Planning a trip to Egypt? Your visa is one of the first fixed costs to understand — and in 2026, several important fees and arrival procedures have changed.
The most important thing to know is that there is no single visa route for every traveler. Your options depend on your passport, how you enter Egypt, where you plan to travel, and whether you want to arrange your visa before departure or after landing.
This guide explains the current official fees, Egypt's eVisa, the traditional visa on arrival, Cairo's new digital visa-on-arrival pilot, the South Sinai exception, and the documents you should have ready before you travel.
Quick answer: The official Egypt eVisa currently costs US$30 for single entry and US$65 for multiple entry. Eligible travelers can also obtain a traditional visa on arrival at approved airports for US$30, while Cairo International Airport is currently piloting a US$36 digital visa on arrival.
Egypt Visa Costs in 2026
| Visa option | Current fee | Payment | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| eVisa — Single Entry | US$30 | Online | Most travelers planning in advance |
| eVisa — Multiple Entry | US$65 | Online | Travelers entering Egypt more than once |
| Traditional Visa on Arrival | US$30 | Cash | Eligible last-minute travelers |
| Digital Visa on Arrival — Cairo pilot | US$36 | Electronic/card payment | Eligible travelers arriving at Cairo |
| South Sinai entry permission | Free for eligible travelers | — | Certain short resort-only stays |
The Egyptian Ministry of Interior's official eVisa portal currently lists the tourist eVisa at US$30 for single entry and US$65 for multiple entry.
The traditional visa on arrival at approved Egyptian airports currently costs US$30 in cash and is valid for stays of up to 30 days according to current UK government travel guidance.
Important 2026 Update: Cairo Has a New Digital Visa on Arrival
Egypt began a pilot of a new digital visa-on-arrival system at Cairo International Airport on August 1, 2026.
Instead of purchasing the traditional paper visa sticker, eligible travelers can receive a Visa QR Code. The current total cost is US$36, made up of the US$30 visa fee plus a US$6 issuing/service fee.
The pilot is currently focused on Cairo International Airport, and the traditional paper process continues alongside it during the transition. Because this system is new and may change as the rollout develops, travelers should verify the latest procedure shortly before departure.
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Egypt?
Many international visitors need a tourist visa to enter Egypt, but the exact rule depends on your nationality.
The official Egyptian eVisa portal currently allows citizens of dozens of countries to apply online, including travelers holding passports from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, many European countries, Gulf countries, Japan, South Korea and others.
However, do not assume that rules for the eVisa, visa on arrival, and visa-free or special entry arrangements are identical.
Before booking a non-refundable flight, confirm the rule that applies specifically to the passport you will travel with.
If your passport is not eligible for the online system or visa on arrival, you may need to obtain a visa through an Egyptian embassy or consulate before traveling.
Option 1: Egypt eVisa
For most eligible travelers who prefer certainty before flying, the eVisa is usually the simplest option.
Instead of dealing with the visa purchase after a long flight, you apply online before departure, receive approval electronically, print the visa and present it when entering Egypt.
How Much Does the Egypt eVisa Cost?
The current official fees are:
- Single-entry tourist eVisa: US$30
- Multiple-entry tourist eVisa: US$65
These are the government fees shown by the official Egypt eVisa portal.
Third-party visa companies may charge additional service or processing fees, so make sure you know whether you are using the official government portal or a commercial intermediary.
When Should You Apply?
The official portal says you must create your eVisa application at least seven days before departure.
Seven days should therefore be treated as the official minimum, not as an ideal last-minute target.
If your itinerary is already confirmed, applying earlier gives you more room to deal with errors, payment issues or additional document requests.
How to Apply for an Egypt eVisa
The official process is straightforward:
- Create an account on the Egypt eVisa portal.
- Confirm your account registration.
- Sign in.
- Select Apply Now.
- Choose your visa type.
- Complete the application.
- Pay online.
- Wait for your application to be processed.
- Download and print your approved eVisa.
- Present the printed document when you arrive in Egypt.
The Ministry of Interior portal specifically instructs travelers to bring a printed eVisa, so do not rely only on a copy stored on your phone.
What Documents Should You Have?
The official eVisa portal currently lists the following arrival requirements:
- Passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date
- Printed eVisa
- Travel itinerary
- Hotel booking or details of the places you intend to visit
- Supporting documentation where relevant, such as an invitation for business or family visits
Keep these documents accessible in your hand luggage rather than buried in checked baggage.
Option 2: Traditional Visa on Arrival
Some passport holders can obtain their visa after arriving at an approved Egyptian airport.
