Syria

Do they issue visas for that length of time?

We are currently in the USA. My husband is from Syria and has a Syrian passport. Myself and our children both have USA passports. We’re planning to visit for a 2–3 month period. Second question, we are planning on moving there permanently at some point. Do you have any insight on that process, papers wise?

They took a 1L duty-free bottle off me at the airport.

Is drinking in Damascus actually finished now or can you still buy a sealed bottle somewhere. Not looking for a bar crawl, just whether it is done.

Did anyone actually buy a local eSIM at DAM, or do I need a city shop?

iPhone, no physical tray. Airalo has nothing for Syria. There are random tourist eSIM sites that look auto-generated.

Has anyone actually boarded recently, and which airline?

US passport, trying to fly into DAM. Half the pages say visa on arrival, half say I need an agency letter first, and then people say the airline just will not let you on. I was looking at Royal Jordanian or Qatar and I cannot eat a wasted ticket.

Is that normal from the US or am I about to send money into a hole?

Booking.com is empty for the old courtyard houses. I have been WhatsApping one and they want the first night through Al Haram (شركة الهرم) before I have even seen the room.

Can I actually pay a hotel or hit an ATM in Damascus / Aleppo this week, or do I still walk around with dollars?

There was news that cards are coming back. I have Visa and Mastercard on me.

Did a Swiss or EU passport actually stamp there lately or is he going to get turned around?

Friend is Swiss, already in Amman, wants to cross at Nassib. Some pages tell him apply in advance, some say just pay at the border. The e-visa site is still dead when he tries it.

Do I actually need a tourism company to board, or can I just show up?

German passport, THY ticket already bought. Berlin embassy does not answer. A relative in Damascus said only family can file for me.