New visa ruling for single women

[Horus]

This just looks like another link in the chain of Egypt trying to enforce the already existing rules on visas that have of recent years been poorly enforced resulting in many people believing that indefinite stays in Egypt were the status quo and there for the taking.

[Major Thom]

Seems like things are falling into chaos, in the constant chase to make hard cash to pay bills. Wonder what the next catastrophe will be, as the whole Country lurches forward.

[Dusak]

Sorry, but I thought that all of you normally being so quick on here, you would of understood. BE= British Embassy.

[newcastle]

From visa FB page :


John Kenny: Please note you do not need a return ticket when entering HRG
· Yesterday at 09:31

The plot thickens!

[newcastle]

Sorry, but I thought that all of you normally being so quick on here, you would of understood. BE= British Embassy.

But presumably all the relevant wedding stuff is done at the Ministry of Justice.

The BE only need to certify you're free to marry.

There's a load of info on this forum ( no responsiblity taken for its current accuracy ) :

http://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=150289

Good luck with your marriage trip to Cairo. If it's anything like getting a visa it'll be a doddle (NOT!)

[Moonstone]

This has been posted on the Visa Regulations for Foreigners FB page. It is a lucid report from a reputable source.

"Don't know if this is helpful but I have just had a long telephone conversation with a friend of mine who works for Egyptair at Heathrow airport regarding the issue of 'single women travelling to Hurghada'.
He told me the following:
Egyptair staff at Heathrow have received no directive from any government or aviation authority in Cairo to prevent 'single women' travelling to Hurghada or anywhere else in the country.
It has always been the law that visitors to Egypt have an ongoing/return ticket and now they have been told they must implement this rule and that it applies to all EU and American passport holders, regardless of gender and in part, this is the result of persistent overstaying of visas. Other airlines have received the same instruction.
If you live in Egypt and leave the country, so that your return ticket is back to Egypt, then proof that you live in Egypt will suffice. Accepted documents include
Marriage licence, including court stamped green orfi paper.
Court stamped property rental contract (most of us probably have one of these by now).
Property / business ownership papers
Work permit
Egyptian driving licence
Birth certificate of children born in Egypt
I have been to the USA 22 times and have always had to show a return ticket before being allowed to board, so these rules are not unheard of"

[Moonstone]

And now confirmation from the Embassy.

We have confirmed with the Egyptian authorities that there has been no changes to the immigration rules. This has been a simple misunderstanding, blow out of proportion, by people not checking the facts from the competent authorities (Egypt Department of Immigration).
The rules for visitors to Egypt remain the same.
You need to have 6 months validity on your passport
You need to show a return/onward ticket so the Immigration Officer can be satisfied of your intent to leave Egypt
The rules for residents are of course different.
Your need 6 months validity on your passport
You do not require a return/onward ticket however you need to show proof of residency in Egypt.
John Neil
HM Consul Egypt and Consular Regional Consular Operations Manager Red Sea
British Embassy Cairo | 7 Ahmed Ragheb Street | Cairo | Egypt

[newcastle]

And now confirmation from the Embassy.

We have confirmed with the Egyptian authorities that there has been no changes to the immigration rules. This has been a simple misunderstanding, blow out of proportion, by people not checking the facts from the competent authorities (Egypt Department of Immigration).
The rules for visitors to Egypt remain the same.
You need to have 6 months validity on your passport
You need to show a return/onward ticket so the Immigration Officer can be satisfied of your intent to leave Egypt
The rules for residents are of course different.
Your need 6 months validity on your passport
You do not require a return/onward ticket however you need to show proof of residency in Egypt.
John Neil
HM Consul Egypt and Consular Regional Consular Operations Manager Red Sea
British Embassy Cairo | 7 Ahmed Ragheb Street | Cairo | Egypt

You need to show a return/onward ticket so the Immigration Officer can be satisfied of your intent to leave Egypt

This is new...at least if they intend to implement it.

Presumably, the "proof of residency" is in line with the previous post from the Visa FB page.

And Mr Neil (or whoever wrote the preamble to this message) should have a word with the honorary consul in Hurghada - the source of any misunderstanding - before saying "This has been a simple misunderstanding, blow out of proportion, by people not checking the facts from the competent authorities "

P.S Where does this Embassy information/John Neil post emanate from?

[Moonstone]

P.S Where does this Embassy information/John Neil post emanate from?

I picked it up from the British Honorary Consul in Hurghada FB page. It was posted by Jane Akshar. But I can find no mention of it on (a) the British Embassy in Cairo page or (b) the former mentioned page.

But then we are talking about the British Embassy - otherwise known as The Chocolate Teapot Gang.

[newcastle]

P.S Where does this Embassy information/John Neil post emanate from?

I picked it up from the British Honorary Consul in Hurghada FB page. It was posted by Jane Akshar. But I can find no mention of it on (a) the British Embassy in Cairo page or (b) the former mentioned page.

But then we are talking about the British Embassy - otherwise known as The Chocolate Teapot Gang.

Sounds like JA is still feeling a bit cross after a recent guest at her flats gave her a trashy review on Tripadvisor

I've never heard of Egyptian immigration asking to inspect your return ticket....but we'll see.

[carrie]

Well damn me and I have just got engaged, guess it's all off now.

[Moonstone]

Well damn me and I have just got engaged, guess it's all off now.

And they said it wouldn't last.

[Bombay]

P.S Where does this Embassy information/John Neil post emanate from?

I picked it up from the British Honorary Consul in Hurghada FB page. It was posted by Jane Akshar. But I can find no mention of it on (a) the British Embassy in Cairo page or (b) the former mentioned page.

But then we are talking about the British Embassy - otherwise known as The Chocolate Teapot Gang.

Sounds like JA is still feeling a bit cross after a recent guest at her flats gave her a trashy review on Tripadvisor

I've never heard of Egyptian immigration asking to inspect your return ticket....but we'll see.

but sooo many reviews the next day nearly supports the government figures on visitors to EGYPT this year

[newcastle]

From a wealth of anecdotal evidence, the "problem" seems to concern those traveling to Egypt with Egyptair on a one-way ticket.....if you don't have evidence of residency in Egypt.

The moral.......use another airline if at all possible.

[Who2]

On arrival any single female tourist that can interpret the acronym MMD needs to be banned instantly, on grounds of asininity, philanthropy and fiscally.
And if they cannot interpret MMD ban them for stupidity...
Ps: And send them a vibrator for Xmas...

[Who2]

How about a bit of ECT in a small room at point of departure ?.........
Ps: And they (the wimmin) say men are ruled by their d*cks, 'really and I just thought it was an ageist thing!
"mirror mirror on the wall who is........

[Chris]

Checked in at LHR yesterday and was asked to produce proof of residency presumably because I did not have a return ticket! They accepted my Egyptian Driving Licence as proof of residency.

[carrie]

My friend, a female, checked in at Luxor airport yesterday wasn't asked about a return flight or proof of residency.

[HEPZIBAH]

Carrie, did your friend have a return ticket? From reading a number of posts in various places, I'm under the impression that the questions about resident/marital status are being asked of women with one way only tickets, when checking in at London.

[carrie]

Yes she did have a return ticket, with Egypt Air, but I was under the impression from Chris's post that the questioning occurred at Luxor arrivals. Perhaps they are flagging all those who don't have a return in the UK and then notifying immigration here in Luxor. She certainly wasn't asked any questions here in Luxor.