Egypt set to introduce electronic visa system

Cairo – 20 February 2017: Egypt is set to introduce a new electronic visa system in the coming months, according to an unnamed security source who spoke to Youm7. The news comes as the Minister of Interior and the Minister of Communications and Information Technology met on Tuesday to discuss the development of an electronic visa system, the privately-owned Al-Masry Al-Youm reported.

“The new system will be completed in less than three months,” the security source told Youm7. “Tourists will have access to a website devoted to the process; register their data and upload a personal image; there will be a security inquiry; and they will receive a response within less than 48 hours.”

Egyptian Minister of Interior Magdy Abdel Ghaffar said the system will be completed within a clear timeline that coincides with Egypt’s strategic goals, especially in terms of attracting tourism and reinforcing full security controls on all ports, according to Al-Masry Al-Youm

According to the official website of the Ministry of Interior, the ministry began using an electronic visa system for some of its diplomatic delegations in 2007, with the intent to expand the system to include all visitors.

In an interview with Youm7, security expert Alaa Al Din Abd el-Magid anticipated the new system will contribute to reviving the national economy by boosting the inflow of foreign currency into Egypt.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi had instructed the government to complete all procedures related to the electronic visa system by May this year, according to Al-Ahram. His instructions were delivered as he chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Council of Tourism earlier in February.