Egypt has been a very popular tourist destination for hundreds of years. There are numerous reasons for this, including warm weather, rich history and beautiful monuments.There are many other countries in the Middle East that have much the same appeal and there is no reason why a tourist shouldn’t visit them, too.
The Egyptians are rightfully proud of their culture and history. Yet, many tourist visa applicants fail to realize that the Egyptian Tourist Police (ETP) will deny your visa application if you have previous drug convictions or a criminal record in general. The ETP has thousands of tourists visit Egypt every year but they have no desire to let known criminals into their country. This article will focus on tourist visas for Egypt and what you need to do to get one.
Applying for an Egypt Visa at an Embassy or Consulate
Anyone who is not exempt from Egypt visa requirements and who is not eligible to receive an Egypt Visa On Arrival or online has to apply through an Egyptian embassy or consulate in their country or a neighboring country.
The exact application changes depending on which country’s embassy or consulate you have submitted your visa application. However, an outline of the Egypt visa application process is as follows:
- Contact the Egyptian embassy or consulate to set up an appointment
- Complete the Egypt Visa Application Form. You can get the application form at the embassy/consulate offices
- Gather the required documents
- Pay the Egypt visa fee*
- Submit the documents and application at the Egyptian embassy/consulate. Check with them regarding the submission process, since some offices require you to submit the documents in person, whereas others also allow submissions through the mail.
- Wait for the visa to be processed
- Pick up your passport (or have it mailed back to you) with the visa affixed, if the application is approved.
*Regarding payment of the visa fee, you may have to pay it prior to applying through bank transfer or at the actual visa counter at the embassy/consulate in cash. Check with the Egyptian embassy or consulate for the specific visa fee requirements. See the list of Egypt visa fees below.
The consulate/embassy may also require an interview if they see fit.
Note: You also have to apply for your Egypt visa at an Egyptian embassy or consulate if you are from a visa-exempt country, or you are eligible for the e-Visa or VOA, and you want to stay in Egypt long-term.
Egypt Visa Requirements
When you apply for an Egypt visa, you need several documents to support your application, such as:
- The Egypt Visa application form (two copies)
- Two passport-size pictures of yourself (2inch x 2inch, white background, taken recently)
- Your passport, valid for at least six more months from the date of entry and with at least two blank pages
- Two photocopies of the personal information page of your passport
- If you are not a citizen of the country from which you’re applying: Your residence permit or other proof of legal residence
- Proof of a return or onward travel ticket
- Proof of accommodation in Egypt
- If you’re traveling for business: A Letter of Invitation from the company which is hosting you
- Proof of payment of the visa fee
- If you apply by mail, also include a self-addressed and prepaid envelope so that the Egyptian embassy/consulate can return your passport and documents
Please note: This is not a complete list of documents you may have to provide for an Egypt visa application. The exact required documents depend on the purpose of your travel as well as the embassy or consulate in which you apply.
Egypt visa processing time
The processing time for an Egypt visa changes depending on the method of application. If you apply for the Visa On Arrival, you will receive it (or have your application be rejected, as it is) right there.
The Egypt e-Visa is processed in about seven days, which is why it is advisable to apply at least seven days before you intend to travel.
If you’re applying through an embassy or consulate, the processing time changes depending on the specific office. In most cases, it takes at least 10 working days, so make sure to apply well before you intend to travel, but no earlier than three months.
If you apply by mail, also take into consideration the time it will need for the documents to be mailed back and forth.
Duration of an Egypt Visa
The duration of an Egypt visa depends on the number of entries it allows. As such:
- Egypt Visa On Arrival and e-Visa are valid for 90 days from the date of issue. They’re valid for one single entry and allow you to remain in Egypt for a maximum of 30 days.
- Single-entry Egypt tourist visas are valid for 6 months and allow you to stay in Egypt for a maximum of 60 days
- Multiple-entry Egypt tourist visas are valid for 6 months and allow you to stay in Egypt for a maximum of 90 collective days
Can you extend an Egypt Tourist Visa?
You may be able to extend an Egypt tourist visa (short-term visa) for an additional 90 days at the Egypt Passport and Immigration Administration. You need a copy of your passport, your Egypt visa, and enough money to pay for the processing fee.
Do I need an Egypt Transit Visa?
Whether you need an Egypt Transit visa depends on the duration of your transit. As such:
- If your transit is less than six hours: You do not need a transit visa, but you are not allowed to leave the airport
- If your transit is 6 – 48 hours, you may leave the airport and visit the surrounding areas. You must show your valid passport and proof of onward travel.
- If your transit will be longer than 48 hours, you have to get the relevant visa
Submitting an Egypt Visa application from the UK
As a UK national, you are eligible to apply for an Egypt visa online or get it upon arrival. You can also get an Egypt visa if you apply through one of the consulates of Egypt in the UK.
You can apply online through this website at least seven days before you intend to travel. If you opt for getting the Egypt visa upon arrival, you have to line up at one of the visa-issuing counters at the Egyptian airport before you clear immigration.
If you want to travel to Egypt for long-term purposes, you have to get a visa at the embassy or consulate.
See a more detailed explanation of the application for an Egypt e-Visa or Visa On Arrival above.
Do US citizens need a visa for Egypt?
Yes, US citizens do need to have a visa if they want to enter Egypt. However, as a US citizen, you are eligible to apply for an Egypt visa online or on arrival at the port of entry in Egypt without having to visit an embassy or consulate.
Please see the application process for an Egypt Visa On Arrival and e-Visa detailed above.
Egypt Visa fees
For the eVisa and Visa On Arrival, which are issued for tourism purposes, the fees are as follows:
- Single-entry visa: 25$
- Multiple-entry visa: 60$
Conclusion
The process is simple, direct, and fast. All documents required for a tourist visa to Egypt are uploaded by customers. We verify the documents and submit their request to Cairo. The applicants are then notified via email when their visa is ready for collection at Cairo Airport. Thus, for over 6 years now, we have been helping ordinary tourists from all over the world get visas to visit Egypt within 2-3 days. We are sorry to say that due to recent guidelines from the Egyptian Embassy in London, we can no longer issue Egyptian Tourist Visas online.