By Magdy Fattouh — Egypt Tours By Locals | Last Updated: March 2026
Visa questions are one of the most common things our clients ask us before booking a trip to Egypt — and understandably so. Getting it wrong means problems at the airport before your holiday has even started.
The good news: for the vast majority of travelers, getting into Egypt is straightforward. Most nationalities have two simple options — apply for an e-Visa online before you leave home, or pick one up on arrival at the airport. Our team has received thousands of international clients at Cairo Airport over the years, and in almost every case, the visa process is exactly as simple as it sounds.
This guide covers everything you need to know: whether your nationality needs a visa at all, how to apply for the Egypt e-Visa step by step, what to expect when you land at Cairo Airport, and what to do if you want to extend your stay. We’ve written it based on what we actually see on the ground — not just what’s on paper.
Do You Need a Visa for Egypt?
Most international visitors DO need a visa to enter Egypt.
The easiest option for most nationalities is the Egypt e-Visa, applied for online at visa2egypt.gov.eg before departure. It costs $25 USD, takes 3–5 business days, and means you skip the visa queue at Cairo Airport entirely.
Visa on arrival is available at Cairo International Airport for many nationalities at the same $25 cost — but involves a queue that can run 30–60 minutes on busy mornings. A small number of nationalities are visa-exempt. Check the table below for your passport.
→ See our complete guide: What to Wear in Egypt for a full breakdown by location.
Visa Exemptions: Countries That Do NOT Need a Visa
Citizens of the following countries can enter Egypt without any visa for stays up to the period specified. Note that visa-free access changes — always confirm with the official Egyptian embassy for your country before travel.
| Country / Region | Visa-Free Access | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) | ✅ Visa-free | Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE — up to 90 days |
| Jordan | ✅ Visa-free | Up to 90 days |
| Libya | ✅ Visa-free | |
| Malaysia | ✅ Visa-free | Up to 90 days |
| Hong Kong SAR | ✅ Visa-free | |
| Macau SAR | ✅ Visa-free | |
| All other countries | ❌ Visa required | Apply for e-Visa or visa on arrival — see below |
Note: This list is subject to change. Even if your country is listed above, verify the current status before travel. Entry can be refused if travel documents are not in order.
Visa on Arrival at Cairo Airport
Visa on arrival is available to citizens of most countries at Cairo International Airport (CAI), Hurghada Airport (HRG), Sharm el-Sheikh Airport (SSH), and Luxor Airport (LXR). It is a straightforward process but it takes time.
| Detail | Information |
| Cost | $25 USD per person (single entry) — must be paid in USD cash at the bank counter |
| Validity | 30 days from date of entry (extendable — see below) |
| Maximum stay | 30 days initially; extendable at a Passport Office inside Egypt |
| Processing time | Usually 15–45 minutes depending on airport queues |
| Where to go | Look for the ‘Bank Misr’ or ‘Banque du Caire’ counter BEFORE passport control — you buy the visa stamp here, then proceed to passport control |
| Accepted currencies | USD cash. Some counters accept EUR or GBP but USD is the standard |
| Passport requirements | Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date |
| Available at | Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Luxor, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel airports |
Our operational tip: We receive clients at Cairo Airport regularly. The visa on arrival queue on a busy December or January morning can genuinely run 45–60 minutes. The e-Visa is the same price and takes it off the table entirely. Unless there’s a specific reason you can’t apply online, the e-Visa is always our recommendation.
Check our guides about Where to stay in Egypt
The Egypt e-Visa: Step-by-Step Guide
The Egypt e-Visa is the official online visa application system operated by the Egyptian government. It is simple, secure, and the method we recommend to all our clients.
🌐 Official Portal: Apply at: visa2egypt.gov.eg — this is the ONLY official Egyptian government e-visa website.
Warning: There are many unofficial third-party visa services charging higher fees ($70–$150) to process the same application. Use only the official portal at visa2egypt.gov.eg.
| 1 | Create an account on visa2egypt.gov.eg
Go to the official website and register with your email address. Keep your login credentials — you will need them to check your application status and download the approved visa. |
| 2 | Complete the online application form
You will need: your passport details (exactly as they appear), travel dates, accommodation address in Egypt (hotel name and address is fine), passport-style photo (digital), and a credit or debit card for payment. |
| 3 | Pay the visa fee
$25 USD for a single-entry visa. The payment is processed online by credit or debit card. Some prepaid cards may not work — use a standard Visa, Mastercard, or American Express if possible. |
| 4 | Wait for approval
Processing typically takes 3–5 business days. You will receive an email notification when approved. During peak periods (November–January), allow up to 7 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel to be safe. |
| 5 | Download and print your e-Visa
Once approved, log back in to visa2egypt.gov.eg and download your visa document as a PDF. Print it out — most immigration officers want a physical copy, though some airports accept digital display. Bring both. |
| 6 | Present at Cairo Airport immigration
Hand your printed e-Visa along with your passport to the immigration officer. You skip the visa purchase queue entirely and proceed directly to passport control. The process takes 2–5 minutes. |
‘Get a free custom quote for Your Egypt Trip’
| e-Visa Detail | Information |
| Cost | $25 USD (single entry) | $60 USD (multiple entry) |
| Validity | 3 months from date of issue (you must enter Egypt within this period) |
| Length of stay | 30 days per entry |
| Multiple entry | Available for $60 — useful if visiting Egypt and a neighbouring country on the same trip |
| Processing time | 3–5 business days; allow 7 during peak periods |
| Eligible nationalities | Most nationalities — check the official portal for the current list |
| Official website | visa2egypt.gov.eg |
e-Visa vs Visa on Arrival: Which Should You Choose?
