Travel To Egypt: Egypt Travel Restrictions And Requirements

Egypt is a major tourist destination that was once home to the Pharaohs who left behind magnificent architectural remains like Giza's colossal Pyramids and Great Sphinx and Luxor's hieroglyph-lined Karnak Temple and Valley of the King's tombs.

Activities like discovering the stone relics of Luxor and swimming in the crystal clear waters of Sharm el Sheikh are among the most popular things to do in Egypt for visitors. Egypt's largest city, Cairo, is also the largest city in Africa and the 6th largest globally.

I know, I know; all I am doing is giving out facts about Egypt. However, there are so many more activities you can do in Egypt that deserve more discussion. To find out more about travel advice, the types of visas, and how to apply for them, go to our countries page for Egypt, or you can explore Atlys. To simplify things, you can apply for your tourist visa directly on Atlys.

Let me now start with what I am here for; to talk about Egypt's Travel Restrictions and Requirements. I will take you through all the important topics you should know about. Without wasting any more time, let us begin with the travel advisory:

Coronavirus Related Restrictions And Requirements In Egypt

Entry And Exit Requirements In Egypt

What Is An Egyptian Health Declaration Form

Health Requirements In Egypt

Coronavirus Related Restrictions And Requirements In Egypt

Since international travel is open in Egypt, you can now apply for your e-visa. However, the Egyptian Government has placed many pandemic-related restrictions, and you must adhere to them. Therefore, ensure that you are updated with the covid-related information and check the airline's specified travel requirements.

The restrictions and requirements for each country are always changing which can make things complicated. Egypt has recently changed many covid-related requirements. You might now be thinking about:

What Are The Covid-19 Test Requirements In Egypt?

Who Is Exempted From Covid-19 Test By The Egyptian Government?

Are There Covid-19 Restrictions In Egypt?

Can I Travel To Egypt Without A Covid Test?

Worry not, I will answer all those questions for you.

What Are The Covid-19 Test Requirements In Egypt?

To enter Egypt, all passengers must either provide proof of negative COVID-19 test results or have valid proof of vaccination. You must take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours of departure or a Rapid Antigen test within 24 hours of departure. Finally, you must present a negative test result printed on paper to enter the country.

Travelers coming from the international airport of countries like Japan, China, Thailand, North America, South America, Canada, Paris, and Frankfurt can provide a test certificate performed at least 96 hours before departure due to the long travel and transit periods. Since March 2022, travelers from London Heathrow International Airport must take the RT-PCR test within 72 hours of departure.

Keep the following in mind when printing your negative test result:

It is provided by an approved laboratory

The result is either in Arabic or English

Result time and date are within 72 hours of departure

The result must have a QR code

Digital copies of negative covid test results are not allowed

Who Is Exempted From Covid-19 Test By The Egyptian Government?

If you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to present a negative PCR test result when entering Egypt. However, you must have a vaccination certificate issued by your country showing that you have been fully vaccinated with your last dose administered at least 14 days before your arrival in Egypt. Currently, the approved Covid-19 Vaccinations by Egyptian Authorities are:

AstraZeneca, Janssen, Moderna, Pfizer, Sinopharm, Sinovac, Sputnik V

Note: Children under the age of 12 have an exemption from the covid test requirement. Certain airlines might require proof of negative covid test results regardless of your vaccination status so remember to check your airline’s regulations.

Are There Covid-19 Restrictions In Egypt?

Currently, public transportation, as well as domestic-commercial flights, are operating in Egypt. There is no curfew in place and no restrictions on intercity or interstate travel.

The country has not fully lifted all the restrictions, and you must adhere to all the local covid measures. Currently, the restaurants and cafes operate at 50% capacity, and large gatherings are not allowed.

These rules and restrictions may change at any given time. However, you must always have a mask on when traveling around Egypt. You must also follow the protocols and travel advice provided by the World Health Organization

Can I Travel To Egypt Without A Covid Test?

