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1. RECENT UPDATES Section 5 (phone numbers) of this Travel Report has been updated. See our Current Issues for information on avian influenza. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Egypt
Travellers should be aware that Egypt has experienced several terrorist attacks over the past years. On April 24, 2006, three explosions occurred in the Egyptian Sinai resort town of Dahab. The blasts took place in a market and at a hotel, killing 24 people and injuring more than 150 others. On July 23, 2005, three large explosions occurred at the tourist resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. These attacks occurred in a coffee shop in the city's Old Market, at the Ghazala Gardens Hotel, and in a hotel parking lot and shuttle bus stop frequented by tourists. At least 64 people were killed and over 100 were injured. On April 30, 2005, three assailants attacked tourists in two separate incidents in Cairo. The first attack was carried out by a suicide bomber near the Egyptian Museum. The second attack involved two assailants firing shots, unsuccessfully, at a bus carrying tourists. The three assailants were killed and eight people were injured, including four foreigners. On April 7, 2005, an explosion occurred in the central historic area of Cairo, killing four people and injuring at least 18 others. These attacks demonstrate that security incidents can occur without warning. The risk of possible terrorist attacks in areas frequented by Westerners or tourists exists, and further such attacks in Egypt cannot be ruled out. Security at points of entry and departure from Egypt has been increased. Canadians in Egypt should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times and in all places, and exercise caution, especially in commercial establishments, government facilities and public areas, including tourist sites and other areas frequented by foreigners and, to the extent possible, avoid frequenting such areas. Travellers should also monitor local developments and avoid crowds and demonstrations. While continued security efforts have made it more difficult for extremist groups to operate, Egypt remains one of a number of countries where a threat from international terrorism exists. The border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt has remained closed since June 9, 2007. This border is under the control of Palestinian and Egyptian authorities. Canadians should exercise extreme caution when travelling to the Egypt-Gaza border area due to on-going violence in the Gaza Strip. They should consult local authorities and refer to the Travel Report for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza for further information. OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. The crime rate in Egypt is low. While incidents of violence involving foreigners are rare, petty crime such as purse snatching and pickpocketing occur. Travellers should ensure personal belongings are secure and respect any advice or instructions from local security authorities. Egyptian police and security forces employ considerable effort to ensure the safety and security of foreign travellers. Enhanced security arrangements are maintained, especially at airports and tourist sites. Egyptian police may insist on escorting organized tour groups in some areas. Unexploded landmines remain a risk in some desert and coastal areas, notably the Mediterranean shore, the Western Desert, the Sinai Peninsula, and the western shore of the Gulf of Suez. Travellers should seek local advice, especially if travelling off-road. Known minefields are not marked by signs, but may be enclosed in barbed wire. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Egyptian authorities and was valid as of October 1st, 2007. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. 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. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. 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. 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. 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 intending to visit Egypt should be in possession of a return or onward airline ticket and sufficient funds for the stay. 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 bore: 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). Airline passengers should reconfirm international and domestic flights 72 hours in advance of departure from Egypt. When exiting Egypt, all travellers must show a proof of entry stamp in their passport at the point of departure. Without a proof of entry, an exit stamp cannot be obtained and travellers will be denied exit. All Canadians who have entered the country with a Canadian passport and have obtained a new passport while in Egypt must present the new passport to the Egyptian immigration authorities at Mugamma, Tahrir Square, Cairo to ensure that an entry stamp is transferred into the new passport. 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. Travellers over the age of one are required to carry evidence of a yellow fever vaccination if arriving from infected areas. 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 due to incidents of possible misuse. Canadians experiencing problems are encouraged to contact the nearest Canadian government office or Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada in Ottawa for advice and assistance. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. 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. 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. 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. 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. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Egypt - CAIRO, Embassy of Canada Address: 26 Kamel El Shenawy Street, Garden City, Cairo, Egypt Postal Address: P.O. Box 1667, Cairo, Egypt, Tel.: 20 (2) 2791-8700 Fax: 20 (2) 2791-8860 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. BACK TO TOP 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 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. 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 13, 2007. Women, particularly foreign women, are frequently subject to unpleasant male attention, sexual harassment, and verbal abuse. This often takes the form of staring, inappropriate remarks, catcalls, and touching. The Department publishes a booklet entitled Her Own Way: A Woman’s Guide to Safe and Successful Travel. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian women and encourage them to travel safely. There are reports of female Canadian citizens being forced into marriage without their prior knowledge or consent. Parents, relatives and the community may use relentless pressure and emotional blackmail, threatening behaviour, abduction, imprisonment and physical violence to coerce young people to enter into marriage. While both men and women experience forced marriages, it is a form of violence most commonly perpetrated against women. They have been unable to return to Canada, and their passports and money have been retained by family members. Canada opposes the practice of forced marriage and urges all countries to respect their international human rights obligations relating to free and full consent to marriage. Forced marriage constitutes a human rights violation under several legal instruments, including international human rights law, to which Canada is a signatory. If you are in Canada and you believe that you are being forced to travel overseas or to marry, you should contact provincial social welfare authorities and your local police. You may also contact the Emergency Operations Centre (tel.: 1-800-267-6788) or the nearest Canadian government office (see Section 5 above). Overt public displays of intimate affection are frowned upon in Egyptian culture. Demonstrations of homosexuality have been deemed an affront to public morals and some Egyptian homosexuals have been jailed. 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. Photography of bridges, canals, including the Suez Canal, government buildings, embassies and military personnel and establishments is prohibited. Dual nationality 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 nationals 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. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Road conditions are often poor and the rate of vehicular accidents is one of the highest in the world. 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. Cairo has an effective subway system. Buses, trains, and taxis are widely available. Because of hazardous driving habits, travellers should avoid micro-buses. Most taxis do not have working meters and backseats are rarely equipped with seatbelts. It is not recommended that women sit in the front seat, as this could be misinterpreted by the driver. 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 border crossing point to Gaza has been closed since June 9, 2007. As well, it is located in an area that is frequently subject by sporadic violence. Insofar as possible, travellers should verify the status of all crossing points prior to arrival. Cross border movement regulations and restrictions are subject to change at anytime and are the prerogative of the responsible authorities. The Government of Canada does not have authority or jurisdiction regarding movement over these borders. Special permits are required to visit various Egyptian areas, including the border with Libya and off-road areas in the Sinai. Special permits may be obtained from the Travel Permits Department of the Ministry of the Interior in Cairo. 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 Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. 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 the Embassy of Canada's Web site (www.cairo.gc.ca). Canadians should also ensure they are familiar with the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Cairo. BACK TO TOP 9. 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. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Travellers should be careful to only drink water that has been boiled, filtered, or bottled. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist 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. See Canada's Health Portal. 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. Adoption: Adoption by foreigners is almost impossible in this country. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
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