Egypt Visa for Tourists: Visa on Arrival, e-Visa, Costs & What You Need to Know
For many international visitors, getting an Egypt visa for tourists is relatively straightforward. Depending on your nationality and where you enter Egypt, you may be able to apply for an official e-Visa online before travelling or obtain a tourist visa when you arrive. There is also a special free entry permission for some visitors staying only in the South Sinai resort area.
The important part is choosing the correct option before you travel. A visa that is fine for a beach holiday in Sharm El Sheikh may not be enough if you later decide to visit Cairo, Luxor or Hurghada.
This guide explains the main options, current official e-Visa costs, passport requirements and the common mistakes worth avoiding.
Important: Egyptian visa rules depend on nationality and can change. Always check your nationality against the official Egyptian e-Visa portal and your government’s latest travel advice before departure.
Egypt Visa Quick Facts
| Question | Quick answer |
|---|---|
| Do tourists need a visa for Egypt? | Many nationalities do |
| Can you get an Egypt visa online? | Yes, eligible nationalities can apply for an e-Visa |
| Official single-entry e-Visa fee | 30 $ |
| Official multiple-entry e-Visa fee | 65 $ |
| When should you apply online? | At least 7 days before departure |
| Passport validity | At least 6 months from arrival |
| Should you print your e-Visa? | Yes |
| Is there a special Sharm El Sheikh option? | Yes, qualifying visitors staying in specified South Sinai resorts for under 15 days may receive free entry permission |
| Can a Sinai-only permission be used for Cairo? | No |
The official Egyptian e-Visa portal currently lists a single-entry tourist e-Visa at 30 $ and a multiple-entry tourist e-Visa at 65 $. The portal also instructs applicants to submit an application at least seven days before departure.
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Egypt?
For many tourists, yes.
But the exact answer depends primarily on your nationality, passport, entry point and travel plans.
Citizens of numerous countries are eligible to apply through Egypt’s official electronic visa system. The current eligible list includes, among others, the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many European countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Czechia, Spain, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Do not assume that somebody else’s experience applies to you just because you are taking the same flight or staying at the same hotel.
Visa rules are linked to your passport.
The safest approach is to check your nationality on the official Egypt e-Visa Portal before travelling.
What Types of Egypt Tourist Visa Are Available?
For a typical holiday, you will usually encounter three terms:
1. Egypt e-Visa
You apply online before travelling.
2. Visa on Arrival
Eligible travellers obtain their visa after arriving at an Egyptian port of entry.
3. South Sinai Entry Permission
This is the special option often referred to by travellers as the “Sinai Only” stamp.
It is not the same thing as a normal Egypt tourist visa.
And that difference can become surprisingly important once you start planning excursions.
Let’s look at each option separately.
Egypt e-Visa: How Does It Work?
The Egypt e-Visa allows eligible travellers to arrange their visa online before their trip.
This is often the easiest option for people who prefer to have their entry documents organised before getting on the plane.
The application is made through the official Egyptian government e-Visa portal.
The process is fairly simple:
- Create an account.
- Verify your email address.
- Sign in.
- Start a new visa application.
- Select the appropriate visa type.
- Complete your personal and travel information.
- Pay the visa fee online.
- Wait for the application to be processed.
- Download the approved e-Visa.
- Print it and take it with you to Egypt.
The official portal states that payment can be made using Visa, Mastercard or other supported debit cards.
Once approved, you receive notification electronically and can download the visa from your account.
How Much Does an Egypt e-Visa Cost in 2026?
According to Egypt’s official e-Visa portal, the current tourism visa fees are:
| Egypt e-Visa | Official fee |
|---|---|
| Single-entry tourist visa | 30 $ |
| Multiple-entry tourist visa | 65 $ |
A single-entry visa is generally the relevant option for a normal holiday where you enter Egypt once and leave at the end of your trip.
A multiple-entry visa can be useful when your itinerary requires you to leave Egypt and return during the relevant visa validity period.
Be careful with unofficial visa websites
Search for “Egypt visa online” and you may find commercial websites that look surprisingly official.
Some are visa agencies charging additional service fees.
That does not necessarily mean the service itself is fraudulent, but you may end up paying considerably more for something you can apply for directly.
If you want to apply yourself, use Egypt’s official government portal:
When Should You Apply for an Egypt e-Visa?
Do not leave it until the evening before your flight.
The official Egypt e-Visa Portal states that applications should be created at least seven days before departure.
Personally, I would treat seven days as the minimum rather than your ideal planning strategy.
If you already know your travel dates and have the information needed for the application, arranging the visa earlier removes one unnecessary thing to worry about immediately before your holiday.
What Do You Need for an Egypt e-Visa?
The official portal lists several entry requirements tourists should be prepared to provide or present.
Most importantly, your passport should be valid for at least six months from your arrival date in Egypt.
You should also be ready with:
- Your printed e-Visa
- Your travel itinerary
- Your hotel booking or details of where you plan to stay
- Any other supporting documents relevant to your visit
One small but important detail: print the e-Visa.
