Egypt’s e-Visa lets eligible travellers secure entry online before flying into Cairo, Hurghada, or Sharm El-Sheikh — no consulate visit required.
Apply at least seven days before departure through the official portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg.
What Is the Egypt e-Visa
The Egypt e-Visa is an electronic tourist authorisation issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Interior. It is linked to your passport and emailed to you after approval, so there is no sticker or stamp at the consulate.
Travellers planning to explore Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada, or the Red Sea coast can use it to enter through any major airport, including Cairo International (CAI).
The e-Visa is the most reliable way to clear immigration without queuing for a visa-on-arrival counter, especially during peak winter and Ramadan travel periods.
Who Is Eligible to Apply
The e-Visa is open to passport holders from roughly 75 nationalities. Eligibility is set by Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and reviewed periodically, so always check the official portal before applying.
Eligible nationalities, grouped by region:
- Middle East & GCC: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
- South Asia: India
- Southeast Asia: Malaysia, Singapore
- East Asia: China (mainland, Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan), Japan, South Korea
- Central Asia & Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan
- Europe (EU): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
- Europe (non-EU): Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kosovo, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City
- North America: Canada, United States
- Latin America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
- Africa: South Africa
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Travellers not on this list must apply at an Egyptian embassy or consulate. Some nationalities also qualify for visa on arrival; see the dedicated section below.
Egypt e-Visa Types, Validity, and Cost
The e-Visa is issued for tourism only and comes in two formats. Single-entry is the standard tourist option; multiple-entry suits travellers planning a side trip to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, or the UAE before returning.
| Visa Type | Validity from Issue | Maximum Stay | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-entry e-Visa | 90 days | 30 days | USD 25 |
| Multiple-entry e-Visa | 180 days | 30 days per visit | USD 60 |
Payment is made online with a Visa, Mastercard, or other major debit or credit card. Fees are non-refundable, even if the application is rejected.
Egypt’s visa-on-arrival fee rose to USD 30 from 1 March 2026, but this increase does not apply to e-Visas obtained online.
Documents Required
You will need the following before starting the application:
- Passport from an eligible country, valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date
- Clear scan or photo of the passport’s biographical (photo) page
- Active email address
- Travel itinerary, including arrival flight details
- Confirmed accommodation booking — or, if staying with friends or family, their address
- Visa, Mastercard, or other debit or credit card for the application fee
The passport you upload must be the same one you carry on arrival. The e-Visa is linked electronically to its number; a different passport will be rejected at immigration.
How to Apply
The full process takes most travellers under 30 minutes:
- Go to the official portal at visa2egypt.gov.eg and create an account using your email.
- Verify your email through the confirmation link sent by the portal.
- Sign in and select Apply Now, then choose between a single-entry or multiple-entry tourist visa.
- Complete the application form with your personal, passport, and travel details.
- Upload a clear scan of your passport bio page.
- Pay the fee with a credit or debit card.
- Wait for the approval email, then download and print your e-Visa.
Apply at least seven days before departure. The portal explicitly recommends this buffer to allow processing.
Processing Time
Most Egypt e-Visa applications are processed within five to seven business days. The portal advises applying no later than seven days before travel.
Approval is sent to the email registered on your account. Print a copy and keep a digital backup, in case the airport’s electronic verification system is unavailable.
Sinai-Only Entry Stamp
Travellers flying directly into Sharm El-Sheikh, Taba, or Saint Catherine and staying within South Sinai for up to 15 days can receive a free Sinai-only entry permission stamp on arrival.
According to UK government travel guidance, this stamp is valid only inside the South Sinai resort zone — Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, and Taba.
Travel beyond Sinai (including to Cairo, Luxor, or the Pyramids) requires a full e-Visa or visa on arrival.
The stamp cannot be extended. For longer stays or wider travel, apply for a standard 30-day e-Visa instead.
At the Port of Entry
On arrival, present your passport, the printed e-Visa, and any supporting documents (return ticket, hotel booking) to the immigration officer. They may ask brief questions about your stay.
Use the same passport that was used for the application. The e-Visa is electronically tied to that document, so a swap will fail the verification scan and can result in being denied entry.
Extending Your Egypt Visa
Tourists can extend their stay through the General Administration of Passports, Immigration and Nationality, headquartered in Abbasiya, Cairo (the Mogamma complex in Tahrir Square was vacated in 2021). Regional passport offices are also available in Alexandria, Luxor, Hurghada, and Sharm El-Sheikh.
Apply before your visa expires. Overstaying by more than 14 days typically results in fines at the airport on departure, regardless of whether the overstay was intentional.
Egypt e-Visa vs Visa on Arrival
Eligible travellers can choose between applying online before departure or paying for a visa stamp at the airport.
| Factor | e-Visa (Online) | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Single-entry fee | USD 25 | USD 30 (from 1 March 2026) |
| Where to obtain | visa2egypt.gov.eg | Egyptian airport on arrival |
| Payment | Card online | Cash, US dollars only |
| Queueing | None — pre-approved | Bank counter before passport control |
| Risk | Lower — confirmed before flying | Subject to immigration discretion |
If you are unsure about cash, time pressure, or peak-season queues at Cairo Airport, the e-Visa is the safer route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend the Egypt e-Visa?
Yes, single-entry tourist visas can usually be extended once at an Egyptian Passport and Immigration Office, subject to a fee and approval.
Can I work or study on an e-Visa?
No. The e-Visa is strictly for tourism. Business, work, study, and journalist visas must be obtained from an Egyptian embassy or consulate.
What happens if my application is rejected?
The application fee is non-refundable. Travellers can reapply with corrected documentation or apply at an Egyptian embassy or consulate.
Do children need their own e-Visa?
Yes. Each traveller, including children, requires an individual e-Visa linked to their own passport.
Does the visa-on-arrival fee increase apply to the e-Visa?
No. The March 2026 increase to USD 30 applies only to visa on arrival. The online e-Visa fee remains USD 25 single entry and USD 60 multiple entry.
Sources
- Official Egypt e-Visa Portal — Ministry of Interior
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — Egypt entry requirements
- Embassy of Egypt, Washington D.C. — Visa & Travel
- VisasNews — Egypt visa-on-arrival fee increase, March 2026
- Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
