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March 22, 2024

U.S. Citizens in Haiti

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January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Egypt

Egypt
Arab Republic of Egypt

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 24 Months
B-1 None Multiple 60 Months
B-2 None Multiple 60 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 60 Months
C-2 None Multiple 12 Months
C-3 None Multiple 60 Months
D None Multiple 60 Months
E-1 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2 2 None One 3 Months
F-1 None Multiple 60 Months
F-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-1 None Multiple 60 Months
G-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-3 None One 60 Months
G-4 None Multiple 60 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 24 Months
H-1B None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-1C None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2A None N/A N/A3
H-2B None N/A N/A3
H-2R None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
I None Multiple 60 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 60 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 60 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 None Multiple 60 Months
L-2 None Multiple 60 Months
M-1 None Multiple 60 Months
M-2 None Multiple 60 Months
N-8 None Multiple 60 Months
N-9 None Multiple 60 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
Q-1 6 None Multiple 15 Months 3
R-1 None Multiple 15 Months
R-2 None Multiple 15 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
TD 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months 8
ALL /

Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

ALL / ALL /

General Documents

There are no general documents

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

Available

Fees: No fee for the first version that parents receive (green).  Computerized copy: 15 Egyptian Pounds (LE).  New English- Arabic translated certificate: 100 Egyptian Pounds (LE).

Document Name:  Birth Certificate

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs / Ministry of Health and Population

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Birth Certificates are either Arabic only or bilingual: Arabic-language birth certificates fade (left to right) from teal to orange to red to teal. Bilingual birth certificates fade (left to right) from blue to purple to blue. Both Arabic and bilingual birth certificates contain an official eagle stamp in the top left corner.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The issuing authority is listed at the bottom of the document, under the title, “Medical Office.”

Registration Criteria: Once the birth has been registered with the appropriate Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs office, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs office registers the information with the Ministry of Interior Civil Status Organization (CSO) in Cairo.  Births must be registered within 14 days.

Procedure for Obtaining: Egyptian birth certificates may be obtained from the local Public Health Office of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs with jurisdiction over the place the birth occurred.

Certified Copies Available: Egyptians can obtain multiple prints of an original birth certificate from local CSO offices. Each print cost 7 Egyptian Pounds (LE).

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: Applicants must provide a copy of their Official bilingual Birth/Marriage/Death or Divorce     certificates from the Civil Status Organization headquarters. Certificates are usually issued within one week period.

 

Death Certificates

Available

Fees: 15 Egyptian Pounds (LE)

Document Name:  Death Certificate

Issuing Authority:  Death certificates are generally issued by the Ministry of Public Health.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Death Certificates are either Arabic only or bilingual: Death certificates contain an official eagle stamp.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.

Registration Criteria: When no suspicious circumstances exist, and depending on where a death occurred, individuals must go in person to a Ministry of Health office to register a death within 24 hours.  If the death occurred in a hospital, the individual – generally a family member – will obtain all requisite paperwork for registration of a death with the Ministry of Public Health from the hospital where the death occurred. If the death occurred outside a hospital, the individual will need to work with a doctor from the Ministry of Interior or Ministry of Public Health to confirm the death was of natural causes. Once the individual notifies the Ministry of Public Heath office of the death, the Ministry of Public Health will register the death in the Civil Status Organization (CSO) system. Thereafter, an electronic death certificate may be issued from any CSO office.

Procedure for Obtaining: Once a death has been properly registered with the CSO, an individual can go in person to any local CSO office to obtain an official death certificate.

Certified Copies Available: These certified copies are generally known as “electronic copies.” Certified electronic copies can be obtained from CSO.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments:  In cases of death under suspicious or potentially criminal circumstances, the Office of Forensic Medicine issues the death certificate. In order for the Office of Forensic Medicine to issue a death certificate for a death under suspicious circumstances, an autopsy must occur. After the autopsy is conducted, a doctor affiliated with the Ministry of Justice will initiate the process of registering the death with the Ministry of Justice and Office of Forensic Medicine.

Applicants must provide a copy of their Official bilingual Birth/Marriage/Death or Divorce certificates from the Civil Status Organization headquarters.

Certificates are usually issued within one week period.

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage Certificates

Traditional Muslim:

Available

Fees: The Maazoun (the government-appointed religious authority) will generally charge a fee to register the marriage with the CSO; these fees vary based on the Maazoun.

Document Name:  Marriage Certificate

Issuing Authority:  The Maazoun, then registered with the Civil Status Organization (CSO)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no particular standard for marriage and divorce documents originally issued by the Maazoun. These documents are generally handwritten. However, after the Maazoun registers the marriage with CSO, CSO issues a standard form bilingual marriage certificate, in Arabic and English language. The Arabic only CSO-issued marriage certificate fades (from left to right) from purple, to green, to yellow to purple. The bilingual English and Arabic document is red on the outer left and right edges and fades to blue in the center. There is a barcode at the bottom of the page. The marriage certificates contain an official eagle stamps at the top. 

