Egypt complains at Europe's treatment of visa seekers

The Egyptian government has complained to European consulates at the treatment of Egyptians seeking visas and is advising Egyptians to stay away from offending countries, the Egyptian foreign ministry said.

A statement said the ministry had circulated a memorandum "including criticisms of the performance of these missions ... and the bad methods their employees follow, such as evasion, incompetence and ambiguity about what visa applicants require."

"In many cases this has caused financial losses to numerous Egyptians," it added.

It contrasted the way European embassies treat Egyptians with what it said was the hospitality and welcoming approach of Egypt, and said Egypt expected reciprocal treatment.

Most Europeans visiting Egypt can obtain a visa on arrival within minutes. Egyptians seeking visas to European countries sometimes have to present stacks of documents and wait weeks.

European governments say they have legitimate worries about illegal immigration into Europe, where millions of people are living and working in violation of immigration laws.

The statement said the foreign ministry "is encouraging Egyptians to avoid travel to those countries as much as possible, as long as suitable alternatives exist".

"It is hard to imagine that Egyptians would spend money in countries where they are subject to abuse from the moment they present an application for a visa," it added.

The statement referred to "The European embassies and consulates accredited in Cairo" without singling out any individual countries.

A spokesman for the European Union mission in Cairo said she had not heard of the memorandum and could not comment.