Egypt Visa for Irish Citizens: e-Visa & Entry Rules

Visa required · e-Visa
Apply about 7 days before arrival
Decision in 5–7 business days
Verified 19 October 2026

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.

Table of contents

Do you need a visa?
Which Irish passport
Types and cost in EUR
How long you may stay
Documents
When to apply
Eligibility check
How to apply
FAQ
Ireland vs. Egypt essentials

Passport validity
6 months from arrival
The Irish Passport Card cannot be used; travel on the passport book.
e-Visa list
Ireland is included
Confirmed on the official Egypt e-Visa Portal
Entry points
Listed airports, ports, borders only
An e-Visa is not accepted at other crossings

Three routes into Egypt

Most people
e-Visa
Irish citizens apply online through the official Egypt e-Visa Portal before travelling, upload a passport scan and photo, and pay by card. Covers tourist trips through Egypt's listed airports, seaports and land borders.
Sinai resorts only
Sinai-only entry stamp
Irish citizens can get a free stamp on arrival for stays of up to 15 days, but it only covers Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba, not travel elsewhere in Egypt.
Work or business
Regular visa at the embassy
Irish citizens needing a work or business visa, or travelling on a document the e-Visa does not cover, apply in person at an Egyptian embassy or consulate before travelling.

Which Irish passport are you holding?

Ireland issues two kinds of passport. Egypt treats them differently.

Irish Passport (book)
e-Visa eligible
Use this for the e-Visa application and for entry. It must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and have a blank page.
Irish Passport Card
Not accepted for Egypt
Irish Government travel advice states passport cards cannot be used to enter Egypt. Bring your passport book instead.

Egypt e-Visa types and cost for Irish citizens, in Euros

e-Visa	Validity	Processing	Government fee	All-in with Plusvisa*
Tourist eVisa	30 days Multiple entry	5–7 business days	US$65 ≈ €61	≈ €97
Tourist eVisa	30 days Single entry	5–7 business days	US$30 ≈ €28	≈ €55

e-Visa

Validity

Processing

Government fee

All-in with Plusvisa*

Tourist

eVisa

30 days

Multiple entry

5–7 business days

US$65 ≈ €61

≈ €97

Tourist

eVisa

30 days

Single entry

5–7 business days

US$30 ≈ €28

≈ €55

* The government fee is the government's own charge, never refundable. All-in adds Plusvisa's service fee, per traveller; it is refunded if we cause a refusal.

The 30-day rule, and what it does not mean

The Sinai-only entry stamp lets Irish citizens stay up to 15 days in the Red Sea resort area. The full e-Visa's allowed stay is shown on the e-Visa itself once it is approved.

Arrive

Leave

Tourist: 30 days per visit.

Arrive 1 March

21 of 30 days

1 Mar – 21 Mar: 21 of the 30 days this visa allows in one visit.

Sinai-only stamp: 15 days, resorts only: Irish Government travel advice confirms this free stamp covers a maximum stay of 15 days, and only at Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba. It does not let you travel to Cairo, Luxor or anywhere else in Egypt.
e-Visa: check your approved dates: The Egypt e-Visa Portal did not publish a fixed day limit for tourist e-Visas on the pages we checked. Always read the validity and permitted stay printed on your approved e-Visa before you travel.
What the e-Visa does not mean: Holding an e-Visa does not guarantee entry. Egyptian port authorities can still refuse entry, and your passport must meet the 6-month validity and blank page rules regardless of your visa.
Extending your stay: If you need longer in Egypt, visit a passport and immigration office before your current permission expires, as set out in Egypt's visa guide.

Your document checklist

Six things to have ready before you start your application, as an Irish applicant.

Passport bio page
Colour scan of your Irish passport book's personal details page. Valid at least 6 months from arrival, with a blank page. The Irish Passport Card is not accepted for entry to Egypt.
Passport-style photo
Recent photo on a plain white background, head and shoulders visible, no sunglasses.
Travel itinerary
Flight booking or ticket showing your arrival and departure dates through one of Egypt's listed airports, ports or land borders.
Accommodation details
Hotel booking or the address where you are staying, covering your full visit.
Debit or credit card
An Irish-issued Visa, Mastercard or other accepted card that can pay in US dollars online. Check with your bank that foreign online payments are enabled before you apply.

Only for some visa types

Supporting or invitation letter
Only if Business or family visits. A letter from your employer, or from the person or organisation you are visiting in Egypt.

When should you apply?

Processing takes 5–7 business days. Enter your arrival date and we'll work backwards.

Arrival in Egypt

Processing

Standard5–7 business days

Pick your arrival date

1
Apply online
—
Form and uploads, about 30 min
2
Pay the fee
—
By card, on the portal
3
Processing
5–7 business days
Official estimate
4
Approval emailed
—
Keep a copy on your phone
5
Arrive in Egypt
—
Show the approval at the border

The official portal sets no fixed window. Apply at least a week ahead so there is time to fix a rejected upload.

