Egypt: Entry Rules for VisitorsLast check:Last update:Data statusLast check:Last update:
Egypt:Visa Requirement Map
Explore which nationalities need a visa to enter this country and which can enter visa-free.
Egypt: Visa and entry documents and requirements
Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.
Visa-Free Entry Requirements
- Passengers traveling directly to Sharm El-Sheikh, Nuweiba or Taba and staying only in the South Sinai region may be granted a free entry permission stamp upon arrival. This permission allows a stay of up to 15 days in the permitted South Sinai destinations, including Dahab.
- If the passenger plans to leave the permitted area or stay longer than 15 days, it is necessary to obtain an appropriate Egyptian visa. The entry points where this special entry permission can be used are limited to those providing direct access to the specified South Sinai destinations.
- A valid passport must be carried.
- Apart from the free entry permission stamp, the conditions to be applied for other visa exemptions based on bilateral agreements or passport type may vary according to the passenger's nationality and the travel document they hold.
E-Visa Application Requirements
- The e-visa portal issues single-entry and multiple-entry electronic visas for tourist travel. The applicant must first create a personal account on the portal, verify their email address, log into their account, select the appropriate visa type and complete the online application form.
- A separate e-visa application must be created for each passenger. Parents may submit applications for their children through their own accounts.
- The application must be created at least seven days before the planned travel date. The application fee is 30 USD for a single-entry tourist e-visa and 65 USD for a multiple-entry tourist e-visa. Payment is made online with Visa, Mastercard or other bank or credit cards accepted by the system. The processing fee is non-refundable and incomplete applications may be rejected.
- After approval is notified by email, the e-visa must be downloaded from the application account and printed. The printed e-visa document must be presented to the immigration officer at the point of entry into Egypt. Since it has not been stated that showing the document only on a phone or other digital device is sufficient, a printed copy must be carried.
- A passport valid for at least six months on the date of arrival to Egypt must be presented. The passenger must also carry their travel itinerary and, for tourist travel, hotel reservation or information about places to be visited. Depending on the travel situation, a company letter, family visit invitation or other supporting letter may be requested.
- Applications with diplomatic, service, special, official, temporary, Nansen, refugee, mission, foreign or travel documents issued under the 1951 Convention are not accepted. Applicants holding these documents need to proceed through an Egyptian embassy or consulate.
- The e-visa does not provide a work or employment permit. Separate necessary permits must be obtained to work or engage in commercial activity in Egypt.
- This information must be checked on the issued e-visa document.
- Holding an e-visa does not constitute an absolute right to enter the country. Immigration and border authorities may deny entry if they assess that entry conditions are not met.
Visa on Arrival Requirements
- A tourist visa on arrival can be obtained by eligible passengers from bank counters in the passport control area of airports in Egypt. This system is not an electronic travel authorization and involves the application of a visa or entry sticker to the passport upon arrival in the country.
- The passport must be valid for more than six months on the date of arrival to Egypt. The passenger must verify before travel that the carrier will accept them on board without a previously issued visa.
- Some passengers' eligibility for visa on arrival may be based on a valid and previously used visa issued by certain third countries. If availing such a facility, the original of the visa or residence permit forming the basis and proof of validity must be carried. The accepted documents and conditions vary according to the passenger's nationality and travel situation.
- Applicants subject to prior approval cannot use the visa on arrival system. These persons must obtain a visa and the necessary security clearance before travel through the competent Egyptian embassy or consulate.
- Since two different amounts, 25 USD and 30 USD, have been published on the official pages of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, the current amount must be verified before travel or at the official bank counter at the airport.
- Being eligible for visa on arrival does not provide a guarantee of entry to the country. The border and immigration authorities make the final entry decision at the airport.
Consular Visa Application Requirements
- A consular visa application must be made to the Egyptian embassy or consulate competent for the applicant's place of residence. Whether applications are accepted in person, by mail, by email or by appointment varies by mission.
- The application form must be completed in full and signed by the applicant. For standard applications, the original valid passport, photocopies of the passport's photo information page and at least one blank passport page for visa placement are required. The passport must be valid for at least six months on the date of entry into Egypt.
- Proof of legal residence such as a valid residence permit, residence card, work visa or student visa may be requested from persons who are not nationals of the country where the application is made. Those presenting a work visa may be asked for an employer letter, and those presenting a student visa may be asked for a school or university enrollment letter. The accepted residence documents and their remaining validity period vary by mission.
- For tourist applications, a round-trip ticket or confirmed travel itinerary and hotel reservation may be requested. If staying with family, the host's name, relationship to the applicant, telephone number and full address must be specified on the application form.
- For business, meeting or corporate visit applications, a supporting letter issued by the employer or sending company and an invitation letter from the company or organization in Egypt may be requested. The company letter must specify the passenger's name, organization they work for, organization to be visited in Egypt, detailed purpose of travel, conference or meeting information, travel dates, duration of stay and the party covering travel expenses. A financial guarantee letter from the company may also be requested.
- The number and size of photographs vary by mission and passport type. For standard tourist and business visa applications in Washington, a recent photograph taken within the last six months, with a white background, measuring 2 × 2 inches is required. For some applications in the United Kingdom, two identical, color, white-background photographs measuring 45 × 35 mm are required.
- For some nationalities and certain travel document holders, prior approval from the competent authorities in Egypt is required. In cases where prior approval is required, the decision should be awaited before purchasing non-refundable air tickets or accommodation.
- In the prior approval process in Washington, the completed and signed form, photograph, passport information page, legal residence document and document showing residence within the jurisdiction must be sent as a single PDF file by email. The file must be at 300 DPI resolution and at most 10 MB. After prior approval is granted, the original passport, fee and other documents are additionally requested. This technical requirement is valid only for the procedures of the relevant mission.
- The application fee, currency and payment method vary by nationality, travel purpose, number of entries and the mission where the application is made. Some missions accept cash or card for in-person applications, and bank check or postal money order for mail applications.
- The processing time for standard tourist and business visas varies by mission. The official page in Washington states at least 10 business days, and the consulate general in the United Kingdom states 5 to 10 business days after complete documents are received. The initial stage for applications requiring prior approval may take at least 6 to 8 weeks; at some missions this period may extend up to three months.
- In the rules published by the Consulate General in the United Kingdom, a single-entry visa is valid for three months and allows a stay of up to 30 days, and a multiple-entry visa is valid for six months and allows a total stay of 90 days. Since visa validity and stay period may vary by nationality, visa type and the mission where the application is made, the issued visa sticker must be taken as the basis.
- For holders of diplomatic, official or United Nations travel documents, a diplomatic note or an official institution letter specifying the purpose and dates of travel may be requested. The number of copies of the form, photograph and passport may vary by the type of travel document.
- The requirement for translation, notarization, legalization or apostille of documents varies by document type and the mission where the application is made.