diff --git a/src/compiler/checker.ts b/src/compiler/checker.ts
index 4fb6b55412e02..e0c31788104d9 100644
--- a/src/compiler/checker.ts
+++ b/src/compiler/checker.ts
@@ -34795,14 +34795,19 @@ namespace ts {
             }
             if (node.parent.kind === SyntaxKind.InterfaceDeclaration || node.parent.kind === SyntaxKind.ClassDeclaration || node.parent.kind === SyntaxKind.TypeAliasDeclaration) {
                 const modifiers = getVarianceModifiers(typeParameter);
-                if (modifiers === ModifierFlags.In || modifiers === ModifierFlags.Out) {
+                if (modifiers) {
                     const symbol = getSymbolOfNode(node.parent);
-                    const source = createMarkerType(symbol, typeParameter, modifiers === ModifierFlags.Out ? markerSubType : markerSuperType);
-                    const target = createMarkerType(symbol, typeParameter, modifiers === ModifierFlags.Out ? markerSuperType : markerSubType);
-                    const saveVarianceTypeParameter = typeParameter;
-                    varianceTypeParameter = typeParameter;
-                    checkTypeAssignableTo(source, target, node, Diagnostics.Type_0_is_not_assignable_to_type_1_as_implied_by_variance_annotation);
-                    varianceTypeParameter = saveVarianceTypeParameter;
+                    if (node.parent.kind === SyntaxKind.TypeAliasDeclaration && !(getObjectFlags(getDeclaredTypeOfSymbol(symbol)) & (ObjectFlags.Anonymous | ObjectFlags.Mapped))) {
+                        error(node, Diagnostics.Variance_annotations_are_only_supported_in_type_aliases_for_object_function_constructor_and_mapped_types);
+                    }
+                    else if (modifiers === ModifierFlags.In || modifiers === ModifierFlags.Out) {
+                        const source = createMarkerType(symbol, typeParameter, modifiers === ModifierFlags.Out ? markerSubType : markerSuperType);
+                        const target = createMarkerType(symbol, typeParameter, modifiers === ModifierFlags.Out ? markerSuperType : markerSubType);
+                        const saveVarianceTypeParameter = typeParameter;
+                        varianceTypeParameter = typeParameter;
+                        checkTypeAssignableTo(source, target, node, Diagnostics.Type_0_is_not_assignable_to_type_1_as_implied_by_variance_annotation);
+                        varianceTypeParameter = saveVarianceTypeParameter;
+                    }
                 }
             }
             addLazyDiagnostic(() => checkTypeNameIsReserved(node.name, Diagnostics.Type_parameter_name_cannot_be_0));
diff --git a/src/compiler/diagnosticMessages.json b/src/compiler/diagnosticMessages.json
index 3bc61d247ace5..e8a765e514cb5 100644
--- a/src/compiler/diagnosticMessages.json
+++ b/src/compiler/diagnosticMessages.json
@@ -2743,6 +2743,10 @@
         "category": "Error",
         "code": 2636
     },
+    "Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.": {
+        "category": "Error",
+        "code": 2637
+    },
 
     "Cannot augment module '{0}' with value exports because it resolves to a non-module entity.": {
         "category": "Error",
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/varianceAnnotations.errors.txt b/tests/baselines/reference/varianceAnnotations.errors.txt
index f1be2f615bb34..5cd036e723471 100644
--- a/tests/baselines/reference/varianceAnnotations.errors.txt
+++ b/tests/baselines/reference/varianceAnnotations.errors.txt
@@ -10,12 +10,15 @@ tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotati
 tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(29,1): error TS2322: Type 'Invariant<unknown>' is not assignable to type 'Invariant<string>'.
   The types returned by 'f(...)' are incompatible between these types.
     Type 'unknown' is not assignable to type 'string'.
+tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(33,10): error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
+tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(34,10): error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
+tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(35,10): error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
+tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(35,17): error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
+tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(36,10): error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
 tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(40,17): error TS2636: Type 'Covariant1<super-T>' is not assignable to type 'Covariant1<sub-T>' as implied by variance annotation.
   Types of property 'x' are incompatible.
     Type 'super-T' is not assignable to type 'sub-T'.
-tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(44,21): error TS2636: Type 'keyof sub-T' is not assignable to type 'keyof super-T' as implied by variance annotation.
-  Type 'string | number | symbol' is not assignable to type 'keyof super-T'.
-    Type 'string' is not assignable to type 'keyof super-T'.
+tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(44,21): error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
 tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(46,21): error TS2636: Type 'Contravariant2<sub-T>' is not assignable to type 'Contravariant2<super-T>' as implied by variance annotation.
   Types of property 'f' are incompatible.
     Type '(x: sub-T) => void' is not assignable to type '(x: super-T) => void'.
@@ -37,8 +40,11 @@ tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotati
     Type 'FooFn2<sub-T>' is not assignable to type 'FooFn2<super-T>'.
       Type 'super-T' is not assignable to type 'sub-T'.
 tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(95,10): error TS1273: 'public' modifier cannot appear on a type parameter
+tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(96,10): error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
 tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(96,17): error TS1030: 'in' modifier already seen.
+tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(97,10): error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
 tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(97,17): error TS1030: 'out' modifier already seen.
+tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(98,10): error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
 tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(98,14): error TS1029: 'in' modifier must precede 'out' modifier.
 tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(100,21): error TS1274: 'in' modifier can only appear on a type parameter of a class, interface or type alias
 tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts(101,21): error TS1274: 'out' modifier can only appear on a type parameter of a class, interface or type alias
@@ -60,7 +66,7 @@ tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotati
               Type '{ type: "RESET"; }' is not assignable to type '{ type: "PLAY"; value: number; }'.
 
