Egypt launches “conditional” on-arrival visa for Bangladeshis

Dhaka: The government of Egypt has launched visa on-arrival for Bangladeshi citizens.

However, only Bangladeshi nationals who have valid used visas or residence permits from Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom and European countries of the Schengen area on their passports can avail visa on-arrival in Egypt currently at any port of entry till April 2023.

The period may be extended through further talks between the two countries.

Recently, Bangladesh Embassy in Cairo received an official circular from the Office of the Assistant Foreign Minister for Asia under the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

According to reports, Bangladesh Ambassador to Egypt Monirul Islam, said for a few months, it was difficult for Bangladeshi passport holders to get visas from Egyptian embassies in different countries of the world, including in Dhaka. Especially due to the Covid-19 pandemic, applicants had to wait for a long time to get a visa.

In March, the Bangladesh Embassy in Egypt requested to relax and simplify the visa system during a meeting with the concerned Egyptian authorities and the Assistant Foreign Minister for Asia, he added.

"This facility will be more beneficial for those who want to travel to Europe and America with Cairo transit," Monirul Islam added.

Those interested in visiting Egypt have been asked to carry a copy of the translation of the Egyptian government's circular issued on August 18, 2022 on the verified Facebook page of the Bangladesh Embassy in Cairo.