Is it too challenging to get an Egypt tourist visa? The answer is both yes and no, however baffling it may sound!
Egypt, with an unbelievably stunning landscape, is on the bucket list for many. But you need a travel permit to visit this place. Exploring its beauty and exploring its centuries-old history will not be an easy path. However, acquiring a travel permit can be done both a long way and a short way (not mentioning anything illegal here!)
There is nothing shady in here. You just get to know about some tips and tricks for acquiring an Egypt visa for UK citizens that will give you a better travelling experience.
Knowing about Egypt Tourist Visa
Your initial ticket to the getaway lies here. Setting foot on the land of your dreams in Northeast Africa might seem a little daunting initially. Aspiring tourists (if you fall in that category as well) will be a little heartbroken to know that Visa on Arrival (VOA) has been discontinued in Egypt.
Sad indeed, but there are other ways of travelling to this country. You do not have to cancel your trip!
All you have to do is to obtain an Electronic Egypt tourist visa by applying online. Or you can reach out to the Embassy for a sticker visa. Now that you know, you would not make the mistake of relying on VOA when travelling to Egypt. Only a few countries like UAE, Jordan, or Oman are exempted from acquiring a visa.
For the rest, no matter whether you are coming from- the UK, USA, or any other place in the world, holding an electronic visa is a mandate.
People travelling from countries like Iran are required to visit the Egypt Embassy in their country to obtain a sticker visa.
Here comes an interesting fact! Residents of 75+ countries are eligible for the electronic visa.
But often, the thought of acquiring an E-Visa gets the individual to think about the easier route, like that of Sri Lanka or Thailand. But the same cannot be said about Egypt. You have to go about two ways.
In the first category, there are some nationalities being directly eligible for the E-Visa. Whether they are travelling alone or in a group is not taken into account. The next category consists of travellers holding an eVisa who are taking vacation in a group of more than five individuals. It is mandatory for them to apply for an eVisa. But any group smaller than that has to travel by obtaining a sticker visa.
What is a sticker visa?
It is a visa that is, quite literally, stuck to your passport. It is mandatory to be able to enter Egypt. If you are not able to apply for an eVisa, you must obtain a sticker visa from your nearest Egyptian embassy/representation office.
Citizens from first-world countries like the UK must hold an Egypt visa for UK citizens before travelling to this place. They cannot just walk into the country without holding an electronic visa. The same goes for the USA and Australia.
If you are still confused, it is better to consult a visa company to know which one between a sticker and E-Visa you are eligible for. Sadly, the Egypt MFA website won’t be of much help in this regard; there is hardly any information given on it.
Documents You Might Need for an Egypt Sticker Visa
The number of documents you need for an Egypt Sticker visa is almost as lengthy as the River Nile. While you may not get info regarding all these documents on Egypt’s visa website, it is better to be safe than sorry! Have all of them with you while applying for an Egypt tourist visa in case you need them.
- An original passport that has a validity of at least six months.
- An original copy, and not the e-copy, of the passport, and also have the old passports.
- All visa application forms that filled and signed.
- Two passport-sized photographs that are taken recently according to specifications given by the embassy.
- A cover letter signed with name, passport number, designation, duration, and purpose of the visit to the country. The letter must be addressed to the Arab Republic of Egypt’s Consulate General.
- The original personal bank statement with transactions mentioned in the last six months. There should be the bank’s seal, sign, and the signatory’s name. The bank seal must be present on each page.
- Airline reservation.
- A detailed travel itinerary of what you are planning. If you are a trip planner, have your organization write a letter with your name, passport number, and the payment voucher. Mention the itinerary briefly, if not in detail. In case you have done all the bookings yourself from different websites, attach the vouchers and the confirmations for hotels, buses, and trains (all that is pre-booked). You can also have a draft itinerary that can be changed later.
- Hotel confirmation that mentions the address, applicant’s name, contact details, check-in and check-out dates, and timings. Remain cautious while finding the hotel as this part can be a little tricky.
- A letter from your employer to affirm that your leaves are approved.
- It is not mandatory to carry travel insurance, but it will be better if you have one.
It is always better to carry everything with you so that the procedure gets done smoothly. Even if every document is not required, carry them with you while visiting the Embassy for getting an Egypt visa for UK citizens.
Getting Done with the Immigration Process at Cairo
While the Cairo airport is huge, its efficiency is not so much! No matter whether you hold an electronic visa or a sticker visa, you are given a large number of forms to fill out. Needless to say that this comes much to the chagrin of many travellers!
Moreover, the airport does not really have labelled counters that mention who has to go where. This creates a mayhem. You may have to hop from one counter to another for hours before you ultimately clear immigration.
However, once you are done with the immigration process and get done with the Egypt tourist visa, come out of the airport and see how all your efforts get rewarded! Egypt’s breathtaking beauty will give you the tour of a lifetime.
Getting a Brief on Things to See in Egypt
Once the visa hassle is done with, it is now time to explore! Have an itinerary in place to know what are the things you must see and what are the places you can give a miss.
People travelling to Egypt know what value the Pyramids of Giza hold. Bringing Egypt’s history and culture to the forefront, the Pyramids stand tall and might take your breath away!
Next, you can visit the Town of Luxor. Go around the tombs and temples and dig into the stories of one of Egypt’s oldest kingdoms.
Besides these two, take a trip to Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings. If you have enough time, Abu Simbel can also be a good place to visit.
Ready to Take a Trip to Egypt?
While it may seem a tad bit overwhelming initially, obtaining an electronic Egypt visa for UK citizens or a sticker visa will be a lot easier if you follow the guidelines. The e Visa system is here to make the procedure simpler for you so that you can acquire the visa and travel hassle-free to the country.
Have the trip all planned and the documents in place in order to speed up the visa-acquiring process. For any question, you can always contact the help desk for answers and prompt support.
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