Egypt Visa Guide: Who Needs One and How to Get It

Entry rules depend on your passport and can change, so please check the official source before you travel. The main options are the official online e-visa and a visa on arrival at the airport. Apply for the e-visa only through the official Egyptian government portal, or check whether your nationality qualifies for a visa on arrival.

A visa is one of those details that feels simple until it is not. Entry rules depend on your passport and can change, so please check the official source before you travel. Eligibility, fees, accepted payment methods, and arrival procedures are set by the Egyptian authorities and are revised from time to time. An answer that was correct last year may not be correct for your trip.

This guide explains the main types of Egyptian tourist visa, how each one works in practice, what happens when you land, and the checks to make before you travel. It deliberately avoids quoting fees, because those change; instead, it shows you where to find the current information and what to look for.

Quick facts

• Entry rules depend on your passport and can change, so please check the official source before you travel.
• Main options: the online e-visa before travel, or a visa on arrival for eligible nationalities.
• Passport: should be valid well beyond your stay. The exact rule can change, so check the official source.
• Where to check: the official Egyptian e-visa portal, your nearest Egyptian embassy or consulate, and your own government's travel advice for Egypt.
• Some nationalities must apply through an embassy in advance.

The main visa options

e-Visa

Egypt's official online visa portal lets eligible nationalities apply before travel. You fill in a form, upload a scan of your passport, pay online, and receive the visa by email. Print it and carry it with your passport. Apply well ahead of departure, ideally at least a week, so there is time to resolve any problem with the application.

Use only the official government portal. Lookalike third-party sites often appear high in search results and charge extra service fees on top of the government price. If a website asks for an unusually high fee or looks like a booking agency, close it and find the official portal through your government's travel advice page or the Egyptian embassy.

The portal has offered single-entry and multiple-entry tourist visas. The validity period and permitted length of stay are stated on the visa itself, so read it carefully when it arrives.

Visa on arrival

Many nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Egypt's international airports, collected before passport control. It is convenient because there is nothing to arrange in advance, but queues can be long after late-night arrivals, and the accepted payment method may differ by airport. Eligibility can change, which makes the e-visa the more predictable option for most travelers.

Embassy visa

Some nationalities, and travelers with special circumstances, must apply through an Egyptian embassy or consulate before travel. If the e-visa portal does not list your nationality, or if your trip is not a simple tourist visit, contact the nearest Egyptian embassy for guidance.

Sinai-only entry

Travelers arriving at South Sinai resorts such as Sharm El Sheikh and staying only in that area have historically been able to enter on a limited Sinai-only permission. It does not cover Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, or Hurghada. If you plan to leave South Sinai at all, get a full tourist visa, and check the current rules before relying on this option.

Which option should you choose?

For a tour with a fixed itinerary, the e-visa is usually a comfortable choice. You arrive knowing your visa is approved, and you go straight to passport control.

Arrival in Egypt: what to expect

1. Before passport control: visa on arrival desks, if you did not get an e-visa.
2. Passport control: present your passport plus your printed e-visa or visa sticker.
3. Baggage claim and customs: standard green and red channels.
4. Arrivals hall: ATMs, SIM card shops, and official taxi desks. Arrange a hotel pickup in advance or use official transport.

Follow official signage and instructions at the airport. Do not hand your passport or money to unofficial helpers who approach you in the terminal. If your tour includes airport assistance, the representative can guide you through the process, but the visa itself is always issued by the Egyptian authorities.

Passports and documents

Your passport is as important as the visa. Before you book:

• Check its expiry date. A passport close to expiry can be refused at check-in, even before you reach Egypt.
• Check for blank pages. You need space for the visa and entry stamps.
• Check any special situation. Dual nationals, holders of temporary or emergency passports, travelers with a name change, and anyone planning to work or study should seek official advice.
• Children need their own passport and visa. Families with minors traveling with one parent or with other adults should check whether extra documents are recommended.

Keep digital copies of your passport, visa, insurance, and booking confirmations, and carry printed copies of the e-visa.

Practical tips

• Check your passport validity now, not the week before you fly.
• Print your e-visa. A phone screen is not always accepted.
• Keep your hotel address handy for the arrival form.
• Carry a backup payment method in case you need a visa on arrival.
• A local SIM or an eSIM makes maps and messaging much easier from the moment you land.
• If you are combining Egypt with Jordan or another country, check each country's rules separately, and think about whether you need a single-entry or multiple-entry visa for Egypt.

If your trip starts in Cairo, the Cairo guide is a good next read, and our Egypt tours include airport meet-and-greet on arrival.

Where to find current, official information

Because visa rules change, the sources to trust are official ones:

• The Egyptian government's official e-visa portal, for eligibility, visa types, and the current fee.
• The Egyptian embassy or consulate in your country, for special cases and embassy visas.
• Your own government's travel advice for Egypt, such as the U.S. Department of State, the UK Foreign Office, Global Affairs Canada, or Smartraveller in Australia. These pages summarize entry requirements for their citizens and link to official sources.

Check these sources when you book and again a few weeks before departure. If two sources seem to disagree, the Egyptian government's own information and the embassy take priority, and it is worth writing to the embassy for a clear answer. Be wary of forum posts and older articles, even well-meaning ones, because they often describe a fee or procedure that has since changed.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit Egypt?

Entry rules depend on your passport and can change, so please check the official source before you travel. Many can use the official online e-visa or a visa on arrival, while some must apply at an embassy. Check the official Egyptian e-visa portal and your own government's travel advice for your nationality before you book.

How long must my passport be valid for Egypt?

Entry rules depend on your passport and can change, so please check the official source before you travel. Your passport also needs blank pages for the visa and stamps.

Is the Egypt e-visa or visa on arrival better?

The e-visa is more predictable: you arrive with the visa in hand and skip the visa desks. A visa on arrival works for eligible nationalities, but it can mean queues, and the procedure or payment method may change. For a fixed itinerary, most travelers prefer the e-visa.

Can my tour operator help with the visa?

Visas are personal applications issued by the Egyptian authorities, so a tour operator cannot issue one. We guide our guests through the current process and help confirm the right option for their nationality before they travel.

Can I get a visa for Sharm El Sheikh only?

Travelers staying only in South Sinai resorts have historically been able to enter on a limited Sinai-only permission. It does not allow travel to Cairo, Luxor, or the rest of Egypt, so get a full tourist visa if there is any chance you will leave the area, and check the current rules.

Plan it with Nourbelle

Once your dates are set, we will remind you of the visa steps for your nationality and meet you at arrivals. Start planning your trip.