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The location in which the marriage was performed is listed in the third section of the marriage certificate. No particular issuing authority personnel title is listed.

Registration Criteria:  The Maazoun must first register the marriage with CSO, in order for CSO to issue official, standard-form marriage certificates.  If the Maazoun fails to register the marriage, the husband or wife can go to a local CSO office and request that their marriage be registered on the basis of the original, handwritten marriage certificate. Generally, however, CSO will require that the Maazoun take some action to register the marriage.

Procedure for Obtaining:  The Maazoun will provide husband and wife a copy of the handwritten marriage certificate.

Certified Copies Available: Available. These certified copies are generally known as “electronic copies.” Certified “electronic” copies can be obtained from CSO.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: The handwritten certificate issued by the religious institution is not considered valid for immigration purposes.  Applicants must provide a copy of their Official bilingual Birth/Marriage/Death or Divorce certificates from the Civil Status Organization headquarters. Certificates are usually issued within one week period.

 

Traditional Christian or Other Religions:

Available

Fees: The priest will generally charge a fee to register the marriage with the CSO; these fees vary.

Document Name:  Marriage Certificate for Non-Muslims

Issuing Authority:  The Church (or other religious group), then registered with the Civil Status Organization (CSO)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no particular standard for marriage and divorce documents originally issued by the Christian church or other religious institutions. These documents are generally handwritten. However, after the religious official registers the marriage with CSO, CSO issues a standard form marriage certificate.  The Arabic-language CSO-issued marriage certificate fades (from left to right) from purple, to green, to yellow to purple. The bilingual Arabic and English CSO-issued marriage certificate fades (from left to right) from red to blue to red. Both Arabic and English-language marriage certificates contain an official eagle stamps at the top.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The location in which the marriage was performed is listed in the third section of the marriage certificate. No particular issuing authority personnel title is listed, but they will note where the marriage took place, i.e. the name of the church.

Registration Criteria:  The church or other religious institution’s office must first register the marriage with CSO, in order for CSO to issue an official, standard-form marriage certificate.  If the religious official fails to register the marriage, the husband or wife can go to a local CSO office and request that their marriage be registered on the basis of the original, handwritten marriage certificate.  Generally, however, CSO will require that the church’s administrative office take some action to register the marriage.

Procedure for Obtaining:  The church office (or other religious intuition) will provide husband and wife a copy of the handwritten marriage certificate within two-three days, after obtaining the official stamps from the court.

Certified Copies Available: Available. These certified copies are generally known as “electronic copies.” Certified “electronic” copies can be obtained from CSO.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

Comments: The handwritten certificate issued by the religious institution is not considered valid for immigration purposes. 

 

Non-traditional:

Available:   There are three types of marriages that can be registered with the Ministry of Justice’s Real Estate and Publicity Department:

  • Egyptians to Foreigners
  • Foreigners to Foreigners
  • Orfi – A hidden contract between men and women, but not considered to be official.  However, you can legalize an Orfi marriage at the Ministry of Justice’s Real Estate and Publicity Department, and then register it with the CSO.
  • Remarriage of a previously divorced Christian (The church does not recognize divorce.  If a Christian is divorced, the church does not recognize a marriage subsequent to that divorce.  Consequently, a Christian must obtain a divorce order from a court, and if the Christian remarries at a later late, the Christian must do so in the court.)

Fees: 15 Egyptian Pounds (LE)

Document Name:  Marriage certificate

Issuing Authority:  Ministry of Justice’s Real Estate and Publicity Department, CSO

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The Arabic-language CSO-issued marriage certificate fades (from left to right) from purple, to green, to yellow to purple. The bilingual Arabic and English CSO-issued marriage certificate fades (from left to right) from red to blue to red. Both Arabic and English-language marriage certificates contain an official eagle stamp in at the top.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  The location in which the marriage was performed is listed in the third section of the marriage certificate. No particular issuing authority personnel title is listed.

Registration Criteria: The Ministry of Justice court representative who conducts the marriage is responsible for registering the marriage with CSO.

Procedure for Obtaining: The husband and wife can go together in person to a local Ministry of Justice office in order be married before a representative of the court. The representative of the court will then issue a marriage certificate.

Certified Copies Available: These certified copies are generally known as “electronic copies.” Certified “electronic” copies can be obtained from CSO.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: Egyptians and/or foreigners should, but are not required, to register non-traditional marriages with the CSO.  Occasionally, the Ministry of Justice automatically forwards marriages conducted under its authorities to the CSO for registration.

