The Government of Egypt has announced that, effective December 1, 2024, Canadian citizens will no longer be required to obtain a visa prior to traveling to Egypt. The new policy, issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reopens the options of obtaining a visa on arrival at Egyptian airports and applying in advance through the electronic visa (e-Visa) platform.
According to the official statement, the change applies to all Canadian nationals arriving in Egypt from the effective date. It provides greater flexibility for travelers and marks a significant step toward facilitating smoother entry procedures for Canadian visitors.
The decision was made following a bilateral meeting between Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, and Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. The meeting took place during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where both sides underlined the importance of strengthening ties and easing travel formalities.
Celebrating 70 Years of Diplomatic Relations
This policy shift coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Egypt and Canada. As part of the celebrations, both governments agreed to reinforce cooperation in trade, tourism, and cultural exchange, while removing barriers that complicate travel between the two nations.
Supporting Egyptian-Canadian Communities
The Foreign Ministry emphasized that the decision reflects a joint commitment to supporting the Egyptian-Canadian community and ensuring that Egyptian citizens abroad remain closely connected to their homeland. By removing the pre-entry visa requirement, Egypt aims to make visits by Canadians of Egyptian origin easier and more accessible.
Presidential Directives
The move also aligns with the broader directives of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who has consistently highlighted the importance of prioritizing the welfare of Egyptians abroad and eliminating obstacles that may hinder their engagement with Egypt.
This landmark change not only simplifies travel logistics but also underscores the growing partnership between Egypt and Canada, creating opportunities for stronger bilateral relations across multiple sectors.
Date: 1 December 2024
Source: State Information Service (SIS), Government of Egypt — “Egypt cancels pre-entry visa requirements for Canadians” (sis.gov.eg)
