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New Egypt visa requirements for Canadians.

In a recent announcement that has caught the attention of Canadian travellers putting many of them into a state of panic, Egypt declared a significant shift in its visa policy for Canadian passport holders. The announcement on new Egypt visa requirements for Canadians has been posted on the FB page of the Embassy of Egypt in Ottawa and the Consulate of Egypt in Montreal. In accordance with that, effective October 01, 2023, the Egyptian government will implement changes that will impact how Canadians can obtain visas for travel to the country. This article explores the details of these changes and sheds light on what Canadian travelers need to know before planning their Egyptian adventures.

New Egypt visa requirements for Canadians

The Canadian government through its Ministry of Global Affairs has put forward the following warning: “Starting October 1, 2023, Canadian passport holders will not be able to obtain a visa online before traveling to or upon arrival in Egypt. You will be required to obtain a visa from an Egyptian embassy or consulate abroad.

If you travel to Egypt on an electronic visa on or after October 1, 2023, your visa will be considered void, and you will be denied boarding and/or entry into Egypt. If you are planning to travel to Egypt, you should contact the nearest Egyptian embassy or consulate before you go.”

**Understanding the Changes**

For almost a decade, Canadian travelers could easily apply for an Egyptian e-visa or acquire an entry visa upon arrival. This convenient process applied to various visa types, including those for tourism, business, and private visits. However, the landscape has shifted, and Canadians looking to explore the wonders of Egypt will now face new visa restrictions.

**Visa Restrictions for Canadians**

Due to officially unannounced reasons the Egyptian government has decided to discontinue the option for Canadian passport holders to apply for e-visas or obtain entry visas on arrival. New Egypt visa requirements for Canadians span across all visa categories, impacting tourists, business travelers, and those seeking private visits. These changes have sparked discussions among travelers as well as a frantic search for ways to get an Egypt visa in a new way. Others are just reconsidering their travel plans.

**What Do Canadians Need to Enter Egypt?**

Given the updated visa regulations, Canadian citizens looking to enter Egypt on or after October 01, must secure the appropriate visa prior to departure. This visa has a form of a sticker that is affixed on one of the empty pages in the passport. This requires a visit to the Egyptian embassy or consulate in Canada. Travelers can find the Egyptian embassy in Ottawa and the Egyptian consulate in Montreal.

**Egypt Visa Application Process**

Canadian travelers must now follow a more traditional route when applying for an Egyptian visa. The previous e-visa application process and the option for obtaining a visa upon arrival have been replaced by the need to submit a visa application through the Egyptian embassy or consulate. This change emphasizes the importance of planning ahead and ensuring all required documents are in order before embarking on the journey. The applicants also must submit photos and a copy of their airline and hotel bookings along with their passports. The processing, though not officially announced, will take 7-10 days. So, visa to Egypt for Canadians is becoming more complicated.

**Cost and Application Details**

Naturally, one of the first questions travelers may have pertains to the cost of obtaining an Egyptian visa. While specific details can vary and are not yet clear, travelers should budget for visa application fees in addition to factoring in the time required for processing. To find the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to directly consult the Egyptian embassy, consulate, or visa firms.

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