Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Applications |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| A-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| A-3 1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| B-1 | None | Multiple | 3 Months |
| B-2 | None | Multiple | 3 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 3 Months |
| C-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| C-1/D | None | One | 3 Months |
| C-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| C-3 | None | One | 3 Months |
| CW-1 11 | None | One | 3 Months |
| CW-2 11 | None | One | 3 Months |
| D | None | One | 3 Months |
| E-1 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2C 12 | None | One | 3 Months |
| F-1 | None | Multiple | 3 Months |
| F-2 | None | Multiple | 3 Months |
| G-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| G-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| G-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 6 Months |
| G-5 1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| H-1B | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-1C | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-2A | None | N/A | N/A 3 |
| H-2B | None | N/A | N/A 3 |
| H-2R | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-3 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-4 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| I | None | Multiple | 3 Months |
| J-1 4 | None | Multiple | 3 Months |
| J-2 4 | None | Multiple | 3 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| L-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| M-1 | None | Multiple | 3 Months |
| M-2 | None | Multiple | 3 Months |
| N-8 | None | Multiple | 6 Months |
| N-9 | None | Multiple | 6 Months |
| NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| O-1 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| R-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| R-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
| TD 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-4 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-5 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| V-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| V-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 8 |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The Civil Affairs offices in Syria maintain records of birth, marriage, divorce and death for most Syrians. When a marriage contract or a divorce decision is issued by the religious authority, it must be registered with Civil Affairs to be recognized as legal. Once the birth of a child is registered, the Civil Affairs office issues a civil birth certificate and an individual civil record. The Civil Affairs office may also issue a family extract record, which lists the names of current and prior spouses as well as family members. Civil documents in Syria are now available to different offices and localities through a central database.
As of July 2011, Syrian citizens can register new civil events (birth, marriage, divorce, and death) and obtain civil documents from any Civil Affairs office in Syria without going back to the original secretariat of their civil records. This new service became possible after the completion of the Electronic Gate project, which made Syria one Civil Secretariat.
Civil documents are reasonably reliable for events occurring after 1924 but are usually unavailable for earlier dates. Church records are generally the only source of information for documents pertaining to events prior to 1924. Care should be taken, however, to ensure that information on documents has not been officially changed by court order. Certified extracts from the Civil Affairs offices are readily available upon request. A fee is charged for this service.
Available
Fees: 20 SYP
Document Name: Birth Record
Issuing Government Authority: The Civil Affairs - Ministry of Interior
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Usually round red with eagle emblem - Arabic writing "The Ministry of Interior-The General Directorate of Civil Affairs" on top of the eagle - "The Civil Affairs Directorate in the City of (Name of the city)" below
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The Civil Registrar
Registration Criteria: Usually after checking the Civil Registration book if done in the same office, or contacting the office of origin through a computer request.
Procedure for Obtaining: 1- In Person. 2- A family member. 3- A lawyer
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: 1- Identity card. 2- Family card. 3- Individual Civil Extract
Exceptions: None
Comments: The seal added to the document will be of an issuing authority other than Civil Affairs if issued under another government department, e.g. the Ministry of Municipalities. This service became available in Syria in 2011 to facilitate document issuing procedures.
Available
Fees: There are no fees
Document Name: Death Statement
Issuing Government Authority: The Civil Affairs - Ministry of Interior.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Usually, round red with eagle emblem - Arabic writing "The Ministry of Interior-The General Directorate of Civil Affairs" on top of the eagle - "The Civil Affairs Directorate in the City of (Name of the city)" below.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The Civil Registrar
Registration Criteria: Usually after checking the Civil Registration book if done in the same office, or contacting the office of origin through a computer request.
Procedure for Obtaining: 1- A family member 2- A lawyer
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: The seal added to the document will be of an issuing authority other than the Civil Affairs if issued under another government department, e,g. the Ministry of Municipalities. This service has become available in Syria in 2011 to facilitate document issuing procedures.
Available
Fees: 20 SYP
Document Name: Marriage Record
Issuing Government Authority: The Civil Affairs - Ministry of Interior.
