You are here: Home » Egypt » No visas on arrival in Egypt, says government

No visas on arrival in Egypt, says government

Joseph Mayton | 9 September 2011 | Comments (54)

Egypt changing visa rules, requires visas before arrival.

CAIRO: In another odd move by the Egyptian government, foreign nationals will no longer be allowed to obtain an entry visa at a port of arrival, ending years of ease for foreign citizens hoping to visit the country.

It comes as the government appears to be continuing its crackdown of foreign nationals living in the country, where a large number have reported not being able to extend their visas or obtain longer permissions to stay in the country since the revolution ousted the government of Hosni Mubarak in February.

Despite relying heavily on tourism, the move means nations from the United States, Europe, Australia, Gulf countries, Africa, Latin America and Asia will now be required to apply for a visa at their local Egyptian embassy and consulate before arrival.

An Egyptian Cabinet official told Bikyamasr.com that although no official date for the new regulations has been given, the new rules could be implemented as early as next week.

Also worrying, there are also rumors that tourist visas may not be allowed to renew their permits to stay in the country after the one month is up, but Bikyamasr.com could not confirm this information.

The Egyptian Embassy in Washington, however, seemed unaware of the new regulations, saying “we have not yet received official word, but if it does, then we will assist people in obtaining their visas.”

It is unclear exactly why the new visa requirements are being implemented, but with rising xenophobia in the country and worries that many foreigners are taking jobs that Egyptians could do, the government appears willing to crackdown on foreigners.

ShortURL: http://goo.gl/PJwlF

Tags: Arrival, Egypt, featured, Tourism, Travel, Visas

Section: Egypt, Latest News, Travel

Pingback: Egypt – Travel News | ML News
Samertalat21

NO one needs to come to Egypt . Only Russians loosers will. Visa you should kiss ass so people will visit this filthy country .
Cairoboy82

Egypt to abandon visa changes for foreigners
Cairoboy82

Egypt to abandon visa changes for foreigners
Akram

There is Nothing changed, the old rules are still running. and there will be a grace period before implementing such New rules. Egypt Visa is not a problem at all from any consulate abroad, and renewal from the immigration authority in Egypt is also very easy. All countries do the same…… I wonder why it is very weird for Egypt to implement a Visa.
Vechnix

GUYS WHY DO U GET PANICK?
there is nothing here..
u will go to the embassay, u will give ur passport and after 2 hours u will get your visa payin 20 $ or somethign like this .. that is all..
if u r coming indiviual/ but if u r coming witha group that is pack/
u dont need to go anywhere, the tour company will get at the airport
that is all
afiqxan

stupid stupid move. i am a foreign student in egypt, even the visa given from their embassy only last for two weeks instead of 1 month as stated in the cert.
amal

Have you ever tried to get a visa before going to Egypt? It’s one of the easiest things to do in the UK. It comes back virtually by return of post and allows you to stay for 3 months. Seems to me a lot of people are looking for things to complain about!

erp

I believe it allows up to three months stay in Egypt over a six month period. i.e. one can’t continue at the end of three months. I may be wrong…

Robert_d

This is going to ruin also the building industry. Which European will buy in future any property in those uncertain times in Egypt. If you don’t get a long term visa you will buy somewhere else a nice home.
maliziosa

Egypt is a destination that many people would like to “mark” but only once (because of dirt, bad services, bad attitude, etc). Egypt succeeded in having a certain traffic of returning visitors because of the Red Sea Resorts. For Egyptian patriots I just have few examples: Tunisian tourism based on returning visitors is 10 times higher, and they have nothing to show: just some ruins, a Circus, then camels, desert and sea. I do not want to bring Turkey in this discussion as they have a HUGE industry based on returning visitors and they also have nothing to show in those areas but stony beaches, sea, and-in the best case- some Medit pine tree forests. Tourists go there just for the service and perfect holiday they get in a 4-5* hotel. And yes, they do not need visa. Visa issue is very important as nobody is willing to book 6 months in advance and wait for a visa while they can catch a last minute deal in another seaside destination.
Visitors coming for a cultural trip are fewer and fewer, not only because of general ignorance but also because of time. When you have a 2 weeks holiday/year after 12 months of hard/stressing work where do you go? in a crowded & dirty city like Cairo where you can get easily nervous or you choose a relaxing place?