Having it somewhere in your email is not the same as following the official instruction to present a printed copy at the port of entry.
Can You Get an Egypt Visa on Arrival?
For eligible nationalities, a visa on arrival in Egypt is another option.
Instead of completing the e-Visa application before travelling, you obtain the tourist visa after landing.
Availability depends on nationality and entry point, so this should not be treated as a universal rule for every passport.
For example, current UK government travel advice confirms that British travellers can obtain a visa at the airport or apply online, while current U.S. travel guidance confirms visa-on-arrival availability for U.S. citizens.
Before deciding to rely on visa on arrival, check the current rule for your own nationality.
Egypt e-Visa vs Visa on Arrival: Which Is Better?
There isn’t one answer for everybody.
Choose an e-Visa if:
- You prefer to organise documents before travelling.
- You do not want the visa purchase to be another task after landing.
- You want to know before departure that your visa application has been processed.
Consider visa on arrival if:
- Your nationality is eligible.
- You are comfortable arranging it at the airport.
- Your itinerary and arrival point make this option straightforward.
For many tourists, both routes can ultimately lead to the same thing: entering Egypt for their holiday.
The difference is mostly when you deal with the paperwork.
What Is the Sinai Only Stamp?
Now we get to the part that causes far more confusion.
Some travellers arriving directly in Sharm El Sheikh do not need to purchase a full Egyptian tourist visa if they are staying for a short holiday within specified South Sinai resort areas.
For example, current UK government travel advice states that qualifying British travellers arriving by air at Sharm El Sheikh and staying for less than 15 days in Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba can receive free entry permission on arrival.
You will often hear this described locally as Sinai Only or the Sinai Only stamp.
Sounds perfect. And for the right holiday, it can be.
But there is a catch.
Can You Visit Cairo with a Sinai Only Stamp?
No.
This is probably the single most useful thing to understand before deciding which entry permission you want.
The special South Sinai permission is intended for visitors remaining within the permitted South Sinai resort area.
Cairo is outside that area.
So imagine this:
You arrive in Sharm El Sheikh planning to spend your entire week at the resort.
You take the free Sinai entry permission.
Three days later you see the Pyramids online and decide:
“We’re already in Egypt. Why don’t we take a day trip to Cairo?”
Now the type of entry permission suddenly matters.
If you think there is any realistic chance you will want to travel outside the permitted South Sinai area, check the full visa requirements before entering Egypt rather than assuming the free stamp will cover your plans.
What About Luxor or Hurghada?
The same basic principle applies.
A Sinai-only entry permission is not a general visa for unrestricted tourism throughout Egypt.
If you want to travel beyond the permitted South Sinai resort area, including mainland destinations, you need to make sure you hold the appropriate Egyptian visa.
This is particularly relevant for travellers considering:
- Cairo and the Pyramids
- The Grand Egyptian Museum
- Luxor and the Valley of the Kings
- Hurghada
- A multi-destination Egypt itinerary
Do You Need a Full Visa for Excursions from Sharm El Sheikh?
It depends entirely on where the excursion goes.
For activities that remain within the permitted South Sinai area, the special entry permission may be sufficient for an eligible visitor.
But an excursion to Cairo is a completely different situation.
That is why we recommend thinking about excursions before arriving, even if you are not ready to book them yet.
Look at what is possible from your resort.
If Cairo is on your “maybe” list, deal with the visa question before it becomes a last-minute problem.
Thinking about seeing the Pyramids during your Sharm El Sheikh holiday?
Compare the available Cairo tours from Sharm El Sheikh before travelling so you can choose the correct visa and decide whether you prefer travelling by road or plane.
Do You Need a Visa for Hurghada?
For a normal holiday in Hurghada, eligible visitors should arrange the appropriate Egyptian tourist visa rather than relying on the South Sinai-only exemption.
Hurghada is on Egypt’s Red Sea mainland coast. It is not covered by the special Sharm El Sheikh/South Sinai resort permission described above.
This is actually useful if you plan to explore.
Once you are properly admitted with the relevant tourist visa, you can consider trips from Hurghada to places such as Luxor and Cairo without the particular geographical restriction associated with Sinai-only entry permission.
Do You Need a Visa for Marsa Alam?
Again, do not confuse the Red Sea resorts with South Sinai.
Marsa Alam is on mainland Egypt’s Red Sea coast.
The special Sinai-only arrangement associated with Sharm El Sheikh does not mean you can arrive at any Egyptian beach destination and request the same thing.
Check the normal Egyptian tourist visa requirements for your nationality before travelling to Marsa Alam.
How Long Should Your Passport Be Valid for Egypt?
This is one detail worth checking before booking anything non-refundable.
Egypt’s official e-Visa portal states that your passport should be valid for at least six months from your date of arrival.
Do not look only at whether your passport is technically valid on the day you fly.
Check the actual expiry date against your planned arrival.
Six months disappears surprisingly quickly when you have not looked at your passport since your last holiday.
Can Children Get an Egypt e-Visa?
Yes, but they still need the appropriate travel documentation.
