Canadian passport holders will soon need to obtain a visa before arriving in Egypt, a new rule that may cause a lot of headaches for thousands of travelers.

Starting Sunday, Canadians traveling to Egypt will need to go to the Egyptian embassy or consulate in Canada to apply for a visa before leaving the country, according to the webpage dedicated to Canada's Global Affairs for Egypt.

Until now, travelers could obtain a visa on arrival at Cairo Airport or get an e-visa through the online portal.

Also, starting Friday, Canadians holding proof of Egyptian nationality will also need to apply for a visa to enter the country. Before this change, Canadians holding an Egyptian passport, national ID, or birth certificate could enter Egypt without a visa.

Even those traveling on their Canadian passport due to the expiration of their Egyptian passport, or for not having one, or for any other reason, will need to obtain an entry visa.

The rule change comes in response to Canadian measures that prevent Egyptian citizens from obtaining visas, which the Middle Eastern country considers an affront to Egypt's dignity. The announcement, sent to Canadian Egyptians on Monday, refers to the principle of reciprocity.

For his part, Mr. Boules confirmed that it is not easy for Egyptians to obtain a visa to come to Canada.

He added that it has become increasingly difficult for Egyptians to come to Canada, noting that the situation is very complicated in the case of marriage abroad and visiting his distant family.

However, Mr. Boules noted that he would like the Egyptian government to organize a meeting with Canadian authorities to discuss how to assist in issuing visas more quickly.

He added that questions remain unanswered regarding the visa application process for Egyptian citizens in Canada.