Egypt Visa & Entry Requirements
A clear, current guide to entering Egypt smoothly: which visa route to use, what to prepare, and what to expect at the airport.
Last checked against official sources: August 16, 2026
Visa & Entry: Quick Facts
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
Most leisure travelers need a tourist visa unless they qualify for a specific exemption. Eligibility depends on nationality, route, and length of stay, so confirm on the official Egypt e-Visa portal or with an Egyptian consulate before booking non-refundable plans.
How much does an Egypt tourist visa cost?
The official Egypt e-Visa portal currently lists tourism fees at USD 30 for single entry and USD 65 for multiple entry. Fees can vary by route or change with little notice, so check the official portal before payment.
How early should I apply for an e-Visa?
Create the e-Visa application at least 7 days before departure. For premium or complex itineraries, apply earlier so there is time to resolve passport, spelling, or payment issues.
How long must my passport be valid?
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date in Egypt. Keep at least one blank page available for stamps.
Choose the smoothest entry path
For most upscale Egypt trips, the best option is simple: confirm your eligibility, apply online in advance, print the approval, and keep your hotel and itinerary details ready for arrival.
e-Visa vs visa on arrival
If your nationality is eligible, the e-Visa is usually the calmest route because payment and approval happen before you fly. Visa on arrival may be available at approved airports for many nationalities, but it can mean queues, cash payment, and less margin for mistakes.
Fees and payment
The official e-Visa portal lists USD 30 for single-entry tourism and USD 65 for multiple-entry tourism. Pay online by card for the e-Visa. If using visa on arrival, carry clean USD cash and verify the current airport fee before travel.
Passport and documents
Travel with a passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival, a printed e-Visa if applicable, your travel itinerary, and hotel booking details or the address where you will stay.
Arrival sequence
At major airports, visa-on-arrival travelers usually buy the visa stamp before immigration. e-Visa travelers go to passport control with the printout ready. After immigration, collect luggage and pass customs before meeting your driver or host.
South Sinai exceptions
Some travelers arriving by air to Sharm El-Sheikh and staying 15 days or less within Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, or Taba may receive a free permission stamp instead of a visa. Get a full visa if you will leave those resort areas or stay longer.
Customs & Restricted Items
Drones, satellite phones, radio equipment, and some high-value devices may require prior clearance and can be confiscated. Keep medication in original packaging and carry prescriptions for controlled or specialist medicines.
What to have ready on arrival
Keep these items together in your carry-on so airport formalities feel organized rather than improvised.
Passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival.
Printed e-Visa approval, or clean USD cash if you plan to use visa on arrival.
Flight details, route outline, and departure information.
Hotel booking confirmation or address of your stay in Egypt.
Small USD notes for airport visa costs and a card or Egyptian pounds for onward expenses.
Avoid the common arrival mistakes
Use the official e-Visa portal
Apply through the official Egypt e-Visa portal, not copycat sites with inflated service fees. Check that every passport name, number, and date exactly matches your travel document.
Do not rely on airport ATMs
If you plan to buy a visa on arrival or cross a land border, bring USD cash before you travel. ATMs and card acceptance should be treated as backups, not the plan.
Match the visa to your route
A single-entry tourist visa works for most classic Egypt trips. Choose multiple entry if your itinerary exits and re-enters Egypt, for example when combining Egypt with Jordan, the Gulf, or another regional stop.
Official sources to verify before travel