By Starting October 1, 2023, Canadian passport holders planning to visit Egypt will face a significant change in visa requirements, potentially causing inconvenience for many travelers.
Under the new rule, Canadians will no longer be able to apply for visas online or obtain them upon arrival in Egypt. Instead, they must secure a visa from an Egyptian embassy or consulate located abroad. It’s essential to note that if a Canadian traveler attempts to enter Egypt with an electronic visa on or after October 1, 2023, their visa will be considered invalid, leading to denial of boarding or entry.
Egyptian passport holders, national ID cardholders, or those with birth certificates will continue to enter the country without the need for visas.
The decision follows an announcement from the Egyptian embassy in Ottawa, which cited the “principle of reciprocity” as the basis for this change and viewed it as a response to Canadian visa policies affecting Egyptian citizens.
Previously, Canadians enjoyed hassle-free travel to Egypt, with the option to obtain visas either upon arrival at Cairo’s airport or through an online portal offering e-visas.
Egypt remains a popular destination for travelers due to its rich historical heritage. In recent years, the country has made efforts to revive its tourism industry, although it faced setbacks following the violent suppression of anti-government protests in 2011. Egypt’s tourism minister expressed optimism in April about welcoming a record-breaking 15 million tourists in the current year.
