Egypt is an exotic destination, which many expats are considering moving to. What documents are needed for a visa to Egypt? Tips for travelers. Read in our blog.

Permanent residency in Egypt: what you need to know to move

To go to the land of the pyramids, you need to carefully organize your trip. Several steps must be taken, such as applying for a visa to Egypt. Most tourists and visitors can get a visa to Egypt at any port of entry. All foreigners arriving in Egypt must have a valid passport (with at least 6 months to expiration) to obtain a visa for the country.

However, visas to Egypt can also be obtained from Egyptian diplomatic and consular missions abroad or in Egypt (for renewal or extension) at the Visa Office of the Travel Documents, Immigration and Nationality Authority (TDINA) in the Mogamma building located in Tahrir in downtown Cairo.

Required Documents

To travel to Egypt, you need to have several documents: 

• A passport valid for at least six months after the date of entry into the country
• a negative PCR test result
• return air ticket or certificate for return travel 
• visa.

If you are visiting the country to get to know it, the authorities may inquire about your planned itinerary upon arrival. Therefore, you will need to provide the addresses of various accommodations and vehicles booked. When visiting friends or relatives, travelers should be able to present a signed letter from them. This letter should confirm the invitation to Egypt.

Applying for a visa to Egypt

Before applying for a visa to Egypt, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the specifics of the Egyptian visa. It is issued by the country's immigration office. The visa varies depending on the purpose of the trip. To make it easier for tourists, they can apply online. This saves time in preparing for the holiday. For other purposes, such as to work or settle in the country, it is necessary to contact the Egyptian embassy. You can also get a single-entry or multiple-entry visa.

How to apply for a visa to Egypt? You can apply for a visa to Egypt by using the online application form, which is available every day and at any time. This document allows you to apply for one or more travelers at a time. 

Please note that you only need to provide contact information and travel information once. You must then write information about each traveler. Once approved, the visa will be emailed in a few days. Please note that during a pandemic, it may take longer than expected to process your visa application.

Visa validity period to Egypt

A tourist visa is valid for 90 days. It allows you to stay in Egypt for no more than 30 days. The validity period of 90 days allows you to change your travel dates if necessary. The arrival and departure dates must always fall within this period. A multiple-entry visa allows multiple stays within 90 days, but no more than 30 consecutive days.

When to apply?

You can apply for a visa to Egypt as soon as you book your accommodation. However, you do not need to have your airline tickets with you. Even if you apply months in advance, the document will not be issued until 30 days before your trip. Generally, it takes 2 to 5 business days to get your visa from the time you send in your application.

In urgent cases, it is possible to give priority to your application. Please note that this procedure ensures that your visa is processed as quickly as possible, but does not guarantee that you will receive it on time.

Target areas to visit

To visit Egypt, it is important to know in advance about the situation in different regions of the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides citizens with accurate information about the situation in the country. It is highly recommended that you follow all these tips carefully to avoid unpleasant surprises.

To stay in Egypt, you must have at least a passport or ID card. And they must necessarily expire more than six months after the date of your planned return to your country of origin. Nevertheless, having a passport is highly recommended, as customs officials are often much more punctual with people who only have an ID card.

What kind of visa is required for an extended stay?

Whatever the reason for your trip to Egypt, you will have to abide by the rules previously outlined regarding passports, ID cards, and visas. However, there is a slight difference in the latter case. If your stay is considered a long stay (more than three months), you will have to take additional steps.

It is also possible to work or even settle permanently in Egypt. It should take the authorities a decent month to obtain a residency visa. A resident visa is necessary for your settlement because without it you will not be able to work or even get a place to live. Don't forget to apply for a work permit. It takes a few months to complete this process, so be sure to anticipate it.

Getting to know the charms of Egypt

There are many reasons to visit Egypt. You will surely remember the richness of its historical heritage, such as the temples of Aswan, which testify to the former power of the pharaohs and other gods. How can you ignore the beauty of Luxor, Saqqara, or the pyramids of Giza? It is recommended to visit these iconic places not in summer when temperatures easily exceed 40°C. If you can, plan your trip for spring (March to May) or fall (September to November). 

Visiting historic monuments is not the only thing you can enjoy while in Egypt. The country has many other resources, starting with the Nile River, on which you can cruise and taste the famous perch. Others may prefer to go to the Sahara and explore the sandy sea, the oases, or the Sinai Desert (and the mountain where God and Moses met). Finally, lovers of aquatic fauna and clean water will not want to miss swimming in the Red Sea.

However, Egypt cannot be reduced only to its landscapes and historical heritage. It is also a modern country facing the future, as is its capital, Cairo. With a population of nearly 10 million, it is the most populous city on the African continent. You are bound to be struck by the stunning mix of luxury buildings and hotels, as well as the medieval city center (with its iconic alleyways), virtually unchanged since its creation thousands of years ago. Only Cairo can offer such a contrast!

What do I need to apply for a residence permit?

Mandatory requirements:

• Fully completed and signed visa application form.
• A color JPG photo no larger than 1 MB, 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inches), modern, on a white background, the facial expression should be neutral (preferred), or a natural smile.
• Valid and current passport: original and copy.
• Foreign applicants must submit documents proving regular residence in the country from which the visa is requested.
• Original criminal record certificate from the country of origin or the country where he/she has been residing for the last five years, translated into Spanish. Subsequently, both the original document and the translation must be legalized by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. One hundred and eighty (180) days of validity are taken into account, counting from the date of issue of the certificate to the last entry into the country by the person concerned. The document is only required for those over the age of 18.
• Proof of legal means of subsistence for the applicant and his/her dependent family group, by Article 4, paragraph I of the Protocol on proof of legal means of subsistence, justifying the existence of the applicant and his/her dependent family group in the visa proceedings.
• Payment of the fee (Consular and Diplomatic Fee).
• Travel insurance to Egypt required a document.

Having a covid-19 insurance policy is one of the documents that immigration officials may ask you for when you enter Egypt, but it is also essential information so that you can do so with peace of mind. The form you'll be given on the plane will need to include your policy number, so it's not a bad idea to have a screenshot of your insurance on your smartphone or print it out.

You'll have to fill out a form that will ask you for several details, including:

Your address of residence in your country

Your occupation

The country from which you are traveling to Egypt

The departure date of your trip to Egypt

The date you plan to leave Egypt

Several entries you want to receive: please note that one entry is valid for a maximum of one month's stay, but you can also choose a multiple-entry visa which will be valid for 3 months.

Your previous visits to Egypt, if you have been there before, indicate the dates of your stay.

Information about your possible removal from Egypt or another country and the reason for removal.

Address where you are going to stay in Egypt, with the name of the hotel, your address, phone number, and email address.

In the case of the Egyptian e-visa, the order is made online and the documents are downloaded directly from the e-visa website, without the need to mail them in. Payment of fees is also done online and is completely secure. In most cases, e-visa confirmation is emailed to you within 3-7 days.

Is it safe to travel to Egypt in 2023? Find out here