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
There is no known HIV criminalisation in Egypt. We are not aware of any HIV-specific criminal laws in force, and there have been no reported prosecutions for alleged HIV ‘exposure’, non-disclosure, and/or transmission under general criminal laws.
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.
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