There’s never been a better time to visit Egypt. It’s home to the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, Tutankhamun’s tomb and a flurry of new museums. To sail along the River Nile is to travel down the country’s lifeblood. Meanwhile, the oases of the western desert are mirage-like in their plant and animal life. To explore all that tours in Egypt can offer, you’re first going to have to ask yourself Do I Need a Visa to Visit Egypt. But don’t worry! We have all the answers right here so you can get on with enjoying the best travel experiences in Egypt.
Obtaining a Visa to Egypt Before Traveling
Most travelers require a visa to Egypt, with this a requirement for both tourist and non-tourist purposes. Traditionally, obtaining a visa to Egypt before traveling has meant a visit to your closest Egyptian embassy or consulate. But more recently the Egyptian authorities have created the online visa2Egypt system to streamline the process.
Tourist visas issued via the online portal are valid for three months. This should give you plenty of time to see Egypt’s long list of potential sights. You will need to provide evidence of a hotel or tour booking and be able to print your visa. You will need to take it with you and present it to immigration officials. Applications should be made at least seven working days before planning to join our best of ancient Cairo tour or 7 Day Cairo, Aswan and Luxor Package.
Citizens with passports from the following nations can apply for an evisa: most of Europe including all EU nations, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia, Ukraine, UK and USA.
All other nationals should apply for a visa via an Egyptian embassy. Single-entry visas cost US$25, and multiple-entry visas $60.
Can I Get a Visa on Arrival in Egypt
Some passport holders are able to get a visa on arrival at major airports in Egypt. Arrivals can purchase them from approved bank kiosks before immigration. Current fees for this form of visa are the equivalent of US$25. It must be paid in cash in US dollars, British pounds sterling or euros. Don’t expect change if you don’t have the exact amount. The kiosks do not accept credit and debit card payments.
Only tourist visas can be purchased on arrival in the country. However, unlike pre-arranged visas, they are only valid for a maximum of 30 days. They can be extended at the Egypt Passport and Immigration Administration on the outskirts of Cairo, although Egyptian bureaucracy can be slow and extensions are not guaranteed. You may also face issues at your departing airport if you cannot prove you have a valid visa for the country.
Occasionally, tourists are approached by agents at the airport offering to complete the process for you. Their services are not required, and should they become bothersome you should report them to the airport’s tourist police.
The list of nationals that can get a visa on arrival to Egypt is almost identical to that of citizens who can apply for a visa online.
Do I Need a Visa to Visit Sharm El Sheikh
Visitors heading to Sharm El Sheikh for stays of up to 15 days do not require a visa for tourism purposes. Instead, they receive a free entry permit. If you intend to stay longer than the permitted 15 days, you should get a visa instead.
Similar rules are in place for the resort hotels in Egypt of Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba on the Sinai Peninsula. It therefore includes stays at Sunrise Grand Select Montemare in Sharm El Sheikh and Red C Villas in Dahab. From there, it’s easy to join tours such as our Sinai Desert Stargazing and Camel Ride Tour.
Passport Validity
Specifics can vary depending on the exact passport you are traveling on. However, generally speaking you will require your passport to have a validity of at least six months from the date you intend to enter Egypt.
Tourist Visas for Egypt
For the vast majority of tourists to Egypt the application process for a visa is a simple one. If you’re lucky enough to be a citizen of one of the 50 nations mentioned, you can do it online in around ten minutes. Be sure to remember that the resorts of the Sinai Peninsula offer visa-free stays for 15 days. In this case, our 7 day Egypt itinerary is a good place to start, as is our guide to Egyptian culture and customs.
