Get the eVisa before you fly if you want certainty; take the visa on arrival if you are comfortable buying a sticker at the airport bank counter and queueing. Both exist for most Western passports, both are normally issued for 30 days, and both cost the same official fee. The eVisa removes a queue and a small amount of risk; visa on arrival removes an online form.
The practical difference
| eVisa | Visa on arrival | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you get it | Online, before you travel | Bank counter in the arrivals hall, before passport control |
| When to apply | Several days ahead — it is not instant | On the day |
| Queue on arrival | Passport control only | Bank counter, then passport control |
| Payment | Card, online | Cash, and small notes help |
| If something is wrong | You find out at home, with time to fix it | You find out at the airport |
| Proof for your airline | A printable approval | Nothing to show at check-in |
When the eVisa is clearly better
Three cases. If your airline asks for evidence of onward documentation at check-in, having an approval in hand ends the conversation. If you land late at night, the bank counter is one more step at the worst hour. And if you are travelling with children or a group, one queue instead of two matters more than it sounds.
When visa on arrival is fine
If you are arriving on a normal daytime flight into Cairo, Luxor, Aswan or Hurghada with cash in hand, it is a short transaction. Many travellers do it every year without incident. The counters sit before immigration and are clearly signed.
What actually goes wrong
- Leaving the eVisa too late. It is an application, not an instant purchase. Apply well before departure.
- Using an unofficial site. Several lookalike sites resell the eVisa at a markup. Apply on the government portal: visa2egypt.gov.eg.
- No cash for the counter. The visa-on-arrival desk is a bank, and card acceptance is not something to rely on.
- Passport validity. Check you have comfortably more than six months left — this is the most common reason people are turned away, and it has nothing to do with which visa route you choose.
If your trip is with us
We tell you which route suits your itinerary and arrival time, but the visa is always issued to you personally — no operator can obtain it on your behalf. Our fuller Egypt visa requirements guide covers eligibility and the application itself.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper?
The official fee is the same for both. The difference is convenience, not cost — except on unofficial resale sites, which charge more for nothing.
How long does the eVisa take?
Allow several working days and apply with margin. Do not book on the assumption it arrives overnight.
Can I get a visa on arrival on any flight?
It is available at the main international airports for most Western passports, but eligibility is by nationality. Check your own passport on the official portal rather than assuming.
Do I need a visa for a Red Sea resort stay?
There is a separate limited entry permit for some Sinai resort stays that does not allow travel to Cairo or Luxor. If your trip includes the mainland, you need a full visa.
Reviewed September 2026. Fees, eligibility and processing times change — confirm on the official portal before you travel.