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Egypt Changes Visa Measures For Canadian Citizens

Egypt is implementing new visa measures for Canadian citizens beginning Oct. 1, 2023 and which time, Canadian passport holders will no longer be able to obtain a visa upon arrival in any of the Egyptian entry ports.

As of Oct. 1, 2023, Canadian citizens will be required to apply for a prior entry visa to enter the Arab Republic of Egypt from one of the Egyptian Embassies or Consulates abroad.

As for why the new measures are being implemented, the announcement of the change stated: “This change is being made in accordance with the principle of reciprocity, as the Canadian government is adopting measures with regard to denying visas for Egyptian citizens, which is offensive in nature to the dignity of the Egyptian state.”

For Canadian citizens of Egyptian origin, the protocols are as follows:

  • Free entry visas are granted through Egyptian Embassies and Consulates abroad to Egyptian nationals with Canadian citizenship upon presentation of any document proving their Egyptian nationality (a birth certificate, valid/expired national identification number card or passport).
  • A paid visa is granted to Egyptian nationals with Canadian citizenship at Egyptian ports of entry upon presentation of any document proving their Egyptian nationality (a birth certificate, valid/expired national identification number card or passport).
  • Certificates stating that the holder has Egyptian nationality are issued by Egyptian Embassies and Consulates for submission at travel and entry ports. These certificates can be used by individuals who do not have an Egyptian passport, especially when travelling by air.

The Egyptian Passports Authority will apply these procedures at the arrival ports. The civil aviation authorities will be notified of these procedures so that they can be circulated to the civil aviation authorities and airports abroad.