The security approval is a step before an Egypt visa is issued for certain nationalities, notably Syrians, Sudanese and Palestinians, who can't use the visa on arrival or e-visa even with a Schengen visa. It takes from two weeks to two months or more, and no exact date can be given. Iraqis and Yemenis may be able to use a visa on arrival if they hold a valid, used Western visa — otherwise a consular visa. Turkish citizens don't need a security approval. The golden rule: don't book a non-refundable ticket before it's issued.
Egypt is one of the destinations Arab residents of Türkiye ask for most: visiting family, studying, medical treatment, work and tourism. What confuses travellers most is the phrase “you need a security approval”: what it is, who needs it, how long it takes, and why nobody can give an exact date. This guide answers all of that in detail and complements our complete guide to the Egypt visa from Türkiye.
Who needs the security approval?
| Your nationality | The route to Egypt | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Syrian | Consular visa after security approval | Not eligible for the visa on arrival, even with a Schengen or US visa |
| Sudanese | Consular visa after security approval | The rules have changed more than once; we check them when you apply |
| Palestinian | Consular visa with security approval | The procedure varies with the type of travel document |
| Iraqi | On arrival with a valid, used multiple-entry Western visa; otherwise consular | Up to a month on arrival |
| Yemeni | On arrival with a valid, used visa from certain countries; otherwise consular | Exemptions exist for some age groups |
| Turkish | Usually consular, or on arrival for Sharm El-Sheikh and St Catherine under conditions | No security approval needed |
| Gulf citizens | No visa | Entry on the passport |
“Got a Schengen visa? Get your Egypt visa at the airport” is true for certain nationalities only. Syrians, Sudanese and Palestinians don't get a visa on arrival this way under the instructions in force, and anyone who travels on that assumption may be sent back from the airport.
How does the security approval work?
- 1Preparing the file
Passport, photos, application form, Turkish residence permit, and documents for the purpose of the visit (a relative's invitation, a study admission, a medical appointment, a work contract…).
- 2Applying at the Egyptian consulate
In Istanbul, or at the embassy in Ankara, according to the instructions in force.
- 3The request goes for approval
It's referred to the competent authorities in Egypt — this is the wait that nobody can predict precisely.
- 4Approval or refusal
Once approved, the visa is completed at the consulate.
- 5Travel within the validity
The visa is used within the period stated on it, and then you book your trip.
How long does it take, and why is there no exact date?
What we see in practice: from two weeks to two months or more. The time depends on nationality, the number of applications, the season (summer, Eid and the start of the academic year), and sometimes on political circumstances that have nothing to do with your file. That's why nobody can promise you an exact date — and if someone does for an extra fee, be wary.
| Situation | Our advice |
|---|---|
| A family visit or tourism | Apply at least two months before travel |
| Start of an academic year | Apply as soon as you have the admission |
| A medical appointment | State the appointment and include the medical reports, and apply as early as possible |
| A family occasion (wedding, funeral) | Apply immediately with proof of the occasion, but don't count on a guaranteed date |
Core documents by nationality
| Your nationality | The basics | What's usually added |
|---|---|---|
| Syrian | Valid passport, photos, form, Turkish residence permit | Documents for the purpose, and proof of relationship for family visits |
| Sudanese | Valid passport, photos, form, Turkish residence permit | Documents for the purpose; we check the latest instructions |
| Palestinian | Travel document or passport, photos, Turkish residence permit | The procedure varies with the type of document |
| Iraqi or Yemeni with a used Western visa | Passport with the valid, used visa | Return ticket, hotel booking and enough money on arrival |
| Iraqi or Yemeni without a Western visa | A consular visa with a complete file | Documents for the purpose and the Turkish residence permit |
Documents by purpose of visit
Proof of relationship (family registry, birth certificates or marriage contract), and your relative's details in Egypt with their residence permit or ID.
The university or school admission, proof of enrolment and parental sponsorship.
Medical reports and an appointment from the hospital or doctor in Egypt.
A contract or invitation from an Egyptian party, and proof of your activity in Türkiye.
Hotel bookings, an itinerary and a bank statement.
Always required: a valid passport, recent photos and a valid Turkish residence permit for non-Turks. Documents not in Arabic may need a certified translation, which we provide through our translation service.
When is a visa on arrival enough instead of the approval?
Holders of a valid, used visa from the Schengen area, the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Japan or New Zealand, or of a Gulf residence permit valid for at least six months, may get a visa on arrival for up to 30 days, with a return ticket, a hotel booking and enough money — unless their nationality is among those excluded, such as Syrian, Sudanese and Palestinian. This is very useful for Iraqis and Yemenis living in Türkiye who hold Western visas.
Students and medical treatment: cases that need special planning
Start as soon as you have the admission, and include the university and enrolment documents and parental sponsorship. Egyptian universities take international students through their own official admission channels, and a late visa can mean a late start.
Medical reports in Arabic or translated, an appointment or letter from the hospital or doctor in Egypt, and the companion's details if any. Mention any urgent circumstance in the application, with documents.