 

Divorce Certificates

Available

Fees:  The Maazoun (the government issued religious authority) will generally charge a fee to register the divorce with the CSO; these fees vary based on the Maazoun.

Document Name:   Divorce Certificate

Issuing Authority:  Maazoun, Ministry of Justice  (in the case of non-traditional divorces otherwise prohibited by the religious authority), CSO

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  The divorce certificates are either Arabic only or bilingual: The Arabic only version fades (from left to right) from orange to green to orange.  The bilingual Arabic and English certificate fades from brown to red to brown. The divorce certificate contains an official eagle stamp at the top.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  The issuing officer will stamp his name in the bottom left corner of the divorce certificate. The issuing officer’s number is located just above the bottom rectangle of the certificate.

Registration Criteria:

  • In cases where religious institutions permit divorce, once the appropriate Maazoun registers a divorce, the Maazoun is responsible for registering the divorce with CSO. Once the Maazoun has done so, CSO may issue an electronic divorce certificate.
  • In cases where religious institutions do not permit divorce, Egyptians may obtain a divorce decree from the Ministry of Justice. Once this divorce decree is obtained, an Egyptian may register this divorce with the CSO.  

Procedure for Obtaining: Once the divorce has been registered, the husband, wife, or lawyer representing either the husband or wife can go in person to the local CSO office to obtain a certificate or “electronic copy” of the certificate from CSO.

Certified Copies Available:  These certified copies are generally known as “electronic copies.” Certified “electronic” copies can be obtained from CSO.

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: Applicants must provide a copy of their Official bilingual Birth/Marriage/Death or Divorce certificates from the Civil Status Organization headquarters. Please note that there are three types of divorce in Egypt. Both conditional divorce and irrevocable divorce are final. However, revocable divorces can be undone within three months without any additional paperwork being filed and therefore may not indicate that a final divorce has actually occurred.

Certificates are usually issued within one week period.

Adoption Certificates

Unavailable: Adoption is illegal in Egypt.

Identity Card

Available

Fees:  20 Egyptian Pounds (LE)

Document Name:  National ID Card

Issuing Authority:  CSO is responsible for issuing national identification cards. Egyptians can obtain an ID card at age 16.  National ID cards are issued and delivered within three weeks of application.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  National ID card is two-sided. The front side is primarily blue and tan in color, with the image of the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx printed to the center right of the card. National ID holder’s picture is in the top left corner of the card. The eagle seal is laser-engraved at the bottom left of the card. The back of the card contains three images: in the top right foreground is the image of an eagle, in the top left foreground is an image of a statute of King Tut, and in the center background is an image of multiple ancient Egyptian figures. The back of the card is primarily yellow in color, and contains the marital status, religion, and profession of the ID holder. If married, a female Egyptian national’s ID card contains the name of her husband on the back of the card. The barcode is printed across the bottom of the card.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  There is no issuing authority personnel title.

Registration Criteria:  There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining:  

  • Egyptian nationals must present a birth certificate.
  • Egyptian students must have their application certified with a stamp from the Ministry of Education.
  • All other Egyptians must have their application certified with a stamp from the Social Security Office.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions:  There are no exceptions.

Comments:

  • An Egyptian can only obtain a national ID card from the CSO in Egypt.  They cannot be issued by Egyptian Embassies overseas.
  • The ID card contains the same national identification number as the birth certificate. This national identification number remains the same if the bearer renews the card.
  • The validity period of an identity card is seven years.
  • Information from the registry is accessible via CSO intranet and by authorized Ministry of Interior officials.
  • National ID cards are only issued in Arabic.

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Certificates

Available:  Both Egyptians and foreigners, who were born in, permanently reside in, or have resided in Egypt in the past may obtain police certificates.

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name:   “Criminal Status Records.”

Issuing Authority:  Police stations throughout Egypt

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  The police certificate is a white document with the record-holder’s photo in the top left corner and fingerprints in the bottom center of the document.  The photograph and fingerprints will both be digital.  Some police certificates, depending on date or place of issuance, are a faint red or green color.  These alternate forms will have information on the front and back and the photo will be stapled to the form, and the fingerprints manually done in ink.  If police records exist for the individual, these records will be printed on the backside of the document. If police records do not exist for the individual, “no record” will be printed on the front side of the document. 

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  There is no issuing authority personnel title.

Registration Criteria:  There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining:  In order to obtain a criminal status record certificate, an Egyptian must present a national ID card.

  • These records are normally issued between one and five working days of the date of request.
  • An Egyptian applying for a police certificate abroad must apply at the nearest Egyptian Embassy’s Consular Section. At the Egyptian Embassy, a Consular Officer will fingerprint the applicant, and then forward his/her application to the Ministry of Interior in Cairo. Upon completion of processing, the police certificate is sent to the applicant. This procedure usually involves considerable delay; nonetheless, they are available to Egyptians living abroad, and they will ultimately be issued upon request.

