This page will be updated as our office receives information from the State Department.

For the most up-to-date information, please visit travel.state.gov.

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UPDATE: FEBRUARY 7th at 11:00 AM

Travel Warning
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs

Egypt

February 6, 2011

This replaces the Travel Warning for Egypt dated February 1, 2011. The U.S. Department of State continues to recommend that U.S. citizens avoid travel to Egypt at this time. On February 1, the Department of State ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members from Egypt. U.S. citizens should consider leaving Egypt as soon as they can safely do so, due to ongoing political and social unrest. Large-scale demonstrations with the potential for violence continue in several areas of the country, and there are periodic overland travel disruptions. The Government of Egypt has modified the curfew several times; hours are now 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. throughout Egypt until further notice. U.S. citizens should obey curfew orders and remain indoors during curfew hours.

U.S. citizens who wish to depart Egypt should proceed to the airport and secure commercial passage out of the country. Cairo airport is open and operating, and commercial airlines are reporting flight availability from Cairo. Commercial flights are also operating from Luxor, Alexandria, and Aswan airports. Given the current availability of commercial flights, no additional U.S. government-chartered flights are planned. Travelers with the means to do so should make every effort to utilize commercial flights. Some commercial airlines also offer pet transport. Travelers should remain in contact with their airlines or tour operators concerning flight schedules, and arrange to arrive at the airport well before curfew hours. Do not wait for a reply from the embassy or the Department of State before traveling to the nearest airport; further delay is not advised.

Male dual Egyptian - U.S. nationals who have not completed military service and have stayed in Egypt for more than six months are required to obtain an exemption certificate through the Ministry of Defense Draft Office before they can leave Egypt. The Ministry of Defense Draft Office reports they are open daily to provide exemption certificates.

The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations in Egypt, as even peaceful ones can quickly become violent and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse. U.S. citizens who are near demonstrations should remain in their residences or hotels until the demonstrations subside. Security forces may block off the area around the U.S. Embassy during demonstrations, and U.S. citizens should not attempt to come to the U.S. Embassy or the Tahrir Square area during that time. U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security. U.S. citizens should carry identification and a cell phone that works in Egypt.

The U.S. Embassy will be open only for emergency services to U.S. citizens until further notice. Visit the embassy website at http://egypt.usembassy.gov to check the latest changes to embassy hours or services. Family members of U.S. citizens in Egypt may also enroll them in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://travelregistration.state.gov. U.S. citizens in Egypt, or their loved ones, may contact the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Cairo via email to EmergencyEgyptUSC@state.gov, or at 1-202-501-4444. Please follow the directions on the embassy website for all other consular inquiries.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Internet website at www.travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution, Egypt Country Specific Information, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1- 888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Embassy is located at 5 Tawfik Diab Street (formerly known as Latin America Street), Garden City, Cairo. For emergencies after business hours and on weekends and holidays, U.S. citizens can contact the Embassy Duty Officer via the Embassy switchboard on 2797-3300.

Information: February 6, 2011

Flight Update Information

February 6, 2011

US Embassy Cairo

Given the current availability of commercial flights, no additional U.S. government-chartered flights are planned. Travelers with the means to do so should make every effort to utilize commercial flights. Commercial airlines are reporting flight availability from Cairo.

Please contact your airline directly to confirm your flight status; airline schedules change may change frequently based on demand and the local security situation.

The U.S. Embassy is open on Sunday, February 6, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. for U.S. citizens who need consular assistance. U.S. citizens who wish to depart Egypt for return to the United States, but are having difficulty accessing funds, should contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance.

Immediate family members (spouses and children) who are not U.S. citizens must be documented for their destination country. All U.S. citizen travelers and their spouses and children, are required to have valid travel documents.

U.S. citizens in Egypt who are near demonstrations should remain in their residences or hotels until the demonstrations subside. Security forces may block off the area around the U.S. Embassy during demonstrations, and U.S. citizens should not attempt to come to the U.S. Embassy or the Tahrir Square area during that time. Demonstrations have degenerated on several occasions into violent clashes between police and protesters, resulting in injuries and extensive property damage. While demonstrations have not been directed toward Westerners, U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security. The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse. If caught unexpectedly near a demonstration, U.S. citizens should obey instructions from police and leave the area as quickly as possible. U.S. citizens resident in Egypt should monitor local news broadcasts and U.S. citizen visitors should ask tour guides and hotel officials about any planned demonstrations in the locations they plan to visit. U.S. citizens should carry identification and a cell phone that works in Egypt.

