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-   -   EGYPT visas (https://www.fodors.com/community/africa-and-the-middle-east/egypt-visas-399522/)

shmulib Jul 22nd, 2008 12:33 PM

EGYPT visas
 
we are UK and Swiss travelling in a few weeks to Cairo. Does anyone have any info or recommendations about how to get visas?

I heard there may be long queues at the airport. Would this still be true if we arrive after midnite?

thanks


sandi Jul 22nd, 2008 01:13 PM

As long as flights are arriving the Visa window is open. And, depending on how many flights land at the same time.

Long or short queues, you still have to wait for your luggage, so might as well have something to do then be tapping your foot wondering what's taking them so long.

We got our visas within 5/min if that helps and there were easily 300 pax on our plane.

shmulib Jul 22nd, 2008 10:14 PM

thanks. im assuming swiss nationals can get visas at the airport too? the rules all say eu citizens

Grcxx3 Jul 23rd, 2008 03:55 AM

There are flights arriving into Cairo at all hours of the night/morning. Should be no problem finding an open visa window!

When my son and I went back last October, we were laughing because it was one of the only time we had EVER landed in Cairo during the daytime!!!

Momliz Jul 23rd, 2008 12:36 PM

I was startled - you get the visas at a bank office at the airport - at least that's where we got ours. I was expecting an immigration office, but no, it was in a bank. Kind of a statement, no? And, there was no line at all.

Grcxx3 Jul 23rd, 2008 01:02 PM

It's the same thing in Turkey....you just walk up to the window, pay your money, and they put the visa (just a stamp) in your passport. Simple as pie!

sunshine007 Jul 24th, 2008 01:32 PM

I guess I didn't know that Switzerland wasn't in the EU. I'm not as worldly as I thought.

Luisah Jul 27th, 2008 10:00 AM

<<I heard there may be long queues at the airport. Would this still be true if we arrive after midnite?>>

Even if there is a line it moves very quickly. I have a U.S. passport and handed the clerk the money (I think $15) and my passport and he picked up a visa, put it with my passport and handed it back, no conversation, probably took 30 seconds. I had my visa and gone through passport control long before my luggage showed up.

You will need to check about the visa fee for Swiss and UK passports.

I wouldn't worry about the line but it would help if you have the correct fee in your hand.


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