Egypt Visa: e-Visa, Visa-Free Entry and Requirements
Egypt's official e-Visa portal is open to citizens of around 90 countries, who apply online before flying. A small group, including several Gulf states, Hong Kong, Macao and Malaysia, enter visa-free, and EU, UK, US and Israeli passport holders can get a free stamp limited to Sinai's Red Sea resorts. Everyone else applies for a visa at an Egyptian embassy or consulate.
- e-Visa for 77 passports
- Government fee from $30
- Verified
Plusvisa is a private visa application service, not a government agency or embassy. Official government source: Egypt e-Visa Portal (Ministry of Interior), visa2egypt.gov.eg.
Do you need a visa for Egypt?
Almost every nationality falls into one of these groups.
Which passport will you travel on?
Your route
Pick a passport
We will show the route Egypt puts you on, the government fee for each visa type, and the guide written for your nationality.
The four routes
- e-Visa eligible
77 passports
Citizens of around 90 countries, including most of the EU, the Americas, East Asia and the Gulf, apply online through the official Egypt e-Visa Portal before flying.
- Visa-free
Visa-free entry
Passport holders from a small group of countries, including several Gulf states, Hong Kong, Macao and Malaysia, can enter Egypt for a short stay without any visa.
- Visa on arrival
Sinai-only entry stamp
Citizens of EU countries, the UK, the US and Israel (via the Taba crossing) can get a free stamp on arrival, but it only covers the Sinai Red Sea resorts of Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba, not the rest of Egypt.
- Embassy visa only
Visa required at an embassy
Everyone else must apply for a visa at an Egyptian embassy or consulate before travel. A further list of nationalities, including Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan and Syria, and any travel-document holder, needs extra pre-approval first.
Government fees by passport
| Passport | Tourist | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $30 | Read guide |
| United States | $30 | Read guide |
| Canada | $30 | Read guide |
| Australia | $30 | — |
| Ireland | $30 | — |
| Germany | $30 | — |
| Azerbaijan | $30 | Read guide |
Which Egypt visa exists, and what it allows
| e-Visa | Options | Processing | Usual government fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| TouristeVisa · 77 passports |
| 5–7 business days | $30 |
How Egypt visa fees work
Who sets the fee. Egypt's Ministry of Interior sets the e-Visa fee, charged in US dollars by card on the official portal. Consular visas are set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, usually also in dollars.
Reciprocal rates. A few nationalities pay a different rate to the standard fee, because Egypt matches what its own citizens are charged for a visa to that country. Check the fee shown for your own passport.
Refunds. The official e-Visa portal states the processing fee is non-refundable, even if an application is rejected, incomplete, or the trip does not go ahead.
No official express service. There is no separate rush or express fee on the government e-Visa portal. Applications are processed in the order they are received.
What Plusvisa charges
The government fee is passed through at cost. Our service fee is on top, and every passport's page shows the total before you start.
If we make a mistake that leads to a refusal, we refund our fee and re-apply free.
See the total for my passportYour document checklist
Passport bio page
Colour scan or photo of the personal details page. Passport must be valid at least 6 months from the arrival date and have a blank page.
Passport-style photo
Recent photo on a plain white background with head and shoulders visible. No sunglasses; head coverings only for religious reasons.
Travel itinerary
Flight booking or ticket showing your arrival and departure dates.
Accommodation details
Hotel booking, or the address of where you're staying, covering the length of your visit.
Only for some travellers
Supporting or invitation letter
Only if Business or family visits. A letter from your employer, or an invitation letter from the person or organisation you're visiting in Egypt.
Not eligible for any e-Visa
Where an e-Visa is accepted
Egypt's e-Visa and most visas are accepted at a set list of airports, seaports and land borders, not at every crossing.
- Cairo International Airport
- Alexandria (Borg El Arab) Airport
- Hurghada International Airport
- Luxor International Airport
- Sharm El Sheikh International Airport
- Alexandria Port
- Port Said Port
- Taba Border Crossing (from Israel)
- Rafah Border Crossing (Gaza, limited access)
Choose your port of arrival carefully
The application, step by step
Before you apply
- 1
Check your eligibility
Confirm your passport is on the e-Visa eligible list and has at least 6 months of validity left from your arrival date.
