Visa requirement for a trip to Egypt
Aug 29, 2015, 9:34 pm
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 24
Visa requirement for a trip to Egypt
I am planning a trip to Egypt from Athens with Aegean Airlines. I have got multiple entry Schengen visa and I am holding Indian passport. I checked with nearest Egypt (Houston) Embassy and they informed that no visa is required for indian but asked to check with Airlines. I have sent mail to Aegean Airlines asking whether I need visa or not. But did not get any reply yet.
Anybody have any experience or suggestion? This may not be a correct forum but posting hoping someone have some idea.
Anybody have any experience or suggestion? This may not be a correct forum but posting hoping someone have some idea.
Aug 29, 2015, 9:57 pm
#2
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You DO need a visa according to TIMATIC, unless you fall into one of the exempted categories.
Maybe the agent was thinking that you held an American passport? (and even then, that is visa on arrival.)
I am not an Indian national (and hold a passport that would allow me 3 months visa entry), but I can tell you that A3 will allow/deny you boarding based on TIMATIC.
(for future visa queries, just use said link and change CAI in the link to the country/airport code of your desired destination.)
Maybe the agent was thinking that you held an American passport? (and even then, that is visa on arrival.)
I am not an Indian national (and hold a passport that would allow me 3 months visa entry), but I can tell you that A3 will allow/deny you boarding based on TIMATIC.
(for future visa queries, just use said link and change CAI in the link to the country/airport code of your desired destination.)
Aug 30, 2015, 4:31 am
#4
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I am planning a trip to Egypt from Athens with Aegean Airlines. I have got multiple entry Schengen visa and I am holding Indian passport. I checked with nearest Egypt (Houston) Embassy and they informed that no visa is required for indian but asked to check with Airlines. I have sent mail to Aegean Airlines asking whether I need visa or not. But did not get any reply yet.
Anybody have any experience or suggestion? This may not be a correct forum but posting hoping someone have some idea.
Anybody have any experience or suggestion? This may not be a correct forum but posting hoping someone have some idea.
I've seen internet chatter about this on tripadvisor http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop...als-Egypt.html, where a single Indian passport holder claims to have got a VOA. It doesn't take much effort to create mischief on the internet
The Egyptian visa situation is complicated by having separate procedures for access only to Sinai's Red Sea resorts. But, again, these wouldn't be of relevance to you, flying into Cairo.
Bottom Line: You almost certainly require a visa, and I doubt that you can get one on arrival. So you might have to get your skates on.
Athens might be quicker and more convenient, though there can sometimes be be stickiness about issuing visas to third country nationals.
Last edited by IAN-UK; Aug 30, 2015 at 4:46 am Reason: correction
Aug 30, 2015, 11:54 am
#5
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Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 24
Thanks for the reply. First I called Washington embassy but they asked to call Houston as I come under that embassy. Next time I will call and mention a place so that they think I am under Washington embassy. When I called Houston, I specifically mentioned about my Indian passport. Initially they told that visa is required but when I mentioned that I have found some article about visa on arrival is possible for indian, they mentioned that if airlines are allowing then visa on arrival is possible for Indians. Basically I read the same article you mentioned. Internet may miss lead you very easily.
I will be traveling Sep 2nd week and have no time to apply for visa now. So have to try luck (based on internet) which is for sure not going to click. Good part is I will be flying to Athens from Rome the day before I am planning to Egypt (My destination is Cairo). After landing I will have a talk with Aegean airlines. If they say it is allowed I will come back next day for my Cairo trip, if not then enjoy Athens. I will be loosing few hundred dollar if I have to cancel my cairo trip.
Lets say I can board the flight but after landing in cairo shall I face issue? I have read everywhere (mainly us passport holder) that u can purchase visa sticker for $25 on arrival.
Hoping for the best.
I will be traveling Sep 2nd week and have no time to apply for visa now. So have to try luck (based on internet) which is for sure not going to click. Good part is I will be flying to Athens from Rome the day before I am planning to Egypt (My destination is Cairo). After landing I will have a talk with Aegean airlines. If they say it is allowed I will come back next day for my Cairo trip, if not then enjoy Athens. I will be loosing few hundred dollar if I have to cancel my cairo trip.
Lets say I can board the flight but after landing in cairo shall I face issue? I have read everywhere (mainly us passport holder) that u can purchase visa sticker for $25 on arrival.
Hoping for the best.
Aug 30, 2015, 1:16 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Posts: 15,656
Simple answer. If you are flying into Cairo, you need a visa in advance (or some serious ability to negotiate with immigration - its doable but not easy - your first challenge will be getting on the plane without a visa anyway).
If you are flying into Sharm El Sheikh, no problem getting a visa on arrival as an Indian. And even though the visa technically restricts you to the South Sinai, there is no practical restriction on you taking a domestic flight up to Cairo. However, exiting from Cairo could also cause you a problem without an appropriate visa.
If you are flying into Sharm El Sheikh, no problem getting a visa on arrival as an Indian. And even though the visa technically restricts you to the South Sinai, there is no practical restriction on you taking a domestic flight up to Cairo. However, exiting from Cairo could also cause you a problem without an appropriate visa.
Aug 30, 2015, 1:49 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 24
Simple answer. If you are flying into Cairo, you need a visa in advance (or some serious ability to negotiate with immigration - its doable but not easy - your first challenge will be getting on the plane without a visa anyway).
If you are flying into Sharm El Sheikh, no problem getting a visa on arrival as an Indian. And even though the visa technically restricts you to the South Sinai, there is no practical restriction on you taking a domestic flight up to Cairo. However, exiting from Cairo could also cause you a problem without an appropriate visa.
If you are flying into Sharm El Sheikh, no problem getting a visa on arrival as an Indian. And even though the visa technically restricts you to the South Sinai, there is no practical restriction on you taking a domestic flight up to Cairo. However, exiting from Cairo could also cause you a problem without an appropriate visa.