Egypt
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Restrictions on entry limiting the entry of people living with HIV.
- Restrictions on short-term stays which in most cases is defined as under 90 days.
- Restrictions on long-term stays which in most cases is defined as over 90 days.
The types of restriction are:
- HIV testing/disclosure required for entry.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for work visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for study visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for residence.
- Ban on entry.
- Restrictions on importation of HIV medication.
- Deportation based on HIV status.
Restrictions on entry to Egypt
We are aware of some official restrictions on entry of people living with HIV to Egypt.
According to UNAIDS, Egypt prohibits entry on the basis of HIV status and deports non-nationals found to be living with HIV.
However, the Embassy of Egypt in Washington DC provides a list of supporting documents that should be included with a visa application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Egypt
We are aware of some official restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV in Egypt.
According to the Government of Canada, all non-nationals planning to study, work or train in Egypt for longer than one month may be required to undergo testing for HIV. Egyptian immigration authorities in Cairo’s Mogamma building provide information on this procedure upon application.
The UK FCDO states that HIV test results must be provided to apply for a work permit.
According to the Business Support Office of the American University in Cairo, HIV tests are required for first-year work permit and carry a fee.
According to a 2010 UNAIDS report, “the [Egyptian] Minister of labour has expressed willingness to revise such policies as part of a regional initiative to remove requirements of testing for HIV for employment purposes which Egyptians are also subject to as a requirement of Gulf countries.” However, this has not taken place.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Egypt
The same restrictions apply for long-term stay as listed above.
Treatment access in Egypt
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Egypt. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
According to UNAIDS, ‘antiretroviral therapy is available in Egypt free of charge to all nationals and registered refugees. However, as there is no community-based dispensing, nor private market purchase of antiretroviral medicines, gaps remain in ensuring that non-nationals can access treatment.’
Official Government of Canada travel information notes that Egyptian authorities consider some prescription and over-the-counter medicines medications controlled substances. They will seize all narcotic and psychotropic medications, even if you have the original prescription.
The document, Guidelines for carrying medicines with travellers to Egypt for personal use, produced by the Ministry of Health and Population of Egypt advises travellers to ‘ensure the medicine remains in its original packaging with the dispensing label intact in order to assist with identifying each substance at the border. Any personal medicines carried by travellers will be subject to the inspection by the ministry of health inspectors customs department at the port of entry to Egypt,’ and adds that requirements may change so travellers should verify requirements on the Ministry’s website. However, travellers should keep in mind that the HIV treatment with a label or its identification through inspection methods may reveal their serological status.
Sources
- UNAIDS
- Embassy of Egypt in Washington DC
- Official Government of Canada travel information and advice for destinations outside Canada
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice
- Business Support Office of the American University in Cairo
- UNAIDS country report
- Guidelines for carrying medicines with travellers to Egypt for personal use
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Egypt page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | Yes |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
