Egypt expands visa options for Vietnamese visitors.

VHO - Instead of preparing documents months in advance as before, Vietnamese tourists now only need to bring a valid passport and pay the fee at an Egyptian international airport to be granted a visa for a maximum stay of 30 days.

Photo: ST

Vietnamese tourists can now apply for a visa on arrival at Egyptian international airports, replacing the previously time-consuming pre-application process at the embassy.

This information was confirmed by a representative of the Egyptian Embassy in Vietnam on the afternoon of May 25th. According to them, Vietnamese citizens only need to possess a passport valid for more than six months and pay a fee of 25 USD at the airport in the host country to be granted a visa for a maximum stay of 30 days. The diplomatic agency also affirmed that this method does not pose a risk of being denied entry at the airport.

This change is considered a significant boost for the mid- and high-end tourism segment, which favors destinations in the Middle East and North Africa. Simplifying procedures allows travel companies to be more proactive in selling tours, eliminating the pressure of having to receive applications months in advance as was the case during the paper visa application period.

Photo: ST

Previously, to apply for an Egyptian visa, tourists were often advised to complete their application about a month in advance to allow time for supplementary documents. This was especially true for visitors from Ho Chi Minh City, as submitting applications to the Egyptian Embassy in Hanoi could lead to longer processing times. During peak season or with large groups, the actual processing time could be even longer to avoid disrupting the tour schedule.

In addition to the visa sticker method, the regulations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) previously stipulated that Vietnamese citizens wishing to apply for a visa on arrival in Egypt must possess a valid visa from certain developed countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, or the Schengen Area.

However, due to the newly implemented policy, some travel companies still recommend that customers carefully verify their personal documents to avoid unwanted issues. In the initial days of implementation, data synchronization between airlines and international airport border control systems sometimes experiences delays, leading to the possibility of passengers being asked for additional documents or even encountering difficulties during check-in if entry requirements have not been fully updated.

Therefore, travelers are advised to monitor official announcements from the authorities or the Egyptian Embassy. For those planning to depart in the near future, it is essential to proactively verify with the airline about check-in requirements and accepted entry documents before departure.

For those with no prior travel experience to the Middle East or North Africa, choosing a tour can make it easier to handle paperwork, coordinate services, and receive support in case of policy changes at the destination.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/du-lich/ai-cap-mo-rong-hinh-thuc-visa-cho-khach-viet-232014.html