Arabic (official),English and French widely understood by educated classes

Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, other Christian 1%

The US Embassy is located at 5 Tawfik Diab Street, Garden City, Cairo, telephone (20) 2 2797-2301. Walk-in working hours are 8:00a to 11:00a Sunday through Thursday. Phone inquiries are between 1:00p and 4:30p. The latest Embassy warden message can be heard on (20) 2 2797-3000. For emergencies after-hours, US citizens may reach the Embassy duty officer via (20) 2 2797-3300. The Consular Section American Citizens Services unit fax number is (20) 2 2797-3602.
The mailing address from the United States is: Consular Section, Unit 64900, Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900. Within Egypt or from a third country

Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command

A passport and visa are required.  Tourists can obtain a renewable thirty-day tourist visa on arrival at an Egyptian airport for a $15 fee, payable in U.S. dollars.  Visitors arriving overland and/or those who previously experienced difficulty with their visa status in Egypt should obtain a visa prior to arrival.  Travelers arriving from Israel at the Taba border crossing are advised to obtain a visa prior to their arrival, otherwise they are granted either a no-fee, fourteen-day visa valid for travel within Sinai only, or they may buy a thirty-day tourist visa for $15 upon submission of a travel agency support letter.  The letters are obtainable from travel agents at the border; however, their fees for providing this service vary.  Military personnel arriving on commercial flights are not exempt from passport and visa requirements.  As of January 2009, Diplomatic and Official passport holders are required to have a visa before arrival in Egypt.  The Egyptian Embassy in Washington is currently requiring 7-10 working days to process official visa requests, an expedite letter from the Department of State notwithstanding, so it is incumbent upon all travelers to submit their visa requests and passports to the Egyptian Embassy well in advance of travel.  Foreigners can acquire a work permit from the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration offices in the district of the employer, and accordingly are authorized residency in the country.  Work permits must be obtained through the employer.  Foreigners are generally not allowed to change residency status from non-working to working status while in the country.  Foreign workers must obtain a work permit and work visa before arrival in Egypt.  Foreigners in Egypt on tourist visas are not permitted to work.  Proof of yellow fever immunization is required if arriving from an infected area.  Evidence of an AIDS test is required for everyone staying over thirty days, for the purpose of studying or working in Egypt.  Visit the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs web site at http://www.mfa.gov.eg/mfa_portal/en-gb/ for the most current visa information.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site.  For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.

Airports 88, Airports w/paved runways:  72

Cairo International Airport (CAI/HECA)
Cairo Airport, Egypt, Airport Road, Heliopolis, 11776 Cairo, EGYPT
Tel: +20 (0)2 265 4611
Fax: +20 (0)2 633 2522, +20 (0)2 263 7132
E-mail: sales.marketing@cairo-airport.com
Website: www.cairo-airport.com
Customs, hours: 24 hours
Tel: +20 (0)2 247 4321

Egypt suffered a series of deadly terrorist attacks in or near tourist sites in late 2004, 2005, and 200– often coinciding with major local holidays. Public demonstrations occasionally take place in areas such as Tahrir Square in Cairo and in the vicinity of universities and mosques following the Friday noon prayers. In addition, travelers should be aware that land mines have caused many casualties, including deaths of Americans, in Egypt.

Infant MR Total:  31.33 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:  TOTAL 71.29 years (male 68.77/female 73.93)

Required: None
Recommended: Hep A & B, Rabies, Typhoid
Boosters: MMR, DPT, polio

Persons who swim in the Nile or its canals, walk barefoot in stagnant water, or drink untreated water are at risk of exposure to bacterial and other infections and the parasitic disease schistosomiasis (bilharzia). It is generally safe to eat properly-prepared, thoroughly cooked meat and vegetables in tourist hotels, on Nile cruise boats, and in tourist restaurants. Eating uncooked vegetables should be avoided. Tap water is not potable. It is best to drink bottled water or water that has been boiled and filtered. Well-known brands of bottled beverages are generally considered to be safe.

There are many Western-trained medical professionals in Egypt. Medical facilities are adequate for non-emergency matters, particularly in tourist areas. Emergency and intensive care facilities are limited.

Egypt has had 15 confirmed human cases of Avian Influenza (bird flu) as Nov 2006.

Country Calling Code : + 20 
Internet Country code:  .eg