It’s clear that COVID-19 has a major influence on the plans of many travellers. Virtually all countries, Egypt included, have decreed travel measures to limit the spread of the virus. In this article, you’ll find all the advice you need for your trip to Egypt!
It’s always helpful to know more about the countries where you want to go on vacation. What are the habits and rules of conduct? What’s the local currency? Can you drink tap water? Do you need to bring plug adapters? Do you need a credit card? And, essential in the case of Egypt, pay for your visa on time!
Cairo, the pyramids and the desert
The dream of many tourists to Egypt is to visit the Cheops Pyramid, see the Giza Sphinx and ride a camel or dromedary through the desert. But the land of the Pharaohs has much more to offer, of course. Many travellers visit the Red Sea, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. Sharm el-Sheikh is especially appreciated by divers for its underwater world.
So there’s plenty to see and experience in Cleopatra’s homeland. To avoid unpleasant surprises, it’s advisable to settle all administrative matters before you leave. This applies to business travelers and tourists alike! Depending on the reason for your trip, you may need another visa. If you’re going to Egypt as a tourist, or to visit friends or family, you can apply for your visa online. Other visas must be applied for at the Egyptian consulate.
Apply for an Egypt visa online
To apply for an Egypt visa online, you need to meet a few requirements.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 8 months from the date of your arrival in Egypt. Please note: an identity card is not sufficient to obtain a visa.
- If you wish to visit friends or family, you must be able to present a letter of invitation from them.
- You’ll need to prepare a travel itinerary: a list showing your flights and the hotels you’ve booked.
- The itinerary and visa must be printed out and taken with you on your trip.
- If you are traveling in a group (with family or friends), the visas of all those taking part in the trip must be requested at the same time, via a group application.
Visa validity
To travel to Egypt, you can apply for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. Both types of visa are valid for 90 days and allow you to stay in the country for a maximum of 30 consecutive days. Unlike a single-entry visa, a multiple-entry visa allows you to visit Egypt several times during the 90-day validity period. You can stay a maximum of 30 consecutive days each time. A single-entry visa costs just under €45, while a multiple-entry visa costs just under €80.
Processing and delivery times
The visa can be applied for at any time, but the application will only be processed 30 days before the planned date of arrival. You can apply without having already booked your flight, but you must have booked at least one night’s accommodation.
If you wish to submit your application shortly before departure, please note that it can take up to 7 days before the visa is granted. If you wish to leave in less than 7 days, we recommend that you submit your visa application as a matter of urgency. Processing and issuing times cannot be guaranteed, but in this case the visa is usually granted within two to five days.
The coronavirus crisis
As mentioned at the start of this article, the coronavirus crisis is posing a problem for many travellers. Since July 1, the Egyptian government has once again authorized foreign travellers to enter the country. Visas are once again being issued. However, a negative PCF test is still required for entry. For the time being, the French government is still issuing a negative travel advice for Egypt.
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