Egypt delays new entry rules for Uzbekistan, drops Kazakhstan from list

Egypt has postponed new entry requirements for tourists from Uzbekistan until 1 March 2027, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry said. According to the ministry, direct negotiations with the Egyptian side led to an agreement to revise the earlier decision to tighten entry rules. Until the new requirements take effect, Uzbek citizens may continue visiting Egypt under the current procedure.

Egypt has also dropped plans to apply the requirements to Kazakhstan. During an official visit, Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi held talks with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty, after which Kazakhstan was removed from the list of Central Asian states subject to additional requirements. Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry said the decision aims to ease travel for Kazakh tourists.

The rules, due to take effect on 1 November 2026, reportedly covered Central Asian citizens, including Kyrgyzstan. Travellers without a tour operator must obtain visas in advance through Egypt's embassy in Astana or another authorised mission, and receive security clearance. After the rules became known, Kyrgyz citizens began cancelling trips to Egypt, and the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry has not yet reported any talks with Egypt.