A visa is required for Sharm El Sheikh. Visa to Egypt from A to Z: for Russians and not only

Where you can have a great rest, having received a free Sinai stamp as a pass to the resort area.

Sharm El Sheikh city in Egypt

For many years, the Arab Republic of Egypt has been one of the most promising holiday destinations for Russians. And the reason is not so much that life in Egypt is inexpensive, even for students. We were all raised on the legends of this country. Books, films, animation taught us to love amazing country, where animal-headed gods once ruled. Egypt offers magnificent landscapes, amazing architecture and pleasant service at affordable prices. Everyone strives to visit the country at least once, to take their offspring and significant other to it.

Great Egyptian pyramids Giza

In 2020, nothing has changed for Russians in the rules for entering the territory of the Arab Republic. This means that those who decide to relax in the famous Sharm, that is, on the territory of Sharm el-Sheikh, do not need a visa at all. As a result, there is no need to fill out an application and pay a visa fee, which currently amounts to $25. The only pass to the treasured territories of the fantastically beautiful resort will be the Sinai stamp.

Sinai stamp in the passport

Features of the Sinai visa in 2020

The Sinai stamp is placed after filling. This short document is written in two languages: English and Arabic. Knowledge of basic English will make it possible to fill out the card yourself, since the questions in it are very simple.

Appearance Migration card to Egypt

Upon arrival in Egypt, you must have your passport with you. Be careful, as there is a requirement for the document: it must be valid for another six months after your trip ends. If you have children with you on holiday in Sharm el-Sheikh, they must either have separate passports, or your offspring must be included in your passport. Photos of children certified with stamps should be placed next to written records.

If children have their own passport, they must fill out a separate migration card. A simple rule applies: each passport is accompanied by separate card migration.

How to fill out a migration card

You can get a migration form at the airport counter, or you can download it on the Internet and fill it out at home.

This method will be most suitable for those who are not particularly strong in English. The following data is included in the document:

• the number of the flight that took you to the Egyptian airport;
• the name of the city where you boarded the plane;
• surname;
• date of birth (written as is customary with us, that is, starting with the date);
• nationality;
• passport series and number;
• the name of the hotel where you booked the room;
• in the box asking for the purpose of your trip, you need to check the box next to the word “tourism”;
• children (you must indicate your last name, first name and date of birth).

If you need a free Sinai visa, the card must indicate "Sinai only". Those who have already traveled to Sharm el-Sheikh and back are advised to have a pen at the ready. It happens when control representatives insist that a tourist must obtain a regular visa, for which he must pay. You have the right to defend your rights and do as you see fit.

If you enter a zone where you do not need to pay through Tabu, the Sinai stamp in 2020 is placed on the documents of Russians by default. Although the cost is low, many choose to holiday Sharm el-Sheikh.

A small excursion into big history

Many people are wondering why Egypt behaves so kindly towards guests who want to stay in Sharm el-Sheikh, and for what reasons tourists in these territories do not need to buy an entry permit. After all, it is quite obvious that such a formulation of the issue is completely disadvantageous to the Arab Republic.

Meanwhile, the point is not at all about the courtesy of the Egyptians, but about history, which has thousands of years of roots. It's all about the relationship between Egypt and neighboring Israel and the centuries-old dispute over the lands sacred to the Israelis. Not long ago, Israel owned the territories adjacent to Sharm el-Sheikh.

Due to the current international situation, it was necessary to return the once captured peninsula to Egypt, but Egypt also had to make concessions. One of them is the Sinai stamp, which allows visitors to sacred territories not to pay the cost of a visa fee.

Egypt is famous for its hot climate and unique attractions. This is a fairly large country with an interesting and very ancient history, so many tourists visit it every year. Holidays in this country for residents of the former post-Soviet space in 2020 it is considered the cheapest and most accessible, even for students. One of the options for staying in this state requires a Sinai visa.

Clay castle on Mount Sinai

Any tourist has the opportunity to obtain a Sinai visa, but it has its own specific features:

Registration and filling procedure

A Sinai visa to Egypt is issued immediately upon arrival at the airport. You can receive it when filling out a migration card. In 2020, as in 2018, a visa will cost twenty-five dollars. This kind of document is issued quickly enough and without any hitches or delays. Knowing certain features, you can...

