ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS:  A passport and visa are required.  Travelers can obtain a renewable, 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport for a $15 fee, payable in U.S. dollars.  Visitors arriving overland and/or those previously experiencing difficulty with their visa status in Egypt should obtain a visa prior to arrival.  Travelers arriving from Israel at the Taba border crossing without an Egyptian visa may be granted a 14-day visa valid for travel within Sinai only.  Military personnel arriving on commercial flights are not exempt from passport and visa requirements.  Foreigners can acquire a work permit from the Ministry of Manpower and Training to work in Egypt, and accordingly are authorized residency in the country.  Work permits must be obtained through the employer.  Foreigners are generally not allowed to change residency status from non-working to working status while in the country.  Proof of yellow fever immunization is required if arriving from an infected area.  Evidence of an AIDS test is required for everyone staying over 30 days. Visit the Embassy of Egypt web site http://www.egyptembassy.us or the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website http://www.mfa.gov.eg for the most current visa information.  

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: There are many Western-trained medical professionals in Egypt.  The U.S. Embassy in Cairo can provide a list of local hospitals and English-speaking physicians.  Medical facilities are adequate for non-emergency matters, particularly in tourist areas.  Emergency and intensive care facilities are limited.  Facilities outside Cairo, Alexandria, and Sharm El Sheikh fall short of U.S. standards.  Most Nile cruise boats do not have a ship's doctor, but some employ a medical practitioner of uncertain qualification.  Hospital facilities in Luxor and Aswan are inadequate, and they are nonexistent at most other ports-of-call.

Beaches on the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts are generally unpolluted.  Persons who swim in the Nile or its canals, walk barefoot in stagnant water, or drink untreated water are at risk of exposure to bacterial and other infections and the parasitic disease schistosomiasis (bilharzia).

It is generally safe to eat properly-prepared, thoroughly cooked meat and vegetables in tourist hotels, on Nile cruise boats, and in tourist restaurants.  Eating uncooked vegetables should be avoided.  Tap water is not potable.  It is best to drink bottled water or water that has been boiled and filtered.  Well-known brands of bottled beverages are generally considered to be safe.

The WHO and Egyptian authorities have confirmed human cases of the H5NI strain of avian influenza, commonly known as the "bird flu” in Egypt.  As of November 2006, Egypt had fifteen confirmed human cases of Avian Influenza, resulting in seven deaths.  Travelers to Egypt and other countries affected by the virus are cautioned to avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from poultry or other animals. 

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747)

MEDICAL INSURANCE:  The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.

REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Egypt are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Egypt.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the Embassy.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.  The U.S. Embassy is located at 5 Tawfik Diab Street, Garden City, Cairo, telephone (20) 2 797-2301.  Business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.  The latest Embassy warden message can be heard on (20) 2 797-3000.  For emergencies after-hours, U.S. citizens may reach the Embassy duty officer via (20) 2 797-3300.  The Consular Section American Citizens Services unit fax number is (20) 2 797-3602.

The mailing address from the United States is: Consular Section, Unit 64900, Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900.  Within Egypt or from a third country, it is 8 Kamal el-Din Salah Street, Garden City, Cairo.  The Consular Section's e-mail address is consularcairo@state.gov.  Consular information is available via the Internet on the Embassy website http://egypt.usembassy.gov.  Visa-related inquiries should be directed by e-mail to consularcairo@state.gov.