Syria and the UK

Emergency help for British nationals

Get help if you're the victim of crime, you've been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad.

British Embassy Damascus
The British Embassy in Damascus is unable to provide any consular assistance as operations have been suspended and diplomatic personnel have been withdrawn.
Compensation for victims of terrorist attacks abroad
Compensation for terrorist attacks abroad - eligibility, acts of terrorism covered, application form, helpline
Compensation if you're a victim of crime abroad
If you're a UK resident and have been injured because of a violent crime abroad, you can usually apply for compensation
Get help if you're a victim of crime abroad
Contact the nearest British embassy, commission or consulate to get help if you're the victim of crime abroad
Help if you're arrested abroad
Find out what the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can do to help if you or someone you know is arrested abroad.
Rape and sexual assault abroad: returning to the UK
Information for British nationals affected by rape or sexual assault abroad and returning to the UK, including how to access medical treatment and legal advice in the UK.
What to do if you’re affected by a crisis overseas
Advice for British nationals affected by crises abroad, including terrorist attacks, natural disasters and major political unrest, and information on what help the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) can provide.

Includes how to cancel a lost passport, renew a passport and apply for an emergency travel document.

Apply for or renew a British passport if you're visiting the UK
You can apply for or renew a British passport while you're visiting the UK - as long as you expect to be in the UK for long enough
Cancel a lost or stolen passport
What you need to do if your passport has been lost or stolen and you need to travel urgently - emergency travel document and replacement passport.
Get an emergency travel document
Apply for an emergency travel document if you're outside the UK and haven't got a valid British passport - apply online, how to apply, fee, timings
Overseas British passport applications
Renew, replace or apply for an adult or child British passport if you’re living abroad or working overseas - forms, prices, how long it takes

Includes travel advice and how to get married abroad.

Driving abroad
You'll need a Great Britain or Northern Ireland licence to drive abroad and an International Driving Permit in some non-EU countries
Getting married abroad
Requirements, paperwork and processes for weddings and civil partnerships overseas - registration, restrictions, fees
Reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad
How to minimise your risk and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.
Syria travel advice
Latest travel advice for Syria including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health
Taking a vehicle out of the UK
Taking your car out of the UK - when VAT is not payable on a car you are exporting, procedures, registration and vehicle tax

Get a visa to study, work or visit the UK.

Apply for a Commonwealth visa in Syria
Guidance on how to apply for a visa for a Commonwealth country or British overseas territory in Syria.
Check if you need a UK visa
You may need a visa to come to the UK to visit, study or work.
Contact UK Visas and Immigration about your application
How to contact UK visas and immigration (UKVI) from inside and outside the UK.
Get your visa, immigration or citizenship documents back
Get your documents returned if you've made a UK visa, immigration or citizenship application but need them back urgently

Includes how to access healthcare, get a document legalised, lists of lawyers and how to vote abroad.

Support for British nationals abroad: A guide
This guide highlights some of the main ways you can help yourself stay safe abroad and what help the FCO can provide.
Syria travel advice
Latest travel advice for Syria including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health
Voting when you’re abroad
How to vote if you're going to be abroad temporarily on election day, and what to do if you're moving overseas long term

Includes how to pay tax, claim State Pension and get tax credits abroad.

Claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad
Benefits you can claim if you go abroad and countries with social security arrangements with the UK
Moving or retiring abroad
What you need to know if you move or retire abroad - tax, pensions, voting and contacting your local council
National Insurance if you go abroad
Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out if you need to pay National Insurance when you work abroad
State Pension if you retire abroad
How to claim State Pension if you're overseas - payment, tax, change of circumstances - contact the International Pension Centre
Tax credits if you leave or move to the UK
Tax credits if you live abroad, go travelling, are a cross-border worker or subject to immigration control
Tax on foreign income
Find out whether you need to pay UK tax on foreign income - residence and ‘non-dom’ status, tax returns, claiming relief if you’re taxed twice (including certificates of residence)
Tax on your UK income if you live abroad
Find out whether you need to pay tax on your UK income while you're living abroad - non-resident landlord scheme, tax returns, claiming relief if you’re taxed twice, personal allowance of tax-free income, form R43
Work in another EU country
UK citizens can work in any European Economic Area country and Switzerland without a work permit - where you can work, your rights, protection for posted workers and National Insurance payments

Includes how to get married, list of funeral directors and how to register a birth abroad.

Getting married abroad
Requirements, paperwork and processes for weddings and civil partnerships overseas - registration, restrictions, fees
Register a birth abroad
Parents must register the birth in the country where the child was born - find out if you can also register the birth in the UK
Surrogacy overseas
Information for British nationals who are considering entering into surrogacy arrangements in foreign countries.
What to do after someone dies
The steps you must take when someone dies - register a death, report a death with Tell Us Once, coroners, funerals and death abroad

Find out about the UK government's diplomatic, security and development work in Syria.

DFID Syria Crisis Response
The DFID Syria Crisis Response team coordinates the UK's humanitarian response in Syria.
Syria and the UK
Updates, news and events from the UK government in Syria

Includes investing and setting up a business in the UK and doing business in Syria.

Business investment in the UK: Guidance for overseas businesses
Guidance on why overseas companies should set up and locate their businesses in the UK. Includes information on UK business investment and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) opportunities.
Set up a business
What you need to do to start a business: choose a legal structure, see if you need licences and insurance, learn about reliefs and benefits

Includes contact details for the British Embassy Beirut in Lebanon. There is no British embassy or consulate in Syria.

British Embassy Damascus
The British Embassy in Damascus is unable to provide any consular assistance as operations have been suspended and diplomatic personnel have been withdrawn.