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  

  • Criminal status records certificates are only valid for three months from the date of issuance.
  • The certificate will indicate whether the applicant has served prison time. The certificate will not, however, indicate whether an individual has been arrested, detained or convicted of any crimes not resulting in imprisonment.

 

Court/Prison Records

Available: Egyptians can obtain court records using the same process Egyptians would use to obtain police certificates.

Military Records

Available

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name:   Military Records

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Defense

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  The documents vary dependent on where they are issued and what entity within the Ministry of Defense issues them; however, all documents will contain an eagle stamp.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  There is no issuing authority personnel title.

Registration Criteria:  There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: There is no particular procedure for obtaining military records; the process varies considerably.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents:  Military Exemption from service records.

Exceptions: None

Comments:  Egyptians can obtain both records of military service or records of any exemptions from service. If you are between the age of 18-30 you must submit either a university enrollment certificate or your military record.

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Types Available:   Regular, Diplomatic, Official and Service Passports

Fees:  The fee associated with first-time issuance of an Egyptian passport is 120 Egyptian Pounds (LE).

  • There is a 40 Egyptian Pounds (LE) renewal fee, if one renews an Egyptian passport before it expires.
  • Egyptians must pay this fee in person at the Immigration Office.
  • If you do not have a university degree, profession, or spouse (information typically listed on the passport), you must pay a 400 Egyptian Pounds (LE) guarantee to the bank and take the receipt to the Immigration Office.

Document Name:  Passport

Issuing Government Authority:  The Ministry of Interior prints all passports. The Ministry of Interior issues passports to Egyptians living within Egypt. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues passports to Egyptians living abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues all diplomatic, official and service passports for Egyptians, regardless of where those Egyptians live.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: All passports, regardless of type, have a green cover. Egyptian passports issued during or after 2015 are the same size as U.S. passports, whereas older Egyptian passports – those printed prior to 2015 - are larger. Current Egyptian passports do not break down names by Surname/Given Name. For visa purposes, Mission Cairo’s convention is to use the very last name in the “Full Name” section of Egyptian passports as the Surname and the rest of the name, however long, as the Given Name.  In the background of the biodata page, there are multiple images (from left to right, top to bottom): a falcon, a lotus flower, multiple eagles, and a band of lotus flowers, Giza Pyramids with “Arabic Republic of Egypt” underneath, and a sun disk containing a pharaonic eye.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  Only the issuing office’s assigned numerical code appears on the biodata page of the Egyptian passport.

Registration Criteria:  There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining:  Forms to request Egyptian passports or other travel documents are available free of charge at the Egyptian Immigration Office.

In order to obtain a passport, applicants must present a valid national ID card.

  • Applicants must present original documents to validate the information contained in the Egyptian passport biographical page, such as documents verifying the applicant’s profession or employment and a marriage certificate if the applicant applies for an Egyptian passport after marriage.
  • Children under 16 years old at the time of application must present an original birth certificate.

Only the father can obtain a passport for his children.

  • In some limited instances, the mother can obtain a passport for her children, if she has the father’s permission or is able to present court orders documenting a divorce.

Alternate Documents:

  • Palestinian Travel Documents: Egypt also issues travel documents for Palestinians.  These documents are generally light blue in color. However, this travel document does not guarantee Palestinians may enter or reside in Egypt.

Exceptions:  There are no exceptions.

Comments:

  • The process for Egyptian nationals living abroad to obtain an Egyptian passport is as follows:
  • Egyptian Embassies may accept passport applications, and will process these applications by sending them to the main Immigration Office in Cairo. The Immigration Office will then verify the information contained in the applicant’s forms. If the passport is issuable, the Immigration Office will print the passport, and then send the passport to the relevant Egyptian Embassy.  The Egyptian Embassy will deliver the passport to the applicant.
  • Generally, passports are issued and delivered within three working days.
  • Passports are valid for a period of seven years.
  • If information contained in the biographical page of one’s Egyptian passport must be updated or otherwise changed, one must apply for a new passport.
  • Egyptian citizens may only possess one valid, regular passport at one time. When a new passport is issued, the old passport is cancelled in the Immigration Office’s records system even if the old passport had not yet expired. There is one exception to the prohibition of carrying multiple valid passports at one time: officials or diplomats may carry both an official and a regular passport at the same time.

Other Records

Not applicable.

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title:   US Embassy  Cairo

Address:   

Consular Section, IV Unit
5 Tawfik Diab Street
Garden City, Cairo
Egypt

Phone Number:   (20-2) 2797 3300

Visa Services

All visa categories for all of Egypt.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.