Posts Tagged ‘Egypt visa’

Is it Safe to Get an Egyptian Visa?

Sunday, April 24th, 2011

Tourism in Egypt ground to a halt during the revolution. Now, 2 months after the Egyptian people swept Mubarak from power, the country is once again open for business. As Egypt tries to woo back tourists, prices have dropped substantially, turning a trip to see the pyramids into a tempting bargain. But is it safe?

Gadling spoke with several tour operators in the region and came away with the impression that yes, Egypt is now safe for tourists again. For example, Abercrombie and Kent told them that “the situation has improved dramatically in recent weeks. The U.S. State Department has softened its Travel Warning and both the French and the British have updated their cautions. Airports and financial institutions are functioning normally and popular tourist sites are open – and remarkably free of visitors. Beyond that, Egyptians are relishing their new-found freedom and a sense of optimism is palpable wherever you go…With a stable political situation, crowd-free sites and a newly energized people, this is the moment to experience Egypt.”

However, the US State Department does still have a travel warning out for Egypt. While they aren’t advising US citizens to halt travel to the country altogether, they do advise being cautious and alert:

“Elements of the Egyptian government responsible for ensuring security and public safety are not fully reconstituted and are still in the process of being reorganized. Until the redeployment of Egyptian civilian police is fully restored, police response to emergency requests for assistance or reports of crime may be delayed…The security situation in Luxor, Aswan, and the Red Sea Resorts, including Sharm el Sheikh, is calm; however, the situation across Egypt remains unpredictable and subject to change. Travelers should remain in contact with their tour operators.”

Is it safe to visit Egypt? The ultimate answer to that question depends on your personal tolerance for risk, but you can minimize your personal risk by planning ahead, using a reputable tour operator and registering with the Department of State via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). (more…)

Travel Visas for the Tour d’Afrique

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

The Tour de France? That’s nothing! Try riding across the entire African continent on a bicycle! Since 2003, a hardy bunch of cyclists has been doing just that, as part of the Tour d’Afrique. The Tour d’Afrique crosses the entire African continent, from Egypt to South Africa, approximately 7,500 miles. While some participants are there to race, many others are just there for the experience and travel at their own pace, so people of all ages are welcome as long as you are in good shape and like to ride.

The Tour d’Afrique takes a good four months to complete, and like most epic-level travel experiences, it’s not cheap. The full tour will set you back €8,900, not including your bike, supplies for your bike, food on rest days, flights or visas. Fortunately, you can also sign on to just do a specific part of the tour.

As far as travel visas are concerned, the requirements vary depending on which country you’re looking at. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Egypt: If you’re flying in, you can get a 30-day tourist visa when you arrive at the airport, or apply in advance if you’d like. If you’re entering by land, you’ll need one in advance.
  • Sudan: US citizens should apply for a visa in advance at a Sudanese embassy or consulate.
  • Ethiopia: If you’re riding in, you’ll definitely need to apply for your visa in advance. Theoretically, if you’re flying in, you can get a visa on arrival, but the US Department of State recommends against it as airport officials sometimes refuse to issue them. So, be a good Boy/Girl Scout and “be prepared!” See Ethiopian Visa Requirements for Tourists for more details.
  • Kenya: US citizens need to apply in advance to enter by land. If flying in, you should be able to get a visa on arrival but be prepared to wait for the privilege. See Kenyan Visa Requirements for Tourists for details.

2011 Destinations: Get an Egyptian Visa to Go Diving at Port Ghalib

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

Diving in the Red Sea at Sharm el-Sheikh is SO last year, especially since that beach has turned into a real-life version of “Jaws.” If you’d rather dive someplace with fewer people, and where you can dive without hearing that creepy theme song in your head, go across the Red Sea and check out Port Ghalib instead.

According to the New York Times, “Those looking to skip the crowds should turn to Port Ghalib, across the Red Sea from Sharm, on the eastern Egyptian coast. Ghalib’s beaches offer soft, snow-hued sand and translucent water that divers love.”

Naturally, since the New York Times has outed this quiet sea port, you should probably go now, before Port Ghalib becomes as much of a tourist destination as Sharm el-Sheikh.

The first step, of course, is making sure that you have the necessary travel documents. Obviously, since you’re traveling halfway across the world, you’re going to need a passport. US citizens are also required to have an Egyptian visa, but if you’re flying in you can get this at the airport.

However, if you’re entering by land, you need to get your visa in advance. Also, if you’ve ever had a problem getting into Egypt before, you need to apply for your visa before you leave the States.

