Egyptian E-Visa Application Process for Portuguese Citizens

Egypt attracts over 9 million global visitors annually, Portuguese travellers included, marking its status as a globally sought-after travel spot.

Consequently, the authorities in Egypt have rolled out an innovative approach to streamline the travel authorisation application process. The Egypt e-Visa system stands out for its affordability and simplified acquisition process compared to conventional visa methods. Now, Portuguese applicants have the advantage of accessing this online application platform, significantly streamlining and enhancing the overall efficiency of the process.

Should Portuguese Citizens Have A Visa to Visit Egypt?

In the final month of 2017, the authorities in Egypt announced a new requirement for citizens from 46 nations, including the United States, European Union member states, and Portugal, mandating them to secure an Egyptian Visa through an online application process. This visa permits travellers to enter Egypt and stay for 30 days, catering to tourism purposes.

What are the Types of Egyptian E-Visas Offered to Portuguese Citizens?

Travellers from around the world, including those from Portugal, can choose from various visa types for their trip to Egypt, depending on the nature of their visit. Portuguese visitors are advised to have the appropriate visa type before embarking on their journey to Egypt. The following are the types of Egyptian e-visas available to Portuguese nationals:

• For a single-entry tourist visa: This visa permits Portuguese tourists a one-time entry into Egypt, with a stay of up to 30 days from arrival. The validity of this visa extends to 90 days from its issuance. It is important to note that if a Portuguese traveller leaves Egypt, re-entry will necessitate a new tourist e-visa.
• Regarding the multiple-entry tourist e-Visa: This visa, valid for six months from the date of issuance, permits the holder multiple entries into Egypt within six months. However, it's crucial to remember that each visit to Egypt with this visa must be at most a 30-day duration.

What Benefits do Portuguese Citizens Have if they Obtain an Egypt E-Visa?

The e-visa platform offers significant benefits to individuals in Portugal preparing to travel to Egypt, simplifying the visa process. Unlike the conventional methods of applying for a visa, which often requires a personal visit to an embassy or consulate,particularly for longer-stay visas, the electronic visa system does away with the necessity for in-person meetings. This digital method not only prevents the requirement to visit an embassy physically but also saves travellers from the hassle of experiencing long waiting lines for visa processing when they land in Egypt.

What is Required by Portuguese Citizens to Apply for Egypt’s E-Visa?

Portuguese citizens wishing to obtain an e-Visa for Egypt must adhere to specific requirements. Below is a detailed list of the necessary conditions for Portuguese nationals applying for the Egypt e-Visa:

• Portuguese passports must be valid for at least six months after their planned arrival in Egypt. Additionally, the passport should have at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps during the application process.
• A valid email address is crucial for receiving the e-visa documents.
• Applicants must have a credit or debit card authorised for online payments to settle the e-visa fees.

How Can Portuguese Passport Holders Apply for Egypt E-Visa?

To complete the Egypt E-Visa application through the online portal, adhere to the following steps:

First Step - Registration

• Accurate Information Submission: Carefully enter your full name, email, phone number, and country of residence. It's crucial to recheck each detail for accuracy.
• Human Identity Confirmation: Solve the captcha to confirm you are not a robot.

Second Step - Providing Personal Information

• Self-Identification: Enter your full name, birthplace, date of birth, gender, and the type of visa you need.
• Passport Details: Fill in relevant information from your passport, such as its issue, expiry dates, and passport number.
• Extra Personal Information: Mention any additional nationalities or passports you possess, your employment status, marital status, and country of departure.
• Trip Schedule: Specify your intended start date for your visit to Egypt.
• Companion Information: List the people who will be travelling with you.

Third Step - Document Submission and Application Finalization

• Passport Image Upload: Upload a clear copy of your passport, ensuring all text and images are legible.
• Visa Processing Time Selection: Choose a processing speed for your application - standard, expedited, or urgent, based on your travel requirements.
• Application Information Review: Check all the data you've entered for precision.
• Error Identification and Correction: Actively seek out and correct any mistakes, focusing on essential details like your name and birthdate.
• Application ID Record: Write down the unique ID number of your application for subsequent tracking.

