains entry/exit Israeli stamps, there are high chances that you will be refused a Syrian visa. 

This rule is applicable to citizens of almost all nations.

Additional points

The volatile situation in Syria has resulted in the temporary suspension of commercial flights, closed roads, and minimal access to land border crossing points. It has even caused the closure of some border crossings. Hence, you must plan your arrival and departure itineraries properly before entering or exiting the country.

The ongoing conflict has even diminished all levels of religious tolerance. 

The government has imposed restrictions on unlicensed political and religious activity, particularly political Islam. So, be careful when engaging in any religious activities during your stay in Syria. 

Additionally, you should know that if the authorities catch you in possession of drugs, you shall face life imprisonment. Drug trafficking can even result in the death penalty.

Conclusion

Ultimately, if you have friends and family in Syria, you have to do everything in your power to ensure that they are safe from harm’s way. And you can do so by ensuring that they obtain a UK visa quickly. Whether or not these kinds of visas will continue to improve remains to be seen, but for now, Syrian migrants can still apply for the various available options. And if you’re already here in Britain, the new Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme may be perfect for you—especially if you’re suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

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