Egypt Business Visa for Indian - Definitive Guide

There are different kinds of business activities that are done when you have business bonds in different countries. In order to be able to enter Egypt for carrying out any of the business activities, you will have to acquire a business visa to Egypt. There are several benefits to this permit. With this visa, you can visit Egypt to attend business meetings, exhibitions and conferences, business meetings for a branch of your own company or a sister company, or attend client meetings and other business errands. The validity offered by the visa is of about 6 months and the stay permitted per visit will vary from 30 days to 90 days. It even allows you multiple entries to Egypt.

The procedure of getting an Egypt business visa is mainly online and you can apply through the Egypt e-visa portal online. But first, you need to fulfil the eligibility criteria for the visa application process. The steps for the procedure of getting a business visa to Egypt are as follows:

1. Start by filling out the Egypt business visa application form.
2. Type in all the required details and answer all the questions.
3. Collect all the required documents.
4. Submit the documents and the application form to the Consulate.
5. Pay the required fee for the visa.

It is also important to note that the information you are filling out in the form is correct and that it matches the information in the documentary proof that is being provided. If any kind of errors are found or if there are any issues found in the application or with the applicant, there are chances that the visa may get rejected. Such a visa rejection can affect future applications to get a business visa for Egypt or any other kind to any other country.

When applying for the visa, there are eligibility criteria that you need to match. The criteria vary depending on the type of visa. The requirements for the business visa to Egypt are given as follows:

• You must have proof of business ownership and purpose of visit
  • 1. You must have proper proof of your business enterprise to show it to the authorities.
    2. If you have been invited to a business conference or to attend a business or client meeting, an invitation letter from the company must be provided to the embassy.

• You must meet the health requirements
  • 1. You must be healthy enough to travel to Egypt.
    2. You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
• You must meet the character requirements
  • 1. You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind working in Egypt.
    2. You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
• You must have sufficient funds
  • 1. You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Egypt.
    2. Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

There are specific documents required as per the type of the visa. They may even vary from applicant to applicant depending on their visa history and the type of passport. The common Egypt business visa requirements for Indian citizens are listed as follows:

• An original passport valid for at least 6 months ahead of the date of travel.
• Visa application form, completely filled and signed
• Coloured photographs as per the photo specifications
• A cover letter with all the required details
• Confirmed flight tickets
• Income Tax Returns proof
• Detailed Itinerary
• Proof of accommodation - invitation letter, hotel reservation, etc.
• Proof of purpose of visit - invitation letter, exhibition or conference pass, etc. 
• Proof of sufficient funds - bank statement or any other equivalent document.
  

The Egypt business visa photo requirements are as follows -

• Two copies must be provided
• Photo size: 45mm x 45 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 60-70% of the frame - 32mm x 36mm.
• Head should well-centred.
• A gap of 2mm to 6mm must be kept between the top of the head and the frame.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The processing time required for the issuance of the business visa to Egypt is about 7 to 10 days. The time will still vary depending on certain factors like the workload at the embassy office, the staff availability, whether the documents are complete or the rest of the documents are yet to be submitted and others. The time increases and decreases affected by these parameters. 

The fee to get a business visa for Egypt is to be paid directly to the consulate at the time of submission of the documents and the application form. It can be paid in cash, other modes of payment are available as well. There are certain factors based on which Egypt business visa fee will differ.

After you have paid the fee and submitted the form, 

• After the payment of the fee, you can then wait for the verification and the processing of your visa application.
• If there are any kind of changes to be made in the application, the Consulate must be informed accordingly.
• If you have a change of plans and you need to withdraw your application, you need to make sure that the Consulate is known in time.
• You can even check your status in the meantime.

In order to check the status of the permit, it can be done offline by contacting the Embassy office. Else, if you have applied through an agency, you can check the status through the agency’s website.

After the successful submission of the visa application form and getting the business visa to Egypt, there are certain measures that are to be taken. You must -

• Before you travel

• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• You should travel to Egypt within the validity of your visa.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border

• Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
• Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Egypt

• Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
• The business visa does not permit you to employ the residents or reside in the country.
• It is a permit that allows you to only perform business and business-related operations in the country. You are still permitted tourism.
• The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
• Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for the visa extension in time.