For nationals from the United Kingdom (UK), European Union (EU) and United States (US), it is a straightforward process to apply for tourist and business visas in Egypt. Indeed, tourists from these regions travelling to Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba, for no longer than 15 days, do not require a visa at all – this is due to an entry stamp that will be provided on arrival. However, if you wish to travel outside of these areas, you must obtain a tourist visa. If you are within these areas without a visa and your plans change, resulting in you needing to leave the region, you can usually buy a visa at Sharm el Sheikh airport.Single and multiple entry visas are available; both are valid for six months and allow a stay of up to 60 or 90 days respectively.
For nationals from the following countries, visa approval must be sought from the relevant authorities prior to entering the country: Iran, Tunisia, Somalia, Morocco, Algeria, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine, Ethiopia, Sudan, Mauritania, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana, Israel, Afghanistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Visas
If you are entering Egypt, you will need to obtain either a tourist or a business visa, depending on the nature of your visit. You can apply for a visa prior to your arrival, either online or at your nearest Egyptian consulate. Alternatively, you can buy one when you arrive at the airport, before you reach immigration. Visas granted on arrival are valid for 30 days rather than 60 days.
To obtain a tourist visa, you will need:
• A passport with at least six months’ validity
• Two recent colour passport photos
• A completed application form
• The visa fee (£20, payable in GBP, USD or Euros)
Children who hold their own passports, including babies, require their own visas.
Individuals travelling to Egypt for business purposes should apply for a business visa, which will require the following:
• A passport with at least six months’ validity
• Two recent colour passport photos
• A business introduction letter from your UK employer
• A letter of invitation from the Egyptian company you are visiting
• A completed application form
• The visa fee (£20, payable in GBP, USD or Euros)
Applicants should note that, for either visa, you must include your yellow fever certificate if you are travelling from, or via, a high-risk area. Individuals visiting Egypt from the UK do not need a yellow fever certificate.
If you intend to work in Egypt, you will need to obtain a work visa. You are permitted to look for work on a tourist visa, but you are required to exit the country and re-enter on a work permit, before you start your job. Work permits are valid for one year, but they may be extended for up to five years. It is worth noting that these permits are limited on an annual basis, so that no more than 10% of the country’s workforce is made up of foreign nationals at any one time. Work permits must be applied for by your employer.
Common documents required for a work permit include:
• A valid passport
• Seven recent passport photos
• A copy of your university degree
• Proof of relevant experience
• Medical test results, including an HIV-negative certificate
• Copies of birth and marriage certificates for any dependants included in the application
• A copy of your job offer
Additionally, the company looking to employ you will need to provide the following:
• The job description of the position applied for
• A list of foreign employees
• Copies of the previous year’s tax documents
• Company registration documents
Finally, you will need to provide the 1000 EGP fee, which amounts to almost £50.
Obtaining a work permit can be a long, arduous process and may take anything from three to 12 months to complete. It will also require significant dedication from your prospective employer, who must fulfil many necessary requirements before the permit can be issued.
Residency
Whilst a work permit entitles you to live and work in Egypt, it can be difficult to obtain. A better option for expats is usually to apply for a temporary residence permit. This enables individuals to reside in the country for one, three or five years at a time, and is relatively simple to acquire. You will need to apply at your local police station with your tourist visa, your valid passport, a passport photo, and a completed application form in both English and Arabic.
If you were born in Egypt before May 29th 1952, or have lived in the country for at least 20 years, you are automatically entitled to a residence permit.
Citizenship
You may apply for citizenship once you have lived in Egypt for 10 consecutive years. You must be at least 21 years old to apply, although younger dependants may be included on the application of a parent or guardian. You will need to demonstrate that you are mentally and physically healthy, and must provide a certificate that states you are HIV-negative. In addition to this, you will need to have no criminal record, and you must prove that you are proficient in Arabic. Finally, you must have gainful employment in Egypt, and be able to show proof of your savings, in order to be eligible.
Once your Egyptian citizenship has been granted, you will no longer need to obtain or renew visas or permits. You will also not need to renounce your original citizenship.