Travel Rules For Russians Visiting Egypt

are russians allowed to travel to egypt

Egypt is a popular tourist destination for Russians, with Russian and Ukrainian citizens making up about 40% of beach holidaymakers in the country annually. Since the war in Ukraine, Russians have found it more complicated and expensive to travel to European countries, and some have been stranded in Egypt. However, Egypt has welcomed Russian tourists, allowing them to stay until their safe return home. Russian citizens can obtain a visa upon arrival in Egypt or apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) in advance.

Characteristics Values
Visa requirements Russians can obtain an eVisa or a visa upon arrival in Egypt.
Visa cost Not specified
Visa duration The eVisa is valid for 30 days and expires after 3 months from the date of issue. The visa upon arrival allows a stay of up to 30 days.
Passport validity The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Egypt.
Insurance An insurance policy is required.
COVID restrictions There are no COVID restrictions.
Travel restrictions Russians can travel to Egypt, but there may be difficulties in obtaining a visa due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

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Russians can travel to Egypt via Turkey if sanctions allow

Egypt is a popular holiday destination for Russian tourists, with almost a third of Egypt's tourists coming from Russia in peak years. However, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has resulted in a significant decline in Russian tourists visiting Egypt.

Egypt's tourism industry has been greatly impacted by the absence of Russian tourists, and the Egyptian government is keen to find ways to encourage their return. One proposed solution is to allow Russian tourists to enter Egypt via Turkey. This plan involves Russian tourists stopping in Turkey en route to Egypt, either by flying to Turkey and then on to Egypt, or as part of a joint holiday package that includes both countries.

However, there are several challenges to this plan. Firstly, sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine have made it difficult for Russians to travel internationally. The sanctions have crippled the Russian economy and significantly devalued the rouble, making it costly for Russians to travel abroad.

Additionally, the current conflict could hinder Russian tourists from travelling outside their country for an extended period. Furthermore, Russia's closure of its airspace to carriers from 36 countries has made it difficult for Egyptians to travel to Eastern Europe, impacting Egypt's ability to attract tourists from that region.

Despite these obstacles, Egypt remains hopeful that the plan to attract Russian tourists through Turkey will help revive its struggling tourism industry.

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Russian tourists can stay in Egypt until their safe return home is guaranteed

Egypt has long been a popular holiday destination for Russian tourists, with hundreds of thousands visiting its Red Sea hotels each year. However, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has disrupted travel plans for many Russians, with flights cancelled from airports in southern Russian cities close to Ukraine.

Egypt has guaranteed the safety of Russian tourists stranded in the country, allowing them to stay until their safe return home is possible. This decision was made by Egyptian tourism officials during a meeting on the same day that Russia launched its attack on Ukraine. In a statement, they said:

> Tourists from countries where air traffic is disrupted will be allowed to stay in the hotels where they are staying in Egypt until they can safely return home.

Egypt's tourism sector, which employs two million people and contributes more than 10% to the country's GDP, has been hit hard by the conflict. Before the war, Russian and Ukrainian citizens accounted for about 40% of beach holidaymakers visiting Egypt annually.

In the meantime, Egypt has been receiving empty flights from Russia to bring home Russian tourists stuck in Egypt.

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Russians need a visa to enter Egypt

Russian citizens need a visa to enter Egypt. The process is straightforward, with the Egypt eVisa system tailored for short-term visits, including tourism, business, or medical purposes. The eVisa is valid for 90 days after being issued, with options for both single or multiple entries, each allowing a 30-day stay per entry.

To apply for an Egypt eVisa, Russian citizens can use an online service. They must fill in their contact and travel details, select their processing time preference, and pay the visa fees. They must also complete the visa application form, providing personal information, passport details, and intended travel plans to Egypt. The form must be filled out accurately and completely. Applicants must also provide a scan of their passport.

Russian citizens can also apply for a visa on arrival when travelling to Egypt. This tourist visa is typically valid for a short-term stay of up to 1 month and must be used within 30 days of issuance. A total of 4 documents are required to apply for the Egypt Visa on arrival, including a passport, visa application form, travel itinerary, and proof of sufficient funds.

It is important to note that the visa requirements for Egypt may change over time, so Russian citizens should always check the latest information before planning their trip. Additionally, there are specific entry and stay rules that Russians must follow when visiting Egypt.

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Russian tourists can fly to Egypt via Red Wings

In February 2023, tour operator Paks expanded its range of tours to Egyptian resorts, utilising Red Wings flights. Paks took blocks of seats on Red Wings flights until April 18, offering tourists attractive prices for holidays in February, March, and April. Flights to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh depart from Zhukovsky International Airport three times a week, and tourists are required to stay for a minimum of four days.

In April 2022, Egypt welcomed its first Russian tourists since the start of the Ukraine war. Three hundred holidaymakers arrived at Hurghada International Airport, with tour operators confirming the return of direct flights from Moscow to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.

Egypt's tourism industry has suffered blows in recent years due to political instability, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2015 bombing. The country typically welcomes hundreds of thousands of Russian tourists annually, and the return of Russian tourists is a positive development for Egypt's tourism sector.

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Russians are attracted to Egypt for several reasons. Firstly, the Egyptian pound is favourable for Russians, and their currency goes further. Secondly, Russians can easily travel to Egypt, with no language barrier for Russian visitors. Thirdly, Egypt has a lot to offer in terms of tourism: a warm climate, marine activities, islands, nature reserves, and full-board accommodation in large seaside resorts.

In April 2022, Hurghada Airport received 104 flights from various European airports, carrying about 15,000 tourists within 24 hours. Of these, 300 were Russians, who were able to take advantage of the resumption of flights by Biblio-Globus, the largest Russian airline. These flights, which took place between April 3 and April 10, departed from Zhukovsky Airport on Boeing 777-200 planes and operated twice a week.

Egypt has also been a safe haven for Russian tourists during times of conflict. For example, during the Russian-Ukrainian war, Egypt allowed Russian and Ukrainian tourists to stay in the country until they could safely return home.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes, Russians are allowed to travel to Egypt.

Russian citizens can obtain a visa upon arrival at an Egyptian airport. They can also apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) or an exit visa online before travelling.

To obtain a visa on arrival in Egypt, Russian citizens must have a passport valid for at least 6 months and can stay for up to 30 days.

There are no COVID-19 restrictions for Russians travelling to Egypt. However, an insurance policy is required for all travellers.

Russian tourists should be aware of the following:

- Unmarried couples may not be able to book a hotel room without a valid marriage contract.

- It is recommended to purchase a local SIM card upon arrival for communication and data services.

- Paying by card may be a problem in smaller shops and at ticket booths, so it is advisable to carry cash.

- It is illegal to photograph military installations or be near them, and forbidden to take pictures of public buildings and infrastructure such as railway stations and bridges.

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