From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Egypt
Date: 12 Jan 1993 18:24:00 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Egypt
============================================================
Egypt - Consular Information Sheet
 January 8, 1993

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt is located at 
(North Gate) 8, Kamal El-Din Salah Street.  The Embassy mailing 
address is APO AE 09839-4900, and the telephone number is (20-2) 
355-7371. The fax number is (20-2) 357-2472.  The Consular Section 
of the American Embassy is located on Lazoghli Street, Garden City, 
near downtown Cairo.  The Consular mailing address is American 
Embassy Cairo, CONS, Unit 64900 - Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900.   The 
U.S. Consulate General in Alexandria, Egypt is located at 110 
Horreya Avenue, in the Sharqia District.  The mailing address is 
Unit 64904, APO AE 09839-4904.  The telephone number is (20-3) 
482-1911; the fax number is (20-3) 483-8830.  The after-hours 
telephone number is (20-3) 482-8458.  The workweek in Egypt is 
Sunday through Thursday.

Country Description:  Egypt is a developing country with extensive 
facilities for tourists.

Entry Requirements:  A passport and visa are required.  For those 
arriving by air, a renewable 30-day tourist visa can be obtained at 
the point of entry.  Those arriving overland and by sea, or those 
previously experiencing difficulty with their visa status in Egypt, 
are required to obtain a visa prior to arrival.  Military personnel 
arriving on commercial flights are not exempt from passport and visa 
requirements.  Proof of yellow fever and cholera immunization is 
required if arriving from an infected area.  Evidence of an AIDS 
test is required for workers and students staying over 30 days.  
Tourists must register with local authorities (either through their 
hotels, at local police stations, or at the central passport office) 
within seven days of arrival.  For additional entry information, 
U.S. citizens can contact the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt, 
2310 Decatur Place N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 
234-3903, or an Egyptian Consulate General in San Francisco, 
Chicago, New York or Houston.

Areas of Instability:  Since May 1992, Upper Egypt has been 
affected by extremist violence, including attacks targeting Egyptian 
citizens, police and security officials and foreign visitors.  These 
incidents have been most common in, but not limited to the 
Governates of Assiyut and Minya.  Conditions in the town of Dairut 
and the surrounding area, located approximately 125 miles south of 
Cairo, are dangerous.  An extremist group has issued threats against 
foreign tourists, but there is no specific information of threats 
against American citizens living or traveling in Egypt, but isolated 
incidents of violence are possible anywhere in Egypt.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities in Egypt are adequate for 
non-emergency matters, particularly in the areas where most tourists 
visit.  Emergency and intensive care facilities are, however, 
limited.  Most Nile cruise boats do not have a ship's doctor, but 
some employ a medical practitioner with the equivalent of a U.S. 
baccalaureate degree.  Moderate hospital facilities are available in 
Luxor and Aswan, but are extremely limited at most other ports of 
call.  There are many Western-trained medical professionals in 
Egypt, especially in Cairo and Alexandria, but hospitals do not 
always have sophisticated equipment and facilities.  The U.S. 
Embassy or Consulate General can provide a list of local hospitals 
and English-speaking physicians.  U.S. medical insurance is not 
always valid outside the United States.  Doctors and hospitals often 
expect immediate payment in cash for treatment.  Supplemental health 
insurance which specifically covers overseas treatment has proved to 
be useful.  Additional information on health problems can be 
obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international 
travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559.

Information on Crime:  Petty crime is not common.  The Department 
of State pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" contains information on 
safeguarding valuables and protection of personal security which may 
be of use.  It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, 
U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Drug enforcement policies are very strict.  The 
death penalty may be imposed on anyone convicted of smuggling or 
selling marijuana, hashish, opium, LSD, or other narcotics.  Law 
enforcement authorities prosecute and seek fines and imprisonment in 
cases of possession of even small quantities of drugs.

Customs Requirements:  The Egyptian requirement to declare items 
such as cash, jewelry, electronic equipment, and other valuables is 
strictly enforced.  On arrival, travelers must declare foreign 
currency (on form "D") and present the same form upon departure.  
Any currency or valuables not accounted for may be confiscated.  For 
those staying in Egypt less than one month, there are no currency 
exchange requirements.  For each month thereafter, U.S. citizens 
must present proof, in the form of bank receipts, that they have 
converted $180 per month per person into Egyptian pounds.  A maximum 
of 500 Egyptian pounds may be carried into or out of Egypt.

Photography Requirements:  There are strict duties on the 
importation of expensive photographic and video equipment.  
Travelers who wish to take such equipment with them on a temporary 
visit have three options with Customs authorities.  (1) They may 
have the Customs inspector inventory the equipment and list it by 
model and serial number in their passports, so that the equipment 
can be crosschecked when they leave Egypt; no duty will be 
collected.  (2) They may have the equipment placed in storage for 
the duration of their stay; a storage fee may be collected.  (3) 
They may pay the standard duty for importing these items.  There are 
restrictions on photographing military personnel and sites, bridges 
and canals.

Dual Nationality:  The government of Egypt considers all children 
born to Egyptian fathers to be Egyptian citizens.  Even if the 
children bear American passports, immigration officials may require 
proof that the father approves their departure before the children 
will be allowed to leave Egypt.  Americans married to Egyptians do 
not need their spouse's permission to depart Egypt as long as they 
have a valid Egyptian visa.  To renew a visa, or to leave the 
country after a visa has expired, an American woman married to an 
Egyptian must obtain proof of the husband's consent.  Dual 
Egyptian-American nationals may enter and leave Egypt on their U.S. 
passports.  If a dual national resides in Egypt for extended 
periods, proof of Egyptian citizenship, such as a family I.D. card, 
is required.  Male dual nationals of military age, but who have not 
completed military service, are not required to enlist in the armed 
forces.  However, before they can leave Egypt, they must obtain an 
exception certificate through the Ministry of Defense draft office.  
Individuals who may be affected can inquire at an Egyptian consular 
office abroad before traveling to Egypt.  Persons with dual 
nationality who travel to Egypt on their Egyptian passports are 
normally treated as Egyptian citizens.  U.S. consular assistance to 
such persons is extremely limited.

Other Information:  Temporary visitors to Egypt generally drink 
bottled water and soft drinks and avoid ice cubes.  Beaches on the 
Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts are generally unpolluted; however, 
there is a strong risk of exposure to the bilharzia parasite when 
swimming in the Nile or canals, walking barefoot along the river or 
drinking river water.  If untreated, bilharzia can cause extensive 
tissue damage, kidney failure and blindness.

Tips For Travelers:  The Department of State publication "Tips for 
Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa" contains useful 
information about travel in the region.  It is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington D.C. 20402.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy in 
Cairo or the Consulate General in Alexandria can obtain updated 
information on travel and security in Egypt.

 No. 93-012

Newsgroups: rec.travel