Special Seal(s)/ Color / Format: Usually round red with eagle emblem - Arabic writing "The Ministry of Interior-The General Directorate of Civil Affairs" on top of the eagle - "The Civil Affairs Directorate in the City of (Name of the city)" below
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The Civil Registrar
Registration Criteria: Usually after checking the Civil Registration book if done in the same office or contacting the office of origin through a computer request.
Procedure for Obtaining: Marriage and divorce documents shall be submitted by the Religious Courts to the Secretary of the Civil Register where the event has taken place within 15 days if the event took place within the jurisdiction of the Secretariat of the Civil Register, and 30 days if the event occurred outside the jurisdiction (Article 22/amended by legislative Decree 102 of 1969).
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: Family Extract
Exceptions: None
Comments: Marriage in Syria is religious- Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Syria follow their own laws regarding marriage and divorce. Muslim Court is presided over by a Muslim Judge, and a Christian Court is presided over by the Bishop or Metropolitan (a bishop who is head of an ecclesiastical province) of that church. However, under Syrian law, a marriage or divorce is not recognized until it is registered with the Civil Registry. Therefore, marriage contracts and divorce court orders should not be accepted as proof of marriage or divorce by the U.S. government for immigration purposes since they must be filed with the Civil Registry to be recognized by the Syrian government.
The legal age for marriage is 18 for males and females. However, if a male, or female is 15 years or older they may be married if a judge deems both to be willing parties to the marriage, both are ‘physically mature,’ and the fathers or grandfathers; (if they are the custodians) of each are required to give their consent. If a female under 18 wants to be wed, a judge will ask her custodian to give consent within 15 days period, and if the judge finds that the custodian’s disapproval to the marriage is inconsequential, the judge will approve the marriage taking into consideration the competency of the husband and the customary dowry.
The seal added to the document will be of an issuing authority other than Civil Affairs if issued under another government department, e.g. the Ministry of Municipalities. This service became available in Syria in 2011 to facilitate document issuing procedures. In addition, the Syrian government opened new service centers, called Citizen Service Centers, in major cities to facilitate the issuance of civil documents.
In Syria, Muslim men can marry Christians or Jews (Muslim men cannot marry outside of the three Abrahamic religions), but Muslim women cannot marry outside their religion. If a foreigner wants to marry a Syrian citizen in a Syrian Religious Court and register the marriage with Civil Affairs, the foreign spouse must provide proof of their religion and file for a security clearance with Syrian Intelligence, which normally takes up to six months, but could take longer in times of civil conflict.
Marriage in Syria must be religious. The only civil marriages in Syrian Civil Courts are for foreigners who are not Muslims, Christians or Jews.
Same-sex marriage is not recognized in Syria.
Available
Fees: 20 SYP
Document Name: Statement of Divorce
Issuing Authority: The Civil Affairs - Ministry of Interior
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Usually round red with eagle emblem - Arabic writing "The Ministry of Interior-The General Directorate of Civil Affairs" on top of the eagle - "The Civil Affairs Directorate in the City of (Name of the city)" below.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The Civil Registrar
Registration Criteria: Usually after checking the Civil Registration book if done in the same office or by contacting the office of origin through a computer request.
Procedure for Obtaining: This certificate can be obtained in person, by a family member, or by a lawyer. To obtain a certificate of divorce, the couple needs to register with their local Civil Registrar. Once in the Civil Registration book (if local) or by computer request (if they used a different office of origin), they may obtain the divorce certificate.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: Women can file for divorce without the consent of their husbands.
The seal added to the document will be of an issuing authority other than Civil Affairs if issued under another government department, e,g. the Ministry of Municipalities. This service has been available in Syria since 2011 to facilitate document issuing procedures.
Unavailable: The Syrian Catholic Church obtained authority to issue adoption court orders according to decree number 31, issued on June 18, 2006. This decree was later cancelled by decree 76, issued in 2010. Syrian law does not allow adoption. However, the Islamic court may grant custody of an orphan to a guardian. There is no available documents regarding Adoption and you can always get custody from the court so this should be under court documents below.
Available: After the age of 14
Fees: 1000 SYP
Document Name: Personal Card
Issuing Government Authority: The Civil Affairs - Ministry of Interior.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: No seal. Plastic ID
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The Civil Registrar
Registration Criteria: Checking the Civil Affairs database.