Final Step - Payment and Application Monitoring

• Payment Completion: Finalize your application by selecting and completing a payment method.
• Application Status Monitoring: Regularly track your application's progress using the given temporary ID.

Fees for Egypt E-Visa for Portuguese Citizens

For citizens of Portugal applying for an e-Visa to Egypt, it's essential to understand the associated costs.

The final step in securing your e-Visa for Egypt as a Portuguese national involves payment. It's crucial to be aware of the exact amount required.

As per the latest information from the Egyptian authorities, Portuguese passport holders are not exempt from visa requirements, making the payment of the government visa fee obligatory.

Another cost to consider is the variable service fee, which differs based on the chosen processing speed. You have three options to choose from:

• Standard Processing: Opting for this primary option ensures your e-Visa is processed within three to seven working days.
• Expedited Processing: Choosing this faster service guarantees processing your e-visa within two to five working days.
• Priority Processing: This premium service ensures your e-Visa is processed within just one to three working day, offering the quickest turnaround.

Steps for Portuguese Nationals to Apply for an Urgent Egypt E-Visa

When organising your journey quickly, opt for the 'Express' or 'Instant' selections when applying for your e-visa. These choices involve additional costs yet offer a significant benefit: they prioritise your application. Consequently, you receive your electronic visa quickly, which facilitates the organisation of your trip by reducing the usual processing durations. This expedited method effectively addresses an essential part of your trip planning.

How Can a Portuguese Citizen Extend Their Egypt E-Visa?

For individuals considering a more extended visit to Egypt, there are primarily two alternatives available:

Obtaining a New e-Visa After Departing Egypt:

• First, leave Egypt.
• After exiting Egypt, reapply for an e-visa. This procedure typically concludes swiftly, often within 1-2 days. Nevertheless, it's advisable to allow for a week.
• It's worth noting that you can apply for the e-visa multiple times, provided all criteria are satisfied.

Extending Your Current Visa While in Egypt:

• This approach necessitates a direct application, as online renewals are not available.
• Visit the Ministry of the Interior's Abbasiya, Cairo premises for a visa extension. Their operational hours are 8 am to 5 pm, excluding Fridays and Saturdays.

Requirements for Direct Visa Extension:

• Your valid, current passport.
• The e-visa you currently possess.
• Sufficient cash to cover the extension charge.
• Information regarding your stay in Egypt.
• A new photograph of passport size.

Procedure for Visa Renewal in Egypt:

• On the initial visit, you're expected to complete some paperwork and provide various items: personal identification, a recent photograph, your fingerprints, and the initial charge.
• A second visit is required to finalise any outstanding charges and retrieve your renewed visa.

Essential Considerations for Visa Renewal:

• Extensions are typically granted for an additional three months.
• Upon completing the process, you will receive a Foreign Residence Card and a plastic ID card confirming your prolonged presence in Egypt.

Does Egypt Offer Visa on Arrival Facility to Portugal?

Individuals holding a passport from Portugal have the option to obtain an Egyptian visa upon their arrival. This specific visa allows a maximum stay of up to 30 days, counted from the date it is issued.

Portuguese tourists must ensure that their passports are up-to-date and valid before they travel to Egypt.

How Can a Portuguese Citizen Monitor Their Egypt E-Visa Application Status?

The digital service for obtaining an Egypt electronic visa is known for its swift processing, usually completing requests between one and three days. Occasionally, this period might extend to as long as five days. A vital aspect of this service is its automated email notification system, which continuously updates applicants on the status of their visa applications, thus reducing the need to check the website constantly.

Should there be no updates regarding their visa application within five days of applying, applicants have an alternative option to check their status. It involves going to the "Contact Us" section on the official e-visa portal. Here, individuals must provide certain information, including their full name, passport information, and the email address they used for the application.

After submitting these details, applicants will immediately get a confirmation of their query. They can then anticipate a detailed update on the status of their visa application, typically within a timeframe of 72 hours.

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