Visa, Mastercard complete first international card payments in Syria

Visa ↘ 0.57% and Mastercard ↘ 0.59% each completed landmark first live international payment transactions in Syria on Wednesday, marking the country's most concrete step yet toward full reintegration into the global financial system — just days after the United States formally removed Syria from its state sponsors of terrorism list.

A Presidential Swipe in Old Damascus

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa made one of the first Visa card payments at a restaurant in Old Damascus, according to Anadolu Agency, as the country reconnected to global payment networks after more than 15 years of sanctions-driven isolation. The transaction was facilitated by Fransabank Lebanon as the acquiring institution and Paymera as the payment enabler.techafricanews+1

"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," said Leila Serhan, Senior Vice President at Visa's North Africa, Levant and Pakistan region.techafricanews

Separately, QNB Group announced it had completed the first end-to-end international card payment using Mastercard through its point-of-sale terminals in Syria. The transaction covered the full payment cycle, from card authorization to merchant settlement, enabling hotels, restaurants, and government entities to accept international Mastercard payments.thepeninsulaqatar

Sanctions Barrier Lifted

The milestones come three days after the US officially removed Syria from its state sponsors of terrorism list on August 24, ending a designation in place since 1979. The BBC reported the move lifted what Washington called the "final major barriers" for private sector investment in the country. Syria had authorized banks to work with Visa and Mastercard in May as part of broader financial modernization efforts.gulfnews+1

Building on Months of Groundwork

The Central Bank of Syria's governor, Mohammed Safwat Raslan, said the modernization of the national payments ecosystem and its integration with international systems is "an important part of the broader modernization of Syria's financial infrastructure".techafricanews

Visa's efforts built on a strategic roadmap announced in December 2025, an industry gathering in Damascus in February 2026, and a signing with Syria's Ministry of Communications in San Francisco that same month. Mastercard's Adam Jones, Division President for West Arabia, said the company is "committed to working with the Central Bank of Syria and key ecosystem stakeholders to support the modernisation of the country's payment infrastructure".thepeninsulaqatar+1

With Cuba, North Korea, and Iran now the only countries remaining on the US state sponsors of terrorism list, Syria's financial reconnection is accelerating — though observers note full card acceptance across the country will take time to roll out.bbc+1