Visa Tests First Live International Card Transaction in Syria

Damascus, Syria — 26 August 2026

Visa announced the successful testing of a live international card transaction in Syria, marking an important milestone in the country''s developing digital payments ecosystem.

The test was conducted with Fransabank Lebanon acting as the acquiring financial institution and Paymera as a technology and payments ecosystem partner.

The initiative represents an important step toward enabling international visitors to use familiar international card payment methods while in Syria and toward reconnecting the country''s payment infrastructure with international payment networks.

Central Bank welcomes modernization of Syria''s payment ecosystem

H.E. Mohammed Safwat Raslan, Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, described the modernization of the national payments ecosystem and its increased integration with international payment systems as an important component of Syria''s wider financial infrastructure modernization.

The Governor noted that the test helps pave the way for international card acceptance in Syria while emphasizing the importance of strong compliance, risk management and operational controls as the ecosystem develops.

Visa sees milestone for Syria''s digital economy

Leila Serhan, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for Visa''s North Africa, Levant and Pakistan region, said Visa has been working with partners and stakeholders to support the reintroduction of digital payments in Syria within applicable legal, regulatory and compliance requirements.

The successful live transaction represents an important milestone toward enabling international visitors to use Visa cards in Syria.

Fransabank and Paymera support international card acceptance

Fransabank described the transaction as the first step in a broader path toward international card acceptance in Syria, emphasizing governance, compliance and operational integrity.

Paymera similarly described the return of international card acceptance as an important milestone in Syria''s digital transformation and its efforts to connect visitors and businesses with secure digital payment capabilities.

Why this matters for Syria

The successful test represents another significant development in the modernization of Syria''s financial infrastructure.

Combined with the country''s evolving electronic-payment regulatory framework, greater bank connectivity and the expansion of licensed digital-payment services, international card acceptance could significantly improve payment experiences for:

• International visitors and tourists
• Hotels and hospitality businesses
• Airlines and travel companies
• Retailers and restaurants
• E-commerce businesses
• Syrian merchants serving international customers

For Syria''s payments industry, the development also demonstrates the growing importance of secure merchant acquiring, payment gateways, bank integrations, digital wallets and interoperable payment infrastructure.

E-Cash perspective

As a licensed Syrian electronic-payment provider, E-Cash welcomes developments that expand secure digital payments and strengthen Syria''s connection with modern payment infrastructure.

E-Cash continues to develop its payment gateway, wallet, merchant acceptance and banking connectivity infrastructure to support the growth of Syria''s digital economy.