Field guide · 19 of 20
What are the Egypt visa and entry requirements for US, UK, EU and Australian citizens?
US, UK, EU and Australian citizens need a visa for Egypt and can get one two ways: an e-visa from the official portal (typically USD 25–30 single entry, USD 60–65 multiple entry, as of 2026) or a visa on arrival at the airport (USD 30 cash since March 2026). Both allow a 30-day stay. Passports need six months' validity.
The two routes
Citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, every EU member state, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland and Norway are all eligible for both routes below. Other nationalities should check the official portal, as some require embassy pre-approval that takes weeks.
Route one: the e-visa. Apply online at the Egyptian government portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg, upload a passport scan and a photo, pay by card, and receive a PDF by email. It is the only official e-visa site; several commercial sites imitate it and charge more.
Route two: visa on arrival. At Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada and other international airports, buy a visa sticker from a bank counter before passport control, pay in cash, and stick it in your passport. It takes a few minutes if the queue is short.
Fees and validity, as of 2026
| Single-entry e-visa | Multiple-entry e-visa | Visa on arrival | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical fee | USD 25–30 | USD 60–65 | USD 30, cash (raised from USD 25 on 1 March 2026) |
| Stay | Up to 30 days | Up to 30 days per visit | Up to 30 days |
| Validity | Must be used within 3 months of issue | 6 months from issue | Issued on the day |
| Payment | Card online | Card online | Cash in USD, EUR or GBP; cards are not reliably accepted |
| Processing | Typically 5–7 days; allow 2–3 weeks in high season | Same | Immediate |
Egypt has signalled further fee changes; a rise in the government levy from 1 January 2027 has been reported. A digital version of the visa on arrival with a small service charge was reported as a pilot at Cairo airport from August 2026. Treat every figure above as a range and check the official portal before you travel.
Which should you choose?
For almost all our travellers, the e-visa. It removes one queue and one cash transaction after a long flight, and it is the route we recommend for anyone arriving late at night or with older family members. Apply once your flights are booked and at least two weeks before departure.
Visa on arrival remains a reliable fallback if the e-visa has not arrived in time. Bring the exact fee in crisp notes; USD 50 bills are accepted and the change comes in Egyptian pounds, which is useful for first tips.
Passport rules
- At least six months' validity from the date of arrival. Airlines enforce this at check-in.
- At least one blank page, preferably two.
- Children need their own passport and visa. Fees are the same.
The Sinai exception
If you fly directly into Sharm el-Sheikh and stay within the South Sinai resort zone (Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba) for 15 days or less, you receive a free entry stamp instead of a visa. It is not valid for Cairo, Luxor, Aswan or Hurghada. A trip that includes the Nile needs the full visa.
Entry and customs, briefly
- Keep the e-visa PDF on your phone and one printed copy.
- There is no proof-of-funds or onward-ticket check for tourists in practice, but a return flight booking is sensible.
- Drones require advance permission and are confiscated without it. Leave them at home.
- Prescription medication should travel in original packaging with a copy of the prescription. Some medicines that are routine elsewhere are controlled in Egypt; check with the Egyptian embassy if in doubt.
- Satellite phones are not permitted without a licence.
Extending or overstaying
A 30-day stay can be extended at the Mogamma offices in Cairo or at regional passport offices, though it is slow. Overstays carry a fine on departure. For a trip of 8–12 days none of this applies.
How we handle it
We send every traveller the correct portal link, a reminder at the right time, and a check that the e-visa has arrived before departure. If anything goes wrong, our Cairo team meets you airside and walks you through the visa-on-arrival counter. It is not complicated, but it is the first thing you touch in Egypt and it should be smooth.
FAQ
Do US citizens need a visa for Egypt? Yes. US citizens can apply for an e-visa at visa2egypt.gov.eg (typically USD 25–30 single entry as of 2026) or buy a visa on arrival at the airport for USD 30 cash. Both allow a 30-day stay. Passports need six months' validity.
Is an Egypt e-visa better than visa on arrival? For most travellers, yes. It avoids a cash queue after a long flight. Apply at least two weeks ahead. Visa on arrival remains a dependable fallback for US, UK, EU and Australian citizens.
How much is the Egypt visa in 2026? As of 2026, visa on arrival is USD 30 cash; the single-entry e-visa is typically USD 25–30 and the multiple-entry USD 60–65. Fees have changed twice in 2026 and a further change is expected in 2027. Check the official portal before paying.
Visa questions are the easy part; we check them for every traveller before departure. Send us your dates and nationality and we will include the visa step in your plan.