Useful Information for When You Go on to Egypt03/07/10

Facts about Country: Egypt is a developing nation with extensive facilities for Tourists.

Requirements for Passport and/or Visa: A passport and visa are obligatory. For Visitors arriving by air, a renewable 30-day tourist visa can be obtained at airport points of entry for $15, payable in U.S.A. dollars. Visitors arriving overland and by sea, or such previously experiencing difficulty with their visa status in Egypt, must request a visa prior to arrival. Military personnel arriving on commercial flights are not exempt from visa and passport requirements. Proof of yellow fever immunization is needed, if arriving from an infected area. Evidence of an AIDS test is required for anyone staying over 30 days. For additional entry data, United States citizens can get in touch with the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt, 3521 International Court, N.W., Washington, the District of Colombia, USA 20008, phone. 202-895-5400, or the Egyptian consulates in San Francisco, Chicago, New York, or Houston.

Egypt Holidays: Egypt has a number ofholidays that it observes throughout the year. As you are planning your trip, look for a world holiday calendar that will help you plan your trip before you go. ConocoPhillips gives away business calendar that are a great tool when going on a trip around the world. The ConocoPhillips world holiday calendar has all the holidays around the world and it is a free gift to customers. If your company buys business calendar, then consider trying somethingunique and dissimilar for advertising to your customers. Because religions of people in Egypt vary, it observes many non-religious, Christian, Muslim holidays but it also celebrates several othergovernment holidays that you need to find out. Buy a world holiday calendar and you will know those holidays before you go traveling.

Travel Warnings, Advisories and Areas of Instability: Since the mid-1990’s, Egyptian extremist groups seeking to destabilize the government have attacked aims at foreigners and public offices in Egypt, including Egyptian law enforcement personnel, judicial officials, and foreign Visitors. Most of these violence have occurred in the Nile Valley governates of Minya, Assiut, Sohag and Qena. Egyptian security and law enforcement officials increased their counter-terrorism patrol and security presence during 1998, and there were fewer extremist assaults than in previous years. In 1997, extremist aggression on travelers happened in Luxor in Upper Egypt and in Cairo. There were no attacks on foreign People visiting in Egypt in 1998. Because the extremists have been more active in the Nile Valley governates of Minya, Assiut, Sohag and Qena (north of Qena City), these areas should be regarded a greater risk. Therefore, before travelling to these governates, American citizens are urged to seek advice from the section of the Consular of the U.S. Embassy, licensed tour operators, and/or the tourist police authorities responsible for those areas.

The U.S. Embassy periodically receives data concerning extremists’ intentions to target Tourists and American interests in the country, including United States of America Government buildings. In light of this content, we urge Americans to be vigilant and exercise good security practices while in the country . (Please see material on Crime.)

RESTRICTED AREAS: Those who wants to visit areas near the country’s frontiers, including oases near the border with Libya and off-road areas in the Sinai, must obtain permission from the Travel Permits Department of the Ministry of the Interior, located at the corner of Sheikh Rihan and Nubar Streets in the capital. Visitors should be vigilant of the possible dangers of off-road travel. Leftover mines from previous conflicts remain buried in a number of regions of the country and have caused a number of deaths, including deaths of Americans. As a rule, all Travelers should check with local authorities before embarking on off-road travel. Because known minefields are not marked by signs, but are usually enclosed by barbed wire, Individuals should avoid areas fenced by barbed wire. After heavy rains, which can cause flooding in desert areas, and the consequent shifting of land mines, Travelers should avoid driving through build-ups of sand on roadways.

Medical Facilities: There are many Western-trained medical professionals in Egypt. The U.S.A. Embassy in Cairo can provide a list of local hospitals and English-speaking physicians. Medical facilities are sufficient for non- emergency matters, particularly in the areas that most Tourists visit. Intensive care and emergency facilities are, however, limited. Facilities outside the capital fall inadequate of U.S. standards. Most Nile cruise boats do not have a ship’s doctor, but some use a medical practitioner of uncertain training. Hospital facilities in Aswan and Luxor are inadequate, and are nonexistent at most other ports of call.

Doctors and hospitals expect immediate money in cash for treatment. United States of America medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States of America. The Medicaid/Medicare program does not provide for money of medical services outside the USA. The United States of America Embassy highly recommends that you check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether money will be made to the overseas doctor and hospital or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include policies for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Helpful knowledge on medical troubles abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, Medical info for Americans traveling abroad, available via its home page and autofax service.

Mediterranean beaches and Red Sea coasts are generally unpolluted. However, there is a risk of vulnerability to bacterial infections such as hepatitis, and the diseases caused parasites such as schistosomiasis (bilharzia) when swimming in the Nile or canals, walking barefoot along the Nile River, or drinking untreated river water. There is a low risk of vulnerability to exotic illnesses in the country such as Rift Valley Fever (RVF). RVF, which flares up in parts of the country from time to time, is a mosquito-borne disease of domestic animals that can infect humans.