You can enter Egypt without a negative PCR test result if you are fully vaccinated. Additionally, you can enter or leave the country with a valid covid vaccination certificate when on direct flights to the Red Sea Governorate. If you are not fully vaccinated, you can take an RT-PCR test at the airport when arriving directly at the below-mentioned Red Sea Governorate airports. However, the traveler must stay in their hotel room until the negative test result is received, which could take up to 12 to 24 hours.

If your test results come positive, you will have to go through a mandatory quarantine at the government hospital or self-isolate at the place of accommodation. In addition, the traveler will have to cover all the necessary costs related to their stay.

You can take the RT-PCR test on arrival at the following airports:

Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sharm El Sheikh, and Taba.

For Covid-19-related queries, you can contact the following hotlines in Egypt: 105– Ministry of Health Hotline (Press 1 for COVID-19 information; Arabic proficiency recommended); 15335 - Press 1 for Arabic. Press 2 for English.

Entry And Exit Requirements In Egypt

You must remember to always comply with the Entry and Exit requirements of the country. In addition, most countries need a relevant visa to enter Egypt, which can be obtained either online or applied at the Egyptian Embassy in your jurisdiction. The visa application process is relatively straightforward. However, the following entry requirements must be kept in mind when arriving in Egypt:

You must present a valid tourist visa

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months

At least two empty visa pages

A valid proof of covid vaccination

Or a valid proof of negative covid RT-PCR test

Printed health declaration form

A yellow fever certificate for countries such as Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, or Sudan

Travel itinerary stating the place of accommodation

Proof of sufficient funds for the period of your stay

Travel health insurance is advised

A 25 USD cash fee (EUR and GBP cash only) is required for countries eligible for visas on arrival.

You can travel to Egypt on a single entry or multiple entry visa. These visas allow travelers to stay in the country for 30 consecutive days. The single entry visa is valid for 3 months, and the multiple entry visa is valid for 6 months with multiple entries from the date it is issued.

At the airport or border entry point in Egypt, there are numerous restrictions. These restrictions should not be taken lightly and be followed always. Some of these restrictions to remember when entering or leaving Egypt are:

Egypt allows you to bring in and take out 5,000 Egyptian pounds (Egyptian currency).

You can bring a maximum of UDS 10,000 in; however, you must declare sums exceeding that amount.

In addition, you must declare certain valuables, including video cameras, electrical equipment, etc.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Telecommunications can confiscate satellite phones and radio communications equipment imported without prior approval.

To leave Egypt, the electrical items listed in passports must be presented. You will incur high customs duties if you fail to comply.

You must show the entry stamp on your passport to leave the country.

Certain medicines are not allowed, and you might need to present the required documents.

Remember that the Egyptian Authorities have the power to not allow certain items in the country. Those items can be confiscated and you can get them back on your departure from the country. The airport authorities will guide you through that process. But do not carry any items that are illegal or would cause any trouble for you at the border.

What Is An Egyptian Health Declaration Form

A Health Declaration Form is provided by The Ministry of Health and Population that allows the government to keep track of travelers’ health status and monitor the spread of coronavirus. It is an electronic QR registration form for incoming travelers in Egypt, also known as the Public Health Card. Upon arrival in Egypt, you must have an Egyptian health declaration form completed online and show relevant information at border control or to the immigration officer.

Let me give you in-depth details about Egypt's Health Declaration Form:

Who Must Fill Out An Egyptian Health Declaration Form?

What Information Do I Need To Fill Out An Egypt Health Declaration Form?

How To Fill Out An Egyptian Health Declaration Form?

When Must I Fill Out The Egypt Health Declaration Form?

What Happens After I Have Filled Out The Egypt Health Declaration Form?

Who Must Fill Out An Egyptian Health Declaration Form?

The Egyptian Health Declaration Form is mandatory and must be completed by every traveler wishing to enter the country. In addition for children who are too young, people with disabilities, and unable to fill the form themselves, their parents or guardians must fill out and sign the health declaration form on their behalf.