This remains useful for eligible travelers booking a last-minute trip or anyone who does not want to complete an online application before departure.
Current Visa-on-Arrival Price
The traditional tourist visa on arrival currently costs:
- US$30 per traveler
Current UK government guidance states that the physical visa is purchased before reaching the immigration counters and that payment is cash only.
Because exchange arrangements at airport counters can change, carrying the required amount in US dollars is the safest option.
What Happens at the Airport?
The basic process is:
- Follow signs toward passport control.
- Find the authorised visa/bank counter before immigration.
- Purchase the visa.
- Take the visa document or sticker to passport control.
- Present your passport and supporting travel information if requested.
The traditional visa on arrival is generally valid for a tourist stay of up to 30 days under current guidance.
Avoid Paying an Unnecessary Airport Markup
You do not need an airport agent simply to purchase a normal visa on arrival.
Current UK government travel guidance specifically warns that some agents may charge more than the official fee.
This is exactly the type of unnecessary travel markup worth knowing about before you land.
Option 3: Digital Visa on Arrival at Cairo Airport
This is one of the biggest changes for Egypt travelers in 2026.
A digital Visa-on-Arrival pilot began at Cairo International Airport on August 1, 2026.
Instead of the traditional physical sticker, eligible travelers receive a QR code that can be scanned together with their passport at immigration.
How Much Does It Cost?
The current total is: US$36
That consists of: US$30 visa fee + US$6 digital issuing/service fee.
So the new digital route is currently US$6 more expensive than the traditional US$30 visa on arrival.
What you are paying for is convenience rather than a different tourist visa.
How Does the Digital Visa Work?
During the pilot, travelers can obtain the QR-based visa through digital channels or self-service machines in Cairo International Airport's arrival areas.
Current reporting on the government launch states that the QR code is valid for up to 48 hours from issuance, so this is not something to generate weeks in advance.
The traditional paper visa remains available during the pilot period, but the government intends to expand the digital system gradually.
Do Not Confuse the Digital Visa on Arrival With the eVisa
They are different systems.
The eVisa is an advance visa application that the government tells travelers to submit at least seven days before departure.
The Digital Visa on Arrival is the new QR-based version of the arrival process being piloted in Cairo.
If you are researching online, make sure an article is talking about the correct one.
What About Sharm El-Sheikh and the Free Sinai Stamp?
South Sinai has special entry arrangements for certain travelers, but this is one of the areas where online visa advice is often oversimplified.
A free entry permission can be available for eligible travelers making a short resort-only visit to South Sinai.
For example, current UK government guidance says that British citizens arriving by air at Sharm El-Sheikh and staying for less than 15 days in the resorts of:
- Sharm El-Sheikh
- Dahab
- Nuweiba
- Taba
can receive a free entry permission stamp instead of purchasing a standard visa.
But this should not be treated as a universal rule for every passport. Eligibility depends on nationality and route of entry.
More importantly, a Sinai-only permission is not suitable if your Egypt itinerary includes mainland destinations such as Cairo or Luxor.
If you intend to explore Egypt beyond the permitted South Sinai area, obtain the appropriate standard visa.
eVisa vs Visa on Arrival: Which One Should You Choose?
For an eligible traveler, the choice usually comes down to certainty, timing and arrival airport.
| Your situation | Better starting option |
|---|---|
| You are planning your trip well in advance | eVisa |
| You want your visa arranged before flying | eVisa |
| You will leave Egypt and return during the same trip | Consider multiple-entry eVisa |
| Your trip is last minute | Visa on Arrival, if eligible |
| You are arriving at Cairo and prefer a digital arrival process | Digital VOA pilot |
| You are only visiting eligible South Sinai resorts briefly | Check Sinai permission eligibility |
| Your nationality is not eligible for these options | Embassy/consular visa |
For most first-time visitors who are eligible and have enough time before departure, arranging the eVisa in advance removes one uncertainty from arrival day.
But eligibility should always be confirmed using an official source.
Single Entry or Multiple Entry?
A single-entry visa is enough for most classic Egypt itineraries.
For example: Cairo → Luxor → Aswan → Hurghada → Cairo does not require a multiple-entry visa because you never leave Egypt.
A multiple-entry visa becomes relevant if you plan to leave Egypt and then return during the same journey.
For example: Cairo → Jordan → Cairo or Egypt → another country → Egypt
Before paying the higher fee, look at your actual border crossings rather than the number of Egyptian cities on your itinerary.
Passport Validity: Check This Before You Apply
Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive in Egypt for the eVisa process.
