Egypt Visa: How to Get Your e-Visa, Visa on Arrival or Free Sinai Stamp

Egypt requires a visa for travellers from almost every country, but the process is one of the easiest in the world: you can apply online in ten minutes (e-Visa) or get one on arrival at the airport for 25 USD in cash. This guide explains the four legal entry options (e-Visa, visa on arrival, consular visa and the free Sinai-only stamp), which one fits your case, the documents you need and the mistakes travellers keep making at the airport.

Quick summary

Do you need a visa?

Yes, almost certainly. Passports from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the entire EU need a visa. The relevant exemptions:

• Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman): no visa needed.
• Jordan, Lebanon: exempt under certain conditions.
• Macao and Hong Kong: some cases.

If unsure, check the official eligibility tool at visa2egypt.gov.eg before booking flights.

The four routes, one by one

1. e-Visa (recommended)

The easiest option: you apply online, receive the visa by email, and show it at immigration (printed or on your phone).

Steps:

1. Go to visa2egypt.gov.eg — the official Ministry of Interior website. Beware of third-party sites like "egypt-evisa.com" that charge 60–120 USD for the same service.
2. Create an account with your email.
3. Fill out the form: passport details, recent digital photo, hotel address in Egypt, travel dates.
4. Upload a scan of the passport's bio page.
5. Pay by card: 25 USD single entry, 60 USD multiple entry.
6. Receive the PDF in 24–72 hours (officially up to 7 working days).
7. Print it or save to your phone. Immigration scans it at arrival.

When to apply: at least 7 days before the trip for safety. The visa is valid 90 days from issue, so don't apply more than 3 months ahead.

Pros: no airport queue, no need for foreign cash, full control.

Cons: 10 minutes of paperwork upfront.

2. Visa on arrival (VOA)

Works almost as well if you fly into a main international airport. Available at: Cairo (CAI), Hurghada (HRG), Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH), Luxor (LXR), Marsa Alam (RMF).

Steps:

1. After landing and before passport control, find the bank counters (usually 2–3: Banque Misr, NBE, AAIB), signposted as "Visa" or "Bank".
2. Ask for a tourist visa and pay 25 USD in cash. Euros (~25 EUR) and British pounds are also accepted.
3. They give you a sticker to paste on a blank passport page.
4. Walk to immigration. They stamp you in and you're done.

Total time: 5–15 minutes without a queue; up to 45 min at peak hours.

Pros: no paperwork upfront.

Cons: you need US dollars or euros in cash before clearing immigration. ATMs in Egyptian airports are on the other side of passport control.

3. Consular visa

For stays over 30 days or regular multiple entries, apply at the Egyptian embassy or consulate in your country. Takes 1–3 weeks, costs 75–120 USD depending on country and type. Typical documents: original passport, two photos, completed form, flight bookings, hotel reservation, sometimes an invitation letter or financial proof.

When useful: research, work, study or chained trips of more than 30 days.

4. Sinai-only (free, 15 days)

If you fly directly into Sharm el-Sheikh, Taba, Dahab or St. Catherine and only plan to stay in Sinai, you can request a free 15-day stamp at immigration.

Restrictions:

• You cannot leave the Sinai Peninsula — no Cairo, no Luxor, no Hurghada.
• St. Catherine (the monastery) and Ras Mohammed (snorkelling) are allowed.
• If you end up wanting to visit Cairo, you must pay the standard VOA (25 USD) before leaving Sinai.

Best for: divers and beach travellers who only visit Sinai.

Documents you'll need

For any visa route:

• Passport with 6 months of validity from your entry date. If it expires sooner, you'll be refused — this is the number one reason for rejection.
• One blank page for the stamp or sticker.
• Onward or return ticket (sometimes requested).
• Hotel reservation (sometimes requested, especially on land entries).

For the e-Visa specifically:

• Digital passport-style photo, light background.
• Working email for confirmation.
• Card — Visa, Mastercard or Amex.

By airport and by border

Airports with valid VOA and/or e-Visa: Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Luxor, Marsa Alam, Borg El Arab (Alexandria).

Israel land border (Taba): the standard VOA is not issued here. If you cross from Israel and want to leave Sinai, you need an e-Visa or consular visa arranged in advance. If you stay in Sinai only, you can get the free Sinai-only stamp.

Sudan and Libya borders: consular visa only, arranged in advance. No VOA.

Arrival by sea (Mediterranean or Red Sea cruises): the shipping line usually arranges a collective permit if you're only in port for a few hours. Day trips to the pyramids from Alexandria's port are handled by the cruise operator.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Applying through an unofficial site. Dozens of third-party sites charge 60–120 USD for the same e-Visa that costs 25 USD officially. The only valid site is visa2egypt.gov.eg.
2. Passport with less than 6 months of validity. Number one reason for refusal at immigration. Renew it before travelling.
3. Arriving without foreign cash for VOA. ATMs are past immigration. Carry at least 25 USD or 25 EUR in small bills.
4. Trying to pay VOA in Egyptian pounds. The bank counter only accepts USD, EUR or GBP. EGP alone won't work.
5. Taking Sinai-only and then trying to visit Cairo. It's a violation. If you're not sure of your route, pay the standard VOA (25 USD).
6. Applying for the e-Visa with less than 5 days' margin. It usually arrives in 24–72 h, but delays happen — especially in high season.
7. Not printing the e-Visa PDF. Officially the phone version works, but a printed copy avoids issues if airport WiFi fails or your battery dies.

Extending your visa

To stay longer than 30 days, go to the Mogamma (government building in Tahrir Square, Cairo) or equivalent offices in Alexandria, Luxor or Aswan. Cost: 75–100 USD. Do it before your original visa expires or you'll face an exit fine.

Children and families

Every family member needs their own visa, including babies with their own passport. A minor's e-Visa is applied for the same way as an adult's. If a child travels with only one parent, some airlines require a notarised authorisation from the other parent — this is an airline requirement, not Egyptian law.

If you still don't have a base hotel in Cairo, see our recommended hotels below. All are central or in Zamalek and well connected to the airport — useful when you arrive tired after a peak-hour VOA queue.