Hey Hurghadians!

Today, we dive into a topic everyone asks about – the Hurghada Visa! Yep, that stamp that lets you into the land of the Pharaohs! So, buckle up, and let’s see how it all works!

What’s a Visa, and Why Do I Need  One?

A visa is an official document that allows you to enter a foreign country legally. It’s usually stamped or placed on one of your passport’s blank pages, showing details like your entry date, visa type, and length of stay.

Now, Egypt’s visa? It’s one of the easiest around! Egypt is all about welcoming tourists with open arms. But your eligibility depends on the passport you’re holding, so let’s see if your country made the list.

Passport Holders Eligible for a 30-Day Visa on Arrival / eVisa

If you’re from one of these countries, you can fly to Egypt anytime without having to worry about anything. You’ll only need to book the ticket and take a few days off work. Once you land in Egypt, you’ll be eligible for a 30-day Visa on Arrival, and you’ll also be eligible to get your eVisa online:

• Australia
• China
• European Union (All Schengen Area countries):
  • Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

• Georgia
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Russia
• Serbia
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom (UK)
• United States (USA)

What’s an eVisa?

For a hassle-free experience, you can apply for an eVisa online before you fly to Egypt. Just sign up, fill out a quick form, and pay the fee with your credit or debit card. It’s super simple! But remember, you need to do this at least 7 days before your arrival.

You can file the eVisa application by following this link: Egypt Electronic Visa Portal

Visa-Free Countries: No Visa Needed for Up to 90 Days

Feeling lucky? If you’re from Bahrain, Hong Kong, Jordan, Kuwait, Macao, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you can enjoy visa-free entry to Egypt for up to 90 days by just showing your identity card—for free! Score!

Countries That Need to Apply for a Visa Before Arrival

If your country didn’t make the “easy list,” no worries! You just need to apply for a visa at your local Egyptian consulate before you fly. Here are some of the countries that need to do this:

• Algeria
• Canada
• India
• Indonesia
• Morocco
• Philippines
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Uzbekistan

Visa Fees (in Cash Only!)

If you’re getting a Visa on Arrival, it’ll cost $25 USD (or the equivalent in Euros or GBP). But don’t forget—this is a cash-only deal. Credit and debit cards won’t be accepted at the airport, so make sure you bring enough cash with you!

Other Types of Visas to Egypt

Planning a few trips to Egypt or want a longer stay? Check out the multi-entry visa! It’s valid for 5 years and allows multiple entries, with stays of up to 90 days at a time. But here’s the catch—it costs a cool $700 USD.

What You Need for the Visa on Arrival:

• 2 blank passport pages
• 6 months of passport validity

Extending Your Stay (Trust Me, You’ll Want To!)

If you’re loving Egypt so much that 30 days isn’t enough (and it probably won’t be!), you can extend your stay for up to 1 year. Head over to one of the Passports, Immigration, and Nationality Offices (Gawazat) in Cairo, Hurghada, or Sharm El Sheikh to make it happen.

Here are the addresses for the Gawazat offices:

• Cairo (Head Office):
  Address: 12 Al Abbaseya Al Mekanekeya, As Sarayat, El Weili, Cairo Governorate
  Location: Google maps
• Hurghada:
  Address: El Amn Street, Downtown Hurghada, Red Sea Governorate
  Location: Google maps
• Sharm El Sheikh:
  Address: Police Complex, Second Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai Governorate
  Location: Google maps

Documents You’ll Need to Extend Your Visa:

• Photocopy of your passport’s photo page
• Photocopy of your Egypt visa stamp
• 1 passport-sized photo (4×6)

How It Works:

Once you hand in your documents and pay a small processing fee (usually under $5 USD), you’ll get a payment receipt and then have to wait until your paperwork is processed. Once cleared, you will receive a Foreign Residency Card (fancy, right?) that extends your single-entry visa to the length that you have requested.

Watch Out for Scams!

Heads up—if someone tries to charge you more than $25 USD for the visa at the airport, just say no! Some agents will try to sell you an expedited service that’s totally unnecessary. Instead, stick to the official visa kiosks, and you’ll be through in no time.

What to Do Next?

Once you’ve paid for your visa, you’ll get a visa sticker. But don’t try to stick it on your passport yourself—hand it over to the immigration officer, and they’ll take care of it for you.

Welcome to Egypt!

Now that you’ve got your Visa, you’re all set to explore Hurghada and beyond. Enjoy your time in this magical place—you’re officially a Hurghadian now!