 
-==== tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts (23 errors) ====
+==== tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotations.ts (31 errors) ====
     type Covariant<out T> = {
         x: T;
     }
@@ -110,9 +116,19 @@ tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotati
     // Variance of various type constructors
     
     type T10<out T> = T;
+             ~~~~~
+!!! error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
     type T11<in T> = keyof T;
+             ~~~~
+!!! error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
     type T12<out T, out K extends keyof T> = T[K];
+             ~~~~~
+!!! error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
+                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+!!! error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
     type T13<in out T> = T[keyof T];
+             ~~~~~~~~
+!!! error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
     
     // Variance annotation errors
     
@@ -126,9 +142,7 @@ tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotati
     
     type Contravariant1<out T> = keyof T;  // Error
                         ~~~~~
-!!! error TS2636: Type 'keyof sub-T' is not assignable to type 'keyof super-T' as implied by variance annotation.
-!!! error TS2636:   Type 'string | number | symbol' is not assignable to type 'keyof super-T'.
-!!! error TS2636:     Type 'string' is not assignable to type 'keyof super-T'.
+!!! error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
     
     type Contravariant2<out T> = {  // Error
                         ~~~~~
@@ -208,12 +222,18 @@ tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotati
              ~~~~~~
 !!! error TS1273: 'public' modifier cannot appear on a type parameter
     type T21<in out in T> = T;  // Error
+             ~~~~~~~~~~~
+!!! error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
                     ~~
 !!! error TS1030: 'in' modifier already seen.
     type T22<in out out T> = T;  // Error
+             ~~~~~~~~~~~~
+!!! error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
                     ~~~
 !!! error TS1030: 'out' modifier already seen.
     type T23<out in T> = T;  // Error
+             ~~~~~~~~
+!!! error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
                  ~~
 !!! error TS1029: 'in' modifier must precede 'out' modifier.
     
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/varianceAnnotationsWithCircularlyReferencesError.errors.txt b/tests/baselines/reference/varianceAnnotationsWithCircularlyReferencesError.errors.txt
index d65890519677a..14d77a1e5db22 100644
--- a/tests/baselines/reference/varianceAnnotationsWithCircularlyReferencesError.errors.txt
+++ b/tests/baselines/reference/varianceAnnotationsWithCircularlyReferencesError.errors.txt
@@ -1,17 +1,26 @@
 tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotationsWithCircularlyReferencesError.ts(1,6): error TS2456: Type alias 'T1' circularly references itself.
+tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotationsWithCircularlyReferencesError.ts(1,9): error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
 tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotationsWithCircularlyReferencesError.ts(1,11): error TS2300: Duplicate identifier '(Missing)'.
+tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotationsWithCircularlyReferencesError.ts(1,11): error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
 tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotationsWithCircularlyReferencesError.ts(1,12): error TS1359: Identifier expected. 'in' is a reserved word that cannot be used here.
 tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotationsWithCircularlyReferencesError.ts(2,6): error TS2456: Type alias 'T2' circularly references itself.
+tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotationsWithCircularlyReferencesError.ts(2,9): error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
 
 
-==== tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotationsWithCircularlyReferencesError.ts (4 errors) ====
+==== tests/cases/conformance/types/typeParameters/typeParameterLists/varianceAnnotationsWithCircularlyReferencesError.ts (7 errors) ====
     type T1<in in> = T1 // Error: circularly references 
          ~~
 !!! error TS2456: Type alias 'T1' circularly references itself.
+            ~~
+!!! error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
               
 !!! error TS2300: Duplicate identifier '(Missing)'.
+              
+!!! error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
                ~~
 !!! error TS1359: Identifier expected. 'in' is a reserved word that cannot be used here.
     type T2<out out> = T2 // Error: circularly references 
          ~~
-!!! error TS2456: Type alias 'T2' circularly references itself.
\ No newline at end of file
+!!! error TS2456: Type alias 'T2' circularly references itself.
+            ~~~~~~~
+!!! error TS2637: Variance annotations are only supported in type aliases for object, function, constructor, and mapped types.
\ No newline at end of file