Guide to BA at Cairo airport - ex-CAI trips
Jun 5, 2018, 8:01 pm
#106
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Oddly enough, i've just used the e-visa service, curiosity led me to it. It would have been easier if I'd had a scan of my passport ready, in the format and size required. But I hadn't. So that was a bit of a faff.
Then there was a bit of a problem understanding what they wanted from me in terms of identifying my sponsors/hosts: I am hostless and sponsor-free.
I thought I'd finished, but got sent back to re-do my address: and eventually discovered they wanted me to enter it with lines separated by commas rather than paragraphs.
It wasn't too bad, but it took a goodly chunk of my evening, and has left me, four days' later, $25 lighter and still without a visa. But no worries, if necessary I can write that off and buy a stamp when i arrive
Perhaps your problem was T2 and a midnight arrival. I've switched almost entirely to T3.
Note that you're wasting time (and money!) buying dollars in the UK to pay for a visa at Cairo airport. You don't need dollars: they are happy to accept most currencies and give you change in EGP. They operate a very tight exchange rate. It's an ideal opportunity to get cash for taxis. I've never been short-changed, but it's probably smart to have idea of more or less what you should be getting back in EGP.
Jun 5, 2018, 8:16 pm
#107
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Note that you're wasting time (and money!) buying dollars in the UK to pay for a visa at Cairo airport. You don't need dollars: they are happy to accept most currencies and give you change in EGP. They operate a very tight exchange rate. It's an ideal opportunity to get cash for taxis. I've never been short-changed, but it's probably smart to have idea of more or less what you should be getting back in EGP.
Since I have scans of both passports, that was no holdup
Jun 5, 2018, 8:39 pm
#108
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But now I have the right-sized file I'm fully flexed to go for my next trip. So I guess it wasn't such a waste of time!But it's really not an exercise I'd recommend for one-off, or infrequent visitors, the visa stamp is so easy.
The one advantage to the e-visa is that it avoids the stamps themselves: if you are crafty, and the immigration folk are cooperative, you can manage two to a page. But still, for frequent visitors that quickly fills up the passport.
Jun 6, 2018, 9:08 am
#109
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Jun 6, 2018, 7:50 pm
#110
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA EXP (owe), BA Silver (ows), AB Silver (owr), WN A+/CP, IHG Spire AMB, Avis First
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It looked pretty new to me
eh, the last time I went they only had the room in front of the shop open and there were no seats
Awesome. If BA permits I would definitely use Pearl. Not sure if the other crap lounge had a name.
eh, the last time I went they only had the room in front of the shop open and there were no seats
Awesome. If BA permits I would definitely use Pearl. Not sure if the other crap lounge had a name.
Jun 6, 2018, 7:53 pm
#111
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I had scans, too - it was getting them down to a an acceptable size that held me up. OK, I'm technologically challenged But now I have the right-sized file I'm fully flexed to go for my next trip. So I guess it wasn't such a waste of time!
But it's really not an exercise I'd recommend for one-off, or infrequent visitors, the visa stamp is so easy.
The one advantage to the e-visa is that it avoids the stamps themselves: if you are crafty, and the immigration folk are cooperative, you can manage two to a page. But still, for frequent visitors that quickly fills up the passport.
But now I have the right-sized file I'm fully flexed to go for my next trip. So I guess it wasn't such a waste of time!But it's really not an exercise I'd recommend for one-off, or infrequent visitors, the visa stamp is so easy.
The one advantage to the e-visa is that it avoids the stamps themselves: if you are crafty, and the immigration folk are cooperative, you can manage two to a page. But still, for frequent visitors that quickly fills up the passport.
Originally Posted by no2chem
Awesome. If BA permits I would definitely use Pearl. Not sure if the other crap lounge had a name.
Jun 7, 2018, 3:43 pm
#112
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... no acknowledgement: nothing at all to show.
I'm resigned to adding yet another sticker to my collection
Jun 7, 2018, 5:10 pm
#113
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
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Then there was a bit of a problem understanding what they wanted from me in terms of identifying my sponsors/hosts: I am hostless and sponsor-free.
I thought I'd finished, but got sent back to re-do my address: and eventually discovered they wanted me to enter it with lines separated by commas rather than paragraphs.
I thought I'd finished, but got sent back to re-do my address: and eventually discovered they wanted me to enter it with lines separated by commas rather than paragraphs.
Jun 7, 2018, 5:46 pm
#114
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Join Date: Jan 2002
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Did you get the email from Egypt e-Visa Portal which states Your payment is confirmed. Your application now is under processing.
