VISAS

Visas for short stays (less than 3 months)

The most efficient and cost-effective way of dealing with visas for a short stay:
1. Get a 30-day tourist visa ($30 upon arrival/ a slightly different charge online) + 14 days’ grace period) and then renew. 

Visas for long stays

ONE-OFF
$30 – One-month tourist visa  (+14-day grace period). 
$260 – Residency paperwork and taxes (a conservative estimate to ensure you are prepared for varying circumstances; students have often been charged a lot less). A third-party is used for this service. The options given to students will depend on the immigration policies and situation at the time, which varies due to political circumstances.

RECURRING
$150 – Per visa renewal (either a 3-month or 6-month extension is given)

IN TOTAL for the year (including the one-off costs):
– Minimum: $590 (given you are granted a 6-month extension upon each renewal, which is the ideal case)
– Maximum: $890 (given you are granted  3-month extension upon each renewal)
It’s also possible that they grant you different extensions at each renewal, so you may pay something between the minimum and maximum quoted above. You may even pay less than the minimum stated above. We advise students to reserve a conservative amount just in case they need it.

The visa office does not choose the duration of your extension based on set criteria. Neither Explore Arabic nor our partner institutes are in control of the process.

The option of obtaining a visa upon arrival isn’t available for all nationalities, so please check the list of eligible countries. Some nationalities are required to gain a visa from their home country by submitting an offer letter (from the centre in Egypt) with the documents – this process should be done ahead of time so that you receive your visa in time. Visa guidelines have been set according to what the institutes have advised us for students. Students are responsible for looking at the visa requirements of Egypt for their nationality before travelling.

 

IMPORTANT: Visas are single-entry, so if you leave the country after extending your visa, you will need to renew it again after 30 days of entering. If you plan to leave Egypt after extending your visa, you should get a multi-entry visa so your visa remains valid upon re-entry.  This typically has an additional fee. 

UPDATE: You should bring USD cash for the visa renewal process. GBP and EUR are also accepted, but USD is more reliable and preferred.

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Visa rules, fees and processing times in Egypt change frequently and sometimes without notice. Always confirm current requirements
with the Egyptian embassy or consulate for your nationality before booking travel.

DISCLAIMER

This page is general guidance only. It is not immigration, legal or financial advice. EA is not an immigration adviser, agent or visa sponsor,
and we do not assess which visa category is lawful for your intended purpose of stay. You are responsible for obtaining and maintaining lawful immigration
status in Egypt for the whole of your stay, including any extensions, and for any fines, penalties, removal or future travel restrictions arising from
non-compliance. All figures are indicative estimates based on what our partner institutes have reported for previous students.

Where an offer letter is required for your visa application, we will issue one once your enrolment is confirmed. An offer letter is a supporting document only. It is not a guarantee that a visa will be granted. If your visa is rejected, course fees will be refunded, minus any administrative and transfer costs. 

GROCERIES

50-200 USD monthly

It can be more or less, depending on where you spend your money and what you buy. 

TRAVEL

If your accommodation is not walking distance, you can expect to pay approximately $20-$60 on travel a month depending on the mode of transport used, and if you split costs with other students when sharing a taxi.

COURSEBOOKS

Coursebooks can cost between 140-200 USD in a YEAR. It will depend on the courses you take.

NOTE: The cost is distributed over the year as you progress through the levels.

*If your package includes coursebooks, you can ignore this part

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

Students staying in our accommodation for more than 3 months are required to pay a security deposit of 6000 EGP (approx. 130 USD), which will be returned at the end of their stay, after successful inspection of the apartment. 600 EGP (approximately 13 USD) will be deducted for cleaning and maintenance from the security deposit. 

Utilities, maintenance and internet are included in the rent, however there is a fair usage policy. If students go above the monthly allowance they are required to split the difference. However, students rarely go over the allowance. 

Please note the information provided on living costs is intended to be used as guidelines to help students understand what type of living costs to expect. This is not an exhaustive list, but are key costs to keep in mind to make sure you are financially equipped during your studies. Other expenses to consider include things such as additional excursions/trips and medical bills (if you use health services).