Most visitors need a visa for Egypt, and there are two easy ways to get a tourist visa: apply online for an e-visa before you travel, or buy a visa on arrival at the airport. Both cost about the same and both give you a 30-day stay, but they suit different travellers. This guide compares Egypt visa on arrival vs e-visa side by side and walks you through each one step by step, with the fees and rules in force in 2026.
At a glance
- Visa on arrival: US$30, cash only, bought at bank kiosks before passport control; stay up to 30 days
- Digital visa on arrival (Cairo Airport, from 1 August 2026): US$36 including a US$6 service fee, card only
- E-visa: apply online at visa2egypt.gov.eg; single entry about US$30, multiple entry about US$65
- Passport: valid for at least 6 months after arrival, with one blank page
- Sharm El-Sheikh: free 15-day entry stamp if you stay only in the South Sinai resorts
- Eligibility: depends on your nationality – check before you fly
Do you need a visa for Egypt?
Citizens of most countries need a visa to enter Egypt. Nationals of many countries – including the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the EU member states – can choose between the e-visa and the visa on arrival. Some other nationalities must apply in advance through an Egyptian embassy or consulate, and a few (for example citizens of several Arab countries) have different arrangements. Rules are set by the Egyptian authorities and can change, so always check the official e-visa portal or your nearest Egyptian consulate for your passport before you book.
Whichever visa you choose, your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date you arrive and have at least one blank page.
E-visa vs visa on arrival: the key differences
| E-visa | Visa on arrival | |
|---|---|---|
| Where to get it | Online, before you travel (visa2egypt.gov.eg) | Bank kiosks in the arrivals hall, before passport control |
| Cost (2026) | About US$30 single entry; about US$65 multiple entry | US$30 (cash); US$36 digital version at Cairo Airport (card) |
| Payment | Credit or debit card online | US dollars in cash (or card for the digital version) |
| Length of stay | Up to 30 days per entry | Up to 30 days |
| Entries | Single or multiple | Single |
| Best for | Planners, multi-country trips, late-night arrivals, families | Last-minute travellers, simple single trips |
In short: the e-visa means no queue for the visa and certainty before you fly, and it is the only way to get a multiple-entry tourist visa. The visa on arrival needs no paperwork in advance, but you may queue at the kiosk and you must carry the exact amount in clean US dollar notes.
How to apply for the Egypt e-visa, step by step
- Use only the official portal: visa2egypt.gov.eg, the Egyptian government’s official e-visa website. Many look-alike websites charge extra fees.
- Create an account with your email address and choose your nationality and visa type (single or multiple entry).
- Fill in the form with your passport details, travel dates and the address where you will stay (your hotel is fine).
- Upload documents: a scan of your passport photo page and, if asked, a passport-style photo and your booking details.
- Pay online by credit or debit card.
- Wait for approval by email. Apply well ahead – at least a week before you travel is sensible, and earlier in peak season.
- Print the e-visa and keep a copy on your phone. Show it with your passport at immigration.
A tourist e-visa is valid for up to three months from issue, and each stay can last up to 30 days.
How to get an Egypt visa on arrival, step by step
- Bring cash: US$30 per person in clean, undamaged US dollar notes. Small notes help.
- After landing, walk towards immigration and look for the bank and exchange kiosks before the passport desks.
- Buy the visa sticker at the kiosk (you do not need a form or photo).
- Stick it into a blank passport page or hand it to the officer, as instructed.
- Queue at passport control, where the officer stamps and activates the visa.
New in 2026 – digital visa on arrival at Cairo Airport: from 1 August 2026, travellers arriving at Cairo International Airport can also buy a digital visa on arrival from self-service machines or the visa on arrival portal for US$36 (US$30 plus a US$6 digital service fee). This option is paid by card only.
You do not need an agent. People in the arrivals area sometimes offer to “help” with the visa for a fee. The official price is printed and fixed; if anyone harasses you, report it to the tourist police in the terminal. If you book a Cairo airport transfer with us, our representative can guide you to the right kiosk.
Plan your visit
Land, buy your visa and walk straight out to a driver waiting with your name sign.
Special case: Sharm El-Sheikh and South Sinai
If you fly into Sharm El-Sheikh and stay less than 15 days only in the resorts of Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba, you do not need a visa: you receive a free entry permission stamp at Sharm El-Sheikh Airport. If you plan to leave these resorts – for example on a day trip to Cairo, Luxor or the pyramids – or stay longer than 15 days, you need a full visa, which you can buy at Sharm El-Sheikh Airport or online.
Which should you choose?
- Choose the e-visa if you like to have everything settled before you fly, arrive late at night, travel with children, or plan to leave and re-enter Egypt (for example to visit Jordan) – the multiple-entry e-visa covers this.
- Choose the Egypt visa on arrival if you are booking at the last minute, are eligible, and are happy to carry US$30 in cash per person.
- Apply at an embassy if your nationality is not eligible for either.
Staying longer and other entry rules
- Extensions: you can extend a tourist visa at the Passport and Immigration offices in Egypt. Leaving on an expired visa can cause problems, including a fine if it expired more than 14 days earlier.
- Money: you may bring up to EGP 5,000 in Egyptian pounds into or out of Egypt; foreign currency over US$10,000 must be declared on arrival.
- ID checks: carry your passport (or a copy of it and your visa) when you are out – police may check ID.
- Layovers: to leave the airport during a stopover, for example on a layover tour, you need a valid visa just as on a normal visit.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Egypt e-visa or visa on arrival cheaper?
They cost about the same: US$30 for a single-entry visa on arrival (cash) and about US$30 for a single-entry e-visa. The digital visa on arrival at Cairo Airport costs US$36 including the service fee. Only the e-visa offers multiple entry (about US$65).
Can I pay for the visa on arrival by card?
The standard visa on arrival is cash only, in US dollars. From 1 August 2026, the digital visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport is paid by card only.
How long can I stay in Egypt on a tourist visa?
Up to 30 days per entry on both the e-visa and the visa on arrival. You can apply for an extension inside Egypt.
How early should I apply for the Egypt e-visa?
At least a week before you travel is sensible, and earlier in busy periods. Use only the official portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg.
Do I need a visa for a Cairo layover tour?
Yes. If you leave the airport during a layover, you need a valid visa – an e-visa or a visa on arrival if your nationality is eligible.
Do I need a visa for Sharm El-Sheikh?
Not if you arrive at Sharm El-Sheikh Airport and stay less than 15 days only in Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba. For trips beyond these resorts, you need a full visa.
Sources & further reading
- GOV.UK – Egypt travel advice: entry requirements
- Egypt e-Visa Portal – official Egyptian government website
- GOV.UK – Egypt travel advice: safety and security
Written by the Deluxe Travel Egypt team and checked against the published sources above. Rules and prices can change, so always confirm with the official source before you travel. Last updated October 2026.
Arriving in Cairo?
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