4. LOCAL TRAVEL
Road conditions are often poor and the rate of vehicular accidents is one of the highest in the world. The frequent bus accidents are caused by excessive speed, poorly maintained roads, and driver fatigue. Traffic regulations are often ignored. Road travel outside major cities is not recommended after dark due to poor lighting and vehicles without headlights. Travellers should ensure their vehicles and drivers are provided by reputable travel agencies. Most taxis do not have working meters and backseats are rarely equipped with seatbelts. We do not recommend that women sit in the front seat, as this could be misinterpreted by the driver.Cairo has an effective subway system. Buses, trains, and taxis are widely available. Because of hazardous driving habits, travellers should avoid micro-buses.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.
Travellers planning to travel between Egypt and Israel via Taba/Eilat should ascertain the status of the border crossing from the Egyptian Embassy in Israel or the Israeli Embassy in Egypt. The Rafah crossing point to Gaza has been periodically closed, as well as being located in an area that is frequently surrounded by sporadic shootings. Insofar as possible, travellers should check opening hours at crossing points prior to their arrival there, though these occasionally change with very little advance notice.
The Israeli Defence Forces have instituted temporary controls on foreign passport holders entering Gaza. Until further notice, foreign passport holders with tourist visas will not be allowed entry into Gaza.
Special permits are required to visit border areas, including the border with Libya and off-road areas in the Sinai; they may be obtained from the Travel Permits Department of the Ministry of the Interior in Cairo.
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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
Egypt, particularly Cairo, is located in an active seismic zone. Earthquake activity is most likely to occur along the Mediterranean and the coasts of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. In the event of an emergency, information will be posted on local community bulletin boards throughout Egypt. Community bulletin board locations are listed in the Consular section of the Embassy of Canada's Web site (www.canada-eg.com). Canadians should also ensure they are familiar with the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Cairo.
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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.
The use of drugs and open consumption of alcohol (other than in licensed facilities such as hotels and restaurants) are prohibited. Transgressions could be punished by detention or other penalties. Capital punishment is legal in Egypt and is a sentencing option for certain drug-related crimes.
The work week is Sunday through Thursday. Islamic practices and beliefs are adhered to in the country's customs, laws, and regulations. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour. Visitors should dress conservatively (i.e. for women, knee-length or longer dresses and long sleeves are preferable and men should not wear shorts outside tourist areas). Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities.
During the lunar month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim calendar), visitors should use discretion when drinking, eating, and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on or about September 24, 2006.
Unescorted women are vulnerable to sexual harassment and verbal abuse. The Department publishes a booklet entitled Her Own Way: Advice for the Woman Traveller, specifically targeted at female travellers. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian women and encourage them to travel safely.
Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Demonstrations of homosexuality have been deemed an affront to public morals and some Egyptians have been jailed.
Canadian citizens who were born in Egypt, or who were born outside Egypt to an Egyptian father, are considered citizens of Egypt. Consular assistance, if required, will be granted by the Egyptian authorities on a case-by-case basis.
Canadian men who also have Egyptian nationality are subject to military service after spending a period of six months in Egypt. In order to be exempted, dual citizens are required to present a document of discharge claiming their dual nationality before leaving Egypt. Getting this document may be a drawn-out process that could affect the departure date, and the Canadian government has no jurisdiction in the process.
Strict duties apply on the importation of expensive electronics, including video and photographic equipment, laptops, and computer software and hardware. Such equipment should be for personal use and should be listed (model and serial number) and checked upon arrival and departure, in which case no duty will be collected. Appropriate permits and authorizations are required for the commercial importation of any type of electronics. It is prohibited to export any antiquity or any item older than 100 years without a licence. For further information regarding customs requirements, contact the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Ottawa (see Section 8 below).
Photography of bridges, canals, including the Suez Canal, government buildings, embassies and military personnel and establishments is prohibited.
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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
You can obtain consular assistance and further information at the following address:
Egypt - CAIRO, Embassy of Canada
Address: 26 Kamel El Shenawy, Garden City, Cairo, Egypt
Postal Address: P.O. Box 1667, Cairo, Egypt
Tel.: 20 (2) 791-8700
Fax: 20 (2) 791-8860
E-mail: cairo-cs@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.cairo.gc.ca
For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Cairo and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885 or use the services offered by Canada Direct.
Canada Direct, offered by Canada's major telecommunications companies, provides travellers with toll-free and hassle-free access to the Canadian telephone network. The Canada Direct access number from Cairo is 365-3643 and from elsewhere in Egypt is 02-365-3643, where a Canadian operator is always available. For more information, call 1 800 561-8868 or visit the Canada Direct Web site.
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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Conditions are subject to change.
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Egypt. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from Egypt. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa.
Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required
Although visas can be obtained at major ports of entry for US$15, it is recommended that travellers obtain their visa from an Egyptian embassy or consulate before arrival to avoid the possibility of being refused entry or experiencing lengthy delays upon arrival. Canadians who intend to stay for more than one month, and who have obtained a visa from an Egyptian embassy abroad, should be aware that, upon arrival at the airport, a 30-day visa will be stamped in their passport regardless of the visa previously granted. You are responsible for renewing this visa every 30 days, or a fine will be levied.
Canadians travelling in the Middle East are advised that their passports could come under increased scrutiny by immigration authorities, and the authenticity of their passports could be questioned because of incidents of possible misuse. Canadians experiencing problems are encouraged to contact the nearest Canadian government office or Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada for advice and assistance.
Canadians intending to visit Egypt should be in possession of a return or onward airline ticket and sufficient funds for the stay.
All foreigners planning to study and/or work (including training) in Egypt for longer than one month will be required to undergo human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in Egypt. Information on this procedure will be provided by the Egyptian immigration authorities (Mugamma, Tharir Square, Cairo, Egypt) upon application.
Canadians contemplating onward travel to Lebanon and/or Syria from Egypt should bear in mind that Canadians have been denied entry into these countries because their passports bear: (a) an Israeli visa; (b) an Israeli border stamp; or (c) an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued by an office bordering Israel (such a stamp would indicate the traveller entered from Israel).
Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
Travellers over the age of one are required to carry evidence of a yellow fever vaccination if arriving from infected areas.
Airline passengers must reconfirm international and domestic flights 72 hours in advance
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
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9. MONEY
The currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Only EGP 5,000 can be brought into or taken out of Egypt. Traveller's cheques and foreign currency are easily exchanged in hotels and banks. U.S. dollars are preferred, particularly at tourist sites. It has become common practice for some travel agents and tour operators to request that payment be made in U.S. cash only. Most major credit cards are widely accepted, although some merchants prefer cash or may charge a fee for paying by credit card. MasterCard may be refused in banks, hotels, shops, and travel agents because of its link to the failed Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI - its former backer). MasterCard is accepted for cash advances at the Bank of America, located on Qasr al-Aini Street near Tahrir Square in Cairo.
Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
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10. GENERAL INFORMATION
Egypt (capital: Cairo) is located in northeastern Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, Israel, the Red Sea, Sudan, and Libya. The Nile River transects the country. Tourist facilities and services are widely available. The work week is from Sunday to Thursday. The official language is Arabic; however, English and, to a certain extent, French are understood in the main cities as well as the principal resorts.
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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site. For more information, see our Current Issues on Avian Influenza.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.
Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Only drink water that has been boiled, filtered, or bottled.
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13. RETURNING TO CANADA
Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.
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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
Adoption by foreigners is almost impossible in this country.
Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.
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15. TRAVEL TIPS
Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.
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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.
Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
N/A
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18. ANNEX
N/A
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