When applying for a mandatory migration card, you must have basic knowledge of the English language, then there will be no problems filling it out.

In this map, each column is written in two languages ​​- one in English, the other in Arabic. Filling out the card is quite simple.

In the first long column enter the last name, in the second - the first name, in the third - the date of birth. All first and last names must be written in English, just as in the international passport. Then the nationality is indicated in the next column, the passport number is indicated in a separate line, and the name of the hotel must be indicated in the “address in Egypt” column.

Hotel in Sharm el-Sheikh

When filling out the card to receive a free visa, you must indicate the purpose of the visit – tourism. If a minor child is taking part in the trip, then in column No. 1 indicate the first name, last name and date of birth of the child entered in the parent’s passport. If there are several children, then the same data is indicated in column No. 2 for the second child. If the child has his own passport, then a separate immigration card is filled out for him.

If you have any questions about how to fill out the lines of the migration card, you can contact representatives of the travel agency. They can help by providing a free consultation or download.

The visa process itself is quite simple.

The tourist enters all the necessary data into the migration map, and on back side Be sure to write “SINAI ONLY”.

This card is not handed over to the standard window where ordinary visa documents are issued, but to representatives of the border service. Border guards need to show your foreign passport, a completed card and be sure to say: “only Sinai, please.” The Egyptian employee puts a stamp, and within the prescribed period you can continue your journey.

Map of the Sinai Peninsula with resorts

The phrase “Only Sinai visa” means that this document gives the tourist the right to stay and travel only within the Sinai Peninsula, and for no more than two weeks. This option is suitable for those who have chosen their route within Sharm El Sheikh.

Sharm has its own attractions and features that are worthy of tourist attention. Unfortunately, outside of Sharm, a Sinai visa will not allow you to visit some interesting places Cairo, Luxor or Jordan and Israel. Recently, several amendments have been introduced, as a result of which tourists have access to popular and frequently visited places using this visa. But there are still restrictions. Therefore, if you are planning a route that goes beyond the Sinai stamp, it is better to apply for a standard visa.

Where do you get a Sinai visa?

You can get a visa to Egypt either at the authorized embassies of your country, or upon arrival at the port of Aswan or Nuweiba, as well as at the airports of Alexandria, Assiut, Luxor, Cairo, Marsa Alam. But not in all of these famous places You can get a Sinai visa.

A free visa of this category is issued at the airports of Taba, Ophir and Nuweiba. Thanks to this document, you can move freely throughout almost the entire Sinai. This is very convenient for tourists who are not going to go deeper central territories Egypt and they are quite happy resort area Sinai Peninsula. Visas are not issued free of charge at Hurghada Airport. Therefore, upon arrival in Hurghada, a Sinai visa is purchased for twenty-five dollars. Those who want to see the pyramids and appreciate the beauty and museums of Cairo should immediately purchase a standard visa.

What situations may arise when applying for a Sinai visa?

The free Sinai visa has no nationality restrictions. Any vacationer, thanks to the Camp David Agreement, adopted back in 1978, has the right to such a visa. Therefore, the nationality of the visiting tourist is completely unimportant.

Sharm El Sheikh is a resort city located on the Sinai Peninsula. This region is rightfully one of the most amazing places in Egypt. It is usually the choice of diving enthusiasts, as there are coral reefs along the entire coastline. When you go on a trip here, you can see with your own eyes the remains of sunken ships.

Shark Bay, excursions on boats along the reefs, the opportunity to snorkel and see the beauty underwater world– all these opportunities open up a trip to Sharm El-Sheikh. Do Russians need a visa or can it be obtained at the entrance?

So, it is a mistaken opinion that visas to Egypt, including Sharm El-Sheikh, are not required. Russians in 2019 can obtain a visa upon entry, but for this the following conditions must be met:

1. Firstly, the trip must take place in a group - several people;
2. Secondly, the purpose of the trip must be tourist;
3. Thirdly, you must have a foreign passport with you, which will be valid for three months after completion of the trip.

If you plan to obtain a visa on arrival in 2019, it can be purchased at the airport ticket office and costs $25. The exception is children under 12 years of age - they are exempt from paying. A visa is purchased for each citizen who has a passport. If a child is included in his parent’s foreign passport, then a double visa is marked in this document.

