Business Customs
Business formal dress is typical for meetings in Egypt, as is an exchange of business cards. Proper etiquette calls for the utmost courteousness and addressing others by their proper titles, whether it be doctor, engineer, sir, madam, etc. Egyptians tend to be on-time for pre-scheduled meetings. Men and women in Egypt limit personal contact with the opposite sex, so it is best to follow the lead of your host when it comes to shaking hands.
Travel Advisory
The American Citizens Services (ACS) unit of the U.S. Embassy is typically open to the public from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm Sunday through Thursday, except for American and Egyptian holidays. Those seeking routine services must schedule an appointment through the online appointment system or contact us via our Navigator system.
For emergencies during and after business hours, U.S. citizens can contact the ACS unit via the main U.S. Embassy Cairo switchboard: 02-2797-3300. The physical mailing address for the U.S. Embassy in Cairo is 8 Kamal el-Din Salah Street, Garden City, Cairo, Egypt. Express mail services also use physical address. Consular information for U.S. Citizen services is available on the U.S. Embassy Cairo website.
U.S. citizens are encouraged to always carry at least a copy of their U.S. passport with them, so that, if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship is readily available. In accordance with Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, to which Egypt is a party, competent authorities in the host country must notify a consular post of the arrest of one of its citizens without delay if requested to do so by the foreign citizen.
U.S. citizens living in or visiting Egypt are encouraged to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to obtain updated information on travel and security within Egypt.
Passports and Visas
U.S. citizens must have a visa to enter Egypt. U.S. citizens can obtain a renewable single-entry 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Egyptian airports for a $25 fee or $60 for multiple entry. However, the visa on arrival is for tourist purposes only. U.S. citizens traveling to Egypt for business purposes must obtain their visa in advance of their arrival. The Government of Egypt has created a website for the issuance of “e-visas.” There are other websites purporting to offer electronic visas, some of which reportedly charge double the official price, but this is the only official Government of Egypt portal for this service. U.S. citizens and the citizens of 44 other countries are eligible to apply through this means in advance of their travel.
Egyptian immigration officials occasionally have denied entry to travelers without explanation. U.S. citizens who have had trouble with their visa status in Egypt or are concerned about their eligibility for a visa upon arrival should apply for a visa at an Egyptian embassy or consulate prior to travel, but a visa obtained prior to entry does not guarantee admission to Egypt. Visas for gainful employment or study in Egypt must be obtained prior to travel.
Work Permits
U.S. citizens who wish to come to Egypt for work must obtain work permits and work/business visas before arrival. All work permits must be obtained through the employer. These permits may be acquired from the Ministry of Manpower and Migration offices in the district of the employer; accordingly, these permits authorize residency in the country.
General Information
Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP) – Exchange Rate: 1 USD ~ 50EGP (as of July 2025)
Telecommunications/Electronics: Cell phone use is high in Egypt. SIM cards are inexpensive and widely available at several carriers, including Orange and Vodafone (including airport kiosks)
Transportation: High volumes of vehicle traffic, particularly in the Cairo metro area, routinely cause congestion. Cairo is serviced by a metro system and other forms of public transportation. Public buses, Nile taxis, microbuses and trains are not safe. Train travel in Egypt has regular accidents involving mass casualties. As such, U.S. Embassy employees are prohibited from using buses, microbuses or trains (except the train from Cairo and Alexandria). Uber is widely available for use and inexpensive compared to U.S. fares. Many drivers do not speak English.
Language: The official language is Egyptian Arabic. In the corporate world, as well as in tourist parts of Cairo, Alexandria, and elsewhere, English is widely spoken, though not universally.
Local Time, Business Hours, and Holidays: Typical workdays are Sunday through Thursday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. The U.S. Embassy is open Sunday through Thursday and is closed on American and some Egyptian holidays. See U.S. Embassy in Egypt website for additional information.
Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings: Egyptian Customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Egypt of items such as firearms, religious materials, antiquities, medications, business equipment, currency, and ivory. Personal use items such as jewelry, laptop computers, and electronic equipment are exempt from customs fees and are allowed into the country. Commercial merchandise and samples require an import/export license issued by the Ministry of Foreign Investment and Trade prior to travel and should be declared upon arrival. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Egypt in Washington, D.C. or one of Egypt’s consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.
Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country’s laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the same protections available to the individual under U.S. laws. Penalties for breaking local laws can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Egyptian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Egypt are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. 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.
Consular Access: U.S. citizens are encouraged to always carry a copy of their U.S. passport with them, so that, if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship is readily available. In accordance with Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, to which Egypt is a party, competent authorities in the host country must notify a consular post of the arrest of one of its citizens without delay if requested to do so by the foreign citizen.
Photography Restrictions: There are restrictions on photographing military personnel and sites, bridges, and canals, including the Suez Canal. Please note, these locations are not always clearly marked. Egyptian authorities may broadly interpret these restrictions to include other potentially sensitive structures, including embassies, police stations, and other public buildings with international associations, and some religious edifices. Visitors should refrain from taking photographs that include uniformed personnel.
Children’s Issues: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to the website State Department on Child Abduction or telephone the Overseas Citizens Services (OCS) call center at 1-888-407-4747. The OCS call center can answer general inquiries regarding international adoptions and will forward calls to the appropriate country officer in the Bureau of Consular Affairs. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling +1-317-472-2328.