Four questions, 20 seconds

Are you travelling on your Irish passport book, not the Irish Passport Card?
Will you arrive through one of Egypt's listed airports, seaports or land borders?
Is your trip for tourism, and not for work or business that needs a separate visa?
Do you hold an ordinary Irish passport, not a diplomatic, official or travel document?

Result

Answer all four

Four quick checks of the rules that most often catch travellers out, and we'll tell you where you stand.

The application, step by step

Before you apply

1
Check your passport
Make sure your Irish passport book (not the Passport Card) is valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date and has a blank page.
2
Gather your documents
Have your passport bio page, a digital photo, flight booking and accommodation details ready to upload.

On the official portal

3
Register on the portal
Create an account on the Egypt e-Visa Portal with your email address and confirm the registration.
4
Complete the application
Sign in, select the visa type, and enter your personal, passport and travel details exactly as they appear in your Irish passport.
A mismatched name or passport number can void the application.
5
Pay by card
Pay online with an Irish-issued Visa, Mastercard or other accepted card. The charge is made in US dollars.

After you apply

6
Download your e-Visa
Once approved, you get an email. Sign back in to download and print the e-Visa.
7
Show it on arrival
Present the printed e-Visa with your Irish passport to the immigration officer at your port of entry.

Official website: visa2egypt.gov.eg (opens in a new tab)

Questions Irish travellers actually ask

Yes. Ireland is on the official Egypt e-Visa Portal's eligible list, so most Irish citizens travelling for tourism can apply online before flying.

No. Irish Government travel advice says passport cards cannot be used to enter Egypt. Travel on your passport book instead, valid at least 6 months from arrival.

No. The free Sinai stamp only covers Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba, for up to 15 days. For the rest of Egypt, Irish citizens need an e-Visa or an embassy visa.

You need at least one blank page for the entry stamp, as well as 6 months' validity from your arrival date, under Egypt's general border rules.

Irish-issued Visa and Mastercard debit or credit cards are generally accepted, but the portal charges in US dollars. Check with your bank that foreign online payments are enabled before you apply.

Irish Government advice warns that evidence of travel to Israel in your passport, including stamps, can cause entry difficulties in some countries. Check your plans carefully if your trip includes both.

No. Work and some business trips need a visa arranged in advance at an Egyptian embassy or consulate, not the tourist e-Visa.

Egyptian port authorities can refuse entry to any e-Visa holder without giving a reason, even after approval, so travel documents should be in order and match your e-Visa details exactly.

Visa sorted

The things that make the first
48 hours easy, compared with home

Your Irish plug won't fit. Here's what will.

Type C
Two round pins · 2.5 A
Type F
Two round pins · 16 A

Type C

Egypt uses type C and F sockets and your plugs are type G. A G-to-C adapter works for the whole trip.

Voltage

220 V · 50 Hz

Against 230 V · 50 Hz at home. Check the label on chargers and appliances: anything marked 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz works in both.

Pack: one type C adapter and a small power strip — hotel rooms rarely have more than two sockets.

Egypt drives on the right — the opposite of home

Compare traffic side:

Egypt · right-hand traffic — the opposite of Ireland

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).

EUR

EGP

E£

€1 ≈ E£52.4 · 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)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

6°7°9.3°12.6°16.8°19.8°21.4°21.7°19.7°16.8°12.4°8.2°

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.

One time zone

Dublin

--:--:--

Cairo

--:--:--

How much to tip, in EUR

Restaurant bill

E£800

E£800(€15.26)

Restaurant bill

Even where a service charge is already added, a small extra cash tip is customary.

10–15%

on a E£800 bill: E£80 · €1.53

Hotel porter

Per bag.

E£20–E£50

€0.38–€0.95

Housekeeping

Per night, left in the room.

E£20–E£50

€0.38–€0.95

Tour guide

Per day, more for private guides.

E£100–E£200

€1.91–€3.81

Driver

Per day.

E£50–E£100

€0.95–€1.91

Taxi or ride-hail

Rounding up the fare is common; not obligatory.

0–10%

on a E£800 bill: E£0 · €0

Restroom attendant

Small change is expected at many public restrooms.

E£5–E£10

€0.10–€0.19

SIM, eSIM or roaming?

Local SIM

Local SIM card

≈ €2.86E£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

Recommended

Travel eSIM

≈ €9.26US$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.

Get your Egypt e-Visa in about seven business days, without the portal headaches

Upload a phone photo and your passport, we check them against every rule above, submit, and send your approval to your inbox. From €55 all-in.

Compare visa types

Card payments by PayPal
Fee refunded if we cause a refusal
Support by email and WhatsApp

Do Irish citizens need a visa for Egypt?

Tourist