Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa unveiled a new package of facilities related to issuing tourist visas, according to a statement by the ministry on March 27th.
In a press conference, Issa revealed that these facilities included allowing Chinese tourists to obtain an emergency entry visa (visa upon arrival) from Egyptian airports, as well as allowing Indian tourists who hold resident visa from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to obtain an emergency entry visa.
This is in addition to facilities granted to holders of a valid entry visa that was previously used in the US, the UK, Schengen Area, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and Australia, he added.
The minister also pointed out that Turkish tourists are now allowed to obtain an emergency entry visa from Egyptian airports without being restricted to a specific age.
Furthermore, Algerian and Moroccan tourists arriving in tourist groups can also get visa upon arrival.
Iranian tourists arriving directly to South Sinai through a tourism agency are allowed to obtain their visas upon arrival.
The new tourist visas facilities also enable Iraqi tourists to obtain an emergency entry visa at Egyptian airports provided they hold a valid entry visa that was used before in the US, the UK, Schengen Area, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, and Australia.
Tourists aged between 16 and 60+ can obtain an electronic visa through the E-Visa platform.
Additionally, Issa said that a new multi-entry visa, valid for 5 years, at a value of $700, will be introduced soon.
In January and February, tourist arrivals to Egypt grew significantly by 30% year on year (YoY), he remarked.
During the press conference, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Mostafa Waziri announced that Egypt will inaugurate the Graeco Roman Museum in Alexandria within the next few weeks, after a 17-year hiatus.