Even if you’re flying in, applying ahead of time is a good idea because it makes getting out of the airport and to your hotel that much easier.

Here’s what you’ll need to apply for an Egyptian visa:

  • A valid US passport.
  • A passport photo.
  • Plane tickets or a copy of your itinerary
  • A completed Egyptian visa application.

If you do decide to apply ahead of time, RushMyTravelVisa can make the process less of a headache. We’ll walk you through the paperwork, answer any questions you might have, and expedite your visa for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Egyptian visa today!

Egyptian Visa Requirements to Scuba Dive the Red Sea

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

When you think of Egypt, you probably think of the pyramids, but did you know that Egypt is also home to one of the top 10 best scuba diving sites in the world? The Red Sea is famous for its crystal-clear visibility and gorgeous coral formations. It also features a wonderfully diverse ecosystem, with over 12,000 species of fish, dolphins, the endangered dugong (think a super-sized manatee) and more. If you’ve always wanted to swim with the dolphins and/or sharks, the Red Sea is a great place to do both!

In addition to natural coral reefs, there are also a number of ship wrecks in the Red Sea that make interesting dive sites. According to one of the local dive shops, the best times to dive are the spring and the fall.

MatadorTV has a gorgeous video up of a Red Sea dive. See why it’s one of the top 10 diving destinations in the world?

To visit Egypt, you’ll need your passport, of course. You also need an Egyptian visa, but you may not have to apply in advance if you’re flying in. Egyptian tourist visas are available upon arrival at the airport for American citizens. However, if you’re entering Egypt by land, you will need to apply before you leave the States. Honestly, even travelers entering by air will appreciate the convenience of having applied for a visa in advance-the last thing you want to do after a long flight is more paperwork!

Here’s what you’ll need to apply for an Egyptian visa:

  • A valid US passport.
  • A passport photo.
  • Plane tickets or a copy of your itinerary
  • A completed Egyptian visa application.

If you’re applying in advance, RushMyTravelVisa can help. We’ll walk you through the visa process, step-by-step, and expedite your paperwork with the appropriate embassy for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Egyptian visa today!

Egyptian Visa Requirements To Climb Mt. Sinai

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

The tallest mountain in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, Mt. Sinai has religious significance for Christians, Muslims and Jews alike, as it is believed to be the place where Moses was given the Ten Commandments. Naturally, some scholars dispute this. However, whatever you do (or don’t) believe, if you have the opportunity to climb Mt. Sinai, it’s an experience not to be missed.

Due to the scorching heat of the Egyptian sun, climbing Mt. Sinai takes place at night, by the light of the moon (supplemented, naturally, with flashlights.) The mountain is 2,285 meters high, and climbing it generally takes 2.5 to 4 hours. There are two ways up: Siket El Bashait, also known as “the Camel Trail,” and the aptly named “Steps of Penitence.”

Once at the top, you’ll generally have plenty of time to watch the stars as you wait for the sun to rise. It gets cold and windy, so make sure you have appropriate clothing and blankets. On the way down, you can stop at the Monastery of St. Katherine, the Church of the Transfiguration, and what’s billed as a descendant of the original “Burning Bush.”

To visit Egypt, you need both a passport and an Egyptian visa. Egyptian visas are available by arrival in the airport only-if you’re crossing over a land border, you have to apply in advance. Even if you’re flying in, getting your Egyptian visa beforehand is still a good idea because it means you’ll be out of the airport faster, and that’s always a blessing after a long flight.

Here’s what you’ll need to apply:

  • A valid US passport.
  • A passport photo.
  • Plane tickets or a copy of your itinerary
  • A completed Egyptian visa application.

Using RushMyTravelVisa makes getting an Egyptian visa before you leave the US much faster. We’ll help you with the application and deliver your paperwork to the Embassy for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Egyptian visa today!

See the Pyramids of Saqqara with an Egyptian Visa

Saturday, July 10th, 2010

When you visit Egypt, the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx are must-sees, of course. However, unless you are seriously short on time, don’t spend all of your time at Giza, home of the most famous sites.  Many of the tombs at Saqqara are even older than the pyramids at Giza. They are also far less crowded and equally interesting, especially if you are interested in Egyptian history.

Saqqara is the home of the very first pyramid, the Step Pyramid of Djoser. Unlike its more famous descendents, the Step Pyramid of Djoser is not smooth-sided but rather built to resemble a series of steps leading up into heaven. According to Gadling, a couple of gorgeous painted tombs have been discovered recently, along with the tomb of a royal scribe.

