Egypt Visa Requirements 2026: On Arrival and Online E-Visa Essentials

(EGYPT) Egypt’s entry rules in 2026 are straightforward: most visitors need a visa, and the fastest options are the $25 visa on arrival at airports or the pre‑approved e‑Visa online. If you plan ahead, you avoid long lines, cash problems, and last‑minute airline questions at check‑in.

Tourism has surged, with Egypt drawing over 15 million tourists annually as of 2026, so busy seasons from October to April put real pressure on border desks and online approvals. COVID‑19 testing and quarantine rules were fully lifted in 2023, so the main focus now is getting the right visa for your nationality and trip purpose.

Start with eligibility and passport checks

Before you apply, confirm whether your passport country is eligible for e‑Visa or visa on arrival, because some nationalities must get pre‑approval through an embassy. Embassy pre‑approval is often required for travelers from certain African countries and for cases flagged by Egyptian missions; it usually means applying 6–8 weeks ahead.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the planned entry date and have 1–2 blank pages. Border officers often reject frayed or damaged documents.

Children need their own passports and their own visa permission, even when traveling with a parent.

Choosing the right visa route for Egypt

For most tourists from the United States 🇺🇸, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada 🇨🇦, or Australia, the decision is mainly between an airport visa on arrival and the Egypt e‑Visa.

Key differences:
– Both tourist visas generally allow a 30‑day stay.
– The e‑Visa gives you more control before boarding and can be single‑entry or multiple‑entry.
– The airport sticker is typically a single entry only.

If you need multiple entries within a season:
– Multiple‑entry e‑Visa: $60, valid for 6 months.
– Airport sticker: single entry only, $25 (see below).

Online e‑Visa: timeline, documents, and what to expect

Apply through the official Egyptian portal, Egypt’s e‑Visa application site, at least 7 days before departure, and 2–3 weeks ahead in peak months. Processing typically takes 5–7 days, and approval arrives by email as a PDF that you should print in color.

Most e‑Visa delays come from mismatched passport numbers, poor scans, or photos that don’t meet size rules. The portal accepts JPEG or PDF uploads; keep each file clear and easy to read.

Required uploads commonly include:
– Passport bio page scan
– Recent passport photo (2×2 inches, white background, under 500KB, no glasses or hats)
– Proof of onward travel, e.g., e‑ticket or itinerary
– Hotel booking or day‑by‑day plan, which officers sometimes check at entry
– Financial proof (bank statement) for longer or multiple trips

After submission:
1. Save the confirmation and watch for the approval email.
2. Print the approved e‑Visa PDF and carry it with your passport—immigration will ask for both.
3. If entering by land, checks can be less predictable; flying into a major airport usually gives the smoothest e‑Visa experience.

A practical four‑step e‑Visa routine:
1. Enter passport details exactly as printed.
2. Upload documents, double‑check image quality before payment.
3. Pay by card and keep a screenshot of the receipt.
4. Print the approved e‑Visa and pack it in your carry‑on.

Visa on arrival: what happens at the airport

The visa on arrival is for last‑minute travel and is available at major airports (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh). You buy a single‑entry tourist visa sticker for $25 USD, then proceed to immigration for the entry stamp that starts your 30 days.

Practical notes:
– The purchase booth is before passport control; the purchase often takes 5–10 minutes, but lines can grow quickly.
– Bring exact cash in USD or EUR—cards are generally not accepted and change shortages are common.
– Many airlines want to confirm you qualify for visa on arrival before boarding; keep a printout of Egypt’s rules or your e‑Visa approval in case staff ask.

To ease the airport process, travelers recommend:
– Carry a pen and one passport photo (forms are sometimes handed out on the plane).
– Keep your hotel address and first‑night booking handy.
– If you forgot to print the e‑Visa, budget an extra $25 for a visa‑on‑arrival backup.

Embassy and consulate visas: longer stays and special cases

Embassy visas are the standard route for business, work, study, and for nationalities that cannot use the e‑Visa or airport sticker.

Timing and fees:
– Processing for common tourist or business cases is often 10+ business days.
– Some pre‑approval cases run 6–8 weeks.
– Fees vary by consulate and visa class:
– Tourist visas: $25–$77
– Business visas: often $62 (single entry) or $87 (multiple entry)

Business applicants generally need letters from their employer and an Egyptian partner explaining purpose, dates, and who covers costs. In the United States, consulates often ask non‑citizens for copies of a valid green card or U.S. visa, even for short trips.

Because fees may be non‑refundable and payment methods strict, follow the consulate checklist closely before mailing anything.

Arrival day checks, allowed stay, and common border questions

At entry, immigration officers will:
– Match passport data to your visa sticker or e‑Visa printout
– Stamp the date that starts your permitted stay

They may ask:
– Where you will stay
– How you will travel onward
– Whether your trip is tourism rather than work or study

Keep hotel bookings and flight itineraries accessible, even if they weren’t required on the e‑Visa upload. Overstays cause problems; if you need more than 30 days, arrange this with an embassy before travel rather than trying to fix it after arrival.

Important: Respect your visa terms. Overstaying or traveling outside permitted areas (see Sinai below) can lead to fines, detention, or deportation.

Exemptions that catch travelers off guard

A few groups enter Egypt without a standard visa, but limits are strict and often misunderstood:

• GCC citizens (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) can enter visa‑free for up to 90 days.
• Sinai Peninsula Free Zone: many travelers receive a free 14‑day stamp on arrival that covers South Sinai resorts (e.g., Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab). This permission does not allow travel to Cairo or Luxor—anyone leaving the resort area needs a full visa.
• Transit passengers may stay airside without a visa for 24–72 hours, depending on the port.
• Cruise passengers are often exempt if they remain within the port area.

For frequent flyers, families, and immigrants: practical planning

Practical tips:
– Treat the e‑Visa as a travel document, not just an email attachment—print and carry it to avoid airport disputes.
– Families: budget extra time to upload each child’s photo and passport page; one wrong digit can block an entire booking plan.
– If you hold a U.S. green card or long‑term visa but travel on another passport, carry copies—consulates often request them.
– Travel insurance that covers trip interruption helps when flights shift and a visa window is tight, especially during October–April.
– Keep spare USD cash, because a missing $25 bill at the airport can cause hours of trouble.

Once admitted, carry a passport copy when touring and respect the visa terms. Egypt’s rules are consistent in 2026, so early preparation is your best protection.