The Egyptian authorities have announced that Iranian nationals traveling with tour groups will soon be allowed to obtain visas-on-arrival in the southern Sinai Peninsula, as Egypt, Iran and other Middle Eastern countries take steps to ease tensions.
As Reuters reports, such a measure intends to improve access to visas in an effort to boost tourism as Egypt’s economy struggles with an acute shortage of foreign currency, VisaGuide.World reports.
In early March, the Sunni Muslim Arab Alliance of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Shia Muslim Iran announced the restoration of their diplomatic relations.
At the same time, Egypt has also repaired the relationship with Qatar and is rebuilding relations with Turkey as well. As a result of the good relationship, Turkey is also expected to benefit from the new visa rules for Turkish citizens, having expanded access.
The statement released by the country’s Ministry of Tourism also includes other new rules such as a $700 five-year multiple-entry visa aimed at investors and property owners based outside the North African country.
Commenting on the decision regarding visas for Iranians, home of the highly secured resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Issa stressed that he values the experience of their arrival in South Sinai as a first step, adding that it remains to be determined whether the Iranians will to accepted in other countries.
Moreover, the tourists who will be granted visas upon arrival in Egypt are those who come from China and Indians with residence in the Gulf countries at the same time. According to an official of the Ministry of Tourism, all the new visa rules have been approved in principle and will enter into force very soon.
In most cases, tourists who want to visit Egypt will need to obtain a visa in advance. However, for many other countries, the Egyptian government has made the visa process easier.
In this regard, tourists who come from 180 nationalities and have a valid visa for the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, Japan or the Schengen countries, and have used them at least once, will have the opportunity to a tourist visa upon arrival in Egypt.
In addition, through online applications or even Egyptian ports, a total of 78 nationalities can continue to obtain an emergency tourist visa. Based on this strategy of the Ministry of Tourism, Egypt expects to increase inbound tourism by 25 to 30 percent per year.
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