eVisa
Tourist
Entry
Validity
30 days
- Processing
- 5–7 business days
- Total cost
- US$59
Do Swiss citizens need a visa for Egypt?
Yes.
Swiss citizens need an Egypt visa, and for a typical tourist trip it is the e-Visa, applied for online before you fly.
Pre-checkedReviewed
Expert check before submission
5–7 business days
Processing time
+21k21K+
Applications processed
Available now24/7
Expert human assistance
Egypt Visa for Swiss Citizens: e-Visa and Entry Rules
- Visa required · e-Visa
- Apply about 14 days before arrival
- Decision in 5–7 business days
- 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.
Table of contents
Passport validity
6 months from arrival
Required by Egyptian border rules
Blank pages
At least one blank page
For the entry stamp
At the border
Printed e-Visa
Show it with your passport
Two routes into Egypt
Most Swiss travellers
e-Visa
Switzerland is on the official Egypt e-Visa list. Apply on the Egypt e-Visa Portal before travel. Approval comes by email, then download and print the e-Visa.
Not on the list
Visa at an Egyptian embassy
Only if the e-Visa does not fit your trip or passport type. Diplomatic, service and official passports cannot use the e-Visa. Ask the Egyptian embassy or consulate in Switzerland.
Egypt e-Visa types and cost for Swiss citizens, in Swiss Francs
| e-Visa | Validity | Processing | Government fee | All-in with Plusvisa* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tourist eVisa | 30 days Multiple entry | 5–7 business days | US$65 | US$104 |
Tourist eVisa | 30 days Single entry | 5–7 business days | US$30 | US$59 |
* 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 e-Visa is a permission to enter and travel in Egypt. Its validity and stay length are shown on the e-Visa itself, so check them there before you travel. The official portal does not give a Swiss-specific stay length in the pages I could read.
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.
Check your e-Visa: The e-Visa shows the entry type and its dates. Check them when the e-Visa arrives by email.
Extensions: Visitors can generally apply to extend their stay at a passport and immigration office in Egypt before permission expires. Check with the office nearest you.
Overstaying: Egyptian port authorities can refuse entry to any e-Visa holder without giving a reason, even after approval.
Your document checklist
Five things to have ready before you start your application, as a Swiss applicant.
Passport bio page
Colour scan or photo of the personal details page. Valid at least 6 months from arrival, with at least one blank page.
Passport-style photo
Recent photo on a plain white background, head and shoulders visible. No sunglasses. Head coverings only for religious reasons.
Travel itinerary
Flight booking or ticket showing arrival and departure dates.
Accommodation details
Hotel booking or the address where you will stay, covering the whole visit.
Only for some visa types
Supporting or invitation letter
Only if Business or family visits. Letter from your employer, or an invitation from the person or organisation you visit in Egypt.
When should you apply?
Processing takes 5–7 business days. Enter your arrival date and we'll work backwards.
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 earliest or latest application date that I could find. It processes applications in the order received, with no express service. Apply well before your trip.
Four questions, 20 seconds
Do you hold a Swiss ordinary passport, not a diplomatic, service or official one?
Does your passport stay valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date, with a blank page?
Are you arriving at one of Egypt's listed airports, seaports or land crossings?
If you travel for business or to visit family, do you have a supporting or invitation letter?
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 it is valid at least 6 months from your arrival date and has a blank page.
- 2
Gather your documents
Have your passport bio page, a passport-style photo, your flight details and your 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
Start the application
Sign in, select Apply Now, choose the visa type and read the instructions. Fill in the form with your personal, passport and travel details exactly as they appear in your passport.
A name or number that does not match your passport can void the application.
- 5
Upload and pay
Upload your documents and pay online by Visa, Mastercard or another accepted debit or credit card. Fees are set by the Egyptian government. See the portal for the amount.
After you apply
- 6
Download your e-Visa
After approval, you get an email. Sign back in and download and print the e-Visa.
- 7
Present it at the border
Show the printed e-Visa and your passport to the immigration officer at a listed entry point.
Official website: visa2egypt.gov.eg (opens in a new tab)
Questions Swiss travellers actually ask
Yes. Switzerland is on the official Egypt e-Visa Portal list of eligible countries. Apply on the portal before you fly.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date. It also needs at least one blank page for the entry stamp.
Yes. Download and print the e-Visa after approval. Show it with your passport to the immigration officer at your port of entry.
Only at Egypt's designated airports, seaports and land crossings. Check the list on the official portal before you book.
Business and family visits generally need a supporting letter from your employer or an invitation letter from your host in Egypt. Arriving without one risks refusal.
Visitors can generally apply to extend their stay at a passport and immigration office in Egypt before their permission expires. Check with the office nearest you.
Yes. The portal states that port authorities can refuse entry to any e-Visa holder without giving a reason.
Diplomatic, service, special and official passport holders cannot use the e-Visa. Ask the Egyptian embassy or consulate in Switzerland which route applies.
Visa sorted
The things that make the first
48 hours easy, compared with home
Your Swiss plug fits. Here's what to expect.
Type C
Two round pins · 2.5 A
Type F
Two round pins · 16 A
Type C
Type C is used both at home and in Egypt, so your own plugs fit — though you may meet the other types too.
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: nothing special — your type C plugs go straight in. A small power strip is still handy where hotel rooms have one socket.
Egypt drives on the right — just like home
Compare traffic side:
Egypt · right-hand traffic — same as Switzerland
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).
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
Bern
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Cairo
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How much to tip, in CHF
E£2,000
Restaurant bill
Even where a service charge is already added, a small extra cash tip is customary.
10–15%
on a E£2,000 bill: E£200
Hotel porter
Per bag.
E£20–E£50
Housekeeping
Per night, left in the room.
E£20–E£50
Tour guide
Per day, more for private guides.
E£100–E£200
Driver
Per day.
E£50–E£100
Taxi or ride-hail
Rounding up the fare is common; not obligatory.
0–10%
on a E£2,000 bill: E£0
Restroom attendant
Small change is expected at many public restrooms.
E£5–E£10
SIM, eSIM or roaming?
Local SIM
Local SIM card
≈ E£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
≈ US$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 US$59 all-in.
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- Fee refunded if we cause a refusal
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