Thread by @ShoutsAndMiras

I feel like this Egypt visa process deserves a thread. So let’s see. I got to the consulate a little after 9. Doors were supposed to be open but they were not. A few people squeezed in after telling the police guard they were there to see Blessing. I was 9th in the queue. 1/

https://twitter.com/ShoutsAndMiras/status/1065170583107895297

At 10:30am they opened the doors. Immediately 5-6 guys from the back started rushing the line. I jostled for my place and got through the doors, then through a security screen. Switched off my phones & handed them to an Egyptian guy (I think? He was laiskin & speaking Arabic) 2/

Got a plastic chip for my phone & went inside. Y’all, there is no line in this room! They tell you to all be seated. How are you supposed to know what order to walk up to the counter? We formed a line anyway, were told (by Blessing, I assume) to sit again, and sat in order. 3/

Someone tried to jump up in front of the Aunty who was ahead of me, but I was firm. “We all know who is ahead of us. Please... we are all waiting.” Then it was my turn. I had my CAC, an invitation letter, two passport photos, my passport, 2 copies of my passport data page... 4/

... my STR, a copy of my STR, proof of accommodation, flight itinerary, my yellow fever card. I thought I was set. The guy attending to me was very nice but he pointed out that I had forgotten to print 6 months of bank statements! 5/

He said if I can go out and print it and get back before 11:30, he would still accept my application. So I rushed out and found some Igbo guys sitting under a tree with small generators hooked up to printers. The guy I was talking too wanted 500 naira per page. Wawu 😫 6/

Each month’s statement is like 3 pages. I negotiated and prostrated and smiled and begged to get the price down. Then his gen went off. He hooked it up to another friend’s gen. Then he ran out of toner. He started to inject ink into the cartridge... it was 11:10 already. 7/

I promised the guy I would come back and settle him but told him to let me rush back with the 3 months of statements already printed. This is where my own laiskin helped out because he said yes and trusted me to return. Though it helped that my admin was still with him too. 8/

Back at the embassy I realized I new looked like someone jumping the queue. I was like no... I swear I have been here since 9 and just went to print one thing... the guy at the door remembered me and let me in. Back to the weird marble waiting room I went. 9/

Caught the eye of the person I’d seen before & approached him when he waived me over. In the desk next to him was a clear plastic cube, kind of like a suggestion box, but instead of suggestions it had 500 and 1,000 naira notes inside. The guy flipped through my statements... 10/

... and he accepted the application! I think the laiskin gave him confidence. Or maybe he didn’t notice that it was only 3 months of statements. Or maybe he was distracted by the other guy who was trying to get 5 visas for his family. 11/

He told the applicant, “you don’t even know what you are going there for. You can’t apply today.” The man was begging him but Blessing told him he should just come back next week. I kept my head down, collected my collection slip & asked in a tiny voice when it will be ready. 12/

The guy said I will receive a text message when it’s ready, but it will be ready “soon.” I didn’t think to collect his number. I was just elated that my application was successful. When we collect it, I have heard that you have to pay $100 even though it costs $75. 13/

Apparently they only accept new $50 and $100 dollar bills so you can’t pay with exact change. And they don’t give change out. But that is a battle for another day. 14/

Conclusions?
1) come early, expect to wait
2) be prepared - they do not mess around with their documentation requirements
3) the process is poorly managed. It’s easy to jump the queue and it’s easy to LOOK like you are jumping the queue even when you’re not
4) being white helps