Traveling to Egypt continues to be popular among our compatriots, gaining more and more momentum from year to year. Resorts of the Mediterranean and Red Seas attract vacationers from all over the world. The question of abolishing the visa regime between Russia and Egypt has been raised more than once, but for now it remains in theory. Therefore, an entry permit is still required. It is issued upon arrival at the local airport. Its cost when entering Egypt for Russians from May 1, 2015 is $25. But if a tourist plans to vacation in Sharm El-Sheikh, there is an opportunity not to pay this fee. This happens if a Sinai free visa is issued.

Understanding whether it is worth applying for such a permit must be compared with the goals of your trip. The Sinai visa in 2019 has a number of restrictions and features:

  1. The document is issued for a period of up to fifteen days.
  2. Movement within the country is limited, and sightseeing is only allowed within the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula.
  3. For divers, it does not allow access to the main dive site - the wreck of the Thiselgorm ship.
  4. Traveling to cities that tourists usually flock to, such as Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada, is also impossible.

If a traveler entering the state does not qualify for any of these items, he will have to pay for a regular permit. Egyptian border services are very strict, and it will not be possible to negotiate any concessions with them. The list of places that can be visited according to this document includes such settlements as the resort town of Taby, the city for divers and surfers of Dahabe and the coastal resort of Nuweibu.

You can also go to the Monastery of St. Catherine, located at the foot of Mount Sinai, better known as Mount Moses. It is listed as a World Heritage Site. Sinai Visa Sharm El Sheikh 2019 now allows you to take an excursion to the beautiful Ras Mohammed Nature Reserve. Previously this was prohibited.

The Sinai Peninsula on the map borders Israel, so you can also visit the ancient city of Bethlehem. The appearance of this document is precisely connected with Israel, with which the Egyptian authorities entered into a peace agreement in 1978. Thus, the war of these two states was over, and the peace treaty signed in the city of Camp David returned the Sinai Peninsula to the country and affected the tourist destination. The Sinai visa was created for free movement, first between residents of these countries, and later among other tourists who felt their rights were being infringed upon compared to Israelis.

If the fifteen-day period has already expired and the tourist has not yet left the country, he will have to pay a fine of $30. This is the case if a violation of the deadline was discovered at the airport before departure. If the violator is stopped on the territory of the state, then the matter will not end with one fine. He faces imprisonment for three days and subsequent deportation with all the ensuing consequences and expenses. It will no longer be possible to fly on a charter; you will have to leave on a specialized flight. Subsequently, it will be difficult to get here for a long period of time.

Registration procedure

Before flying to this country on vacation, travelers will learn in advance how to fill out a visa in Egypt so that there is no confusion or disagreement on the spot. A free permit is issued in the same way as a paid one - you take a migration card from your tour operator. The 2019 sample is provided at the airport. It is filled out in English letters, and a sample of its completion can be viewed in advance on the Internet.

There is not much information to be entered, so this process is usually not difficult. You must enter: last name, first name, date of birth, nationality, and address - this will be the name of the hotel where the accommodation is booked. On the back of the card you must write the phrase “Sinay only”, which will make it clear to customs officers that a free permit is being issued. Next comes the migration card to Egypt, a sample of which can also be provided by the travel agency; together with the international passport, they are handed over to the border guards, in contrast to the paid entry - where the documents are handed over to the customs window. Border guards must say the same phrase that is indicated on the back of the card: “Sinay only, please.” After the check is carried out, a Sinai stamp is affixed to the citizen’s foreign passport.

In general, there should be no problems during registration. This applies to tourists of any nationality and race. Some travelers write reviews that Egyptian officials are preventing them from obtaining this document.

Indeed, until recently, some border guards were looking for any excuse not to affix a stamp. The fact is that for them this is a loss of money that tourism brings to the treasury.

Of course, $25 is an insignificant fee, but if a company of four or more people comes on vacation, saving a hundred dollars is already significant. Currently, the situation at customs has been settled, the border guards are not causing any obstacles.

If, nevertheless, any hitch or unpleasant situation arises at the airport, you need to challenge your rights. In this case, you need to refer to the current law, which was issued after the conclusion of the settlement agreement. You can also request that a senior manager be invited to resolve the dispute.

For both Russian citizens and Ukrainians, a Sinai permit is issued and issued absolutely free of charge.

Of course, obtaining such an entry right is pointless if the traveler, having flown to Sharm El Sheikh, wanted to relax in Cairo or Hurghada - in 2019 the same restrictions apply as in previous years. In this case, you can apply for an ordinary visa at any time during your stay in the Sinai Peninsula.

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