| Factor | e-Visa (Online) | Visa on Arrival |
| Cost | $25 (single entry) | $25 (single entry) |
| Application | Online, before you leave home | At the airport on arrival |
| Time at airport | None — straight to passport control | 15–60 minutes queue at bank counter |
| Requires internet access | Yes — to apply | No |
| Requires cash USD | No | Yes — must have exact amount |
| Processing time | 3–7 business days | Immediate (at airport) |
| Risk of issues | Very low once approved | Small queue or cash risk |
| Our recommendation | ✅ Always prefer e-Visa | Use only if e-Visa wasn’t possible |
Bottom line: The e-Visa and visa on arrival cost exactly the same. The e-Visa saves you at minimum 20 minutes and potentially over an hour at the airport. There is no reason not to apply online unless you genuinely could not do so before departing. Apply at least 2 weeks before your travel date.
What Happens When You Arrive at Cairo Airport
Knowing exactly what to expect at Cairo International Airport removes a lot of first-timer anxiety. Here is the sequence:
- Exit the aircraft and follow signs to ‘Passport Control’ / ‘Immigration’.
- If you have an e-Visa: proceed directly to the ‘e-Visa / Pre-Approved Visa’ lane and present your printed visa and passport.
- If you need a visa on arrival: before passport control, look for the Bank Misr or Banque du Caire counter (yellow signs). Join the queue, pay $25 USD cash, receive a visa sticker in your passport.
- At passport control: present your passport (with visa stamp or e-Visa printout). Answer standard questions — ‘purpose of visit’, ‘where are you staying’. Routine and quick.
- Collect your luggage from the baggage carousel.
- Pass through customs (standard green/red channel).
- Exit into the arrivals hall where your Egypt Tours By Locals driver will be waiting with a sign.
Extending Your Egypt Visa
If you want to stay in Egypt longer than your initial 30-day visa allows, you can extend your visa at a Passport and Immigration Office (Mugamma) inside Egypt. The main offices are in Cairo (Tahrir Square), Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan.
| Detail | Information |
| Extension cost | Approximately 700–1,500 EGP (~$22–$48) depending on nationality and extension type |
| Maximum extension | Usually up to 3 months additional from your original entry date |
| Required documents | Current passport, current visa, completed application form, passport photos, sometimes proof of onward travel or accommodation |
| Processing time | Same day to 3 business days depending on office and season |
| Main office (Cairo) | Mogamma Building, Tahrir Square, Cairo — open Sunday–Thursday 8am–2pm |
| Our advice | If you think you might want to extend, tell your tour operator in advance — we can advise on the process and help you navigate it |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an Egypt visa on arrival?
Yes, most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport and other major Egyptian airports. It costs $25 USD (cash only) and is processed at a Bank Misr or Banque du Caire counter before passport control. However, we always recommend the Egypt e-Visa instead — it is the same price, applied for online in advance, and eliminates the queue at the airport entirely.
How long is the Egypt e-Visa valid?
The Egypt e-Visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue (meaning you must enter Egypt within 3 months of receiving the visa). Once you have entered Egypt, you can stay for up to 30 days per entry. A multiple-entry e-Visa is available for $60 USD, allowing you to leave and re-enter Egypt within the 3-month validity period.
Can I extend my Egypt visa inside the country?
Yes. If you want to stay longer than your initial 30-day period, you can extend your visa at a Passport and Immigration Office (Mugamma) in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, or Aswan. Extensions typically cost 700–1,500 EGP and allow you to stay for up to an additional 3 months. Apply before your initial visa expires — overstaying without extension results in daily fines.
Do I need a visa for transit through Cairo Airport?
If you are in transit at Cairo Airport and not leaving the international transit area, you generally do not need a visa. If your transit requires you to pass through passport control (such as collecting and re-checking luggage), you will need a visa. Most transits through Cairo are airside and do not require a visa, but confirm this with your airline for your specific itinerary.
Is there a visa for Egypt that’s free?
Citizens of certain countries are exempt from visa requirements entirely — see the visa exemptions table above. For most nationalities, the minimum cost is $25 USD (e-Visa or visa on arrival). There is no free visa category for countries that require one.
What documents do I need for the Egypt e-Visa?
To apply for the Egypt e-Visa you need: a valid passport (6+ months validity beyond your travel dates), a digital passport-style photograph, your travel dates and accommodation address in Egypt (hotel name is sufficient), and a credit or debit card to pay the $25 USD fee. The application is completed online at visa2egypt.gov.eg.
Is it safe to apply for an Egypt visa online?
The official Egypt e-Visa portal (visa2egypt.gov.eg) is operated by the Egyptian government and is secure. The payment system is standard encrypted online payment processing. The risk comes from unofficial third-party websites that mimic the official portal — always verify you are on visa2egypt.gov.eg before entering any personal or payment information.
🔗 Continue Planning Your Egypt Trip
→ Egypt Trip Cost 2026 (full budget breakdown once your visa is sorted)
→ 7-Day Egypt Itinerary (the classic route — what to do once you arrive)
→ Egypt Travel Tips (everything else you need to know before you go)
→ Affordable Egypt Tour Packages (pre-planned options for budget travellers)
→ Cairo Shopping Guide (where to spend — and where not to)
