Syria takes major step towards international card payments after first transactions in 15 years

Damascus: Syria has taken a major step towards restoring international card payments, with Visa and Mastercard announcing successful live transactions in the country — the first such payments in more than 15 years.

The developments mark a significant milestone in Syria's efforts to reconnect its payments infrastructure with the global financial system and could eventually make it easier for international visitors, including travellers from the UAE and wider Gulf, to use their familiar bank cards while in the country.

Mastercard and QNB Group said they processed Syria's first international card payment in more than 15 years, following the technical reconnection of the country's payments ecosystem to Mastercard's global network.

Separately, Visa said it had tested its first live international transaction in Syria in cooperation with Fransabank Lebanon and Paymera.

Both developments are being positioned as important steps towards wider international card acceptance in Syria.

Under the Mastercard transaction, QNB Syria processed the first point-of-sale payment at an eligible approved local merchant using an internationally issued Mastercard card.

Mastercard said the successful transaction demonstrates that the infrastructure required to accept internationally issued Mastercard cards in Syria is ready.

Visa also said its successful test was the beginning of a move towards expanding digital payment capabilities and providing international visitors with a familiar, secure and convenient way to pay.

However, the announcements describe the transactions as milestones and steps towards broader acceptance. They do not mean that every merchant in Syria currently accepts international Visa or Mastercard cards.

The Central Bank of Syria has described the developments as part of a wider effort to modernise the country's financial infrastructure.

Mohammed Safwat Raslan, Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, said the first international card transaction in more than 15 years was an important step.

“The completion of Syria’s first international card transaction in more than 15 years is an important step in modernizing the country’s payments ecosystem,” he said.

“This achievement demonstrates the value of collaboration between the public and private sectors in enabling secure international payment acceptance, facilitating commerce and supporting sustainable economic development.”

He said the country's aim was to expand secure and efficient payment solutions that could facilitate commerce and tourism and improve the payment experience.

Visa's latest development builds on a strategic roadmap announced with the Central Bank of Syria and financial institutions in December 2025.

Leila Serhan, Visa's Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for the North Africa, Levant and Pakistan region, said the company had spent several months working to support the reintroduction of digital payments in Syria.

Serhan said Visa had been working with partners and stakeholders to lay the foundations for a more connected and digitally enabled economy, while operating within applicable legal, regulatory and compliance requirements.

“We are excited to have successfully tested live transactions today as we plan to enable international visitors to use their Visa cards while in Syria,” she said.

Mastercard's transaction was carried out with QNB Group, with QNB Syria processing the first point-of-sale payment using an internationally issued Mastercard card.

Yousef Mahmoud Al-Neama, Group Chief Business Officer at QNB Group, said the transaction represented an important step in developing Syria's payments landscape.

“By connecting merchants to international payment capabilities, we are enabling businesses to offer customers greater choice and convenience while supporting the transition towards a more modern and secure digital payments ecosystem,” he said.

Adam Jones, Division President, West Arabia, Mastercard, said the transaction was an important milestone in the evolution of Syria's payments ecosystem.

“By working closely with the Central Bank of Syria and QNB Group, we are helping advance a more connected, secure and inclusive payments environment,” he said.

“This achievement marks an important first step towards expanding access to global payment capabilities and broader international card acceptance across the market.”

The payments developments come as Syria moves towards greater reintegration with the international financial system.

The United States has also removed Syria from its state sponsors of terrorism list, following a 45-day congressional review period. The move removed a major legal and compliance concern for financial institutions and investors considering business with Syria.

The US administration had already terminated comprehensive sanctions on Syria in July 2025, while retaining targeted sanctions against specific individuals and groups.

The removal of the terrorism designation was described by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani as removing the “last obstacle” to reconnecting Syria to the global financial and economic system and attracting investment.

“There is no longer any obstacle to investment, doing business and rebuilding economic life in Syria,” he said, according to Reuters.

Visa's December 2025 roadmap included plans to work with licensed financial institutions on payment cards and digital wallets, using global standards such as EMV chip technology and tokenisation.

Visa also planned to help merchants introduce lower-cost acceptance solutions, including Tap to Phone and QR codes, while supporting local entrepreneurs and small businesses entering the digital economy.

Mastercard similarly said it would continue working with the Central Bank of Syria, financial institutions and other ecosystem partners to advance digital payment adoption.