Published: March 3, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Egypt Travel Advisory and Egypt Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Cairo:
5 Tawfik Diab Street Garden City, Cairo.
Tel: +20 2-2797-2301; After-hours Emergency: +20 2-2797-3300.
Hours of Operation: 0830-1700 Sunday-Thursday.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
The Embassy hosts OSAC Country Chapter meetings on a quarterly basis and ad-hoc meetings as necessary. Contact OSAC’s Middle East & North Africa team with any questions.
Egypt Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Egypt at Level 3, indicating that travelers should reconsider travel to Egypt due to terrorism. Dual U.S.-Egyptian citizens should understand that the Embassy’s ability to provide assistance may be limited, as the Egyptian citizenship takes primacy for the Egyptian Government. U.S. citizens should note that certain areas, such as the western desert and most of the Sinai Peninsula have increased risk, and the Embassy’s ability to provide assistance may be delayed due to permissions required to access these areas.
Do not travel to:
- The Northern and Middle Sinai Peninsula due to terrorism.
- The Western Desert without a licensed tour company due to military zones and criminal activity.
- Egyptian border areas due to military zones.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Cairo as being a MEDIUM-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Egypt.
Instances of sexual harassment and minor property-related crimes of opportunity continue to be the most common criminal threat. Women should be cautious when riding public transportation alone and walking alone. When using public transportation like (taxis or ride-share services), passengers, particularly women, should use basic safety precautions, such as sitting behind the driver, using location tracking capabilities, etc.
In crowded areas, foreigners can be subject to pickpocket-related ruses, and theft of items left unattended. Pedestrians with bags should be situationally aware and maintain positive control, as there have been instances of individuals on motorcycles having snatched handbags from pedestrians.
While tourist areas and high foot trafficked areas are generally safe, people should avoid walking in dark, isolated areas.
Be cautious to avoid being overcharged for various services and becoming victims of scams common in tourist destinations worldwide. Expect to encounter aggressive vendors at tourist attractions and archaeological sites. Some will offer “free” gifts or help taking photos to tourists which, once accepted, often lead to demands for money. Harassment can occur anywhere. Most tourist sites have specially designated tourist police who can assist in uncomfortable situations.
U.S. Embassy personnel traveling outside Cairo require advance notice or approval prior to commencing travel and are advised to remain vigilant and mindful of their surroundings at all times.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Egypt.
Although there have been reports of kidnappings in rural areas, their occurrence is infrequent and typically involve tribal communities. Kidnappings are less common in major cities.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Cairo as being a HIGH-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Egypt, indicating that terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
Terrorist groups continue plotting attacks in Egypt that could occur with little or no warning. Historically, terrorists have successfully conducted attacks against government and diplomatic facilities, tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, western businesses, restaurants, and resorts. Religious sites, including mosques, churches, monasteries, and buses traveling to these locations, have also been targeted. However, Egypt has seen a significant decrease in terrorist activity over the last four years. The last bombing outside of the northern Sinai Peninsula occurred in 2019 outside of the National Cancer Institute in Cairo. In October 2023, two Israeli tourists and an Egyptian guide were killed by an Egyptian police officer at a tourist site in Alexandria. Although no connections have been made which link the police officer to any radical or extremist organizations, the killing occurred one day after the Hamas attack on Israel. In May 2024, a foreign national was shot and killed in Alexandria with motivations possibly related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Several terrorist organizations operate in Egypt. The most active is the self-proclaimed ISIS-Sinai Province (also known as Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM), an ISIS affiliate), having pledged allegiance to ISIS in 2014. Other terrorist groups include ISIS in Egypt, Harakat Sawa'd Misr (HASM), and other various smaller terrorist elements.
Terrorist attacks have primarily, but not exclusively, occurred in the northern Sinai Peninsula, particularly the northeastern area of the North Sinai Governorate, which are believed to house a small pocket of insurgents. However, in the last 12 months, there have been no known terrorism related attacks in northern Sinai, as the Government of Egypt has invested considerable resources in the security, given the significance of the area to peace negotiations. Most attacks in North Sinai have targeted the Egyptian government (military installations and personnel). Egyptian security forces launched “Operation Sinai 2018,” resulting in a significant intensification of counterterrorism military activity in North Sinai.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Cairo as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Egypt. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Recent elections in Egypt, including the December 2023 presidential election, were peaceful, with a strong police presence at the polling stations and no significant security issues.
Protests & Demonstrations
Political protests are rare. Egypt’s demonstrations law prohibits gatherings of more than ten people without advance permission from the Ministry of Interior. If protests do break out, they could result in clashes with police and security forces and generally result in arrests and at times long detention until trial. In the past few years, the size and frequency of demonstrations have decreased markedly. In the past, demonstrations have led to violent clashes between police and protesters, resulting in deaths, injuries, and property damage. Bystanders and those participating in unauthorized demonstrations, even if peaceful, may be subject to questioning, detention, arrest, and conviction. While there may be periods when crowds appear celebratory or non-threatening, criminal acts could still occur under the anonymity a large crowd provides.
