Procuring a visa before booking one’s cheap flights to Egypt may seem a daunting task to many. However, a little familiarity with the process can simplify things a lot. Read on for some essential visa related information.
The pyramids of Cairo, the temples of Luxor, and the beaches of Hurghada – the list just goes on and on, when one looks for excuses to book tickets for cheap flights to Egypt. However, before booking flights, the task of procuring a visa can prove to be just Herculean. Get acquainted with some of the visa regulations and the process of acquiring a visa.
General Visa Tips
- British passport holders planning to catch flights to Egypt are required to obtain a visa. However, as per Egyptian immigration authorities, British nationals visiting Sharm El Sheikh, Nuweiba, Dahab, and Taba resorts do not require a visa as long as the visit does not exceed 14 days. Such travellers get a free entry permission stamp upon arrival. A visa is required if one wants to stay more than 14 days or travel out of these areas.
- Visitors, who have already flown on cheap flights to Egypt and are looking for a visa extension need to apply for the same at the Egyptian Passport and Immigration Offices. More information can be obtained from the Egyptian Consulate. The Egyptian authorities handle most of the enquiries.
- Travellers carrying a visa may also be denied entry into Egypt. The final authority on allowing or refusing entry rests with the Egyptian Immigration authorities.
- Before spending on airfares to Egypt, one should know that leaving the country with an out of date visa can prove to be difficult. Usually, travellers holding a visa, which is out of date by over 14 days, are not allowed to leave Egypt.
- In case, a British national gets detained, the British authorities will attempt to contact the detained traveller within 24 hours of getting alerted of such a detention. If the traveller desires, the authorities will also get in touch with relatives in the UK.
- Travellers planning to catch their flights to Egypt should approach ‘The Egyptian Embassy in London’ for more information on visas and other entry requirements.
Visa Application in Person
- While applying for visa, travellers should ensure that their passports are valid at least for 6 months from the date they are issued the visa.
- Applicants are required to furnish two recent passport sized coloured photographs measuring 45mm x 35mm. The photographs should have a white background and need to be attached to the application form. The applicant’s name should also be written behind the photograph.
- The visa application form should be properly filled up by the applicants. Forms are available at the Consulate and may also be downloaded from the website of the Egyptian Consulate.
- Successful applicants can collect their visas after 2 working days of making the visa application.
- Travellers trying to obtain a visa can also send someone on their behalf to the consulate for making the visa application.
- When applying in person, one needs to pay the fee in cash. The fee for a single entry tourist visa is £15 and while for a multiple entry visa it is £18. Travellers going to Egypt on business visa have to pay £53 for a single entry business visa and £91 for a multiple entry one.
- The Egyptian Consulate works from Monday to Friday. Visa applications need to be made from 09:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Passports have to be collected from 02:30 p.m. to 04:00 p.m.
Visa Application through Post
- Travellers making a postal application should send a self-addressed return envelope bearing name and address in BLOCK CAPITAL letters.
- Applicants need to make sure that they send an ample number of stamps to facilitate the Consulate in returning the envelope through Recorded Delivery or Special Delivery.
- Visa applicants need to get in touch with the post office concerning the weight policies and rates for passports.
- Applicants should use Special Delivery services for sending their passports and applications to the Consulate. Similarly, Special Delivery services should again be used for receiving
- Visa applications sent by post are processed after 5 working days of the date of sending the application.
- The exact fee should only be sent through Postal Orders payable to ‘The Egyptian Consulate’. The sender’s initials and postcode should be written on the back of the postal order.
- Non adherence to the guidelines mentioned here results in the rejection of the application. The rejected documents are sent back by the Consulate.
- The Consulate does not hold responsibility for damage to or loss of passports and other documents sent through post.
- Applicants should ensure that they are available at the address provided by them for postal communication when the processed visa is mailed back by the Consulate.
- Multiple visa applications can be sent to the Consulate. However, senders should make sure that they enclose a self addressed envelope of the correct size for return mail.
(Source: Websites of FCO and Immigration Department of New Zealand which must be referred for more detailed information. Southall Travel disclaims liability of any kind of losses or damages resulting from the use of above information).
Disclaimer: The information in this article relating to visa/entry requirements is correct at the time of publishing. You must consult the relevant Embassy or Consulate for updated info on visa policies as requirements may change. You should check the up-to-date position in good time before booking/departure.