I know the humiliating conditions for Egyptian Nationals who want to go to Schengen space. What is funny is that not foreigners working at the desk in those Consulates humiliate the applicants but their own nationals who are thinking that they are Gods just because they work in those embassies. The mess in those consulates exist because Egyptian employees keep it so and Egyptian applicants have nothing to say about!

Secondly EU has its own crisis, illegal immigrants coming from Africa (Egyptians included) who enter the Schengen space, then they need help or -when settled-try to impose their own traditions to European majority. (Kind of rude to go and live in someone’s house and then start to complain about his habits and impose yours, as long as he welcomed you there…) Egypt has teh same visa policy with countries that have a high immigration potential like: India, Pakistan, China.
So EU/US policies in offering visas are tougher for some reasons not for fun. But I must admit that humiliation is part of fun from Egyptian/half Egyptian nationals working in those Embassies! Europeans have no idea about what is going on unless they live in Egypt have an Egyptian family member and experience this by themselves.

However, EU, USA do not need Egyptians to visit them while Egypt needs foreigners to come and visit: that is the huge difference!

Akram

I can see that the Visa Issue Frustrates you, so you can imagine the frustration of the Egyptians Going Everywhere. For your information…. The EU and US and other embassies in Egypt give their employees the instructions to be as much rude as they can towards all applicants,and they are not all Egy employees , that’s why most of the Egyptian Travellers redirected their Travels to the Far east and south America.
Egypt welcomes all descent and POLITE visitors from all over the world at any Time.

Zahrahvacarella

Egypt going to lose the money BIG time! all this foreigners lives here in Egypt. I know my family spend about $3,000 each month to live here. we rent the apartment,buy food,pay school for my kids ECT.I know many of foreigners that lives here like me. and there many are working here but at the same time they also spend money here as well. so i don’t see how this people can not find job. by stop foreign come to Egypt to live.its not going to make their people get jobs. they are losing the money BIG time!!!

egyptian

i think we dont need usa or Eu people to visit our country , if i need a visa to visit any country , then citzens of this country should on same procedures and pay same fees , its not fair when usa embassy cheat on egyptians , make them pay 150 $ to apply for a visit visa then we welcome americans into our county without a visa , and who said toursim s important for us while all hotels owned by foreigners????? and most of jobs in hurghada and shram are occupied by russian or foreigners??????? i think we should let any one enter egypt without a visa unless his country treat egyptians the same way , i think its fair enough this way ,

Amr ..

totaly wronge decision…
http://www.facebook.com/people/Andriy-Shor/100000615999676 Andriy Shor

Akram, you even don’t understand the problem. You think that tourists need Egypt more than Egypt needs tourists. But the world is big. I wouldn’t go for visa (by the way, Embassy is in 400 km from my home).

I’m canceling my plans to visit Egypt this year and my 10K dollars will go to Morocco this year. Count how many Egyptians could feed their families for this money.

As I mentioned above – the world is big…

Akram

Andriy, As you said the World is Big and you are of course free to place your 10 k to anywhere you like. Welcome to Morocco.
Cairoboy82

The world is big, but EGYPT is the mother of the world… by the way we don’t need Russians, we have a lot already!
Cairoboy82

The world is big, but EGYPT is the mother of the world… by the way we don’t need Russians, we have a lot already!

Momobestlol

that is the best design was made by the government eveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer
Magued

This is aweful idea! Why making it harder for tourists to visit? And as it is annoying that Egyptians need visas anywhere they go this is not a solution. We need to rebuild the country so Egyptians dont need to go abroad to find work. Only to go abroad to tourist and then we can ask the other countrys to lift their visa demands. But building up Egypt needs lots of tourist.

Magued
Suz

Egypt needs tourism. I live in the beach resort of Hurghada, and without tourism, nobody will come to Hurghada. Most of the town is already out of work because of the impact on the tourism industry even BEFORE these regulations come into effect.

Tourism will move to Spain, or Turkey, or even other Arab countries that do not require a visa in advance, Jordan, Syria. Etc. Why would I want to go through the 6 week process of getting a visa for a beach summer holiday, when I could just easily go to Turkey for a cheaper price and without the hassle.

