Egypt’s Visa on Arrival Goes Digital at Cairo Airport From August 2026

Last updated: Jul 24, 2026

Key takeaways

Egypt is replacing the paper visa-on-arrival sticker with a digital QR code at Cairo International Airport, starting as a pilot on August 1, 2026.
The digital visa costs $36 in total — the existing $30 fee plus a new $6 charge for issuing the QR code — and only applies to the roughly 46 nationalities already eligible for a visa on arrival.
Each QR code expires 48 hours after you generate it, so create yours close to your travel dates rather than far in advance.
For now, the change only affects Cairo International Airport. Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Luxor, and other Egyptian airports keep the paper-sticker process, and the separate e-Visa system isn’t affected.

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Egypt is swapping the visa sticker for a QR code from August 1

From August 1, 2026, border officers at Cairo International Airport will scan a QR code alongside your passport instead of checking a paper sticker. The pilot covers all arrival terminals at the airport.

The total cost is $36, the existing $30 visa-on-arrival fee, plus a new $6 charge for issuing the QR code.

Paper stickers will still be available during the pilot. Once the trial ends, the government plans to phase them out completely and make the QR code the only option — though no end date has been announced yet.

How to get your digital visa on arrival

1

Choose your channel

Generate the QR code through the official portal (live ~30 Jul 2026), the mobile app, or a self-service kiosk in Cairo Airport’s arrival hall.

2

Time it right

Each code is valid for only 48 hours, so generate it close to arrival — not weeks ahead when you book.

3

Pay the fee

$36 total, paid through the portal’s own system via Egypt’s National Bank of Egypt or Banque Misr.

4

Show it at passport control

Present the code by email on your phone, or as a printed copy.

Once the system goes live, you’ll be able to generate the QR code three ways: through an official online portal, a dedicated mobile app, or self-service kiosks in Cairo Airport’s arrival halls. The portal is due to go live around July 30, 2026, about 48 hours before the pilot begins.

You can generate the code before you leave, mid-flight, or after you land.

A travel agency can do it for you if you’re on an organized tour.

As of this writing, the official portal’s web address hadn’t been published. Once it’s live, it will be linked from the Egyptian Tourism Authority’s official channels — avoid any third-party site charging extra “processing fees” for the QR code.

Who this applies to

The digital system applies only to travelers whose nationality already qualifies for a visa on arrival, roughly 46 nationalities under current rules. That eligibility list can change, so confirm your status with the nearest Egyptian embassy or consulate before booking.

✓ Applies to

Travelers arriving at Cairo International Airport whose nationality already qualifies for a visa on arrival — roughly 46 nationalities under current rules.

✕ Other Egyptian airports

Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Luxor, and every other airport keep the existing paper-sticker process during the pilot.

✕ e-Visa holders

The e-Visa system, run by Egypt’s Ministry of Interior, is entirely separate from this rollout.

✕ Non-eligible nationalities

Travelers whose nationality doesn’t qualify for a visa on arrival still need an e-Visa or an embassy visa arranged before departure.

The e-Visa portal currently lists around 75 nationalities eligible to apply, including most of Europe, the Americas, the Gulf states, and parts of Asia and Africa.

A single-entry tourism e-Visa costs $30 and a multiple-entry e-Visa costs $65, following a fee increase applied in April 2026.

What to do before you fly to Cairo

Egypt requires at least six months of validity from your arrival date, whether you’re using a visa on arrival or an e-Visa. This rule hasn’t changed under the new system.

Beyond your passport, here’s a five-point checklist to work through before you leave:

✓

Confirm eligibility

Check with your nearest Egyptian embassy that your nationality still qualifies for a visa on arrival — the list can change without notice.

✓

Consider the e-Visa instead

Applying online in advance skips the airport process altogether — Egypt recommends applying at least seven days before you travel.

✓

Have your paperwork ready

A return or onward ticket, hotel bookings, and — for business or family visits — a supporting letter.

✓

Build in extra time

New border-technology rollouts often run slower in their first weeks — leave buffer if you have a tight connection out of Cairo.

✓

Only use official channels

The government hasn’t authorized anyone beyond registered travel agencies to issue the QR code on your behalf.

Once your visa is sorted, you can compare flights to Cairo or check Egyptair‘s current schedule on Wego’s flight tracker. Continuing to the Red Sea coast? Compare flights to Hurghada and flights to Sharm El Sheikh, alongside hotels in Cairo for your stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to do anything differently if I already have an e-Visa?

No. The digital visa-on-arrival system is separate from the e-Visa process, so an approved e-Visa gets you through immigration exactly as before.

What happens if my QR code expires before I land?

Each code is valid for 48 hours from issuance, so generate it within that window before arrival. If it lapses, you can still get a new one at a self-service kiosk in Cairo Airport’s arrival hall.

Is the paper visa sticker still available?

Yes, during the pilot period. Egypt hasn’t announced a date for phasing it out entirely.

Which airports does this apply to?

Only Cairo International Airport during the pilot. Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Luxor, and other Egyptian airports continue using the paper-sticker process for now.

Sources

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.