Can you fairly quickly get a Visa-on-Arrival in Cairo Airport around midnight?
Currently there seem to be quite a lot of good value fares for departures from Egypt, and it looks like I should be able to save a fair bit on a planned trip if I break my journey into two tickets and fly via Cairo.
Having read about some interesting experiences with airside transit at Cairo, I was planning to fly in one evening, then depart on a different ticket this next morning. As I'll be changing tickets, that overnight break should give me enough time to still make the 2nd flight in the event of delays, and also means I don't have any issues with trying to through-check luggage between tickets (I'll just collect and re-check)
Based on the FCO guidance and the Egyptian Embassy in London's website, I gather that EU citizens (+ some others) are able to get a visa-on-arrival in Cairo. That's as an alternative to getting a visa at the embassy before, which seems to be a bit more expensive plus takes longer.
With about 10 hours between one plane arriving and the next leaving, and a desire to get as much sleep as possible in a hotel by the airport, spending an age queueing up to get a visa-on-arrival wouldn't be much fun. (If it's as bad as Colombo airport in Sri Lanka on previous trips, I'd barely make it out in time to check in for the next flight!). However, if it's nice and quick to get one though, then that'd be better than 2 trips to the embassy.
What is the typical situation with getting a visa on arrival in Cairo airport late at night, eg 11pm-1am? Is it fairly quick and easy, or does it tend to have huge queues with lots of delays and formalities?
Best Answer
Based on only one instance that I can now remember (I suspect I have forgotten others, though more recent, for being such 'non-events') at shortly after 2 a.m. the VOA process took me less than one minute - I was presumably one of the first off the aircraft. However even less than one minute was enough time for others exiting the aircraft after me to have beaten me to Immigration, where there was a queue, so presumably not many passengers required VOAs.
From memory there were two VOA counters available but only one in use. So if one of the last to disembark it may take quite a lot longer. However I doubt that a little over two hours earlier (ie midnight) would have been much different, unless other aircraft were then discharging passengers.
It might have been at a time when few tourists were visiting Egypt and hence most of the passengers were Egyptian nationals.
Even had the VOA process taken a lot longer I doubt I would have left the airport any later, the delay is usually for luggage so how long to get to the carousel makes no difference.
This is exactly as I remember it:
right down to the bypass gate between 'Passport Control' and 'Emigration' attended by a couple of loiterers and with a stream of people passing through it. The only difference is that the narrowing of the vertical corridor appeared to be greater than shown on the map (maybe because I'd turned sharp right to reach that corridor so turned into what is on the map its left side, hence needed to zigzag at the narrowing.) The vertical corridor was quite dark, but 'Emigration' and its holding area less so. 'Banks' (the two counters) was where I exchanged £10 or $15 for a receipt filled in by hand. I think I may have received a few coins in change.
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Can I get a visa when I arrive in Egypt?
Can I get a visa on arrival in Egypt? Travellers can obtain an Egyptian tourist visa on arrival at immigration kiosks at any of the airport terminals. Passengers who have not applied for a visa in advance need to: Wait in line at the visa on arrival window.How long does it take to get a visa at Cairo airport?
Egypt e-Visa applications are usually processed within 5 business days. Travellers are advised to apply at least 7 days in advance of the intended departure to Egypt, in the rare case of delays. In many cases, visitors will receive their e-Visa for Egypt much sooner \u2014 perhaps within a day or two.Can I get a visa at the airport in Cairo?
Americans and citizens from 74 other countries can obtain an Egypt visa on arrival at the Cairo International airport at the bank kiosks before the immigration counters for $25 USD and are valid for a single visit up to 30 days. The easiest and best stress-free way to get an Egypt visa is with iVisa.How long does it take to get visa for Egypt?
Egypt visa processing usually takes 1 to 4 business days, applicants should allow at least a week. Foreigners who need a visa through the embassy must start the application process several weeks before their intended travel date.Cairo, Egypt Airport Walkthrough—Get from your plane all the way through customs and arrivals
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