Egypt Visa & Entry Requirements
Most travelers can get an Egypt tourist visa on arrival or online for USD 25. Here is exactly how it works, who is eligible, and how we help.
Visa types and costs
Who needs a visa?
Most travelers entering Egypt for tourism need a visa. The good news: Egypt is one of the easiest visa destinations in the region — you typically have three options:
• Visa on arrival (paid in cash USD or EUR at the airport)
• Egypt e-Visa (applied for online before you fly)
• Through an Egyptian consulate or embassy in your home country (rarely needed)
Citizens of GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar) and several others are visa-exempt — check the latest official Ministry of Foreign Affairs list before you travel.
Eligible countries for visa-on-arrival and e-Visa
Citizens of the following countries can obtain either a visa on arrival OR an e-Visa for tourism (non-exhaustive list — check official sources for the latest):
United States · Canada · United Kingdom · Ireland · Australia · New Zealand · Japan · South Korea · Singapore · all 27 EU countries · Switzerland · Norway · Iceland · Liechtenstein · Russia · Ukraine · Serbia · most South American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, etc.) · most non-GCC Arab countries.
Citizens of countries not on this list usually need to apply through an Egyptian embassy or consulate before traveling. We recommend checking with your local Egyptian embassy at least 30 days before your trip.
How the e-Visa works (recommended)
The Egypt e-Visa is the easiest option for most travelers. You apply online before flying, get an approved email PDF, print it, and present it on arrival.
1. Visit visa2egypt.gov.eg (the official Egyptian e-Visa portal — beware of look-alike third-party sites).
2. Create an account and fill in your passport details, travel dates, and accommodation address.
3. Upload a passport scan and a passport-style photo.
4. Pay the visa fee online by card.
5. Receive an approval email within 5–7 business days (often faster).
6. Print the e-Visa PDF and bring it with you. Egyptian immigration will scan it on arrival.
Apply at least 7 working days before your flight to be safe.
How visa-on-arrival works
If you prefer not to apply online, you can buy a visa on arrival at any of Egypt's main international airports:
Cairo International (CAI), Hurghada (HRG), Sharm El Sheikh (SSH), Marsa Alam (RMF), Luxor (LXR), Borg El Arab Alexandria (HBE).
1. Before you reach the immigration counter, look for the bank counter (usually National Bank of Egypt or Banque Misr).
2. Pay USD 25 cash for a single-entry tourist visa. Crisp, undamaged USD bills are preferred. EUR is accepted at most airports — same value (~EUR 23). GBP is sometimes accepted but exchange rate is unfavorable.
3. The bank gives you a sticker — they will affix it to a passport page.
4. Walk to immigration with your stickered passport. They stamp the entry and that's it.
Total time at the airport: usually 10 to 30 minutes depending on flight load.
Passport requirements
• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Egypt.
• You need at least one full blank page for the visa sticker and entry stamp.
• Passport-style photos are needed only if you apply through an embassy — not for visa-on-arrival or e-Visa.
Visa extensions
If your trip runs beyond 30 days, you can extend your single-entry tourist visa once at the Mogamma government complex in Tahrir Square, Cairo, or at major regional immigration offices. Extensions add 30 to 60 days. Bring your passport, hotel address, and a small fee (~EGP 200). Plan a half-day for the queue. Many travelers prefer to just leave Egypt and re-enter — but Egypt does NOT issue back-to-back single-entry visas, so use a multiple-entry e-Visa if you plan repeat visits.
Lost or stolen passport in Egypt
If you lose your passport in Egypt, contact your country's embassy in Cairo immediately. They can issue an emergency travel document. Then visit Mogamma to register the loss and obtain an exit stamp before flying. We can help coordinate with your embassy and arrange a transfer if you are in Cairo or Luxor — call us 24/7 on WhatsApp.
How we help with your trip
We do not handle visa applications directly (your passport stays with you), but we provide:
• A clear pre-arrival checklist of every document you need based on your nationality.
• A confirmation letter on our company letterhead with your itinerary, hotel addresses, and our license number — useful for visa-on-arrival or stricter consular reviews.
• 24/7 ground support if you encounter any immigration issue at the airport.
Email us at [email protected] or message +20 113 103 1319 on WhatsApp once your booking is confirmed and we will send the documentation pack.
Other entry requirements
• Vaccination: Egypt does not require any specific vaccinations for general entry from most countries. Yellow fever certificate is required only if you arrive from a yellow-fever-risk country (some sub-Saharan African and South American nations).
• Customs: tobacco/alcohol allowances apply (1L liquor + 200 cigarettes typical). Drones and satellite phones are restricted — ask us if you plan to bring either.
• Egypt does not require travel insurance for entry, but we strongly recommend it (see our Cancellation Policy).
• Photography near military installations and most airports is forbidden — your guide will tell you when it is or is not allowed.
Disclaimer: Visa rules and fees can change at short notice. The information on this page is reviewed regularly but is not a substitute for the official Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and your country's embassy guidance. Always verify with the official sources before booking your flights. Last updated: 2026.
Once your booking is confirmed we send a custom pre-arrival pack with your visa checklist, a confirmation letter on our letterhead, and 24/7 WhatsApp support.