Travel to Egypt: With or without a visa?

Travelling to Egypt, with its historic treasures and fascinating landscapes, is an unforgettable experience. However, to make the most of this trip, it is essential to know the visa requirements. Depending on your nationality, visa rules for Egypt can vary considerably, from total exemption to the need to obtain a visa in advance or on arrival. Here you'll find all the information you need to plan your trip with peace of mind.

Egypt e-visa eligible countries: in brief

• Visa requirements: Most travellers, including those from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union, are required to obtain a visa to enter Egypt.
• e-Visa available: Many countries can apply for an e-visa online prior to departure, offering a convenient solution for obtaining permission to enter Egypt.
• Visa on arrival: Certain nationalities, such as citizens of the USA, Canada and Australia, can obtain a visa on arrival in Egypt for a short-term stay.
• Checking requirements: It is essential to check the specific visa requirements for your nationality before travelling to Egypt, as these may vary depending on the type of visa and the country of origin.
• Valid passport required: For all visa applications for Egypt, a passport valid for at least six months after the date of entry is essential.

Apply for a e-visa for Egypt!

Who can benefit from the electronic visa for Egypt: e-Visa?

The electronic visa for Egypt (e-Visa) is an official online authorisation for travellers from selected countries. It is intended mainly for tourist or professional stays of short duration.

Conditions of the e-Visa for Egypt:

• Valid for stays of up to 30 days.
• Available for single or multiple entries.
• The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Egypt.
• The application must be made at least 7 days before departure
• A printed copy of the e-Visa must be presented on arrival.
• Authorised reasons: tourism or business (unpaid).

Countries eligible for the e-Visa (by region):

• Europe: Austria, Belgium, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, United Kingdom, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, Albania.
• Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, United States.
• Asia-Pacific: Australia, China, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Vietnam.
• Middle East: Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.
• Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe.

Which countries require a standard visa for Egypt?

Citizens of countries not eligible for the e-Visa must apply for a standard visa at an Egyptian embassy or consulate before departure. This procedure is required, even for short tourist stays.

Requirements for the standard visa for Egypt:

• Issued for tourist, professional, family or business stays.
• May allow single or multiple entry, depending on the type of application.
• The procedure can take several weeks.
• Required documents: passport valid for 6 months, completed form, passport photo, proof of travel (reservations, invitation, financial resources, etc.).
• In some cases, prior authorization from the Egyptian authorities is required (especially for countries at risk or with diplomatic tensions).
• No visa on arrival is issued for these nationalities.

Countries requiring a standard visa (by region):

• Africa: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Togo, Benin, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Madagascar.
• Middle East and South Asia: Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Yemen.
• Other countries: Haiti, Cuba, North Korea.

Visa on arrival in Egypt: Who is eligible?

The visa on arrival is a practical option offered by Egypt to certain travellers who have not been able or wished to obtain a visa before their departure. This type of visa allows visitors to go directly to an entry point in Egypt, generally an international airport, and to receive their visa on arrival after having fulfilled the necessary requirements. The visa on arrival is mainly intended for short-term tourist stays and offers a certain flexibility for last-minute travellers.

Citizens of several countries can benefit from a visa on arrival in Egypt. Eligible nationalities include:

• United States
• Canada
• Australia
• United Kingdom
• Japan
• South Korea
• New Zealand
• Russia

To obtain a visa on arrival in Egypt, travellers must fulfil certain conditions and present specific documents on arrival. The following is generally required:

• Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Egypt.
• Application form: On arrival, you will need to fill in a visa application form, available at the point of entry, usually at the airport.
• Visa fee: There is a charge for the visa on arrival. The fee must be paid in cash, usually in USD, EUR or EGP. The exact amount may vary, but it is usually around 25 USD for a tourist visa.
• Return ticket: Although not always required, it is advisable to have a return ticket or a ticket to a subsequent destination to prove that you do not plan to stay indefinitely in Egypt.
• Proof of accommodation: You may be required to present a hotel booking confirmation or an address where you will be staying in Egypt.

The visa on arrival in Egypt is generally valid for a period of 30 days, with the possibility of extending this stay under certain conditions. The fee for a visa on arrival is approximately 25 USD, although this amount may vary slightly depending on currency fluctuations or policy changes.

Which countries are exempt from visa requirements for Egypt?

Certain nationalities are exempt from visa requirements for entry into Egypt, meaning that citizens of these countries can visit Egypt without having to apply for a visa in advance. However, this exemption is generally valid for short-term tourist visits and may be subject to specific conditions.

The following nationalities are exempt from visa requirements for tourist visits to Egypt:

• Bahrain
• Hong Kong
• Kuwait
• Lebanon (for women aged 10 to 49)
• North Macedonia
• Malaysia
• Oman
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates

Citizens of these countries can enter Egypt without a visa for stays generally limited to 90 days.

Although these nationalities are exempt from visa requirements, certain conditions apply to benefit from this exemption:

• Duration of stay: The maximum duration of stay without a visa is generally 90 days. For a longer stay, it is necessary to apply for a visa extension or another type of visa.
• Reasons for travel: The visa exemption applies mainly to tourist travel. If you plan to travel to Egypt for reasons other than tourism, such as work or study, you will probably need to obtain a specific visa.
• Other conditions: Some countries may have special conditions, for example, Lebanese citizens who are male or under 10 or over 49 years of age are not exempt from visas and must apply for them before arriving in Egypt.

Online visa application process for Egypt:

Obtaining an e-visa for Egypt is a simple and straightforward process that takes place in several stages:

• Access the official website: Go to the official website or a private provider website dedicated to the e-visa.
• Create an account: Create a user account by providing your email address and choosing a secure password.
• Fill in the application form: Complete the online application form with your personal details, passport details and travel itinerary for Egypt.
• Upload the required documents: Attach the necessary documents.
• Pay the visa fee: The e-visa fee must be paid online by credit or debit card. The amount is generally 25 USD for a single-entry visa and 60 USD for a multiple-entry visa.
• Submitting the application: You will receive a confirmation email, and the e-visa will generally be processed within 3 to 7 working days.
• Receiving the e-Visa: Once approved, the e-visa will be sent to you by email.

The e-visa for Egypt is generally valid for a period of 90 days from the date of issue. However, it allows a maximum stay of 30 days per visit. The cost of the e-visa is 25 USD for a single-entry visa and 60 USD for a multiple-entry visa.