Another little change to the long term visa laws.

[Dusak]

I was reliably informed today, from ''a horses mouth'' that those folk that have had, or were expecting to receive a five year visa because they had, or were contemplating, getting the full legally recognized Muslim marriage, have now had it revoked and in future only be entitled to a six month one. The only way to now get this five year visa is to apply for, and be granted, Egyptian citizenship. This is fact, not fiction, so no marriage for Dusak, thank god I hadn't booked the reception yet. Or should that be a general ''thank god.''

[newcastle]

You make it sound as if you were only contemplating marriage in order to secure a visa .....really?

[Dusak]

No, nothing like that, I stated a long time ago when I could of done so, that this would not be a choice. My last line was a TinT remark.

[Sdo]

Why would an Egyptian citizen need a visa?

[Winged Isis]

So Dusak, when are you getting married? I think the last I read, it was delayed for a year of mourning for a member of the prospective bride's family? That year is well and truly up. I'm probably way behind on the news here.

[newcastle]

Why would an Egyptian citizen need a visa?

They don't.

Dusak's talking about getting a 5 year resident permit for himself...he's British. ( Incidentally, I think he's mistaken that a foreign man marrying an Egyptian can. or could, get a 5 year permit simply because of the marriage)

[carrie]

He can't marry yet I still have not found "the" hat.

[Sdo]

"only way to now get this five year visa is to apply for, and be granted, Egyptian citizenship." This on his post, hence my question.

[Dusak]

I was there when this most heated and angry disclosure was taking place. It was stated that in the past if a foreigner married an Egyptian with the full registration via the Cairo main Mosque and showing all the relevant paperwork from their respective consulate that they were free to marry an Egyptian, then they could apply for, and receive a five year marriage visa. But now, apparently,the only way the foreigner can get a five year visa IF MARRIED TO AN EGYPTIAN with the above paperwork and certificate issued is to apply for, and receive, Egyptian citizenship. I personally would not want to change my flag of allegiance.

As for the wedding, you all may as well know that I called it off some time ago. Things change, I haven't changed, nor has she, we are still the same. I always knew that it was going to be no easy road marring an Egyptian, in Egypt, and time prove me correct, hence the take my time before we do decision. She fully understands why, and accepts it.That is all I will ever say on the matter, except that we remain very good friends and always will be.

[carrie]

I presume Dusak that this "conversation" took place in the Luxor visa office, since they seem to be out of sync with other offices perhaps it would be a good idea to ask elsewhere. Hurghada for instance doesn't require the rental agreements that are so essential in Luxor.

[Winged Isis]

@Dusak: thanks for sharing; you didn't have too. Please understand I wasn't being rudely curious, just continuing to be politely interested in your situation that you freely spoke about here.

Taking time to take the final step was wise. Any decision to marry needs careful thinking, let alone marrying a foreigner in a foreign country, especially one where religion is a major factor in daily life. I'm glad you sill remain friends after such a difficult decision, and wish you both good luck.

[Dusak]

I presume Dusak that this "conversation" took place in the Luxor visa office, since they seem to be out of sync with other offices perhaps it would be a good idea to ask elsewhere. Hurghada for instance doesn't require the rental agreements that are so essential in Luxor.

Quite the opposite carrie, in my home on Wednesday.

@Dusak: thanks for sharing; you didn't have too. Please understand I wasn't being rudely curious, just continuing to be politely interested in your situation that you freely spoke about here.

Taking time to take the final step was wise. Any decision to marry needs careful thinking, let alone marrying a foreigner in a foreign country, especially one where religion is a major factor in daily life. I'm glad you sill remain friends after such a difficult decision, and wish you both good luck.

Thanks, life goes on.

[steigen]

"It was stated that in the past if a foreigner married an Egyptian with the full registration via the Cairo main Mosque"

The above baffles me.
So they are saying that you have to revert to Islam prior to officially marrying an Egyptian?

[Sdo]

How does this apply if a foreigner marries and Egyptian Christian?

[steigen]

How does this apply if a foreigner marries and Egyptian Christian?

Exactly!It Just goes to show you that not all the things we hear are genuine.
1:You do not need to show any religious paperwork at the British embassy for them to give you a "free to marry" certificate.It is not a requirement.It is by personal choice and your love for Islam that you visit Al Azhar and not to obtain a paper to get married.I offered my Islamic paper at the embassy (in case they needed it for some reason)and they didnt even give it a glance,also showed it to the Sheikh who married us in the MOI..made no difference.
2:The Egyptian Nationality can be applied for 2 years after the marriage and then is issued a following 2 years later.This still may be refused depending on circumstances,it is not guaranteed.
3:Nowadays,you do not receive a 5 year resident visa directly after marriage,it is 2 years at first and then 5 years.This rule changed in 2016 .

[carrie]

And only if you remain married.

[Dusak]

I can only relate what I have been told directly from the main Mosque and the office of foreign marriages in Cairo if marrying an Egyptian. First you have convert to Islam, get all the recognized certificate and paperwork stamped at various offices. At one of these offices you need to have a certificate stamped from the British Embassy that you have declared that you are single, a widower or a widow. If divorced you have to show proof of this. All this information was handed over to me by a translator, my friend via a phone conversation organized Cairo end by way of a relative of hers. If you choose to say the needs or rules are otherwise, then that is up to you, I can only pass on what I have been told. In regards to my previous post, it did not involve anyone from the visa office, so you can decide yourself who instigated this revelation. Again, I can only relate what I personally saw and heard, plus the replies and arguments from the third party that this decision affected. So you will have to decide to accept it or not. I can't add anything more to the discussion.

[newcastle]

As far as I know, Dusak is correct. A muslim woman can only marry another muslim. A muslim man can marry anyone.

And a certificate of conversion would be required by Dusak as well as proof of entitlement to marry from the British embassy in Cairo.

[pinkmagic]

I never had to convert when we married over 20 years ago in Cairo and nor did I wish to. However I think Newcastle is right in that if it is a foreign man marrying a Egyptian Muslim women then he does.
We currently live in the UK so this doesn't effect us, but I would be very surprised if there was not some sort of spousal visa available to live in Egypt long term whilst you are waiting for to get nationality.
Also, you don't have to give up your original nationality, you can be a dual national as my husband is.

[Yildez]

It's Sharia law that requires a man marrying a Muslim woman, to be Muslim himself, by birth or conversion. In Turkey this no longer applies as the only legal marriage is a civil one, with no religious content. However, if the couple also want a religious wedding, Iman Nikah, then it does apply and the man must be Muslim. There is no such requirement for a woman marrying a Muslim man, and I'm an example of that!

I assume that legal marriage in Egypt is not simply a civil ceremony?