10 hours after I got the confirmation of payment, received email on visa process
Last edited by Dave Noble; Jun 7, 2018 at 5:58 pm
Jun 7, 2018, 5:49 pm
#115
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Sounds unnecessarily difficult! What did you enter for host and sponsor? And thanks for the tip about using commas to separate lines in the address. I won't be visiting again until next year, but I'll file away the info and hopefully look at it at the end of this year.
For Host type Tourism Operator
Host details put the Hotel name and the Hotel address
Jun 8, 2018, 1:02 am
#117
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The visa website hasn't sent any messages, though I've managed to send one to them - and got the immediate automated response they'll get back to me ASAP.
...and here is the reply, just in:
Thank you for contacting E-Visa. Kindly be informed that application passes through the following stages (draft-confirmed-paid-application processing-visa processing-completed), Payment process for an application will be effective after 24 hours from the payment action and application will turn into the application processing status after payment confirmation and E-Visa will be issued within7 days after payment action. Moreover, Gently note that, you are advised to apply at least 7 days before your departure date. Please feel free to contact us again if you have any other inquiry or need any further assistance regarding issuing an electronic visa, looking forward to having you soon in Egypt.
Last edited by IAN-UK; Jun 8, 2018 at 1:52 am Reason: adding reply fro the Egypt visa folk
Jun 8, 2018, 1:15 am
#118
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Sounds unnecessarily difficult! What did you enter for host and sponsor? And thanks for the tip about using commas to separate lines in the address. I won't be visiting again until next year, but I'll file away the info and hopefully look at it at the end of this year.
As for the rest, if you're travelling on a passport allowing you to get VOA, and you have plenty space for the extra stamp, I'd suggest you take advantage of your good fortune and don't let your inner geek step in
Just pick one up when you arrive. No questions, nothing: just hand over cash and get the visa. I've just done the Indian one. Questioning of a Byzantine complexity, but confirmation of success popped into my inbox this morning.
Jun 23, 2018, 8:50 am
#119
Join Date: Nov 2004
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We’re on the BA flight ex-CAI in J connecting to LAX on our way home from holidays in late August. I see from various threads that people are saying we will want to be presenting ourselves for check in about 90 minutes before departure.
My question is about logistics and timing based on hotel options. We will be in Cairo for a couple of days before and my kids more or less dictated we stay at the Fairmont based on the rooftop pool (and I have some suite upgrades so it makes sense from that angle too).
For that last night before our departure, I’d like to stay at the Fairmont so we can lounge at the pool in the afternoon, but I see the ride to airport on our departure morning can be 45-60 min. I havent been to Cairo in a decade so forget, is it really that far/long? That means leaving the Fairmont at 5:30am, which is going to hurt to say the least. I also made a reservation for 2 rooms at the Meridien in the airport for 3k spg points, and am thinking maybe I just keep one room at the Fairmont for the final night so we can stay there as late as we want and then move to the Meridien at the airport after dinner so we are well placed to head into the terminal for check in with the 45+ minute drive. I am guessing that with three groggy young kids and a late sleeping wife, it would make sense to stay out in the airport property, any feedback?
My question is about logistics and timing based on hotel options. We will be in Cairo for a couple of days before and my kids more or less dictated we stay at the Fairmont based on the rooftop pool (and I have some suite upgrades so it makes sense from that angle too).
For that last night before our departure, I’d like to stay at the Fairmont so we can lounge at the pool in the afternoon, but I see the ride to airport on our departure morning can be 45-60 min. I havent been to Cairo in a decade so forget, is it really that far/long? That means leaving the Fairmont at 5:30am, which is going to hurt to say the least. I also made a reservation for 2 rooms at the Meridien in the airport for 3k spg points, and am thinking maybe I just keep one room at the Fairmont for the final night so we can stay there as late as we want and then move to the Meridien at the airport after dinner so we are well placed to head into the terminal for check in with the 45+ minute drive. I am guessing that with three groggy young kids and a late sleeping wife, it would make sense to stay out in the airport property, any feedback?
Jun 23, 2018, 2:24 pm
#120
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Hyatt Prive
Posts: 197
What an experience on an ex CAI ticket. Firstly make sure you have cash ready for the visa on arrival (otherwise you withdraw Egyptian pounds at an ATM). Secondly I was questioned at LHR at the gate by DHS trying to understand why a Brit is going to the US through CAI. Wanted to understand ties to Isis etc too! Then when I get to the US and go through global entry I get the dreaded X. Normally this just means a reprint of finger prints and you’re on your way. No, here they close the global entry line and escort me to a waiting room for further questioning. I wait 20 minutes and I’m questioned again. luckily that only lasted a couple of mins and they saw I wasn’t a possible suspect, but I had to give my home address, telephone number and address in the US. I was then on my way. I don’t think I’ll do ex CAI again in a hurry!