When will you need to get a visa?

If the trip is not carried out collectively, or the purpose of the trip in 2019 is not related to tourism, then you will need to apply for a visa. To do this, you need to contact the Consulate located in Moscow or one of the visa centers.

Documents can be submitted:

• On your own - in this case, you need to have a passport with you as an identification document.
• With the help of intermediaries - by contacting a travel agency or a private person who processes permits to cross the border.

What documents need to be collected?

A visa to Sharm El Sheikh is required for Russians in 2019. To obtain it you need to collect the following package of documents:

1. International passport. If you plan to obtain a visa at the Consulate, the passport must be valid for six months from the date of completion of the trip.
2. A copy of the first page of the passport for foreign travel, which contains personal information about the applicant.
3. One photograph, the dimensions of which are 3x4 cm.
4. Questionnaire. It must be filled out in English, and it is personally signed by the applicant.
5. Travel voucher or document confirming your hotel reservation.
6. A copy of the civil passport (only pages with personal data and registration are attached).
7. Health insurance policy. The requirement is that the amount of coverage must be at least 15 thousand dollars.
8. For minors, a photocopy of their birth certificate.

Depending on the purpose of travel, additional documents may be required; the need to provide them will be reported to visa center or the Consulate.

Visa application, which one is required?

What visa do Russians need in 2019 to travel to Sharm El-Sheikh? The answer to this question will depend on the purpose of the trip. Depending on this, a professional visa is allocated. It is issued to members of diplomatic missions arriving in a foreign country, journalists, pilots and sailors.

As for the tourist permit to cross the border, it is the most common. It is valid for a month, but can be extended if necessary. Interestingly, citizens of retirement age may not renew their visa, but still remain in Sharm El Sheikh for any time, the main requirement is that they must have a source of income.

If the applicant wishes to work in Egypt, he must obtain a work visa. Its validity period ranges from six months to a year, the cost starts from $150. If necessary, this permit can be extended, but only at the initiative of the employer.

To obtain a work visa to Sharm El Sheikh, you need to attach the following documents to the general package of documents:

• Diploma of higher education.
• Insurance policy.
• Work permit application form.
• Letter of guarantee issued by the employer. It will serve as confirmation that the specialist profession is rare, or that the company employs more than 11,000 Egyptian citizens.

Attention! A work visa for Russians in 2019 is issued only to a specific employer, so if you change your place of work, it will be invalidated.

Another type of visa that can be obtained for traveling to Sharm El Sheikh is a student visa. It is issued to individuals who are studying at higher education institutions, taking linguistics courses, or are accepted into an international school. Interestingly, when minors study in Egypt, their parents can also go with him.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the fiancé visa, issued for a period of 6 months. It is issued to girls who have decided to enter into a marriage with a citizen of Sharm El-Sheikh. It is important that if she does not get married during the validity period of the permit, then she will no longer be able to issue such a document again.

Another type of visa is the resident border crossing permit, which does not provide the right to work. Only two groups of citizens can receive it - property owners in 2019 in Sharm El-Sheikh, or wives of Egyptian citizens. This permit costs up to $60. Documentary evidence is a real estate contract or marriage contract.

General requirements for foreign passports

When obtaining a visa to Sharm El Sheikh in 2019, Russians must take into account the following provisions:

1. The passport must have a signature;
2. The validity of the passport (when obtaining a visa through the Consulate) must be at least 180 days after completion of the trip;
3. If a visa is purchased upon arrival, then the validity of the foreign passport must be three months from the end of the trip;
4. If the child is over six years old and is included in the parent’s passport, then his photograph must be attached;
5. Children over the age of fourteen travel with their own passport for foreign travel.

The processing time for a visa to Sharm El Sheikh is about 7 days.

Egypt is one of the most popular countries for Belarusians beach holiday. Indeed, you can practically enjoy the sea and sun there all year round There are plenty of interesting cities and places where you can go on excursions. In addition, it is possible to visit neighboring Israel and Jordan by checking not one, but three countries on the travel map. And the cost of travel is much lower than in many other destinations.

Another point that makes the country of Arabian dreams attractive in the Belarusian tourism market is the absence of the need to obtain a visa in advance. You can get it directly at the airport upon arrival. However, do not forget that this applies exclusively to tourist visas. All others must be opened in advance.

