Visa on arrival walkthrough for Egypt

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This guide offers a detailed understanding of the process and requirements for obtaining a Visa on Arrival (VOA) in Egypt. It’s designed for travelers from eligible countries seeking entry into Egypt for tourism or limited business purposes. The guide covers key aspects such as eligibility criteria, application procedures at the airport, necessary documentation, and comparisons with other visa types like eVisa and conventional visas. Understanding these processes will help travelers prepare for their journey and ensure a smooth entry into Egypt.

Travelers who want to visit Egypt will need to have formal permission from the government to enter the country. Once they have this, they should be able to do all they want to do in Egypt.

Applying for an Egypt visa the conventional way can take a lot of time and energy. For people who are eligible, there are other visa options available.

One of these options is the visa on arrival. Eligible travelers can obtain this after arriving in Egypt so they don’t have to do anything ahead of time.

Landing in Egypt

Once travelers land in Egypt, they will need to go through Customs & Immigration. This is where they will get their visa on arrival.

It can be easy to get confused in unfamiliar airports after hours of travel. Visitors with questions can always ask airport attendants or Egyptian officials where to go if they get confused.

Travelers should note that getting a visa on arrival can involve standing in several long lines. They should be prepared to spend as long as they need to here in order to get their visa.

Where to get the visa on arrival (VOA)

Getting a visa on arrival in Egypt involves standing in at least one extra line. Travelers just arriving in the Immigration area should head for the “Arrivals” line first.

Here, they will pay $25 USD for their visa sticker, and this must be paid for in cash. The currency can be US dollars, British pounds, or Euros, though some say only USD is accepted.

This fee is for a single-entry visa valid for up to 30 days. Travelers can also choose to pay $60 for a multi-entry visa valid for up to 90 days if they plan to leave and re-enter Egypt. Once they have paid the fee, they can get in the regular “Immigration” queue.

The second queue is where they will actually get their visa sticker. They will need to place this on a completely empty page in their valid passport from their home country.

They will also get a stamp. They will need to show this in order to be permitted to get their luggage and leave the Immigration area.

This is all that eligible travelers need to do to get their visa on arrival. Once they have it and get their luggage, they can travel through Egypt with ease.

What happens at the visa on arrival counter

In order to get a visa on arrival for Egypt, travelers will need to show several documents at the visa-on-arrival counter.

First, they need to show a valid passport from their home country. This should have at least six months of additional validity, to cover their whole stay in Egypt.

Their passport also needs to have at least two completely blank pages. If it does not have this, travelers should renew the document before they try to enter Egypt.

Travelers will also need to pay for their visa on arrival in cash, as mentioned above. They should have this cash in hand before they arrive as they may not be able to get it once in Egypt.

For instance, they may be asked for their itinerary while in Egypt or proof that they have accommodations to go to after they leave the airport. They may also be asked to show that they have already purchased a ticket that will take them out of Egypt before their visa on arrival expires.

Getting a passport stamp

Travelers who get a visa on arrival to Egypt may not get a passport stamp. Instead, they will get a passport sticker, which takes the place of the more traditional stamp.

Officials may stamp the passport to give permission for luggage pickup. The exact procedure can vary at different ports of entry. Travelers who want a formal passport stamp may ask for one, but it is at the discretion of officials whether or not to give it. Visitors should not push for a passport stamp if it’s not offered.

Who can get a visa on arrival in Egypt

Currently, travelers from Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the USA, and all EU countries can get the VOA.

In addition, the visa on arrival is good for tourism and limited business ventures that do not involve making money in Egypt. Travelers visiting for other purposes will need a different visa.

It is up to each traveler to ensure that they have the correct permission to enter Egypt. If they cannot get a visa on arrival, they will need to have a different visa in place before they travel.

Visitors who are unsure about entry requirements for someone from their country should contact the Egyptian embassy or consulate nearest their home.

Officials, there should be able to help them get the correct type of travel permission for their needs.

Reasons to choose the visa on arrival

The visa on arrival is wonderful for travelers who were not expecting to visit Egypt. Sometimes, plans change, and the visa on arrival means that visitors can still enter the country.

Travelers who do not have reliable internet should choose the visa on arrival if they are eligible. That way, they don’t have to worry about filling out forms or receiving information electronically.

The visa on arrival may also be great for people who are very organized. If they have all of their documentation about itineraries, etc., in place, they will be more likely to get this visa in Egypt.

Some travelers may be eligible for a visa on arrival but not for an eVisa. These travelers can still enter Egypt with relative ease, though they may have to stand in an extra line there.

Visa on arrival vs. conventional visa

Some travelers may choose to or need to get a conventional visa, rather than a visa on arrival or an eVisa. They will apply for this through an Egyptian embassy before they leave home.

Reasons to get a conventional visa

Some travelers are simply not eligible to enter Egypt without a conventional visa. Their country may not have a travel agreement with Egypt.

Some types of travel, like business travel or medical travel, also require a conventional visa regardless of the traveler’s home country. These visits must be approved ahead of time.

Travelers who have had travel to Egypt denied or who have reason to believe they might be denied should also get a conventional visa. That way, they can work any problems out ahead of time and have some assurance that they will get to enter Egypt once they arrive there.

Travelers who have valid conventional visas should not have problems entering Egypt. They should enter as fast as those with eVisa, as they will likely stand in the same lines.

Every traveler is responsible for getting the correct type of permission to enter Egypt. If they don’t, their trip might be for nothing as they may get stopped at the border.

Visitors can avoid this by doing their research ahead of time and submitting any necessary documents before they leave if that is needed. That way, they will be able to enter Egypt easily once they arrive and they won’t have to worry about entering the country when they get there.