New Vehicle Tariffs Imposed by Syria at Turkish Border Checkpoints
Starting July 10, 2025, Syrian expatriates living abroad (excluding those residing in Turkey) will be allowed to enter Syrian territory via Turkey for transit purposes exclusively through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing. This marks the latest development in cross-border regulations between Syria and Turkey, as the Syrian authorities aim to formalize border procedures and manage the movement of Syrian nationals abroad.
The new regulations allow Syrian expatriates (excluding those residing in Turkey) to transit through Bab al-Hawa crossing with foreign nationality or residency documents, including provisions for children under 18 years old who are Syrian expatriates with foreign nationality but do not possess Syrian passports. This facilitates family transit without requiring Syrian passports for minors.
Notably, adult Syrians with foreign nationality can register and enter even if their Syrian passports are expired. The transit mechanism, however, excludes Syrians who enter Syria via Jordan, Lebanon, or Damascus International Airport. Those individuals must obtain crossing permission through the Turkish Embassy in Damascus or the Turkish Consulate in Aleppo.
New fees have been imposed on private vehicles entering Syria from Turkey. A one-month permit costs $50, and a three-month permit is priced at $200. Vehicle owners can extend their stay by returning to their original entry point before the permit expires. Overstaying without extension incurs penalties of $110 per week.
The Bab al-Hawa crossing remains a critical gateway between Syria and Turkey, particularly important for humanitarian aid delivery and civilian movement. The new regulations do not affect the extension of vehicle permits for private vehicles entering Syria through all land crossings with Turkey, with the exception of the Bab al-Hawa crossing which has unique rules for humanitarian aid and civilian movement.
Türkiye hosts the world's largest Syrian refugee population, with approximately 3.6 million Syrians under temporary protection status. Syria is pursuing efforts to formalize border procedures while managing the movement of Syrian nationals living in diaspora communities worldwide.
[1] Syrian authority announcement, July 2025.
- The new regulations, effective July 2025, exclude Syrian expatriates residing in Turkiye from entering Syria via the Bab al-Hawa border crossing.
- Despite the new fees imposed on private vehicles entering Syria from Turkey, the Bab al-Hawa crossing continues to be a crucial route for humanitarian aid delivery and civilian movement.
- As Turkiye hosts the world's largest Syrian refugee population, the Turkish government plays a significant role in the politics and general news related to the management of Syrian nationals living in diaspora communities worldwide, including crime and justice matters.