Akram what you seem to fail to realise, is that the majority of Egypt’s tourism comes from the Red Sea resorts, not people travelling to places like Cairo. While the antiquities do serve as attractive for tourists, it’s places like Sharm and Hurghada that are known for their tourism. If I can go to the Sudan to dive the Red Sea, and not have hassles with visas, then why not?

Egypt will be shooting itself in the foot if these regulations are allowed to pass.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1421190189 George Bazhenov

I adore the Red Sea and hate package vacations. Living more than 1,000 miles from the nearest Egyptian diplomatic mission I have no chance of getting a visa beforehand. Luckily, Egypt is not the only country near the Red Sea. Israel removed visa restrictions a couple of years ago and my next trip will be there.
Akram

Hello Suz, the New rules will not be implemented on Groups Coming to the Red Sea area, it is only for the individuals. There are No 6 Weeks Visa process at any EGYPT consulate abroad, But More than 6 weeks for Egyptians to go anywhere. Getting a Pre-entry Visa is not a weird thing to be done, but the timing is not suitable for this.

Samertalat21

Guys Egypt is a crazy country , lots of crooks, very uneducated people, poor , there salary is 500 to 1000 Egyptian pounds . They do not need tourism lots of sand in that desert to eat so you Egyptians eat it . Hope that people won’t invest here . Remember my words all of you Germans,Italians , Russians and others will have to leave this country soon and lose all your businesses , The Muslims Brothers will rule this country and you all will have to leave like poppy dogs . After the revolution you all had ti understand that they do not need you or want you here , that is there country a Muslim country why do you have to take there business . You all will be kicked out and they should do that . Go back to your own country fuckers , no need for you here . get the massage now , but it is too late , you will no longer be able to do anything and your business will go to hell . lose it soon .

Scowd

can i say that you live in another world.
Gwant11

your a moron man. The muslim brotherhood are the biggest thief’s of them all- you are the brain washed one dude
Akram

You do not worth a Reply, Nobody can be as LOW as you are.

Samertalat21

Akram you are the biggest idiot I ever seen like all or most uneducated stupid Egyptians . You can fuck your self and fuck Egyptians you will never ever get a visa to my country the great country in the WORLD THE USA we do not need camels and donkeys there , Do you get it ya stupid DOMKY .
You guys can eat the Sand and the coral of the red sea and drink its water . Who wants to come here , Visa fuck ya and your stinky VISA I am at the US Embassy in Cairo come and get me asshole . Ask for Colonel James Miller and I will be waiting to meet you give you a VISA to BIAFRA . Ya cunt go get a job and fuck your self but don’t forget to take a shower before you do that cause you stink asshole .

Evy Putseys

nOT GOOD
Waseem A.

As an Egyptian who is studying in the United States, I understand the point of view of other Egyptians, i.e., we have to get visas so they have to get visas. However, this is an absolute idiotic time for the Government to institute this new policy. Egypt’s economy is at an all time low, and the fact is we need tourism to boost the economy considering its significance as a ratio of the country”s GDP. At this point in time, this is just an unnecessary hurdle to a brighter future in Egypt.

Akram

I absolutely agree with you, this is not the time for this, they need to postpone it. and any way nothing has been declared about this matter. But the Concept is Very right.

http://www.facebook.com/Bassem.EgyTourConsultant Bassem El-Shamaa

To whom it may concern :
After contacting Cairo Airport now I would like to say that you can get the visa upon arrival and it costs 15 USD for only one reason ( Tourism ) others who are coming to study, stay for a long time or any reason not touring the country have to apply for the visa at our Consulate in your country .
Bassem
Travel Consultant

Bkbarber

Bassem. How long are such visas valid for – 3 months?
Ramonetta85

i have my bf there.so if i wanan stay 3 weeks can i still take it from airport?plz if u can tell me i ll be so happy i m deseprate i m from italy,rome.thank u
Ramonetta85

i m so desperate i wish you can help me.i must coming egypt after 1 month becoz my bf stays there and i miss him a lot.if i wanna go 4 tourism reason i can get visa at airport right even if they made new law?can u tell me coz u can know better than me:which is period they mean by tourism reason?can be one month or less?thank u so much

http://ianrobertdouglas.com Ian Douglas

I suspect here again, as proven time and again in the past, what the government or this or that minister or official says has nothing to do with what actually happens. Remember the big push to introduce seatbelts? Lasted about six days
Bill

Akram I think you don’t understand, Egypt needs tourists and the countries these tourists are coming from do not need all Egyptians, just the ones that have money and they have no problem obtaining visa’s

Akram

Hello Bill, Yes Egypt Needs Tourism….. no doubt of that. And Visa is not the obstacle for this. The timing is Bad, but the concept is right. Believe me Bill, Money or No Money EU US and many others give us here a hell of time till we get an entry visa, even for emergency on critical treatment.