Properly prepared, well-cooked meat in tourist hotels, Nile cruise boats, and tourist eateries is considered secured. Eating fresh vegetables should be avoided, because this can cause traveler’s diarrhea. Tap water is not potable. Info on vaccinations and other health preprecautions can be requested from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s international Travelers hotline at 1- 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747), fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or by visiting the CDC Website homepage at http://www.cdc.gov.

Areas of Instability, Advisories and Travel Warnings: The rate of unlawful events in Egypt is low. While incidents of violence are rare, pick-pocketing, purse snatching and petty robbery are commonplace. Unescorted women are prone to verbal abuse and sexual harassment. People and foreign residents are affected by Egyptian laws. The theft or loss of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest United States of America consulate or embassy. Helpful content on protecting valuables, protecting personal safety, and other matters while going abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlets, “A Safe Trip Abroad and Tips for People to the Middle East and North Africa.” They are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

DRUG PENALTIES: People are vulerable to the laws and legal practices of the country in which they visit. Drug enforcement laws in Egypt are very harsh. The death penalty may be imposed on anyone convicted of smuggling or selling prohibited drugs and other narcotics. Law enforcement authorities prosecute and seek fines and imprisonment in cases of owning of even small quantities of prohibited drugs.

CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS: Visitors are no longer essential to exchange foreign money into Egyptian pounds or provide exchange currency statements upon Edit this text . The maximum amount of Egyptian money that can be brought in or taken out of Egypt is 1,000 Egyptian pounds. Personal use items such as laptop computers, jewelry and electronic equipment are exempt from customs fees. However, computer accessories, such as printers and modems, are impacted by customs fees. For People visiting, electronic equipment is annotated on their passport, and the person is essential to show the same items upon exiting Egypt. For residents, a deposit, refunded upon leaving, should be made in place of customs fees. Commercial merchandises and samples need an import/export license issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Supply in Egypt before travel and should be stated upon arrival.

PHOTOGRAPHY REQUIREMENTS: Egyptian law allows for the imposition of duties on photographic and video equipment. However, such taxes are seldom imposed, except when large number of photographic equipment or expensive video equipment are brought into the country. Visitors bringing in such items should be prepared to abide by certain customs formalities. There are restrictions on photographing military personnel and bridges, sites, and canals.

Dual Nationality: The Egypt government evaluates all children born to Egyptian fathers to be Egyptian citizens. Even if the children bear American passports, immigration officials can require proof that the father approves their leaving before the children will be allowed to leave Egypt . US citizens married to Egyptians do not need their spouse’s permission to leave the country as long as they have a valid Egyptian visa. To renew a visa, or to leave Egypt after a visa has expired, a US citizen woman married to an Egyptian must bring proof of the husband’s consent. Dual Egyptian-American nationals should enter and leave the country on their U.S. passports. If a dual national stays in Egypt for extended periods, proof of Egyptian citizenship, such as a family I.D. card, is necessary. Male dual nationals of military age, who have not completed military service, are not generally necessary to enlist in the armed forces. However, before they can leave Egypt, they must secure an exemption certificate through the Ministry of Defense Draft Office. Travelers who should be impacted can inquire at an Egyptian consular office abroad before visiting to Egypt. Visitors with dual nationality who travel to Egypt on their Egyptian passports are usually treated as Egyptian citizens. United States consular assistance to such Travelers is extremely limited.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S.A. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Egypt’s civil aviation authority as Category 1 – in compliance with international aviation standards of safety for oversight of Egypt’s air carrier operations. For additional material, People could contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S.A. at call this number 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA’s website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S.A. Department of Defense (DOD) separately evaluates some foreign air carriers for suitability as air services official providers. For content regarding the DOD policy on particular carriers, Individuals could reach the Pentagon at telephone (703) 697-7288.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: The roads in Egypt can be dangerous, mostly at night outside major cities, because cars a great deal of the time travel with few or no lights. Fatal accidents have happened. Emergency and intensive care facilities are limited outside Cairo.

Embassy Location/Registration: USA citizens are advised to register at the United States Embassy and obtain updated content on security and travel within Egypt. The United States Embassy in Cairo is located on Lazoughli Street, Garden City, near downtown Cairo. The mailing address from the United States of America is American Embassy Cairo, APO AE 09839-4900; from Egypt, it is 8 Kamal el-Din Salah Street, Cairo. The phone number is (20) (2) 355-7371. the Embassy of phone number is (20) (2) 357-2301; the section of the Embassy fax is (20) (2) 357-2472. the section of the Consular e-mail address is cacairo@cairod.us-state.gov; consular material is also available via the web at http://www.usis.egnet.net