The Arab Republic of Egypt continues to generously host Syrian refugees, despite the absence of a land border with Syria. As of December 2017, 126,688 Syrian refugees (including 54,381 children) were registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Egypt. Visa requirements introduced in July 2013 for Syrians entering Egypt are maintained. Government policy allows for family reunification, and in 2017, the Government has extended entry visas for first degree relatives of Syrian refugees already residing in Egypt.