Travelling from Türkiye to Egypt
There are direct flights from Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen to Cairo, plus flights to Alexandria and the Red Sea resorts depending on the season. Turkish tourists can fly direct to Sharm El-Sheikh under the visa-on-arrival conditions there. We book the flight after the visa is issued and compare the two airports and baggage allowances for you — see our Istanbul to Cairo flights page and how to find cheap flights.
After arrival: length of stay and extensions
The length of stay is set by the visa issued — don't exceed it. Anyone needing a longer stay, such as a student, a patient or someone with a family situation, applies to the Egyptian passports and immigration authority for residence or an extension under the regulations. Overstaying means a fine on departure and may affect future applications.
Families and children
The family applies for all its members, with proof of the relationship between them. There may be exemptions for certain age groups for some nationalities, as with Yemenis. If a child is travelling with only one parent, the other parent's consent may be requested. Don't split a family's applications without advice, because one member's approval arriving before the others' can upset the travel date.
If it's delayed or refused
What to do
- Ask the consulate about the status of the application at the times set for that
- Keep your passport and residence permit valid throughout the wait
- Have a back-up plan for important occasions
- If refused, review the purpose of the visit and its documents before reapplying
- Get advice before applying with a different purpose
What to avoid
- Buying a non-refundable ticket
- Paying anyone who promises a “guaranteed” speed-up
- Travelling to Egypt via a third country hoping for a visa on arrival
- Changing the purpose in a new application without reason
- Renewing your passport during the wait without telling the consulate
Illustrative cases
Composite examples of cases we see, not the stories of specific clients.
We applied two and a half months ahead, with a family registry extract proving the relationship and the grandmother's ID. The approval came after about six weeks, and the tickets were booked after that.
He didn't need a security approval: he got a visa on arrival for a month, with a hotel booking and a return ticket.
She applied as soon as she was admitted, with the university documents and parental sponsorship, and we followed the application until it was issued before term started.
How we help
Alwan is a licensed travel agency in Istanbul (Group A, licence no. 9151). We determine whether your nationality needs a security approval or can use a visa on arrival, prepare the file with its purpose and documents, follow it until it's issued, then book the flight and hotel. We don't promise you a date that nobody controls — we promise a correct file the first time.
Ask about Egypt's security approval on WhatsAppUseful guides: Egypt visa from Türkiye · Types of visas · Flights from Istanbul · Certified translation · International visa service
Rules follow the instructions in force as of this update and change with Egyptian decisions; we check them for each nationality when preparing your file.
Frequently asked questions
What is the security approval for entering Egypt?
A prior approval from the competent Egyptian authorities that comes before the visa is issued for certain nationalities. Without it the consulate won't issue the visa, and these nationalities can't use the visa on arrival or the e-visa.
Who needs the security approval?
Under the instructions in force, applications from Syrians, Sudanese and Palestinians go through a security approval, and they aren't eligible for the visa on arrival even with a Schengen visa. Iraqis and Yemenis need a consular visa unless they meet the visa-on-arrival conditions for holders of used Western visas.
How long does the security approval take?
There's no exact timeframe: from two weeks to two months or more, depending on nationality and demand. Don't book a non-refundable ticket before it's issued.
Is a Schengen visa enough to get an Egypt visa at the airport?
For certain nationalities yes, if the visa is valid and has been used — Schengen, US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan or New Zealand. But Syrians, Sudanese and Palestinians aren't covered by this under the instructions in force.
Do Turkish citizens need a security approval?
No. Turkish citizens usually need a consular visa, or get a visa on arrival if they come as tourists on a direct flight to Sharm El-Sheikh or St Catherine under its conditions.
Is the security approval sometimes refused?
Yes. The decision rests with the Egyptian authorities and the reason isn't usually given. A complete file with a clear purpose and matching documents reduces delays but doesn't guarantee approval.
Can a Palestinian living in Türkiye get an Egypt visa?
Yes, through a consular visa with security approval; the procedure varies with the type of travel document they hold. We check their case before applying.
Where do I apply for an Egypt visa in Türkiye?
At the Egyptian consulate in Istanbul or the embassy in Ankara, depending on the instructions in force and where you live. We prepare the file and follow it up with you.
Is the security approval different for a visit and for study?
The procedure is almost the same, but the documents for the purpose differ: proof of relationship for a visit, a university admission for study, medical reports for treatment. Clear documents for the purpose reduce delays.
Can I pay extra to speed up the security approval?
We know of no official channel that guarantees a faster security approval for money. Beware of anyone promising a guaranteed date — the decision and timing belong to the competent Egyptian authorities.
How long can I stay once I have the visa?
As set by the visa issued, usually for a short visit. Anyone needing longer for study or treatment applies to the Egyptian passports and immigration authority for residence or an extension under the regulations.
Do children need security approval?
The family applies for all its members, and there may be exemptions for certain age groups for some nationalities. We check each person's situation when preparing the file.
