The administration of President Donald Trump has granted Syrian officials permission to enter the United States for meetings in Washington and New York, according to officials and sources familiar with the matter.

The officials are expected to attend the highly anticipated spring meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

US officials emphasized that the decision does not mark a shift in Washington’s policy toward Syria, which remains reluctant to engage with Syria’s president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, over his previous ties to ISIS and al-Qaeda.

The US continues to demand a clear commitment from al-Sharaa and his government to uphold the rights of all sects and minorities within Syrian society and to unequivocally condemn terrorism. Among a list of conditions previously delivered to Damascus in exchange for sanctions relief, the US has also called for the removal of foreign fighters appointed by al-Sharaa to senior posts.

A split has emerged within the Trump administration over its Syria policy. Some have advocated for more outreach to Damascus in the hope of driving away its interest to look to Russia or China for aid, while others continue to label al-Sharaa as a terrorist and oppose any interaction with him or his aides who were members of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham.

The administration of former President Joe Biden met directly with al-Sharaa and told him that the US would no longer pursue the $10 million bounty on his head.

Syrian officials responsible for overseeing the interim government’s financial and economic affairs have received the necessary visas from the State Department to attend the meetings.

Other officials, including Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani, were granted limited visas to participate in sessions at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

This could change at the last minute, officials cautioned.

A US State Department spokesperson said all visa applications undergo a thorough review in accordance with US law, but noted that visa records are confidential. “We cannot speculate on whether someone may or may not be eligible for a visa,” the official told Al Arabiya English.

However, the official pointed out that a G-3 visa — a non-immigrant visa for representatives from non-recognized governments — can be issued to those attending meetings on behalf of member states at designated international organizations such as the UN, World Bank, or IMF.

The US has previously issued similar visas to officials from governments it designates as state sponsors of terrorism — most notably Iran — to attend the annual UN General Assembly in New York. These visas are often restricted, limiting movement to specific streets and buildings.

Under a 1947 agreement between the US and the UN, federal, state, and local authorities are prohibited from obstructing travel to or from UN headquarters. However, the State Department retains the right to deny visas on national security grounds.

On Friday, two Republican lawmakers visited Syria, with one reportedly meeting the interim president.

“There’s an opportunity here. These opportunities come around once in a lifetime,” Marlin Stutzman was quoted as telling Reuters. “I don’t want Syria pushed into the arms of China, or back into the arms of Russia and Iran,” he added.

The second lawmaker, Cory Mills — a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees — is expected to meet with al-Sharaa this weekend.

Officials and sources told Al Arabiya English they anticipate significant financial pledges to be announced for Syria during next week’s World Bank meetings in the forms of loans and grants, specifically in the energy sector to ease the electricity crisis in the war-torn country.