To visit Egypt and see Saqqara, American citizens are required to have an Egyptian visa. If you are entering by land, you should apply for your visa in advance and have it before you leave. If you are entering by plane, you should be able to apply for your visa when you land. However, you also have the option of applying in advance, and if you do, you’ll be able to leave the airport faster.

To apply for an Egyptian visa, the following documents are required:

  • A valid US passport.
  • A passport photo.
  • Plane tickets or a copy of your itinerary
  • A completed Egyptian visa application.

If you’re applying in advance, RushMyTravelVisa can help you get your visa more quickly and easily. We’ll review your itinerary for you to make sure you know exactly what documents you’ll need for your trip. Then, we’ll help you with the paperwork and expedite your application with the appropriate embassy or consulate.

Need an Egyptian visa? Apply with us today!

Egyptian Visa Requirements to Visit the Valley of the Whales

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010

65 million years ago, the Mediterranean sea was larger, and its coastline was located much further south than it is today.  These warm waters and ancient mangrove forests were ruled by Basilosaurus, giant 60-foot-long sea mammals that were the ancestors of today’s whales and dolphins.

The sea retreated, and eventually the ocean floor turned into the Egyptian desert. However, the skeletons of many of the great beasts were preserved as fossils.  In the Valley of the Whales, this week’s featured UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can walk on what was once an ancient seabed, and see the fossilized remains of Flipper’s oldest relatives (h/t Bootsnall.) The fossils are the earliest known record of the whale family- some of them even still have the remnants of legs!

The Valley of the Whales was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. According to the UNESCO Web site, it was selected because:

“Wadi Al-Hitan is the most important site in the world to demonstrate one of the iconic changes that make up the record of life on Earth: the evolution of the whales. It portrays vividly their form and mode of life during their transition from land animals to a marine existence.”

To visit Egypt and see the Valley of the Whales, you do need an Egyptian visa. If you are entering by land, you need to have your visa in hand ahead of time. If you are flying in, you should be able to get a visa on arrival-although if you apply for one in advance, you’ll make it out of the airport much more quickly.

To get an Egyptian visa, you need the following:

  • A valid US passport.
  • A separate passport photo.
  • Plane tickets or a copy of your itinerary
  • A completed Egyptian visa application.

RushMyPassport can make getting your Egyptian visa ahead of time faster and easier. We’ll help you with the application and personally deliver it to the appropriate Egyptian embassy or consulate for the fastest possible service.

Apply for your Egyptian visa today!

Travel Visa Requirements To Follow in the Footsteps of Alexander the Great

Friday, May 21st, 2010

From 336 to 323 BC, the Macedonian army, led by Alexander the Great, blazed through the Middle East as Alexander strove to conquer Darius, the king of Persia.  Although Alexander’s reign was short, his impact on history was tremendous. Now, reporter Theodore May is retracing the path the army took, on foot.

Currently in Lebanon, he is blogging about his journey here.  For real-time updates, you can also check out his Twitter feed here.

Of course, travel visas weren’t really an issue back when Alexander the Great traveled this route. Even if they had been, I seriously doubt he would have cared. You, however, are not Alexander the Great, and you don’t have the entire Macedonian army at your back. If you want to undertake a similar journey, researching travel visa requirements is an important first step.  Here’s a breakdown of the visa requirements for each country:

Turkey- Visas are required, but as long as you’re traveling as a tourist, they are easy to get and can be obtained for $20 on arrival.

Syria-You do need a travel visa to enter, and make sure you apply in advance. Also, you will not be allowed to enter if your passport shows entry/exit stamps from Israel.  For more information, see Syrian Visa Requirements for Tourists.

Lebanon-You do need a visa, but if you are an American citizen you can get a tourist visa at the airport.  Entry/exit stamps from Israel will get you into trouble here, too.

Iraq-You need a visa, and you need to apply in advance. Although you can get in via the Kurdistan Region without one, you won’t be able to travel anywhere else in Iraq unless you get an Iraqi visa prior to your trip.

Israel- You need a passport valid for at least 6 months, proof that you can support yourself financially in Israel and an onward ticket, but you should be able to get a visa on arrival.  Please note that the Israeli authorities may question you extensively and will do a background check, and if they see anything they don’t like, they don’t have to let you in.

Egypt- You need a passport and a visa. If you are flying in, you can get a visa on arrival at the airport or get one ahead of time. If you are entering via land, apply for your visa in advance For more information, see Egyptian Visa Requirements for Tourists.