Home Arrow FAQs Arrow How long does it take to obtain a transit visa from the Egypt embassy?

How long does it take to obtain a transit visa from the Egypt embassy?

Before traveling abroad with a stop in Cairo or another Egyptian airport, many travelers ask: how long does it take for the Egyptian embassy to issue a transit visa? It will very much depend on which country you are, where you want to travel to, and even to know whether you will qualify to receive visa-on- arrival or seek a visa in advance at an embassy or the consulate. We break down below the process, expected timelines, and what travelers should know before booking flights.

What is an Egypt transit visa?

A transit visa is a short-term visa issued to travelers, allowing them to pass through Egypt on their way to another destination. It would be needed in case:

  • During your layover, you must get out of the airport.
  • You need a long connection and need a place to be based, or visit the city.
  • You belong to a nation that is not eligible for visa-free airport transfer.

For most travelers, Egypt’s transit visa rules are quite flexible, but processing times may vary.

Visa-on-arrival vs. Embassy application

Visa on arrival

Egypt is a popular tourist destination, and many nationalities are eligible to receive a tourist visa on arrival at the airport. Such a visa will cost you around 25 USD and gets stamped inside your passport, it mostly lasts a maximum of 30 days. This is a popular connection mode among travelers in the case where the layover is long to allow outside the airport.

Processing time: Immediate upon arrival at the airport.

Note: Every nationality is not eligible. As an illustration, Yemeni nationals cannot get the visa on arrival even when entering the country with third country passages. The full list of eligible and ineligible nationalities is available at Egyptian embassies and consulates worldwide.

Applying at the Embassy

In the event that your nationality does not qualify for a visa-on-arrival, or you wish to obtain the visa in advance of the journey you have to obtain a transit visa at the Egyptian embassy or consulate in your country of residence.

Processing times: Processing times: Usually up to 7 working days, depending on the embassy, nationality, and the completeness of your application. In some cases, it may cost more depending on the country on which background checks are conducted or due to the number of applications.

Factors that affect processing time

Factors that determine the time it takes to obtain a transit visa in Egypt embassy include:

  • Nationality: There are passports that are vetted with a higher degree of scrutiny and will hence take longer to acquire.
  • Type of visa: A simple transit visa is usually faster to process than a work permit visa or a long-term stay visa.
  • Completeness of application: Missing documents (e.g., flight bookings, hotel reservations, or passport copies) can cause delays.
  • Workload in embassies: Embassies might take longer to process the application particularly during peak travelling season.

Required documents for a transit visa

While requirements may differ slightly by embassy, applicants generally need to prepare:

  • A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity.
  • Completed visa application form.
  • Recent passport-sized photographs.
  • Proof of onward travel (flight ticket to a third country).
  • Proof of accommodation if leaving the airport.
  • Visa fee (varies by embassy and nationality).

Practical advice for travelers

  • First, check eligibility: If your nationality qualifies for a visa on arrival, you can simply obtain it at the airport instead of applying in advance.
  • Contact or apply early where required: In case you require making a visit to the embassy to make an application, do so at least 2-3 weeks prior to your travel in case there are any snags; at least you have some time.
  • Transit in the airport: If your layover is very short (typically under 6 hours) and you remain in the international transit area, you usually do not need a transit visa. Always confirm with your airline and the Egyptian authorities before traveling. Touch base with the Egyptian and your airline before travelling.
  • In the case of work-related travel: When your intention of travel is employment, you need to apply for a work permit visa instead of a tourist or a transit visa. If one is processing work permits, there are variations and it can take several weeks or more.
  • Passengers flying with EgyptAir may be eligible for a complimentary 96-hour transit visa issued upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, subject to conditions. This is a special exception and does not apply to other airlines.

Conclusion

So, how long does it take to obtain a transit visa from the Egypt embassy?

  • Most travelers who are eligible can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at the airport, costing about 25 USD and valid for up to 30 days. However, a transit visa cannot be obtained on arrival; it must be applied for in advance at an Egyptian embassy or consulate if required.
  • In case of travellers that need to apply at an embassy, the average time will usually be 5-10 working days, but may differ according to the nationality and location.

Egypt is one of the most accepting nations to foreign visitors but the rules become different depending on states. In order to avoid such situations at the airport, always ask yourself to confirm the latest visa requirements with the Egyptian embassy or consulate in your home country, long before you travel.

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