Egypt Travel Guide

Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
Other EU	Yes	Yes/1	No
Australian	Yes	Yes	No
British	Yes	Yes/1	No
Canadian	Yes	Yes/1	No
USA	Yes	Yes/1	No

Passport valid for at least six months from the date of issuance of the visa required by all nationals referred to in the chart above. Visitors from all countries, except nationals of the EU and the USA, must register with the police within one week of arrival in Egypt, although this service is normally undertaken by hotels.

Passport Notes

Visitors from all countries, except nationals of the EU and the USA, must register with the police within one week of arrival in Egypt, although this service is normally undertaken by hotels.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except the following:
(a) Nationals from the UK, EU and USA traveling to Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Newiba or Taba resorts ONLY for up to 14 days, who will receive an entry permission stamp on arrival;
(b) those continuing their journey to a third country within 24 hours and remaining in the airport, provided holding confirmed onward tickets.
1. Nationals from the UK, EU, Canada and USA have the option to obtain tourist visas upon arrival in Egypt. Visa fee payable upon arrival is US$15 or the equivalent in Egyptian pounds. 2. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Those arriving in transit from such areas without a certificate will be detained at the airport until their onward flight departs.

Visa Note

(a) Those in possession of a residence permit to Egypt are not required to obtain an entry visa if they leave Egypt and return within the validity of their residence permit or within six months, whichever period is less. (b) Visitors of Egyptian origin or married to an Egyptian are entitled to obtain a multiple-entry visa free of charge. (c) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the consulate/embassy to check visa requirements.

Types of Visa and Cost

Cost varies according to nationality. For UK nationals: Tourist: £15 (single-entry); £18 (multiple-entry). Business: £53 (single-entry); £91 (multiple-entry).

For nationals from the USA: Tourist: £12 (single-entry); £12 (multiple-entry). Business: £12 (single-entry); £12 (multiple-entry).
For nationals from Canada: Tourist: £15 (single-entry); £18 (multiple-entry). Business: £40 (single-entry); £70 (multiple-entry).

Processing fees for other nationals vary considerably; nationals are advised to contact the consulate/embassy to check cost.

Validity

Single- and multiple-entry visas are valid for six months from date of issue for a maximum stay of 60 days and 90 days respectively. Visas cannot be post-dated. Extensions are available from the ministry of foreign affairs in Egypt.

Business visa applications must be submitted with a letter from the company stating reasons for the visit.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy).

Working Days Required

For UK citizens, applications made in person requires two days and postal applications normally take about five days. For other nationalities, applications can take up to six weeks.

Travel Warnings

Following mass demonstrations in major towns and cities a curfew remains in place between midnight and 0600 hours (except in Luxor and the Red Sea resort areas). Visitors should obey this curfew and be aware of any changes. While protests have calmed the situation remains volatile and visitors should remain vigilant. There is a high threat from terrorism in Egypt. Attacks can be indiscriminate and against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

On 6 January 2010, around seven people were killed in a drive-by shooting outside a church in Naj Hammadi in southern Egypt. This was followed by reported clashes between protestors and police on 7 January. In May 2009 an explosion occurred outside St Mary's Church in Zeitoun, Cairo. No one was injured. In February 2009 there was an explosion in Cairo's Khan al Khalili market which killed one foreign tourist.

Since 2004 there have been three separate bomb attacks in the Sinai Peninsula. These attacks have killed and injured a number of foreign nationals. The most recent incident was on 24 April 2006 when there were explosions at three separate locations in the resort town of Dahab, in which 23 people were killed and more than 60 injured.

As some of these attacks have taken place over local holiday weekends, Egyptian security forces tend to step up their presence at these times. You are advised to take extra cautioin at these times and respect any advice or instructioin from the local security authorities.

Developments in the region may trigger public unrest. Travelers should take care to avoid demonstrations, which can turn hostile, and be particularly vigilant in public places. The crime rate in Egypt is low but visitors should safeguard valuables including passport and money.

Egyptian society is conservative and women should dress modestly.

Travelers should carry some form of photographic ID at all times. A copy of your passport is sufficient. On 1 December 2010, diving and water sport activities in the Sharm El Sheikh area were suspended following reports that three Russian tourists had been attacked by what is believed to be a single adult oceanic white tip shark. After the ban was lifted, a German tourist was killed in a shark attack in the same area on the 5 December 2010. Tourists are advised to approach snorkeling, diving and swimming with caution, though attacks by oceanic white tip sharks are extremely rare and shark attacks of any kind are very unusual in the Red Sea. This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

Public hospitals are open to tourists. The standard of care is good in Cairo and Alexandria but is of varying standard in other parts of the country. Health care provision and standards of hygiene is lacking in remote rural areas, particularly in the Western Desert oases. Health insurance is strongly advised.

Vaccinations

Vaccination	Special Precaution
Diphtheria	Yes
Hepatitis A	Yes
Malaria	No
Rabies	Sometimes
Tetanus	Yes
Typhoid	Yes
Yellow Fever	No*

Special Notes

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Those arriving in transit from such areas without a certificate will be detained at the airport until their onward flight departs.