Visa to Egypt
Most visitors get a 30-day tourist visa, either online in advance (e-visa) or on arrival at the airport if their nationality qualifies. Visa fees rose in March and April 2026. The fees below come from 2026 news reports and still need confirming on visa2egypt.gov.eg.
Visa types
| Visa type | Entries | Stay | How to get it | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist e-visa, single entry | 1 | Up to 30 days; visa valid 90 days from issue | Online at visa2egypt.gov.eg before travel | 30 (since April 2026) |
| Tourist e-visa, multiple entry | Multiple within 180 days | Up to 30 days per entry | Online at visa2egypt.gov.eg | 65 (since April 2026) |
| Visa on arrival | 1 | Up to 30 days | Bank counters in the arrivals hall, before passport control; eligible nationalities only | 30 (since 1 March 2026) |
| Sinai-only entry stamp | 1 | Up to 15 days | Free on arrival at Sharm El Sheikh, Taba and Nuweiba ports; limited to the South Sinai coast resorts | Free (to be confirmed) |
| Business, study, work and residence visas | Varies | Varies | Egyptian embassy or consulate in the visitor’s country | Varies |
Who needs what
- Visa-exempt or special rules: some Arab nationalities enter visa-free or under special rules. Rules differ by nationality: check the official portal before you travel.
- E-visa and visa on arrival: citizens of many countries, including the EU, UK, USA, Canada, Australia and Japan. Check the current list on visa2egypt.gov.eg.
- Residents of GCC countries with valid residence may qualify for visa on arrival in some cases.
- Everyone else: apply at an Egyptian embassy before travel.
How to apply for the e-visa
- Open the official portal visa2egypt.gov.eg (avoid unofficial agent sites that add fees).
- Create an account and choose single or multiple entry.
- Upload a passport photo page; the passport must be valid at least 6 months after arrival and have at least one blank page.
- Pay by card.
- Receive the e-visa by email, usually within about 7 days. Processing times vary, so apply early.
- Print it and carry it with your passport.
At Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada airports, some visitors are asked for USD 32 for a visa on arrival, with the extra 2 called an immigration card fee. The visa costs USD 30 and the arrival card is free. Reports say the visa fee may rise to about USD 33 on 1 January 2027, but the government has not announced it.
Transit
- Passengers who stay inside the airport transit area and connect within the same airport generally need no visa.
- Passengers who want to leave the airport between flights need a visa like any other visitor.
- Rules for specific nationalities and long layovers (to be confirmed)
Official links
- Official Egypt e-visa portal: visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa
- Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities: mota.gov.eg
More on visas and residence
Before you apply for the e-visa
The e-visa is issued only for tourism and business trips. If you are coming to work, study or live in Egypt, apply for the right visa at an Egyptian embassy or consulate instead.
The list of nationalities that can apply online changes from time to time, so check it on visa2egypt.gov.eg before you book rather than relying on older lists. Tour operators can apply for e-visas for a whole group and pay for them in one go.
What to carry on arrival
- Your passport, valid for at least six months from arrival, with at least one blank page.
- A printout of your e-visa.
- Your return or onward travel plan.
- Hotel bookings or the address where you will stay.
- For business or family visits, a letter from your company or your host.
An e-visa does not guarantee entry: border officers can still refuse entry. Apply at least a week before you travel and use only the official portal.
Sources: visa2egypt.gov.eg.
Visa on arrival and overstaying
The visa on arrival is a sticker that you buy at the bank counters in the arrivals hall before passport control. It is valid for one entry only. You must enter through an official port of entry. Citizens of some countries cannot get a visa on arrival and must apply at an Egyptian consulate before travelling. Check your nationality before you fly to avoid problems at the airport.
If you stay too long
Leave before your permitted stay ends or apply for residence in good time (see the next section). Overstay fines are paid at the airport when you leave and rise the longer you stay. Long overstays can lead to deportation and a ban on returning. The authorities can also deport foreigners who entered illegally, let their residence permit expire or used it for a different purpose. The same applies to anyone who does not leave after a renewal is refused. Fine amounts and grace periods are not clearly published. Ask the Passports, Emigration and Nationality Administration or your embassy before your visa runs out.
Sources: visa2egypt.gov.eg, english.ahram.org.eg.
Longer stays and residence permits
A tourist visa only covers short stays. To stay longer, you need a residence permit from the Passports, Emigration and Nationality Administration, which is part of the Ministry of Interior. Under rules announced in 2023, applications are made at its main office in Abbasiya, Cairo, wherever you live in Egypt. You pay the fees in Egyptian pounds with a recent bank receipt. Apply while your current visa is still valid.
Working in Egypt
If you are taking a job, your employer first gets a work permit from the Ministry of Labour. Your residence is then issued to match the permit, usually for up to a year at a time, and must be renewed. Employers usually have to provide:
- a valid passport and passport-size photos
- the company's commercial register, tax card and incorporation documents
- copies of your degree and experience certificates, and a professional licence where needed
- a medical certificate and security approval
- a letter explaining the role and why it needs a foreign hire
Requirements and fees change often, so check them with your employer or the Ministry of Interior before you apply.
Sources: english.ahram.org.eg, help.unhcr.org.
Last checked in October 2026. Fees, hours and rules change often, so confirm with the official source before you travel: visa2egypt.gov.eg.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I apply for an Egyptian e-visa?
Apply only on the government's official portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg. Unofficial agent sites charge extra fees.
Can I get a visa on arrival?
If your nationality qualifies, you can buy a single-entry visa on arrival at the bank counters in the arrivals hall, before passport control. Check the current list of eligible nationalities on visa2egypt.gov.eg.
Do I need a visa just to visit Sharm El Sheikh?
Visitors arriving at Sharm El Sheikh, Taba or Nuweiba can get a free Sinai-only entry stamp for up to 15 days, limited to the South Sinai coast resorts. If you plan to travel elsewhere in Egypt, such as Cairo or Luxor, you need a full visa.
How long before travel should I apply for the e-visa?
Apply early: the e-visa usually arrives by email within about 7 days, but processing times vary. Print it and carry it with your passport.
What passport validity do I need?
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after arrival and have at least one blank page.