Do not wait until after purchasing flights to check the expiry date.
Also make sure the passport used for your visa application is the same travel document you intend to present when entering Egypt.
Can Children Get an Egypt eVisa?
Each traveler requires the appropriate entry permission.
The official Egyptian eVisa system allows parents to submit applications for their children through the parent's account.
Do not assume that a child is automatically covered by a parent's visa simply because they are traveling together.
Can an eVisa Holder Still Be Refused Entry?
Yes.
An approved visa allows you to travel to the border and request entry, but it is not an unconditional guarantee of admission.
Egypt's official eVisa portal explicitly states that border authorities retain the right to refuse entry even when a traveler holds an eVisa.
That is another reason to travel with your accommodation details, itinerary and supporting documents easily accessible.
Can You Extend an Egypt Tourist Visa?
Visa extensions can be handled through Egyptian Passport and Immigration offices.
Do not simply remain in Egypt after your permitted stay expires.
Overstaying can create difficulties when leaving the country and may result in penalties. Current government travel advice recommends arranging an extension rather than allowing the visa to expire.
Rules and procedures can change, so verify the current process before your permitted stay ends.
Entering Egypt by Land Is Different
Do not automatically apply airport visa advice to a land-border crossing.
Routes through Taba, Israel, Jordan or Sudan can have different entry procedures, fees and restrictions.
For example, current guidance for the Taba crossing contains separate border charges and different rules depending on whether you remain in Sinai or travel onward into mainland Egypt.
If you are entering Egypt overland, research the specific border crossing rather than relying on general airport visa information.
Common Egypt Visa Mistakes
The most expensive mistakes are usually simple ones:
- Reading an old guide that still quotes outdated visa fees
- Paying a commercial visa website without realising it is not the government portal
- Assuming eVisa eligibility automatically means every other visa type has identical rules
- Applying for an eVisa too close to departure
- Arriving without enough passport validity
- Forgetting to print the eVisa
- Choosing a Sinai-only entry permission and later deciding to travel to Cairo
- Buying single entry when the itinerary leaves Egypt and returns
- Arriving at the airport without the required payment method
The visa itself is a relatively small part of an Egypt travel budget. The bigger risk is having incorrect information create unnecessary fees, delays or changes to your itinerary.
Egypt Visa FAQ
How much is an Egypt tourist visa in 2026? The official Egypt eVisa currently costs US$30 for single entry and US$65 for multiple entry. The traditional visa on arrival is currently US$30, while Cairo's new digital Visa-on-Arrival pilot costs US$36.
What is the official Egypt eVisa website? Use the Egyptian government's official eVisa portal operated by the Ministry of Interior. Open the official Egypt e-Visa Portal
How early should I apply for an Egypt eVisa? The official portal says applications must be created at least seven days before departure.
Do I need to print my Egypt eVisa? Yes. The official entry requirements specifically list an eVisa printout.
How long must my passport be valid? For the eVisa, your passport must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
Can I get a visa when I land in Cairo? Eligible travelers can use the visa-on-arrival system. Cairo International Airport also began piloting a digital QR-based Visa on Arrival in August 2026.
Can I visit Cairo with the free Sharm El-Sheikh entry stamp? A Sinai-only permission is intended for eligible short stays in designated South Sinai resort areas. If your itinerary includes Cairo or other areas outside the permitted zone, obtain the appropriate standard visa.
Is a multiple-entry visa necessary for Cairo, Luxor and Aswan? No. Traveling between cities inside Egypt does not count as leaving and re-entering the country. You only need to consider multiple entry if your itinerary crosses an international border and later returns to Egypt.
Add the Visa to Your Real Egypt Trip Budget
The visa is only one part of the cost of visiting Egypt. Your actual budget may also include:
- International flights
- Hotels
- Airport transfers
- Intercity transport
- Food
- Attraction tickets
- Domestic flights
- Tours and guides
- Tips
- Mobile data
- Travel insurance
- Visa and border costs
Instead of estimating these separately from outdated travel blogs, use the TrueCost Egypt Trip Calculator to build a realistic trip budget using current travel assumptions and official pricing.
Calculate your Egypt trip cost →
Source & Accuracy Note: Visa rules depend on nationality and can change with little notice. This guide was last checked on August 26, 2026 against the Egyptian Ministry of Interior's official eVisa portal and current government travel guidance. TrueCost Egypt provides independent travel-planning information and is not an immigration authority, embassy or visa agency. Always confirm the rules for your passport through an official government or Egyptian consular source before traveling.