Schengen visa for citizens of Syria in 2023

If you are a citizen of Syria who is considering travelling to the Schengen area, you probably already know that Europe has essentially zero visa free countries for Syrian passport holders. Because Schengen zone countries do not have visa-free access for Syrian citizens, Syrians who want to visit countries like France, Italy, and Germany will have to apply for a Schengen visa in order to do so. Read on for more information about how to get a Schengen visa as a Syrian citizen, Schengen visa requirements for Syrian citizens, and other country-specific information about the Schengen visa for Syrian citizens. 

Summary:

At the moment, obtaining a Schengen visa from within Syria is extremely difficult, if not impossible due to the fact that most European countries have closed their embassies and consulates in Damascus and throughout the country due to the civil war. Therefore, if you are a Syrian seeking a Schengen visa, you will likely have to leave Syria in order to begin and complete your application process. 

Schengen visa for Syrian citizens

• Unfortunately, there are currently no Schengen visa free countries for Syrian passport holders. This means that Syrians who seek short-term access to more than one Schengen county will likely need to apply for a Schengen visa in order to visit Europe. 
• Syrians who receive a Schengen visa will be able to enter and travel throughout each of the 26 Schengen states, for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. 
• Unfortunately, the ongoing situation in Syria has created obstacles for nationals seeking all kinds of visas (including Schengen visas) to Schengen zone countries. 
• Traditionally, applicants apply for Schengen visas through the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country they are travelling to. Because most of the Schengen countries have closed their diplomatic missions in Syria due to the conflict there, Syrians seeking Schengen visas will likely have to travel outside of the country in order to apply for a Schengen visa. 
• For example, at the moment, Syrians who seek French Schengen visas will have to apply through the French Embassy in either Lebanon or Jordan. 
• Similarly, both the German and Dutch Embassies in Damascus are essentially closed and no longer processing Schengen applications; Syrians who seek German or Dutch Schengen visas will therefore have to travel outside of Syria and apply through another country. 

How to apply for a Schengen visa

• A Schengen visa-seekers should apply for a Schengen visa through the European country they plan on visiting and spending the most time in on their trip.   
• For example, if a you are planning a 90-day trip to the Schengen area, and you intend to visit both France and Germany, but spend the majority of your trip (60 days) in France, you should apply for a French Schengen visa from Syria; if you plan on spending an equal amount of time in both places (45 days in each country) you should apply though the country that represents your first entry into the Schengen area (for example, if you are spending an equal amount of days in both countries, but plan on entering the Schengen area through an airport in Germany, you should apply for a German Schengen visa from Syria. 
• Once you know what country you are applying to, you must determine:
  • (1) What type of Schengen visa you want to apply for; and,
  • (2) How many entries you need. 
• The type and entry category you apply for will determine the documents you submit. 
• The type of visa you apply for is essentially your purpose for travelling to the Schengen area (business, medical etc.). For a complete list of Schengen visa types
  
• The number of entries you request for your visa (single, double, or multiple) will determine the number of times you can enter and exit the Schengen area. For example, those with single-entry Schengen visas forfeit their right to return to the Schengen area if they leave the zone, even if they still have time left on their visa. 

How to apply for a Schengen visa from Syria

• Once you have determined what country you are applying to, and what type of Schengen visa you are applying for, you can follow the following steps to get a Schengen visa as a Syrian citizen:
  • Step 1: Determine where to apply 
    • As previously mentioned, it’s not currently practical to apply for a Schengen visa from inside Syria; therefore, Syrian applicants will likely have to apply from another country. 
    • Therefore, as a Syrian, your first step for applying for a Schengen visa is to find an embassy or consulate that is currently processing Schengen visa applications for Syrians. 
  • Step 2: Make a visa appointment 
    • Once you know where you are applying from (i.e. the specific country embassy/consulate), you should contact them in order to see if you need to make a visa appointment.
    •  The majority of countries require Schengen visa applicants to make a visa appointment in order to drop off their application, have their biometric information collected, and submit to a visa interview. 
  • Step 3: Gather your required documents 
    • Applicants for Schengen visas, as Syrians, should make sure they have all their required documents and supplemental materials in order prior to attending their Schengen visa appointment. 
    • Look over the list of required documents and make sure you have everything on the list. For example, if you have a passport, make sure that it is still valid and has space for your future visa. 
    • Look over the list of supplemental documents that are required for the specific visa type you are applying for, and make sure you have them all. For example, if you require an invitation letter for your specific Schengen visa type, make sure that the person you need it from sends it to you, and that it is in your possession prior to your Schengen visa appointment. 
  • Step 4: Access your Schengen visa application 
    • Different countries have different preferences when it comes to the main Schengen visa application form. The majority of countries will allow applicants to submit the universal Schengen visa form, available here. Applicants can print out, fill out, and sign the above form, which they must ultimately submit with their complete Schengen visa application. 
    • Some countries, however, prefer that Schengen visa candidates apply through online, country-specific visa portals. France, for example, requires applicants pursuing French Schengen visas to create an online account and fill out forms via their official visa portal, here.
  • Step 5: Attend your Schengen visa appointment 
    • The vast majority of Schengen visa candidates must apply in person. This requires them to make a Schengen visa appointment. 
    • The Schengen visa appointment is where most candidates submit their complete application, have their biometric information collected, pay their Schengen visa fee, and attend a short Schengen visa interview. 
  • Step 6: Await your decision 
    • After your visa appointment, there is usually nothing left to do but await a decision on your application. Occasionally, however, a candidate will be asked to provide additional documents or return for a follow-up interview. 
    • The majority of candidates will receive a decision between 15 days and one month after submitting their application; however, processing times could be longer depending on the nature of the application. 
    • If your application is accepted, you can pick up your passport and visa and be on your way!
    • In the event your application is rejected, please know that you have the right to an appeal. For more information on how to proceed post-rejection, click here.

Schengen visa requirements for Syrian citizens

• The documents and materials you must submit are determined by the type of Schengen visa you apply for; for example, Syrians applying for medical Schengen visas will submit different documents in comparison to those seeking cultural Schengen visas. 
• Regardless of what type of visa you are applying for, in order to get a Schengen visa as a Syrian citizen, you must supply the following basic documents and materials:
  • Passport
  • Passport photos
  • Proof of subsistence
  • Proof of accommodation 
  • Proof of travel medical insurance 
  • Schengen visa application 
  • Schengen visa fee 
• For a complete list of required documents, check the Schengen Visa Application Requirements
• In addition to the above documents and materials, applicants for Schengen visas for Syrian citizens must also have their biometric information (fingerprints and photos) collected—unless they have done so previously, on a recent (within the past five years) Schengen visa application. 

Schengen visa fees for Syrians

• The Schengen visa fees for all applicants are €80 EUR.
• Certain applicants, such as Syrians who hold diplomatic passports, students, and other categories of individuals, may be exempt from these fees (or subject to reduced ones). 
• Depending on where you are applying to, you may be asked to pay for your visa online, prior to your visa appointment, at the final stage of your online application. 
• Alternatively, you may be asked to bring your payment with you to your Schengen visa appointment. If you are told to pay in person at your appointment, make sure you have the correct form of payment prior to your appointment (cash, credit card, etc.).  
• For complete information on Schengen visa fees