- 2
Gather your documents
Have your passport bio page, a digital photo, and your travel and accommodation details ready to upload.
On the official portal
- 3
Create an account
Register on the Egypt e-Visa Portal with your email address and confirm the registration.
- 4
Complete the application
Sign in, select the visa type, read the instructions, and fill in your personal, passport and travel details.
- 5
Pay the fee
Pay online using a Visa, Mastercard or other accepted debit or credit card.
After you apply
- 6
Download your e-Visa
Once approved, you'll get an email; sign back in to download and print the e-Visa from your account.
- 7
Present it on arrival
Show the printed e-Visa with your passport to the immigration officer at your port of entry.
The only official website, and how to check status
The Egypt e-Visa Portal, run by the Ministry of Interior, is the only official site for e-Visa applications. Other sites that offer to handle the application are private services, not government bodies.
visa2egypt.gov.eg (opens in a new tab)Egypt e-Visa Portal (Ministry of Interior)Checking your status
Sign in to your Egypt e-Visa Portal account to see your application status and, once approved, to download the e-Visa.
Why Egypt e-Visas get rejected
Almost every refusal is a file problem, not a judgement about you.
Incomplete applications
The official portal states incomplete e-Visa applications are rejected outright, so every field and upload needs to be filled in correctly.
Passport doesn't meet the rules
Less than 6 months' validity, or no blank page left, can mean refusal at the border even with an approved e-Visa.
Wrong passport type
Diplomatic, service, special, official and other travel-document holders cannot use the e-Visa and are turned away if they try.
Mismatched details
A name, passport number or date that doesn't match your passport exactly can void the e-Visa application.
Missing supporting documents
Business and family visits generally need a supporting or invitation letter; arriving without one risks refusal.
Final decision at the border
Egyptian port authorities can refuse entry to any e-Visa holder without giving a reason, even after approval.
Sockets and power in Egypt
Type C
Two round pins · 2.5 A
Type F
Two round pins · 16 A
Type C
Egypt uses type C and F sockets. If your own plugs are a different type, one type C adapter covers the whole trip.
Voltage
220 V · 50 Hz
Check the label on chargers and appliances: anything marked 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz works here with only an adapter, no converter.
Pack: a type C adapter unless your own plugs already match, and a small power strip — hotel rooms rarely have more than two sockets.
Egypt drives on the right
Traffic side:
Egypt · right-hand traffic
Getting around
Cairo, Luxor and Aswan are linked by domestic flights, sleeper and day trains, and Nile cruises. Within cities, ride-hailing apps are widely used and generally more reliable than hailing a taxi on the street.
Health and water
Drink bottled or filtered water rather than tap water, and carry sun protection and rehydration salts, especially outside the Cairo winter. Discuss standard travel vaccinations with a doctor before you go.
Dress and etiquette
Dress modestly at mosques, churches and other religious sites, covering shoulders and knees. Ask before photographing people, and avoid photographing military or police sites.
Egyptian Pounds, cash and cards
Egypt uses the Egyptian Pound (EGP).
$1 ≈ E£48.5 · indicative mid-market rate, possibly a few days old
Cards and ATMs
ATMs are common in cities and tourist areas and mostly accept international cards. Hotels, larger shops and restaurants take cards, but smaller vendors, taxis and markets usually want cash.
Carry small notes
Keep a supply of small EGP notes for tipping (locally called baksheesh), taxis, and small purchases, since change can be hard to come by.
Exchange sensibly
Exchange money at banks, official exchange bureaus or your hotel rather than with street changers, and keep some exchange receipts if you plan to convert leftover cash back on departure.
