Written by John
Does anybody have any info on traveling to Egypt?
I noticed on this matrix it doesn’t say anything about PFR being denied entry.
But on the Country Data PFR guide matrix, it does – but doesn’t give any notes. Nor do they list a trip report for Egypt.
Egypt seems like such a common tourist destination but I never hear anything about them in regards to RSOs. I do know that they have a Visa on Arrival system. As well as a system to get a visa online before traveling.
Any info would be appreciated.
Wife and I went through a tour agency (TravelHighlights) and applied online for visas and had no problems. Everything was going great until after a three-hour drive to DFW airport, my passport was revoked at the check-in counter by ICE!!!! It has cost me about 10K since my travel insurance didn’t cover passport revocation. I was convicted of 3rd degree felony for one count possession of child pornography. Currently in my 7th year of a 10 year probation. Passport was revoked because it was missing the identifier. I was never told you had to self-report your RSO status…
I know there has been a fair amount of confusion over how the identifier gets on the passport or not.
To my understanding, the way it works is like this.
– Give 21 day advance notice, which gets passed along to the SMART office. Until relatively recently, they did not forward the information to the Passport department. Now they do.
– In the past, the US passport department had to depend on self-reporting in order to know whether the identifier was required.
Now; however, since the smart office forwards the information, it is brought to the attention of the US passport department. Who then revokes the passport (A fact you might not discover until you get to the airport) without the identifier. Though, with more time, they send a letter saying your passport is revoked.
For those who don’t have the identifier but don’t want to contact the passport office directly, I suggest giving a 21 advance notice for a fake trip. After all, they can’t MAKE you go on vacation. At least you’ll know. Be sure to make sure that the travel reservations on the fake trip are fully refundable.
As far as Egypt, it sounds like the problem was entirely on the US side and not the Egyptian side. Although, in your situation we’re not sure what would’ve happened if you had applied for visa with the identifier. Or what Egyptian customs would’ve done if you had arrived with the identifier on your passport, but with a valid visa obtained online.
Honestly, I think for me, it is worth it to try. Make take awhile but I’ll report back here when I try.