Renewing your visa?? I just did it this afternoon and it’s no fun at all!If you are from the States, think of the worst experience you ever had at DMV and multiply that by 10. It’s that ridiculous. There is no direction or order. Expect to see all sorts of things that you wouldn’t normally think to find in a government building i.e people smoking, cats roaming the halls, employees making their lunch in plain view.
Things to bring~
- Passport
- 2 copies of the first page of your passport
- 2 copies of your original visa
- A passport size picture of yourself (I went to one of the many instant photo places all around the city)
- A pen
- Money: Approximately 15 EGP(which you’ll buy stamps with) and make some of that in change because they don’t give change.
- Last but certainly not least, PATIENCE….you’ll need tons of it.I had gone to Mogamma once before, last year to renew my visa so I thought I knew what to expect but I was wrong. They changed things since then.
I showed up at Mogamma yesterday morning, bright and early (this is important). I went up to the second floor via the stairs, I don’t mess with the elevator and its huge lines. I found the window that I had gone to last year (the last window down the hall on the left) and waited in a long queue, only to be told that I need to get the application which is down the hall on some random desk. Next, get the stamps (11.10 was the current cost), waited in another queue to buy the stamps, filled out application and waited back in the first line again to return application.
Was told to come back tomorrow at 9 at window 38 and was given back my passport with some writing in it. Last year when I had come, I had got it all down in one extremely long day.
Next morning, I arrived at 9am and waited in the long queue (which really isn’t a line, more like push and shove your way to the front and the strongest of the strong, will get there first ). Finally my turn, they scurried around looking for my application from yesterday and then took my passport and told me come back after 12. UGH! After getting coffee and really delicious Red Velvet cupcakes from La Poire (Garden City) around the corner and using their free wifi, noon had arrived.I got there a little after noon time and window 38 was an absolute zoo. The queue was extremely long and disorganized as usual. After approximately 45 hot, anxiety filled minutes my passport was held up in front of everyone and they hollered out ‘America’? YES.. that’s me. I pushed my way through the crowd to get up to the window and thanked God that it was over.
I read that if you haven’t renewed your visa before, you can go to the Dokki police station and do it there. But if you ever renewed at Mugamma, you’ll have to go back there. This is something I’ve read a few different places but I can’t confirm so don’t quote me. If you must go to Mugamma, bring patience and an anti-anxiety medicine if possible.
Good luck!!!!
Disqus
Wordpress
Google