Providing copies of our pasport

[Paul8623]

Hi everyone,

So I booked an airbnb for 7 persons in Cairo.

My host asked if we can send copie's of our passport, as he needs a permission from the tourist police.

Does anyone know if its true and should be trusted? Are there otherways like to do it on our own?

Thank you

[Anonymous]

@Paul8623 Not sure about Egypt, but several countries in the region require all accommodation operators to collect copies of all guests' passports.

But if you're uncomfortable with transmitting your ID online, the host should offer an alternative, such as scanning the passports in person at check-in. A host in a different country mentioned that tourists who didn't want hosts to have copies of their passports could register directly with the local police instead, but that's probably not a service available everywhere. 

[Charlene351]

Absolutely true! I run a rental in Cairo. I hate asking for my guests for copies of their passports but I HAVE to register them with the local police station. It's the law for any rental.

For a while I stopped doing it thinking how will they even know that I rent it, maybe I can say I have friends visiting but that was a risk! The police came to my place then and asked my guests who they are and why they are not registered as they happened to do a random check. They do checks every once in while. They go to the doormen of each building and ask if anyone new is staying and the doorman MUST respond truthfully or risks being in trouble too.

So you have to do it and no you can't do it on your own, we don't have that system. I wish so much there was an easier way as I hate asking my guests coming to Cairo to send me a copy of their passports...I really hate asking that and having them feel weird to WhatsApp that or message that on airbnb. I had one or two bookings cancel cause of it but I'm sure wherever else they went they had to do it! Some hosts skip it and try to lay low but I will never do that again after the police came for a check. I could lose my rental business if I don't follow the rules on this. 

[Emilie]

Thank you @Charlene351 for sharing your insights on this from a host perspective! How do you usually ask guests?