Documents for tourist visa

In order to obtain a tourist visa to Egypt, Belarusians do not require any additional documents. All you need is a valid passport, a completed migration card, a return air ticket and a hotel reservation.

Border guards rarely ask for confirmation of the latter, so tourists who decide to decide on a place to live directly in Egypt often write information “at random”, having found information on the Internet about any hotel in the resort they are going to.

One of the most common questions that Belarusian tourists have is filling out a migration card. All columns are indicated in English and Arabic, but it is not difficult to guess their meaning.

Migration cards are usually issued on board the plane. Here, flight attendants help fill them out, politely answering questions that Belarusians have. If there are technical problems and the airline does not have the forms, do not worry. You can always pick up the form at the airport information desk, where there are samples to fill out. But it’s better to take care of having a pen in advance, at home.

As for filling out, the main rule is to write legibly and in Latin letters. All fields must be filled in. Border guards often do not read into the meaning of what is written, and sometimes limit themselves to a cursory glance, but empty cells always catch the eye.

Registration process

Applying for a visa at Hurghada airport is very fast, all formalities are kept to a minimum. The procedure consists of three stages.

Tourists fill out a migration card (on the plane or at the airport upon arrival).

When going through passport control, the foreign passport along with the completed migration card is presented to the employee.

After checking the documents, the customs officer pastes the visa into the passport and places an arrival stamp on top of it.

You shouldn’t expect any tricks - Egyptians treat Belarusian tourists loyally and never refuse entry.

Price

Speaking about the cost of a visa, it is worth remembering again that there are two types - the Sinai stamp and a full-fledged Egyptian tourist visa. The first one is completely free, the second one costs $25. Children who do not have their own passport can count on free entry. If a minor traveler is traveling on their own passport, they must pay a consular fee of $25.

Validity

The Sinai stamp is valid for 15 days; a tourist visa obtained outside the Sinai Peninsula is valid for 30 days. Violation of the terms of stay in the country threatens with serious fines and even a further ban on entry into Egypt.

Possible problems

The first problem faced by Belarusians arriving in Egypt is filling out a migration card. The difficulty is not so much in filling out the form itself, but in understanding what is required of you, because everything is written in English and Arabic. It is best to do everything on board the plane - here you can count on the help of a flight attendant. But even if you had to fill out a form at the airport and there’s nowhere to wait for help, don’t despair. Try contacting Russian-speaking tourists or representatives travel companies. As a last resort, write the information as you see fit. The main thing is clearly and in Latin letters. Customs officers rarely read forms; most often they pay attention exclusively to the fact of filling them out.

Egypt - Arab country, in which many seek to profit from tourists. This is the peculiarity. You can encounter this already at the airport, when for a Sinai stamp they will demand 25 dollars from you, as for a full-fledged visa. This is completely illegal and you should not give extra money for fear of threats and possible consequences. Refusal to pay will not harm you! Although many, in order to avoid conflict and not spoil their vacation, are ready to fork out money. This is exactly what the rogue customs officers are counting on.

Perhaps these are the only problems that Belarusians may encounter when obtaining an Egyptian visa, and they, apparently, are not so significant and significant. In case you are at least a little familiar with English language, solving them will not be difficult at all.

Visa for a child

Entry into Egypt is even easier for children than for adults. There is no need to fill out a separate migration card for small tourists; it is enough that they will be included in the parent’s card. But it is still recommended to have the following documents with you:

birth certificate;

permission to travel from parents (one or two, respectively) if the child is traveling with one of them or accompanied by third parties.

Customs will most likely not require you to present them, but if controversial situations arise and there are no documents confirming the child’s legal departure abroad, trouble may arise.

A visa for a child, regardless of whether you are planning a holiday in the Sinai Peninsula or beyond, is issued free of charge. Just as in the case of the Sinai stamp, cunning border guards may require you to pay 25 dollars for it, but this requirement is absolutely illegal and can be ignored by tourists.

Traveling to Egypt continues to be popular among our compatriots, gaining more and more momentum from year to year. Resorts of the Mediterranean and Red Seas attract vacationers from all over the world. The question of abolishing the visa regime between Russia and Egypt has been raised more than once, but for now it remains in theory. Therefore, an entry permit is still required. It is issued upon arrival at the local airport. Its cost when entering Egypt for Russians from May 1, 2015 is $25. But if a tourist plans to vacation in Sharm El-Sheikh, there is an opportunity not to pay this fee. This happens if a Sinai free visa is issued.

