Syria Achieves First International Card Transactions as Visa and Mastercard Re-enter Market

Major payment networks Visa and Mastercard have successfully completed their inaugural international card transactions in Syria, marking a significant step as the nation works to reintegrate with the global financial system.

These transactions follow the U.S. government’s formal decision to remove Syria from its state sponsors of terrorism list, paving the way for renewed international financial connections.

Qatar’s QNB Group partnered with Mastercard to conduct an international card transaction within the country. In parallel, Visa announced the successful completion of its first live cross-border payment trial in Syria, working alongside Lebanon’s Fransabank.

In a statement, Mastercard reported that QNB Syria processed the first point-of-sale transaction at an approved local merchant using an internationally issued Mastercard card. This followed the technical reconnection of Syria’s payments ecosystem to the global network.

The transaction demonstrates the readiness of the infrastructure established to enable internationally issued Mastercard cards to be accepted in Syria, the payment network stated.

Mastercard West Arabia division president Adam Jones said: “At Mastercard, we see this first transaction as an important milestone in the evolution of Syria’s payments ecosystem. By working closely with the Central Bank of Syria and QNB Group, we are helping advance a more connected, secure and inclusive payments environment.

“This achievement marks an important first step towards expanding access to global payment capabilities and broader international card acceptance across the market.”

Visa conducted its first live international transaction in Syria in partnership with Fransabank Lebanon as the acquiring financial institution and domestic payment technology company Paymera.

The Central Bank of Syria confirmed that these transactions mark the official start of international card acceptance services in the country, Reuters reported. The authority noted that while service rollout remains limited across the country, technical preparations and testing had been underway for several months.

Visa Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for the North Africa, Levant, and Pakistan region Leila Serhan said: “At Visa, our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure payments network.

“Over the past several months, we have taken important steps to support the reintroduction of digital payments in Syria and greater participation in the global digital economy within applicable legal, regulatory and compliance requirements, working closely with partners and stakeholders to help lay the foundations for a more connected and digitally enabled economy.

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