Visa and Mastercard Process First International Card Transactions in Syria
Visa and Mastercard have executed their first international card transactions in Syria as the country works to reconnect with global payment systems. This development follows the U.S. government's decision to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, facilitating broader financial integration. Mastercard collaborated with Qatar’s QNB Group on a point-of-sale transaction using an internationally issued Mastercard card at a local merchant in Syria. Visa partnered with Lebanon-based Fransabank and Paymera for the first live cross-border payment test. The Central Bank of Syria confirmed these transactions as the official start of international card acceptance, though services are still limited. Both companies emphasized their commitment to supporting digital payments and financial inclusion while adhering to legal and regulatory requirements.