Procedure for Obtaining: In person
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available
Alternate Documents: Individual Civil Extract with a photo registered with the local mayor.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available: Available to Syrian citizens residing in Syria, but may be unavailable to citizens living outside the country.
Fees: 55 SYP
Document Name: Non convicted certificate
Issuing Authority: Ministry of Interior
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Criminal Security Administration
Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: 1-In Person, 2- Family member
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: Police records (Non Convicted) will be issued for the requesting person in case of availability of one of the following documents:
Available
Fees: Variable in a form of stamps.
Document Name: Court Order
Issuing Authority: Syrian Court - Ministry of Justice.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Usually, for Muslim Religious Court, round black with eagle emblem - Arabic writing "Ministry of Justice" and name of the court. Or round blue for Christian courts. Generally, the form of the seal is different from court to court.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Judge or Bishop.
Registration Criteria: Checking the courts records and civil record.
Procedure for Obtaining: 1- In Person 2- A person with a Power of Attorney 3- A lawyer
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: There are different types of courts in Syria: Civil Courts, Criminal Courts, Economic Courts, Military Courts, and Religious Courts.
Available
Syrian males over the age of 18 must present themselves for the mandatory military service, and when they do, they receive Military Cards. Syrian males keep this document after their discharge from the service and present it again when they are called up for reserve. This document records the dates, all events and duties of the bearer from the first day in military service until the time of discharge from duty. If this document is lost or unavailable, military statements can be obtained from the Mobilization Department.
Military service is mandatory for all Syrian males. However, the mandatory military service requirement can be waived for different reasons. (e.g. if the candidate has a permanent disability, which prevents him from performing his duty, if he is the only male child of his parent(s), if he has a brother who died on duty, or if he is a resident in another country and paid the military exemption fee. Additionally, the requirement can be postponed if the candidate is a student.
Fees: Free
Document Name: Flag Service Card
Issuing Authority: Ministry of Defense.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Oval or round.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Branch Officer
Registration Criteria: Checking the Civil Affairs database and Ministry of Defense database.
Procedure for Obtaining: In person
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: There are other types of military extracts or statements that provide specific piece of information concerning military service. These documents are usually handwritten, or computer typed on normal paper.
Update as of February 5, 2024: Between August and December 2023, the Government of Syria began issuing a new passport book as part of a new service for Syrians to renew their passports electronically, rather than requiring them to appear in person in all such cases. This new passport book did not comply with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for machine readable travel documents, as it lacked a written signature field for the passport holder.
Syrian authorities have rectified this issue as of January 1, 2024, by updating the passport books to include a signature field on page three. For those passports issued between August and December 2023 without the signature field, Syrian authorities have instructed passport holders that they may request a written signature and endorsement from a Syrian embassy or consulate. The new passport with the amended signature line, as well as the new passport books with the permanent signature line issued January 2024 and later may be accepted.
Passport books without the signature line are not accepted. Such applicants presenting these passports should obtain the endorsement of their written signature from a Syrian embassy or consulate or obtain a new passport with signature line included.
Types Available: There are four different types of Syrian passports:
Other Documents Available:
Document Name: Passport
Issuing Government Authority: Department of Immigration and Passport - Ministry of Interior.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The Syrian Government issues a photo-digitized machine-readable passport with security features. The current passport is 5 inches by 3.5 inches. The color of the passport is dark blue and has a golden eagle seal in the middle. The Syrian passport displays the following key features:
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Director of Department of Immigration and passports
Registration Criteria: Checking the Civil Affairs database.
Procedure for Obtaining: In person
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments:
Not applicable.
Post Title: Damascus, Syria (Embassy)--Services currently suspended.
Street Address:
2, Al-Mansour Street
Abu Roumaneh
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 29
Damascus, Syria
Tel: (963) (11) 3391-4444
Fax: (963) (11) 331-9678
E-mail: acsdamascus@state.gov
Visa Services:
Amman, Jordan (Embassy)
P.O. Box 354
Comments / Additional Information:
Tel: 962 (6) 592-0101
Fax: 962 (6) 592-4102
Note: The U.S. Embassy workweek is Sunday through Thursday.
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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