Step-by-step guide to obtaining a visa for Egypt

This article covers basic questions related to obtaining an Egyptian tourist visa, such as the documents required, the validity period, countries that qualify for e-visa, etc.

Step 1: Check If You Need a Visa for Egypt

Travelers from most countries in the world (including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia) must have the correct documentation before arriving in Egypt. Having all your paperwork done properly in advance saves time and unnecessary expenses.

On entering Egypt, the officer at border control will check your passport as well as other travel documents, such as your visa and additional documents demonstrating your purpose of travel and nationality.

More specifically (updated March 30, 2020), passport holders from the following countries and territories may enjoy a visa-free visit to Egypt for up to 90 days:

Bahrain
Macao, China
Hong Kong, China
Oman
Kuwait
Saudi Arabia
Kuwait
United Arab Emirates
Lebanon — at Sharm el Sheikh International Airport, Hurghada Airport, or Alexandria Borg El Arab Airport (if arriving by a charter flight)
Malaysia (up to 14 days)

Passport holders of the following countries may also enjoy a visa-free visit under certain conditions:

Afghanistan (provided the traveler is ≥50 or ≤16 years of age)
Algeria (provided that the traveler is ≤14 years of age)
China (provided that the traveler holds a return/onward ticket, hotel reservation confirmation in a 4- or 5-star hotel, and the equivalent of USD 2,000)
Libya (provided that the traveler is a female national or a resident of Butnan District; on Sundays and Mondays).
Jordan (provided that the traveler holds a normal 5-year passport, and the passport does not contain a stamp on page 60 from the Jordanian Registration Office)
Lebanon (for all of Egypt, provided the traveler is ≥50 or ≤16 years of age; a visa is not required for Alexandria and South Sinai, for travelers of all ages)
Morocco (provided that the traveler is ≤14 years of age)
Sudan (provided that the traveler is ≥50 or ≤16 years of age, or is a female national)
South Sudan (provided that the traveler is ≥50 or ≤16 years of age, or is a female national)
Tunisia (provided that the traveler is ≤14 years of age)
Yemen (provided that the traveler is ≥50 or ≤16 years of age, or is traveling for medical reasons)
Palestinian (provided that the travel document has been issued by Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan for a female traveler, or for a male traveler who is ≥40 or ≤18 years of age)
Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belize, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Moldova (except female travelers between 15 to 35 years of age), Nicaragua, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Turkey (for those travelling as part of a tourist group that includes at least five citizens of one of the nationalities; all travelers should hold a return ticket and pre-booked accommodation and have a signed guarantee letter from a travel agency in Egypt)
Sons and daughters born to an Egyptian father (except nationals of Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Qatar), or to an Egyptian mother if born after July 25, 2004 (except nationals of Syria, Iraq, Qatar, and Yemen), and to wives of Egyptian nationals who hold proof of marriage (except nationals of Syria, Iraq, Morocco, and Qatar)

Passport holders of countries and territories that are not listed are required to obtain an Egypt visa to visit the country.

Step 2: Find Out which Visa You Need

e-Visa

Egypt has introduced an electronic tourist visa, which has a quick and convenient application process. The e-visa can be used over a period of three months (90 days) and for a stay of up to 30 days from the date of arrival.

Passport holders from the following countries and territories may be issued an e-visa (updated March 30, 2020):

Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, the Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the former FYR Macedonia, Malta, the Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Visa on Arrival

Citizens of the following countries may obtain a visa on arrival at any of the Egyptian ports of entry (updated March 30, 2020):

All European Union citizens (nationals of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and Portugal may enter with a national ID card but must bring a passport photograph for their visa)
Australia
Canada
Georgia
Japan
South Korea
New Zealand
North Macedonia
Norway
Russia
Serbia
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States of America
Citizens of Turkey may obtain a visa on arrival provided that they are ≥45 or ≤18 years of age, or have a residence permit issued by Australia, Canada, the US, or an EU member state
Citizens of Sudan may obtain a visa on arrival if they have a residence permit issued by Australia, Canada, the US, or an EU member state
Passengers with a residence permit issued by a GCC member state may obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days (the permit must be valid for a minimum of six months from the arrival date)
According to data that the Egyptian government provided to the IATA (International Transport Association), citizens of any country may obtain a visa on arrival to Egypt that is valid for 30 days, except for citizens of the following 84 countries and territories: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, R Congo, DR Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kenya, DPR Korea, R Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon (except Alexandria and South Sinai), Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Qatar, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey (except those who are ≥45 or ≤18 years of age), Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Consulate Visa

Visitors who hold passports from countries not eligible for an e-visa or visa on arrival must apply for a visa in person. A visa approval — which takes several weeks to process — may be sought from competent authorities in Egypt.

Step 3. Prepare the Required Documents

Consulate Visa

Completed and signed visa application form with one photograph stapled to the form and one copy of the completed application form with the photograph
Two 2x2″ (51x51 mm) recent high-definition passport photographs taken against a white background (the photograph must be no more than six months old)
Actual passport (valid for at least six months, with an empty page for the visa) and two copies of the information page
Two photocopies of a Green Card (front and back) or valid US visa (for travelers who are residents of the US)
Other supporting documents, such as copies of your round-trip tickets and itinerary. If you are a resident alien in the country from which you are traveling, you may need to provide a copy of your residency card.

e-Visa

A valid email address (to register and apply for the e-visa)
Passport valid for at least six months from date of arrival in Egypt
Valid debit or credit card (for payment)
Host information (such as hotel or local contact)
Travel itinerary (checked on arrival)
Hotel bookings / details about places on the itinerary, if traveling as a tourist (checked on arrival)

Visa on Arrival

Applicant must be from one of the eligible countries
Passport valid for at least six months, with at least two blank pages
Payment in cash (USD) only

Step 4. Pay the Fee and Collect your Egyptian Visa

For the e-visa, the fee is paid when you submit your application online. You can simply print it out and present it at the port of entry.

The cost (charged on your card) is USD 25 per person for a single-entry visa (tourist), and USD 60 per person for a multiple-entry visa (tourist). You will obtain your visa in about 2–8 weeks depending on your location and nationality.

For a visa on arrival, the cost is USD 25 (single entry). You may only pay in cash, as credit and debit cards are not accepted at the airport terminal. After making the payment, you will receive a visa sticker which you will need to present at the immigration desk to gain entry to Egypt.

For the consulate visa, the cost for a tourist visa ranges between USD 15–30 depending on your country of origin. Please be aware that most consulates/embassies accept only cash or cashier's checks. It normally takes about 1–8 weeks for the application to be processed, depending on your location and nationality.

When to Apply for Your Egypt Visa

For the e-visa, travelers must create an e-visa application at least seven days prior to departure, according to the Ministry of Interior of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

For the consulate visa, we suggest you submit your application at least six weeks before your departure for Egypt.

A visa on arrival may be applied for at border control prior to queuing up for immigration. Simply bring your documents, tickets, cash, and cards along with you.