Furthermore, the health declaration form must be filled out by any resident of Egypt (national and foreign), people traveling for work, business, medical purposes, and any tourist entering the country.

What Information Do I Need To Fill Out An Egypt Health Declaration Form?

Filling out the Egyptian Health Declaration Form is pretty straightforward. This form can be filled out online and only take about 10 minutes to complete.

To fill out the form, you must provide all your personal details such as full name, date of birth, passport number, profession, and nationality.

You must also give your flight details and the address of your accommodation in Egypt. In addition, you will be asked if you have any covid-related symptoms and the places you have visited in the last 14 days.

You must provide your contact details like your email address and telephone number to receive your health declaration approval.

You will also need to upload your negative covid-19 test results or your covid vaccination certificate.

How To Fill Out An Egyptian Health Declaration Form?

Once you have all the information and documents, you can start filling out the form. You can fill out this form online, and the process of filling it out is simple.

You can find the online form on the Arab Republic of Egypt Ministry of Health and Population webiste.

You must fill out all the required fields in the online form and upload your covid test result or vaccination certificate.

In the end, you will be asked for your consent and to submit the form.

When Must I Fill Out The Egypt Health Declaration Form?

You can fill out the health declaration form online and print out the QR code, which will be emailed to you or you can find it online. The form must be filled with all the relevant information, signed, and printed on paper before arrival.

The Egyptian government advises you to fill out the form at least two days before your flight departure. The health authorities will review the form, and a QR code will be generated upon the approval of your application.

What Happens After I Have Filled Out The Egypt Health Declaration Form?

Once you have filled out the application form online, all you need to do is wait for the approval email. The health authorities will go through your application, and when they accept it, you will receive your application confirmation in your email.

You can even check the status of your application online on the Ministry of Health and Population website. You will need your flight number, nationality, passport number, and date of birth to check your status online. You will find the QR code online once your application is approved. You must take a picture of this QR code and print it on paper.

NOTE: You must present the QR code before boarding your flight and arriving in Egypt. Printing the QR code on paper to present it to the relevant authorities is advised.

Health Requirements In Egypt

As mentioned above, you must carry all the necessary documents, including your medical records. In addition, you have to show the Egyptian Authorities a negative covid test result or a proof of covid vaccination. At specific border entry points, you have the convenience of taking a covid test on arrival.

It is essential to stay updated with your vaccines and get the necessary vaccinations before visiting any country. You can even visit a travel clinic nearby to get vaccinated against measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza, and others.

In some parts of the country, food and waterborne diseases like hepatitis A, schistosomiasis, and typhoid are common. Therefore, you must practice good hygiene, only eat cooked food and drink boiled or bottled water. In addition, it would be best to consider getting vaccinated for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Polio (Proof of vaccination), Rabies, and Yellow Fever.

If you have any medical condition that requires prescription medication, get a medical certificate from an official health professional stating in detail that the medicines you are carrying are prescribed for a medical condition. In addition, certain over-the-counter medications are listed as controlled medicine in Egypt. Therefore, you should get Egypt's Ministry of Health permission to carry the medicine into the country.

It would be best to get travel insurance that covers all your medical and evacuation costs. Be careful not to be overcharged by Egypt's local doctors and pharmacies. In case of an emergency, dial 123 and ask for an ambulance.

Keep in mind that the country can change its rules and regulations with short notice. Therefore, as a traveler, you need to have a thoroughly researched travel plan and relevant information on your destination country. In addition, you can follow the Ministry of Health and Population's social media for the latest news, which is only in Arabic.

You are now up to date with all the relevant information on Egypt’s travel restrictions and requirements. You can always check out more about Egypt on Atlys such as the embassies and visa information. I hope you found the information you were looking for in this blog. You can now enjoy your trip to Egypt without any worries.

Bon Voyage!