First Card Used Abroad
The Central Bank of Syria has launched a pilot phase for internationally enabled bank cards, with the first cross-border payment completed at Dubai International Airport. It marks the first time in years that a card issued by a Syrian bank has been used for a transaction outside the country.
The programme was announced by the central bank's governor, Safwat Raslan, on 29 September 2026, with operational details set out by Deputy Governor Omar al-Halabi on 1 October 2026.
How the Cards Work
The pilot runs on the Mastercard network, and the cards are issued by Syrian banks. Using a card abroad requires the holder to keep a foreign-currency balance or guarantee, and the amount is deducted directly when the card currency matches the transaction currency.
Payments involving different currencies follow the conversion rules of the global payment network and the terms of the issuing bank. The cards can be used at points of sale, for cash withdrawals at automated teller machines, and for online purchases, with the services available depending on the bank.
Limits and Rollout
Spending ceilings are tied to the scope of the pilot and differ from one institution to another. Officials said the limits would be reviewed and raised gradually as operations stabilize and more banks join the scheme.
The deputy governor said the rollout was proceeding according to standards agreed between Syrian banks and international payment companies, expanding step by step rather than all at once.
Return to Global Payments
The launch represents an initial step toward reconnecting Syria's banking sector to the international payment infrastructure from which it was largely cut off. A working link to a global card network would let Syrians pay and withdraw abroad through the formal banking system rather than informal channels.
The central bank presented the pilot as the start of a wider reintegration, to be broadened as additional lenders are added to the network and the system proves stable.