Are There Penalties for Overstaying in Egypt?

The ancient wonders and beauty of Egypt are captivating, to say the least, which has resulted in some tourists wondering if there are penalties for staying past the expiration date of their visa for Egypt.Thanks in part to the spread of disinformation and partly due to recent changes in law, there has been quite a bit of confusion as to the actual penalties for overstaying in Egypt, so we wanted to set the record straight once and for all.

First thing is first, yes, Egypt requires a visa, and there are penalties if this visa is overstayed. Some well-meaning friends and family members may advise you that it’s legal for you to stay up to 15 days past your 30-day tourist visa to Egypt, taking you to a total of 45 days, with incurring a financial penalty.

However, if you have the misfortune of listening to those acquaintances you’ll be faced with having to pay out of pocket before boarding your flight home.

And you might not consider them such good friends anymore. You’re actually only allowed to stay a total of 43 days, 13 days past your visa to Egypt expiration date, without facing a monetary fine. Furthermore, you could actually end up missing your flight home as you’ll have to wait in yet another line in order to pay the penalty.

These lines can sometimes take hours, depending on the number of travelers that day.

How Much is the Fine?

Once again, those well-meaning friends may tell you that the fine for overstaying in Egypt is nominal and easily affordable. While in the recent past, they may have been correct, you might lose another friend if you listen to them. Recent changes in Egyptian law have increased the fines for ignoring visa expiration dates, and you might be more than a little shocked to find out you must pay $500 when you were told it would only be $50.

Furthermore, the penalty for overstaying in Egypt is only accepted in certain currencies. Not only could you find yourself out of pocket for more than you were planning, but you could also miss your flight as you run around attempting to exchange your currency for one that is accepted.

How Can I Pay the Fine for Overstaying in Egypt?

In case you haven’t learned by now, you probably shouldn’t listen to your friends when it comes to serious immigration questions. Unless you want to lose a friend. While it may seem logical to head to the immigration office in order to forego the wait time at the airport, you’ll have stood in line for no reason.

Unless you are applying for a visa extension, for which there are new regulations as well, you will indeed need to schedule additional time for your departure from the airport. The penalty for overstaying a visa in Egypt has to be paid at the airport on the date of departure. 

Of course, the best practice is not to stay past the expiration date of your visa to Egypt, but now you know what you will face if you do.

How to Avoid Overstaying in Egypt?

The wonders of Egypt may entice you to stay a little longer than the permitted stay. Be practical, no country will allow you to stay longer than the time permitted in your visa. There will be consequences for overstaying in Egypt, like penalties, and in some cases, you may be deported. The fine can vary based on the number of days that you have overstayed, and it can be a very large sum. Do not overstay your welcome. 

Plan your return journey well in advance. Check the expiry date which will be written on your visa. Book your return tickets before the date of visa expiry.

What if You Want to Stay in Egypt Longer

Still, if you want to stay a little more than the 30-day period, try extending your visa term. The best bet is to visit the nearest Mugamma Building, a part of the Cairo government, for visa renewal. The office closes at 3.30 local time. Reach out as early as possible and answer the queries by the officers sincerely. If your reasons for overstaying in Egypt are found to be genuine, your visa will be processed in a few hours. It is to be noted that you cannot apply for a new Egyptian e-Visa while you are in the country. For this, you need to leave Egypt and re-apply. 

Are There Long-Term Visas Available to Avoid This?

Citizens of several countries are eligible to apply for short-term eVisas for Egypt for tourism, business, and cultural activities. The eVisas only allow you to stay in the country for 30 days in a validity period of 90 days. 

If you are a citizen of a country that is not entitled to an Egyptian eVisa, you will have to apply for a visa at the Egyptian embassy or consulate in their nation. You have to fill out the application form and submit all the required documents, including your passport and photograph. The validity of an Egyptian embassy visa for tourism, business, and cultural activities, too, is 90 days. 

If you wish to stay for more than 90 days, you will have to apply for a temporary resident permit. For this, you have to apply at the embassy. If there are no Egyptian embassies or consulates in your country, you can apply for a visa on arrival or eVisa. Reach the country and apply for a temporary residence permit while in Egypt. The process is the same for long-term visas.

For a long-term visa for study and employment, you need to file an application at the nearest Egyptian embassy or consulate. You need to fill out the application form and submit all the required documents. If your papers are in order, the embassy will mail the visa to your address in a few weeks. 

How Long Does It Take to Get a Long-Term Egypt Visa

The processing time for a long-term Egyptian visa differs from country to country and embassy to embassy. For long-term visas, you need to submit the completed application form and documents at the embassy. The processing time depends on the volume of applications at the embassy at a given time.

Errors in the application form can also cause delays. Depending on the long-term visa type, there can also be additional documents. The processing time for a long-term Egyptian visa can vary from 10 days to a few weeks. In most cases, the visa will be delivered within a month.

Conclusion

The ancient wonders of Egypt may entice visitors to extend their stay. However, overstaying in Egypt can result in severe consequences. Recent changes in Egyptian law have increased the penalties for overstaying, and travelers must pay these fines in specific currencies at the airport on their departure date. To avoid these penalties, it is crucial to plan your return journey well in advance and adhere to the visa expiration date. If you wish to stay longer in Egypt, consider applying for a visa extension or a temporary resident permit, ensuring that you respect the country’s immigration rules and regulations.