Two months ago, my friend wanted to travel with her family to spend the Eid vacation in Turkey. After getting the visa, they were asked to get a security clearance in order to leave Egypt. In Mogamma El Tahrir, the downtown Cairo complex where you have to get permission to travel from, my friend’s sister was informed that she “will not” travel if her father was not present with her at the airport. Thankfully enough, it was a family trip, so she passed.
One month later, my brother decided to travel to Turkey to get some stuff for his wedding. His journey was more complicated and problematic and shamefully, my father had to get a wasta in order to ease the process for him.
Now, I want to travel to Turkey, so I had to go through this horrible experience myself. The process at the Turkish embassy was very easy, yet what I experienced at the Mogamma was enough to ruin my excitement for the trip and to think that not traveling is a much better option.
Firstly, the place is horrible when it comes to the cramped spaces, narrow hallways, crowds everywhere and the way policemen and employees deal with people. There is no organization whatsoever. The place clearly represents every form of corruption Egypt is suffering from.
When I finally managed to reach the office I needed to go to and present my documents, I was informed that my father has to accompany me on my trip since my passport states that I’m a student. Logically, I replied that I just graduated two months ago and I have my graduation certificate with me. Apart from this, I was born in 1993 so I’m obviously above 21 years old by now.
Their reply was ridiculous: “We don’t care as long as ‘Student’ is written in your passport.” What if I were in medical school? I could be 25 years old but they would refuse to let me travel since I’m still listed as a student?
Eventually, I just had two options: either make my father travel with me or change my identity card from “Student” to “Having a Bachelor in Political Science”, then change my passport, then go and get the permission to travel. Would that mean I would have to get another visa on my new passport? I honestly do not know.
The thing is, there are no accurate, detailed or consistent rules for people to follow in this process of receiving a security clearance to travel out of the county. And the way employees at the Mogamma (especially the police) deal with us is insulting, humiliating and horrible. Until when will we be treated this way in our own country?
Last December, the Egyptian government decided to restrict people from traveling to Turkey and a handful of other countries. Accordingly, anyone 18 to 45 years old has to get approval from the State National Security in order to visit these countries. People were astonished by the new regulations but accepted them, anyway. And now, the list of restricted countries continues to grow.
1. Turkey
Want to visit the palace Noor and Mohanad used to live in? Or have fun in Taksim Square? Forget it.
2. Indonesia (visa could be required on arrival for 30 days)
Want to take your new wife to Bali for your honeymoon and play with elephants and try new food? Don’t worry, she will hopefully understand that you live in Egypt.
3. Iraq
Do you appreciate Islamic history and want to visit Baghdad, Karbala and other Iraqi cities to visit significant sites? Come on, doesn’t Egypt approve the publication of many history books already? Go read them.
4. Jordan (no visa required for one month)
Want to see the famous Petra? Swim in the Dead Sea? Or visit Wadi Rum? Okay, but have you got an approval yet?
5. Lebanon (visa required on arrival)
Want to go to Lebanon in the winter, enjoy the snow and see the country from a Telefric? Don’t you have Internet in Egypt? Google and YouTube are here for your curiosity.
6. Malaysia (no visa required for 90 days)
Want to visit Malaysian landmarks and witness firsthand the developments they have been working on for years? Wait! You have to ask your country for permission first.
7. South Africa and all countries sharing borders
Really? Do you think it’s that easy to see the wildlife in Africa? Try going to the Egyptian zoo instead.
8. Sudan (visa not required)
Do you work with Sudanese people and sometimes have to go there to meet clients, manage the work or administer stuff? Sorry, running your own business is not that simple in your own country.
9. Syria
Have you always wanted to go there, eat Syrian food and make new friends? Or even help the people there? Your country has another say on this.
10. Thailand
To all you newly married couples: Think again before choosing Thailand as your honeymoon country. Your nation requires you to get an approval and insists on making your life miserable before you can spend one or two weeks there enjoying the beautiful nature and unique traditions.
11. Cuba
Cuba? Really??
WE SAID THIS: Don’t miss Countries Egyptians Can Travel To Without A Visa.