The welfare and safety of U.S. citizens in Egypt is one of the State Department's top priorities. Approximately 2,300 U.S. citizens and their family members have been evacuated from Egypt since January 31.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has the curfew changed? What is the current curfew?
The Egyptian Government reported that the curfew is in effect throughout Egypt from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., as of February 5.

I'm ready to go. What do I do?
If you wish to depart Egypt you should proceed to your local airport and secure commercial passage out of the country. Do not wait for a call from the U.S. Embassy. Further delay is not advised.

Are there plans for any charter flights?
No. We highly recommend that U.S. citizens seeking to depart Egypt do so now by commercial airline.

Do I need to prove I completed military service to board a plane?
Male dual nationals who have not completed military service and have stayed in Egypt for more than six months are required to obtain an exemption certificate through the Ministry of Defense Draft Office before they can leave Egypt. However, they must obtain an exemption certificate through the Ministry of Defense Draft Office before they can leave Egypt, which reports they are open daily to provide exemption certificates.

I wish to travel by commercial air carrier - how do I book a flight?
While some flights are still disrupted, major airlines are operating out of Egyptian airports. Please contact your airline or travel agent to book a ticket prior to heading to the airport. If you already have an existing ticket or reservation, please contact your airline to confirm your flight status.

Do I need a U.S. passport?
All U.S. citizen travelers and their spouses and children are required to have valid travel documents. The U.S. Embassy in Cairo will assist U.S. citizens with travel documents. U.S. citizens who do not hold a valid U.S. passport and are interested in departing Egypt should contact the U.S. Department of State and Embassy Cairo by sending an email to EgyptEmergencyUSC@state.gov.

What do I do if my child is a U.S. citizen, but hasn't yet been documented?
Contact the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. U.S. citizens who do not hold a valid U.S. passport interested in departing Egypt should contact the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassy Cairo by sending an email to EgyptEmergencyUSC@state.gov. The Embassy will be open for emergency consular services for U.S. citizens on Sunday, February 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Note: Non-U.S. citizens who accompanyied evacuated U.S. citizens to safe haven locations in Europe have been able to apply for an airport entrance visa on arrival to the safe haven location. Non-U.S. citizens planning onward travel not already holding visas or Legal Permanent Residency Status for entry into the United States will need to visit the U.S. Embassy in the safe haven location to apply for a visa prior to scheduling onward travel. If you have a question related to immigrant or non-immigrant visa processing in Cairo, please send a detailed inquiry to CairoVisaInquiries@state.gov.

How do I get a visa (to safe haven country or the United States)?
Non-U.S. citizens who accompanied evacuated U.S. citizens to safe haven locations have been able to apply for an airport entrance visa on arrival to safe haven locations in Europe. Non-U.S. citizens planning onward travel not already holding visas or Legal Permanent Residency Status for entry into the United States will need to visit the U.S. Embassy in the safe haven location to apply for a visa prior to scheduling onward travel. If you have a question related to immigrant or non-immigrant visa processing in Cairo, please send a detailed inquiry to CairoVisaInquiries@state.gov.

What about my pets?
Some commercial airlines do offer pet transport. Please check with the airlines directly.

How do I get to the airport?
At this time, public transport (to include taxis) is still operating in Egypt.

Important Information about Consular Services: February 6, 2011

The U. S. Embassy is open for emergency services for U.S. citizens only until further notice. Visa applicants with previously scheduled appointments will be contacted and provided guidance concerning their appointments. All processed nonimmigrant and immigrant visas will be returned via DHL courier service selected at the time of interview. Please visit DHL at http://www.dhlegypt.com/en.html to track the status of delivery.

The U.S. Embassy is open for emergency services for American citizens on Monday February 7 from 0900 to 1200. Please visit www.travel.state.gov for our latest travel warning for Egypt.

Please check our website http://egypt.usembassy.gov/ frequently for additional updates.