Syria announced on Thursday that from next Sunday, the issuance of passports to Syrian nationals living abroad would resume. This measure will be implemented via diplomatic missions and consulates. According to Anadolu, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said on the X platform: “We are pleased to announce the reactivation of the passport issuance system through our diplomatic missions and electronic consulates.”
The issuance process will follow the appointment system currently in force in all diplomatic missions. This decision comes after statements by Foreign Minister Esaad Al-Sheibani that efforts are underway to improve services provided to Syrians abroad.
Among the measures envisaged, the minister mentioned the extension of the validity of passports and the reduction of associated fees. In a previous post on X, Al-Sheibani urged consulates to improve their services, temporarily suspend document authentication fees and address expatriates’ concerns. “We are also evaluating measures such as extending the validity of passports and reducing fees in order to ease the burden on our citizens abroad,” he said.
-These announcements come a month after opposition forces overthrew the regime of Bashar al-Assad. According to the Anadolu website, this development marks efforts to restore trust with Syrian expatriates and facilitate their engagement with national institutions. Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, took refuge in Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on December 8. This transition ends decades of Baath Party power.
The regime’s fall was precipitated by a lightning offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters, who captured key towns in less than two weeks. A new administration, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, has since taken control of the country.
