Before you travel to Egypt for tourism or business, you need to have time to obtain a visa for the country. Find out how long it takes to obtain a visa.
Obtaining a visa for Egypt does of course take some time and it is necessary to do it early enough to get this precious document before your trip. In this article, we will explain how you can get an e-visa in a very short time as well as some tips to avoid wasting time and maximize your chances of getting it in time.
Egypt visa processing time: key points
- The average processing time for a visa to Egypt is 5 working days.
- It is advisable to apply for a visa for Egypt at least one week before your departure.
- It is also possible to apply for a visa on arrival in Egypt, but this presents a risk
Applying for a visa to Egypt is now easier and faster than ever before as it is done entirely online with the e-Visa procedure. But many travellers who wish to use it wonder how long it will take to process their application.
In fact, as you will see, the processing time for the e-visa for Egypt is generally very short and it is possible to obtain this residence permit very quickly. It is precisely with the aim of reducing the waiting time for travellers who wish to visit Egypt that the online visa procedure has been set up by the Egyptian authorities.
Indeed, before the implementation of this procedure, the waiting time required to obtain an Egyptian tourist or business visa was relatively long and made it more complex to organise such a trip. But since the end of 2017, nationals from the list of 46 countries eligible for the scheme can obtain a visa online for a stay in Egypt of less than 30 consecutive days.
The eVisa for Egypt is then issued as a single or multiple-entry visa and only requires the completion of a form in a few minutes online.
As you will have understood, the implementation of the online electronic visa application system has significantly reduced the processing time for tourists wishing to travel to Egypt. This time is now much shorter than before.
Egypt e-visa applications are generally processed within 5 working days, although it is recommended that you allow a week before your departure date to allow for any delays. In addition, in reality, most visitors receive their visas within an even shorter period of time, i.e. one to two days after the application has been sent.
You may also be aware that some travellers who cannot benefit from the e-visa procedure have the possibility to apply for a visa on arrival in Egypt. In fact, it is necessary to go to a specific counter upon arrival in the country and complete an application.
Of course, this procedure will take longer than simply filling in an online form, as these counters are often overcrowded and the queues are relatively long. Once the form has been filled in, and if the necessary conditions and documents are met, it will only take a few minutes to obtain the visa. However, it is not uncommon for some travellers to be refused a visa on arrival.
While it may be tempting for last-minute travellers to take advantage of this visa on arrival, it is preferable to apply online and in advance to avoid inconveniences such as being refused the visa and having to return home by your own means. Applying for an e-visa online is therefore the safest and fastest way to apply.
If you wish to obtain a visa for Egypt, it is of course necessary to make arrangements well in advance. Indeed, for the Egyptian e-visa online, the ideal is to do it at least one week in advance to be prepared for any eventuality.
Indeed, although the deadline announced by the service provider sites is 5 working days, certain situations or unforeseen events can cause delays, even if this remains rare. This may be due to an abnormally high demand and a large number of files to be processed or even an error made when filling in the form which will require verification. For the latter reason, it is important to check the data on the form before submitting it.
Delays in processing your e-visa application for Egypt can occur if there are many applications, or if some of the information is inconsistent or incorrect. Therefore, to ensure that you obtain your residence permit in time, you should avoid some common mistakes.
First of all, it will be necessary to check that the passport used to make the application meets the standards for this procedure. It must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of departure. You should also bring a scanned copy of the biographical page of the passport.
You must also ensure that all the data and information entered on the form is true, and in particular that the passport number given is that of the passport with which you will be travelling. If you have dual nationality, you must ensure that you use the same passport.
The date of arrival mentioned in the application must also be correct as an incorrect date will systematically change the processing time of the application. Finally, you must ensure that you have provided a valid email address when you apply to ensure that you receive your Electronic Travel Authorisation.
So, as you will have understood, by taking the time to complete the form properly and checking all the answers, you will have a better chance of obtaining your residence permit in time.
A renewal of an e-visa for Egypt requires the same time frame as an initial application for the simple reason that you will have to go through the whole process again when your e-visa expires.
Remember that the e-visa for Egypt is valid for 90 days and allows for a 30-day stay in the country. Once this period is exceeded, the e-visa will no longer be valid and the traveller will have to apply for a new visa.
Similarly, if your e-visa is still valid but your passport has expired, you will need to apply for a new e-visa.
Adeline HARMANT
As a web writer and globetrotter with a passion for travel and tourism, I have acquired in-depth knowledge of the procedures that are essential for travellers. I help travellers to complete all the formalities required for a successful trip, particularly when it comes to obtaining a visa online. With several years' experience in this field, I'd like to offer you some valuable advice to help you discover the world with complete peace of mind.
The time required to fill in the Egypt visa application form can vary depending on various factors such as the type of visa requested, the purpose of the trip, the number of previous trips to Egypt, etc. In general, the Egypt visa application form is fairly straightforward and can be completed in approximately 20-30 minutes.
Yes, it is possible to get an urgent visa for Egypt, but it depends on the type of visa you are applying for and the visa processing requirements of the Egyptian embassy or consulate in your country. If you are applying for a tourist visa, some Egyptian consulates offer an express processing service for an additional fee. This can significantly reduce the processing time of your visa application and allow you to obtain your visa in just a few days.
If you wish to apply for an Egypt visa online, it is recommended that you do so at least one week before your intended departure date. This will give you enough time to fill in the online visa application form, provide all the required documents and receive your visa before your trip.
