Changes to Egypt visa system

wazza99

http://www.egyptianconsulate.co.uk/Latest_news.php?id=36

gettingtheresometime

Nothing like trying to make it more difficult for tourists when a) one of your main industries is tourism and b) its facing enough problems caused by the threat of terrorism

vegasvisitor

Presumably only if you need a visa though - so if you're only going to Sharm for example you don't normally need one?

globalds

This will make it more likely they will try to sell you something you don't need at the airport when you arrive at Sharm.

InsideInsurance

Mrs had to get a visa before travelling to Egypt as her nationality didnt allow for the one you buy at the airport. Compared to many other countries the process was fairly quick and painless, certainly compared to getting an Indian one etc.

pattycake

We are going to Hurghada in June. The visa is compulsory there. I will watch developments with interest. It does seem a counter productive move when so much of the economy depends on tourism.

dawyldthing

It's probably because getting the visa in Hurghada is a bit like being in a cattle market, plus I bet not all the money goes to the government whereas this way they can monitor it better

Cyberman60

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

Nothing like trying to make it more difficult for tourists when a) one of your main industries is tourism and b) its facing enough problems caused by the threat of terrorism

There is an irony in your post as I'm pretty sure that this change is to counter terrorism and the ability of people from the UK to use Egypt as a gateway to supporting/joining ISIS states of Syria and Iraq.

I commend these changes. :T

pattycake

dawyldthing wrote: »

It's probably because getting the visa in Hurghada is a bit like being in a cattle market, plus I bet not all the money goes to the government whereas this way they can monitor it better

You make a fair point about the sale of visas at Hurghada airport, but having to send your passport to the consulate definitely puts me off going to Egypt. Plus, is the system going to up and running by the middle of May to enable them to cope with a huge influx of applications? I very much doubt it.

Any potential terrorists probably will not be deterred by red tape it is the innocent tourist and the Egyptian workers who rely on them who will suffer.

pattycake

This move has now been postponed for the time being. Apparently they are hoping to implement an e-visa system.

dawyldthing

It would put me off too, seems crazy as there aren't that many places you need to send off your passport off for for a visa.