Nagwas

Cut off your nose to spite you face………..
Akram

No Never, if visitor just come to Egypt for the” No Pre-visa ” reason, then they don’t have the real motive to visit at all. If the traveller wants to come to Egypt then he will get the Visa as we all do when we travel abroad, this is very Normal.

R Parks

My last business trip to Egypt was arranged at 48 hours’ notice. I arrived on Monday evening, had my Tuesday morning meetings with a business partner and left on Tuesday afternoon. This couldn’t have happened if I’d needed an Egyptian visa before I travelled. We had business partners in Lebanon too. Guess which one we’d have favoured if it was harder to travel to Egypt?

It might be a matter of pride to treat others the way they treat you, but it might be detrimental overall.

Pingback: Confusion as Egypt says no visas on arrival - Bikya Masr : Bikya Masr
Iain

If this happens it will be a disaster! Why come to Egypt? I would just go somewhere else instead! Goodbye, tourism!

Akram

Tourism is always there for Egypt. with or without Visa. If you don’t see that there is no reason to come to Egypt ” just for the Visa” then you need to look somewhere else as you said.

maliziosa

Egyptian resorts will be empty with this crazy xenophobia you all have. When you will realize you are alone, and everything is deserted you will back to beg in your knees for some foreign tourists to come nd spend money in yr country. And that time you will give everything FOR FREE as you did not like to ask for some good money and keep your tourism at the present level.
When all of those working in tourism now, in Hurgada and Sharm, will have no jobs at all and have to go back to their villages they will see the price to pay for being ignorant, mean and revengeful. I hope taste of revenge will keep their stomach full but, unfortunately, many other Egyptians will starve…

And Akram, do not dillude yrself as tourism has another trend now. Tourists are more interested in having a photo in front of pyramids than what all Egyptian history is about. E.g : a visit to Edfu temple for an interested guy should last more than 3 hours while now most of groups spend 1-1,5 hrs (carriage walk-included) everybody is pleased..as it is comfy, cheap, no headaches. E.g 2: How many tourists Iran really has? They still have ruins of Persian Empire but people do not go as they are not so interested to hassle for getting there…and so on..
The ideal case is to have only interested visitors but reality is diferent! A good tourism must bring you money and feed yr people.

All in all, foreign tourists will choose other destinations(competition is high in these times of economic crisis), foreigners living and working in Egypt eventually will pack, leave your country and move to a better place…but those who will suffer in teh end will be the Egyptians…

Akram

I can see that your manner of discussing things is very LOW, and for sure The Egyptians will not BEG one like you to come or even to Transit, so stay where you are. and thank you for showing us the right way to our benefits.

Akram

Egyptians are always facing horrible and humilating procedures to obtain any kind of entry Visa to almost everywhere, Especially to Europe , USA, UK, Canada….etc. So it is very justified to do the same to those nationals, and I am sure that Egypt Consulates will not humiliate visitors like most of the EU & USA do.
Pingback: Egypt visa requirements changed | Egypt Then and Now
Pingback: POZOR – pro vízum do Egypta si budete muset už před odletem! | Dovolená Egypt - informace a rady na cestu
twister

Might sound as if it will decrease the number of tourists, but it is a good step forward. Specially that egyptians have to do the same to travel abroad …. obtain a visa 1st not among landing so its only fair to have it this way too.

Tapka41

hahah if i need to obtain visa in advance – i will go Spain or Greece, free of dress-code and alcogol rules……it was 1 reason for egypt – easy to get visa-on-arrival…

Jennifer at AUC public policy

This seems like a really bad move under the circumstances. I’m sure there are a number of people who are working on tourist visas, but there are many, many occasional tourists who will not be willing to go through the hassle and uncertainty of sending their passport off and waiting for it to come back. They will just go somewhere else. This is a loss that Egypt cannot afford when the tourism sector is already in such severe trouble.