What the Egypt Visa Process in Jakarta Taught Me About Patience, Paperwork, and Planning

Disclaimer: This article is based on a personal experience and does not represent the views of Wego or its editorial team.

Planning a trip to Egypt on an Indonesian passport might sound like a simple paperwork situation until you actually start looking into it. In early 2025, I found myself knee-deep in scattered blog posts, unclear embassy info, and TikTok tips that often contradicted each other. So when I finally made it through the application process, I figured someone else out there might appreciate a more grounded, real-life guide.

Whether you’re travelling solo, joining a tour, or just visa-curious, here’s what I learned about what worked, what didn’t, and what I wish I’d known before showing up at the Egyptian Embassy in Jakarta.

Getting started: No website, just emails and elbows

Let’s get one thing out of the way: there’s no sleek, official website for Egypt visa applications in Jakarta. No online appointment system. No chatbot named “Ahmed” gently guiding you through the process.

Instead, your first real move is old-school: emailing the embassy ([email protected]). To their credit, they do reply eventually, and they’ll send a checklist along with a few must-knows:

• Visa approval can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months (applications are sent to Cairo).
• Payment is accepted in cash only, in USD, and the bills must be clean and crisp.
• Avoid $100 bills starting with L or J.
• You can submit applications on behalf of others.
• They don’t confirm VOA eligibility; you’ll need to check that with your airline.

Can Indonesians get an e-visa or VOA?

Here’s the short answer: No.

Despite what you might see on social media or hear from a cousin’s friend’s neighbor, Indonesian passport holders are not eligible for Egypt’s e-visa or visa on arrival. You’ll need to go through the embassy or pay an agent to help file your application.

Some travelers claim that you may be able to enter on arrival if you have a valid U.S., U.K., or Schengen visa, but there is no official confirmation that this applies to Indonesians. If you’re considering this route, talk to your airline or a trusted travel agent first, because “maybe” isn’t a vibe you want to gamble with at immigration.

What you’ll need: Visa document checklist

Before heading to the embassy, it’s important to know exactly what documents you need. The list isn’t officially posted anywhere, to my knowledge, so I’m sharing the one they sent me directly via email. Here’s what the embassy asked for as part of the tourist visa application:

• Completed visa form (you’ll get this at the embassy)
• Two 4×6 cm colour photos (white background)
• Sponsor letter from your office (in English)
• Bank statement (last 3 months)
• Passport, valid for at least 7 months
• Copy of passport
• Return flight and hotel bookings (refundable recommended)
• Simple travel itinerary
• Copy of Marriage Certificate and/or Family Card (Kartu Keluarga)

Not working? A sponsor letter from a family member or travel agent will do the trick.

How much does it cost

The fees (as of early 2025) vary depending on the type of visa and whether you apply solo or as part of a group:

I paid USD 87 for a multiple-entry tourist visa, paid in crisp, clean bills (and yes, they do inspect them).

My embassy experience: From Pak Stheve to processing time

I arrived at the Egyptian Embassy in Jakarta around 9:30 AM on a weekday. No line. No fuss. The embassy is open Monday to Thursday, 9:30 to 11:30 AM, a very tight window, so plan accordingly.

The real MVP of the visit? Pak Stheve, the security guard. Friendly, helpful, and just the kind of calm presence you want when your nerves are tangled up with paperwork. The consular officers were more formal, but polite and efficient. The questions were basic:

• Why are you going to Egypt?
• Who’s travelling with you?
• How long will you stay?

Once they checked my documents, I paid the visa fee and got a receipt. Easy.

Waiting game: Processing and follow-up

Waiting for your visa approval can feel like watching paint dry, except the paint is somewhere in Cairo and you’re holding a plane ticket. To give you an idea of what to expect, here’s how my timeline unfolded:

• Submitted: Feb 25
• Called: March 19 (no answer)
• Followed up via email and WhatsApp
• Approved: Mar 27
• Picked up: In person

So yes, it took just over a month, and I strongly believe the follow-up emails helped nudge things along.

Tips I wish I knew sooner

Going through the visa application process taught me a few things the hard way. If you’re preparing to do this yourself, here are a few small details that made a big difference in my case:

• Email early; you’ll need that checklist to get started.
• Follow up if you don’t hear anything. It’s not annoying, it’s necessary.
• Print everything, neatly and in order.
• Show healthy finances, no official minimum, but your bank statement should reflect your travel plans.
• Bring a pen. Trust me.
• Stay calm and respectful. A smile helps.

Looking back, looking ahead

If you’re applying from Indonesia, here’s the reality: no online application, no VOA, and no shortcuts. However, if you prepare your documents, stay proactive, and keep your expectations realistic, it’s absolutely doable.

For me, the process was stressful mainly because of the lack of clear guidance. But I’m glad I went through it. Even though we ended up postponing the trip, the visa is now done and dusted. Egypt is still calling, and one day soon, I hope to answer.

If you’re applying next, good luck. You’ve got this.

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