Egypt announces 5-year visit visas

Egypt has announced new visas as it looks to attract more tourists and visitors and set ambitious economic targets.

Egypt will issue five-year multiple-visit visas for $700 said Ahmed Issa, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities at a press conference on Monday.

It is the first time the country has offered visas valid for multiple years and comes as the North African nation looks to boost vital tourism revenue.

The list of countries that can obtain a 30-day visa-on-arrival has been increased to 180.

The short-term visa is offered for a fee of $25 and Chinese and Indian citizens can now avail the paperwork.

The minister also said Turkish tourists were also allowed to obtain urgent entry visa from various ports and airports without being restricted to a specific age.

Algerian and Moroccan tourists arriving in tourist groups will also now be able to obtain an urgent entry visa, as well as allowing Iranian tourists to arrive directly.

The country is targeting 30 million tourists a year by 2028 and needs to grow at a rate of more than 25 per cent per year to reach the goals._Agencies