Understanding whether it is worth applying for such a permit must be compared with the goals of your trip. The Sinai visa in 2019 has a number of restrictions and features:

1. The document is issued for a period of up to fifteen days.
2. Movement within the country is limited, and sightseeing is only allowed within the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula.
3. For divers, it does not allow access to the main dive site - the wreck of the Thiselgorm ship.
4. Traveling to cities that tourists usually flock to, such as Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada, is also impossible.

If a traveler entering the state does not qualify for any of these items, he will have to pay for a regular permit. Egyptian border services are very strict, and it will not be possible to negotiate any concessions with them. The list of places that can be visited according to this document includes the following: settlements like the resort town of Taby, the diving and surfing town of Dahab and the coastal resort of Nuweibu.

You can also go to the Monastery of St. Catherine, located at the foot of Mount Sinai, better known as Mount Moses. It is included in the list of objects World Heritage. Sinai Visa Sharm El Sheikh 2019 now allows you to take an excursion to the beautiful Ras Mohammed Nature Reserve. Previously this was prohibited.

The Sinai Peninsula on the map borders Israel, so you can visit ancient city Bethlehem. The appearance of this document is precisely connected with Israel, with which the Egyptian authorities entered into a peace agreement in 1978. Thus, the war of these two states was over, and the peace treaty signed in the city of Camp David returned the Sinai Peninsula to the country and touched tourist destination. The Sinai visa was created for free movement, first between residents of these countries, and later among other tourists who felt their rights were being infringed upon compared to Israelis.

If the fifteen-day period has already expired and the tourist has not yet left the country, he will have to pay a fine of $30. This is the case if a violation of the deadline was discovered at the airport before departure. If the violator is stopped on the territory of the state, then the matter will not end with one fine. He faces imprisonment for three days and subsequent deportation with all the ensuing consequences and expenses. It will no longer be possible to fly on a charter; you will have to leave on a specialized flight. Subsequently, it will be difficult to get here for a long period of time.

Registration procedure

Before flying to this country on vacation, travelers will learn in advance how to fill out a visa in Egypt so that there is no confusion or disagreement on the spot. A free permit is issued in the same way as a paid one - you take a migration card from your tour operator. The 2019 sample is provided at the airport. It is filled out in English letters, and a sample of its completion can be viewed in advance on the Internet.

There is not much information to be entered, so this process is usually not difficult. You must enter: last name, first name, date of birth, nationality, and address - this will be the name of the hotel where the accommodation is booked. On the back of the card you must write the phrase “Sinay only”, which will make it clear to customs officers that a free permit is being issued. Next comes the migration card to Egypt, a sample of which can also be provided by the travel agency; together with the international passport, they are handed over to the border guards, in contrast to the paid entry - where the documents are handed over to the customs window. Border guards must say the same phrase that is indicated on the back of the card: “Sinay only, please.” After the check is carried out, a Sinai stamp is affixed to the citizen’s foreign passport.

In general, there should be no problems during registration. This applies to tourists of any nationality and race. Some travelers write reviews that Egyptian officials are preventing them from obtaining this document.

Indeed, until recently, some border guards were looking for any excuse not to affix a stamp. The point is, it's a loss for them. Money that tourism brings to the treasury.

Of course, $25 is an insignificant fee, but if a company of four or more people comes on vacation, saving a hundred dollars is already significant. Currently, the situation at customs has been settled, the border guards are not causing any obstacles.

If, nevertheless, any hitch or unpleasant situation arises at the airport, you need to challenge your rights. In this case, you need to refer to the current law, which was issued after the conclusion of the settlement agreement. You can also request that a senior manager be invited to resolve the dispute.

For both Russian citizens and Ukrainians, a Sinai permit is issued and issued absolutely free of charge.

Of course, obtaining such an entry right is pointless if the traveler, having flown to Sharm El Sheikh, wanted to relax in Cairo or Hurghada - in 2019 the same restrictions apply as in previous years. In this case, you can apply for an ordinary visa at any time during your stay in the Sinai Peninsula.

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