Since the start of the Gaza war, the Government of Egypt has allowed only limited protests around Cairo and in other areas to show support for the Palestinian cause and against displacement. These protests were structured and controlled leading to no civil unrest, though some were arrested who did not promptly disperse. At the onset of the Israel-Hamas War there were protests on college campuses in Cairo as well; however, they did not result in lawlessness. There have been several petitions to protest the U.S. Embassy over the last 12 months; however, protest groups have been unable to obtain permits for the semi-secure enclave where the Embassy is located.
In January 2025, Egyptian activists and protestors participated in demonstrations at the Rafah border crossing in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, most of which were government sanctioned and/or orchestrated.
Authorities quashed previous unauthorized demonstrations in a relatively short time. It is illegal to photograph police stations, military barracks, and certain other sensitive public buildings, or their respective personnel; authorities enforce the law in the context of demonstrations.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Sporadic sectarian violence has not targeted foreigners. Some small demonstrations have taken place against U.S. policy toward the Israel-Hamas conflict, but there have been no reported incidents of anti-American or anti-Western violence.
Law Enforcement
The consolidated emergency services number to reach police, ambulance, and fire brigade is 112.
The Ministry of Interior supervises law enforcement and internal security, including the Public Security Sector Police, the Central Security Force, the National Security Agency, and the Passports, Immigration, and Nationality Administration. The Public Security Sector Police are responsible for law enforcement nationwide. The Central Security Force protects infrastructure and is responsible for crowd control. The National Security Agency, which succeeded the State Security Investigation Service in 2011, is responsible for internal security threats and counterterrorism, along with other security services. The Passports, Immigration, and Nationality Administration is responsible for issuing travel documents, processing immigration requests, and managing citizenship issues. The armed forces report to the minister of defense but may also assist police in protecting vital infrastructure during a state of emergency. The armed forces operate in North Sinai as part of a broader national counterterrorism operation with general detention authority. The Border Guard Forces, under the Ministry of Defense, are responsible for border control. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. There were reports that members of the security forces committed numerous abuses.
Defense forces operate in North Sinai as part of a broader national counterterrorism operation with general detention authority. The Border Guard Forces, under the Ministry of Defense, are responsible for border control. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces. Members of the security forces have committed numerous abuses.
Police Response
Foreigners may experience varying levels of professionalism when dealing with the police. Police are generally responsive to visitors in need of assistance and initiate investigations based on reports of criminal activity. Emergency response times and the ability to conduct in-depth criminal investigations on petty crimes generally fall short of Western standards. While misdemeanor crimes may not receive the attention a visitor would expect, police tend to pursue felonies more assertively. Egyptian authorities take crime seriously and are proactive in helping where needed, but language barriers can sometimes hinder progress with reporting crimes in a timely manner.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Egypt, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Egypt.
The U.S. Embassy may have a limited ability to provide consular services to dual U.S.-Egyptian citizens. Egyptian law does not recognize dual citizenship. Travelers should be cognizant of this prior to travel to Egypt.
The Egyptian legal system is different from that in the United States, with significantly different standards of evidence and due process. Egyptian police and security forces do not require probable cause to stop, question, and detain individuals. Failure to carry proper identification, such as a passport, may result in detention and questioning. Police arrest suspects when there is evidence to suggest one has committed a felony or misdemeanor. Police may detain anyone without affording access to immediate legal counsel during the investigative stage of a criminal case. Punishments often are harsher in Egypt than they are in the United States for comparable crimes. Upon arrest for any reason, make every effort to contact the U.S. Embassy, or ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. Although protocol requires police services to notify the Embassy in the event of an arrest of a U.S. citizen, this may not always be the case depending on the time, place, and circumstances surrounding the arrest. Egyptian law considers dual nationals to be Egyptian citizens; Egyptian authorities do not automatically notify the U.S. Embassy in these cases. Family members, friends, and/or traveling companions may notify the Embassy if the arrested U.S. citizen is unable to do so.
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but the government does not consistently implement the law effectively, and officials sometimes engage in corrupt practices with impunity.
Cybersecurity
Exercise caution when using social networking sites and accessing personal email accounts. VPNs are also highly recommended on electronic devices.
The U.S. Embassy receives frequent reports of online financial scams, often involving a fraudulent romantic partner requesting money for hospital bills or legal expenses to depart Egypt. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Be skeptical about sending money to or spending money on anyone known only through online contact.
Import/Export Restrictions
Importation of all types of drones, including small civilian drones used for personal or tourist purposes is strictly prohibited. Potential penalties for violating are harsh; a recently passed law authorizes the death penalty for using a drone in support of terrorist activity.
Egypt prohibits the import of advanced communications equipment (satellite phones), and equipment characterized as law enforcement or military in nature. Expect camera and photography equipment outside of what is typical for tourism purposes to be scrutinized.
Egyptian law prohibits the unauthorized removal of antiquities (including historic coins, ceramics, and architectural elements) from archaeological sites and other sources in Egypt. Egyptian law also forbids the intentional damaging of antiquities, such as inscribing or painting on them or attaching advertisements. The trade, sale, or export in antiquities is also heavily restricted and regulated. Travelers found to be looting or damaging archaeological sites, buying antiquities, or smuggling antiquities out of Egypt may be prosecuted. Penalties include fines and/or imprisonment.
Attempting to enter or depart Egypt with any instruments of currency in the sum of more than $10,000 could result in the confiscation of any money over $10,000 and other penalties.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
