Egypt - do I need a Visa?

[ChirpyKez]

Please can someone clarify this for me as I've been told different things from different people.
I am going to Egypt in April, do I need a Visa or not? It is only for a 2 week holiday.
Please advise, thanks in advance.

[dzug]

Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK citizens must have a passport valid for two months beyond the period of intended stay, and a visa is required. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival provided the purpose of travel is for tourism. For travellers just travelling to the south Sinai resorts, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival. UK visitors coming into Egypt for a short stay must register with the Office of Foreigners and Nationality within seven days of arrival; hotels will usually take care of this for guests

You have to pay for the 30 day visa - not sure how much

[puzzled54]

If you are going to a Red Sea resort, you don't need a visa. If you are going to Cairo, Luxor etc, you will need a visa that you can get from the Egyptian embassy before you go, or you can buy it at the airport of arrival. At Luxor, the banks were selling the visas, so just follow the crowds. Can't remember how much they were tho.

[JonnoGenie]

If you are going somewhere like Sharm or Marsa Alam many people who might need it, can get a visa on arrival at the airport for �10 or $15. People who go to dive will probably need a visa (see below). If you are going to just lie on the beach, not travel around, you probably will not need one.

If you are going to Sharm and not going to the national park (Ras Mohammed), you don't need any visa. Just arrive and go through immigration. But if you want to visit or dive in the Ras Mo park you have to have a visa for that, bought in the arrival hall (or from the London embassy etc).

p.s. The 'registering' bit after arrival sounds like a bit of a red-herring, as to visitors this will just happen (the hotel might take your passport for a day after check in) transparently. I.e. I've been ten times now, and have never noticed this specific process, (though I'm sure it happens) so I'd say say you don't need to think about this...

pps If you are clearer on where you are going, and what you intend to do (and any non-standard nationality/passport issues, then your visa needs might be different from the above, and easier to explain. Otherwise the above is the benchmark)

[ChirpyKez]

I am going to be staying in Sharm El Sheikh and it is only for a regular holiday. As I've never been before I don't know what there is to do or whether that will affect what I need. It all still sounds very confusing and there seems to be a lot of 'if's and but's' in the 3 answers posted so far...aarrrrggghhhh!!! It's a worry as I want to be prepared!

[dzug]

To simplify then:

You need a visa
You don't need to get it before you go
You can get it at the airport when you get there.
You might or might not have to pay for it - the only grey area.

[ChirpyKez]

Thanks a million

[missmuppet]

If you are going to Sharm el Shiekh and you are not planning to leave the Sinai area eg you are not intending to visit Luxor, Cario etc you will not need a visa. On the plane you will get a boarding card. If you are going to stay in Sharm for the duration of your holiday write on the back of the card 'Sinai Only' and then sign it. You can then take it to passport control and you can get your passport stamped.
Try looking at this posting hope it will help http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Travel/Question 318735.html.

[SAM1CH99]

I panicked and on the Thursday before the Saturday, I got a National Express down to London, stood in a long queue at the Embassy, had lunch in Hyde Park (M&S sarnie & pop), then went back to Embassy. Hopped on a bus back home, got there midnight Thursday/Friday.
Midnight Friday/Saturday, got a coach to Gatwick for the flight to Cairo, delayed, missed the pyramids and museum, flight 10am to Luxor, FAB, then a wacky race to Hurghada under police escort. Everyone else diverted at Cairo airport to buy their visa, worked out cheaper than my trip and a lot less hassle and not so tiring.
Have fun!

[JonnoGenie]

Like I said, and MissMuppet said, if you're just in Sharm, you DO NOT NEED A VISA, of any kind. Not from the embassy in London, not from the airport on arrival.

Do as MissMuppet says with your arrival card, mark it 'Sinai only', and hand it to immigration on arrival.

(I actually suspect I know MissMuppet from frequent holidays in Egypt (lol). How many times do people have to go through an immigration process for them to be listened to?)

p.s. Though yes ChirpyKez, I know, if you're traveling out of Sharm, diving, going to Cairo, then things can start to get a little complex on the visa front.... but this is not your case.