Weather by month (Cairo)
- Daytime high
- Grey row = night low
- Best time to go
- Daytime high
- Grey row = night low
- Best time to go
| Month | High, °C | Low, °C | Rain, mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January · best | 18.2 | 6 | 8.1 |
| February · best | 20.4 | 7 | 6.8 |
| March · best | 24.8 | 9.3 | 6.8 |
| April · best | 29.2 | 12.6 | 9 |
| May | 33.9 | 16.8 | 0.3 |
| June | 37.3 | 19.8 | 0.3 |
| July | 38.5 | 21.4 | 0.3 |
| August | 38.1 | 21.7 | 0 |
| September | 35.3 | 19.7 | 0.3 |
| October · best | 30.5 | 16.8 | 4.7 |
| November · best | 24.9 | 12.4 | 16.8 |
| December · best | 19.9 | 8.2 | 6.5 |
Monthly averages. Source: NASA POWER climatology, 2001-2020.
January · ideal
The best window runs January, February, March, April, October, November and December.
High 18.2°CLow 6°CRain 8.1 mm
Sweet spot: Cairo has a hot desert climate. Winters (December to February) are mild and dry with cool evenings, spring and autumn are warm, and summer (June to August) is very hot with little rain. Most visitors prefer the cooler months from October to April.
Tipping in Egypt
E£700($14.42)
Restaurant bill
Even where a service charge is already added, a small extra cash tip is customary.
10–15%
on a E£700 bill: E£70 · $1.44
Hotel porter
Per bag.
E£20–E£50
$0.41–$1.03
Housekeeping
Per night, left in the room.
E£20–E£50
$0.41–$1.03
Tour guide
Per day, more for private guides.
E£100–E£200
$2.06–$4.12
Driver
Per day.
E£50–E£100
$1.03–$2.06
Taxi or ride-hail
Rounding up the fare is common; not obligatory.
0–10%
on a E£700 bill: E£0 · $0
Restroom attendant
Small change is expected at many public restrooms.
E£5–E£10
$0.10–$0.21
SIM, eSIM or roaming?
Local SIM
Local SIM card
≈ $3.09E£150
Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat or WE kiosks at the airport or in any town, with your passport Prices vary by data allowance; a passport is required to register the SIM.
eSIM
RecommendedTravel eSIM
≈ $10
International eSIM apps or websites, bought online before you arrive Quick to set up and avoids queuing at the airport, but usually costs more per GB than a local SIM.
Roaming
Roaming on your home plan
Activate through your home network before departure Usually the most expensive option; check your provider's Egypt roaming rates first.
If it's your first time: three you shouldn't skip
Giza
Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
Egypt's most iconic monuments, on the edge of Cairo, best visited early to avoid the heat and crowds.
Luxor
Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings
A sprawling temple complex and the royal tombs across the Nile, including Tutankhamun's burial site.
Aswan
Abu Simbel Temples
Ramesses II's colossal rock temples, a dramatic day trip from Aswan close to the Sudanese border.
Questions everyone asks about Egypt visas
Most visitors do. Citizens of around 90 countries can apply for an e-Visa online, a small group of nationalities enter visa-free or with a Sinai-only stamp, and everyone else applies for a visa at an Egyptian embassy or consulate before travel.
You register on the official Egypt e-Visa Portal, fill in your personal, passport and travel details, upload your documents, and pay online. Once approved by email, you download and print the e-Visa to show at the border.
You'll need to apply for a visa in person, or sometimes by post, at an Egyptian embassy or consulate before you travel. A few nationalities also need a separate pre-approval step first.
No. It's a free permission stamp given at certain Sinai border points to a limited group of nationalities. It only covers the resorts of Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba, not travel to the rest of Egypt.
No. It's only accepted at Egypt's designated airports, seaports and land border crossings. Check you're arriving through one of these before you book your trip.
Visitors can generally apply to extend their stay at a passport and immigration office in Egypt before their current permission expires. Check with the office closest to where you're staying.
Yes. Egyptian border rules ask for a passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date, with a blank page for the entry stamp.
Now read the one written for your passport
Each guide has the fee for that passport, its maximum stay, the rules that apply only to it, and the application itself.