If you’re planning a trip to Egypt, chances are you’ll need a visa before you travel. While visa requirements depend on your nationality, Egypt has made the process easier in recent years by introducing Visa on Arrival and an online e-Visa system for many travelers.
This guide explains who needs an Egypt visa, available visa types, eligibility rules, requirements, fees, and how to apply, step by step.
Do You Need a Visa to Travel to Egypt?
Yes — most foreign nationals must obtain a visa before entering Egypt. However, citizens of certain countries can enter visa-free, while others may qualify for a Visa on Arrival (VOA) or an Egypt e-Visa.
Countries Exempt From Egypt Visa Requirements
Nationals of the following countries may enter Egypt without a visa for stays of up to 90 days, unless stated otherwise:
- Bahrain
- Hong Kong
- Kuwait
- Lebanon*
- Macao
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- Malaysia (up to 14 days)
Note: Lebanese nationals entering by charter flight must arrive through Borg El Arab, Hurghada, or Sharm El-Sheikh airports.
Special Egypt Visa Exemptions (Conditional Entry)
You may also enter Egypt without a visa under specific conditions if you are a national of the following countries:
- Afghanistan: Only if aged 50+ or 16 and under
- Algeria: Under 14 years old
- China: Must hold a return/onward ticket, hotel booking (4–5 star), and USD 2,000
- Libya: Women or residents of Butnan District (Sundays & Mondays)
- Jordan: Ordinary 5-year passport without Jordanian registration stamp
- Lebanon: Aged 50+ or 16 and under (Alexandria & South Sinai allow all ages)
- Morocco: Under 14
- Sudan & South Sudan: Aged 50+, 16 and under, or female nationals
- Tunisia: Under 14
- Yemen: Aged 50+, 16 and under, or traveling for medical reasons
- Palestine: Holders of Egyptian, Lebanese, Jordanian, or Syrian travel documents (aged 40+ or under 18)
Group Tourist Visa Exemptions
You may enter Egypt without a visa if you are traveling as part of a tourist group of at least 5 people, have a return ticket, hotel booking, and a signed guarantee letter from a travel agency, and you are from one of the following countries:
Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belize, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Moldova (excluding women aged 15–35), Nicaragua, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Turkey.
Family-Based Egypt Visa Exemptions
You do not need a visa if:
- You are the child of an Egyptian father
- You are the child of an Egyptian mother born after 25 July 2004
- You are a woman married to an Egyptian man
(Except nationals of Syria, Iraq, Yemen, or Qatar)
Countries That Require Pre-Clearance
Nationals of the following countries must obtain pre-clearance from Egyptian State Security before applying for a visa:
Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mauritania, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Yemen.
Who Is Eligible for an Egypt Visa on Arrival?
Most travelers can obtain an Egypt Visa on Arrival, except citizens of the countries listed below:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, DR Congo, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon (excluding Alexandria & South Sinai), Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestine.
Additional VOA Rules
- Turkey: Eligible if aged 45+ or 18 and under
- Sudan: Eligible with a residence permit from the USA, Canada, Australia, or EU
- GCC residents: Permit must be valid for at least 6 months
Who Can Apply for an Egypt e-Visa Online?
Citizens of the following countries can apply for an Egypt e-Visa before traveling:
- All EU countries
- Albania, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan
- North & South Korea
- Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia
- Norway, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland
- Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States
- Vatican City
Egypt introduced the e-Visa system in 2017 to simplify the application process.
Egypt Visa Requirements
When applying for an Egypt visa, you’ll typically need:
- Completed visa application form (2 copies)
- Two passport-size photos (2×2 inches, white background)
- Passport valid for at least 6 months with 2 blank pages
- Photocopies of passport bio page
- Proof of legal residence (if applying outside your country)
- Return or onward flight ticket
- Proof of accommodation
- Invitation letter (for business travel)
- Proof of visa fee payment
- Prepaid return envelope (for mail applications)
Requirements may vary depending on visa type and embassy.
Egypt Tourist Visa Overview
The Egypt Tourist Visa allows short-term stays of up to 90 days. Travelers eligible for Visa on Arrival or e-Visa must still apply at an embassy if they plan to stay long-term.
How to Apply for an Egypt Visa
1. Egypt Visa on Arrival
- Obtain at airport visa counters before immigration
- Pay the visa fee in exact cash
- Valid for tourism purposes
2. Egypt e-Visa Application
Apply at least 7 days before travel:
- Create an online account
- Complete travel details
- Upload passport scan
- Pay visa fee online
- Print approved e-Visa
3. Embassy or Consulate Application
Required if:
- You are not eligible for VOA or e-Visa
- You plan to stay long-term
Steps include appointment booking, document submission, fee payment, and possible interview.
Egypt Visa Processing Time
- Visa on Arrival: Issued immediately
- e-Visa: Around 7 days
- Embassy application: 10+ working days
Egypt Visa Validity
- e-Visa & VOA: Valid for 90 days, stay up to 30 days
- Single-entry tourist visa: Stay up to 60 days
- Multiple-entry tourist visa: Up to 90 cumulative days
Can You Extend an Egypt Tourist Visa?
Yes. Tourist visas may be extended for up to 90 additional days at the Egypt Passport and Immigration Administration.
Do You Need an Egypt Transit Visa?
- Under 6 hours: No visa required (must remain in airport)
- 6–48 hours: No visa required, airport exit allowed
- Over 48 hours: Visa required
Egypt Visa Fees
e-Visa & Visa on Arrival
- Single entry: USD 25
- Multiple entry: USD 60
Embassy Visa Fees
Fees vary by nationality. Some countries (e.g., Nigeria, South Africa) receive free tourist visas, while others range between USD 15–160.
Diplomatic and official passport holders are exempt from fees.
Final Note
Egypt visa rules may change at any time. Always confirm requirements with the Egyptian embassy, consulate, or official e-Visa portal before applying.
For more visa guide, visit our “Visa Guide” Category
