Visa payments in Syria took a practical step forward after digital payments firm Visa completed its first live international card transaction in the country on August 27, 2026. The test was conducted in coordination with Fransabank Lebanon acting as the acquiring financial institution alongside electronic payment firm Paymera.
The operation represents an initial phase toward enabling international visitors to use foreign-issued cards across local merchant points. Consequently, this initiative seeks to expand digital transaction options within the Syrian market under applicable regulatory standards.
Partnership Behind Visa Payments in Syria
Fransabank Lebanon and Paymera served as core operating partners during the live card test. Both entities coordinated network connectivity to link local acceptance points with Visa’s international settlement network. Nadim Moujaes, CEO of Fransabank Group subsidiary, stated that the step reflects ongoing work to reconnect the country to international payment networks under approved governance and compliance frameworks.
“The return of international card acceptance is an important milestone for Syria’s digital transformation journey. As one of the enablers of this milestone, Paymera is pleased to collaborate with Visa, Fransabank Lebanon and other ecosystem partners to help connect visitors and businesses to secure digital payment capabilities.”
Michel Kattouah, CEO of Paymera
Leila Serhan, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for the North Africa, Levant and Pakistan region at Visa, noted that the company collaborated with local entities over recent months to prepare technical foundations for the test, aiming to expand secure options as a foundation to expand Visa payments in Syria for incoming visitors.
Regulatory Backing and Financial Oversight
The Central Bank of Syria oversaw the operational trial as part of a national push to modernize payment infrastructure. H.E. Mohammed Safwat Raslan, Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, emphasized that integrating national systems with global payment networks remains a priority.
“Maintaining strong compliance, risk management and operational controls will remain essential to safeguarding the integrity of payment and settlement operations and strengthening confidence in the payment’s ecosystem.”
H.E. Mohammed Safwat Raslan, Governor of the Central Bank of Syria
Milestones in Modernizing Financial Infrastructure
The August 2026 test follows a sequence of institutional engagements initiated in late 2025. In December 2025, Visa outlined a strategic roadmap aimed at assisting the country’s integration into global digital commerce within the economy sector.
Subsequently, Visa convened an industry gathering in Damascus during February 2026, bringing together commercial banks, financial policymakers, and technical specialists. In the same month, the company signed a formal cooperation agreement in San Francisco with Syria’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, supporting broader adoption of Visa payments in Syria under official oversight.
Facilitating Commercial Activity and Tourism
Expanding electronic transaction capabilities provides direct support to international travel, cross-border commerce, and the local tourism sector. Enabling foreign cards reduces cash dependency for travelers and retail outlets alike, creating verifiable accounting records for commercial establishments.
As technical integrations continue through telecom and banking channels, project stakeholders plan to widen card acceptance points across commercial centers, hotels, and service providers nationwide.
