Diplomatic Passport Visas

 US citizen with diplomatic passport deported from Cairo airport for no visa

Egyptian authorities on Saturday deported a US citizen with a diplomatic passport for not having a visa.
The decision to deport the US national is based on the law that any diplomat entering the country is obliged to obtain a visa in advance.

Based on the principle of reciprocity, foreign nationals whose countries require a visa for diplomatic and official passports will be obliged to apply the same requirement in Egypt and obtain a visa in advance.

Egypt, however, allows tourists from the US, Europe and particular countries to buy a visa at the airport upon their arrival.
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Egyptian Visas for foreigners

Tourist Visas to enter Egypt as a foreigner:

Two options

1) Application made to the relevant Egyptian Embassy in your home country. Applications made at Embassy will be given a 3 Month Tourist visa valid for 90 days.

or

2) On arrival at the Egyptian airport before passport control there are windows where Egyptian visas can be bought. The current price is $15 per visa and this visa is valid for 30 days. This is the most popular way of getting the visa but may involve a short queueing time before passport control and immigration. Please have $15, 10 UK Sterling pounds, or 100 EGP ready as all currencies mentioned are accepted by the visa office.

If a foreigner wishes to extend their trip in Egypt they must go to the Mogamma in Cairo or any visa office throughout Egypt and apply for an extended 3 month visa. This will allow 90 days travel within Egypt and is usually stamped into your passport the same day if you apply in the morning. On expiry the foreigner MUST leave the country and re enter purchasing another 30 day visa at the airport of arrival.

Note:

If your visa has expired or you have the wrong visa then you will be in Egypt illegally and seen as an Illegal Alien. You are then subject to Egyptian Law and if found to be in non criminal activity or not working illegally you will then be immediately deported to your home country.

If you have been involved in criminal activity or working illegally you will be subject to Egyptian Law.

Since 25th January Revolution 2011 the Ministry of Manpower has issued a decree that all foreigners MUST be in possession of a valid work permit to work in Egypt. See:link

UPDATE: July 2011

Two newpaper articles on difficulties obtaining renewals.
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Residency Visa Egypt

Available Residency Visa's in Egypt.


1) Spouse of an Egyptian Citizen. (3 or 5 year residency ) Husband must fill in appropriate form at the Mogamma Cairo and a 3 or 5 year resident visa will be issued within one week of applying. This 3-5 year residency visa DOES NOT allow the spouse to work in Egypt.

2) Owner of a REGISTERED property exceeding US $ 50,000. ( 1 year residency renewable ) (note: the property must be registered with the local council and the applicant must be registered to pay property tax and all documents must have the applicant as the official owner of the property. Applicants living in compounds which are still technically registered with the company and not yet handed to the owners will NOT be able to apply for residency. You MUST show proof that you OWN the property.)

3) Investment of US$ 50,000 in an Egyptian company with an Egyptian partner in one of the recognised companies. ( 1 year residency renewable )

4) Divorcee or widow of an Egyptian citizen showing divorce documents.
( 1 year residency )

5) Anyone over 60 years of age after living continuously in Egypt for 10 years.
( 1 year residency )

Note: Investors investing US$50,000 in an Egyptian Bank for the duration of the residency is no longer acceptable.