The official e-Visa system states that each visitor requires an e-Visa application. Parents can submit applications for their children through the parent’s account.
Do not assume children are automatically covered by a parent’s visa.
Check each traveller’s documents before departure.
Single Entry or Multiple Entry Egypt Visa?
Most people coming for a straightforward one- or two-week holiday will naturally look at the single-entry visa.
You enter Egypt, spend your holiday here and fly home. Simple.
The multiple-entry option becomes more relevant when your travel plans involve leaving Egypt and then entering again.
For example, if Egypt forms one part of a wider regional itinerary and you intend to return after visiting another country.
Do not pay for multiple entry simply because it sounds “better”. Choose it because your itinerary actually requires it.
7 Common Egypt Visa Mistakes to Avoid
1. Using the first website you find on Google
The official Egyptian e-Visa portal exists. Check where you are applying before entering passport or payment details.
2. Applying too late
The official system says to apply at least seven days before departure.
3. Forgetting the six-month passport rule
A passport can still be “valid” and nevertheless fail the required validity period.
4. Assuming everyone can get a visa on arrival
Visa eligibility depends on nationality. Your friend’s passport is irrelevant to your own entry requirements.
5. Taking Sinai Only without thinking about excursions
This is probably the most avoidable mistake for Sharm El Sheikh visitors.
If there is a chance you want Cairo or another destination outside the permitted area, investigate the full visa before arrival.
6. Not printing your e-Visa
The official portal instructs travellers to present the e-Visa printout at entry.
Put it with your passport and travel documents.
7. Comparing visa information from old travel blogs
Visa fees and entry rules change.
An article written several years ago may rank beautifully in Google and still contain an old price.
Check the date and verify important details against official sources.
What Our Local Team Recommends Before You Fly
Think about your holiday beyond the hotel.
This sounds strange in a visa guide, but it matters.
If you are going to Hurghada and already know you want to see Luxor, research the trip before you arrive.
If you are staying in Sharm El Sheikh and the Pyramids are even remotely on your wish list, check the visa requirement before choosing Sinai-only entry.
If you are coming only to relax in Sharm for a week and have no intention of leaving the permitted resort area, your situation may be completely different.
The best visa choice is the one that matches your actual travel plan, not simply the cheapest option at immigration.
Planning Your First Trip to Egypt?
Once the visa is sorted, the fun part starts.
Egypt’s Red Sea resorts are not isolated holiday destinations. They can also be starting points for some remarkable day trips.
From Hurghada, you can combine a Red Sea holiday with Luxor, Cairo, snorkeling islands and desert experiences.
From Sharm El Sheikh, you can explore the Sinai Peninsula or, with the correct visa arrangements, consider Cairo and the Pyramids.
From Marsa Alam, you can combine the southern Red Sea with trips toward Luxor and some of Egypt’s best-known marine destinations.
So before you fill every day with hotel time, have a look at what is actually reachable from the place where you are staying.
Sometimes the excursion you almost did not plan becomes the part of Egypt you remember most.
Egypt Visa FAQ
How much is an Egypt tourist visa in 2026?
The official Egyptian e-Visa portal currently lists a single-entry tourist e-Visa at 30 $ and a multiple-entry tourist e-Visa at 65 $.
Can I buy an Egypt visa at the airport?
Eligible nationalities can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Egyptian entry points. Eligibility varies by nationality, so check the current rules for your passport before travelling.
Can I get an Egypt visa online?
Yes. Citizens of eligible countries can apply through Egypt’s official government e-Visa portal before travelling.
How early should I apply for an Egypt e-Visa?
The official portal instructs travellers to create their application at least seven days before departure.
How long must my passport be valid for Egypt?
The official e-Visa requirements state that your passport must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
Do I need to print my Egypt e-Visa?
Yes. Egypt’s official e-Visa guidance instructs travellers to present a printed e-Visa at the port of entry.
Do I need a visa for Sharm El Sheikh?
Some eligible travellers arriving directly in Sharm El Sheikh and staying for less than 15 days within specified South Sinai resorts can receive free entry permission instead of a full tourist visa. Eligibility depends on nationality and travel plans.
Can I go to Cairo with a Sinai Only stamp?
No. The special South Sinai entry permission does not cover travel to Cairo. Travellers planning to leave the permitted Sinai resort area need the appropriate Egyptian visa.
Do I need a visa to visit the Pyramids from Sharm El Sheikh?
If you entered Egypt using only the special South Sinai permission, you need to resolve the appropriate full Egyptian visa requirements before travelling to Cairo and the Pyramids.
Do children need a visa for Egypt?
Children must have the appropriate entry permission for their nationality. For e-Visas, the official portal states that parents can submit applications for their children through the parent’s account.
Is an Egypt e-Visa guaranteed entry?
No. An approved e-Visa permits you to travel for entry purposes, but Egyptian border authorities retain the final decision on admission.
Final Checklist Before Travelling to Egypt
Before leaving for the airport, check your passport expiry date and make sure you understand the visa requirement for your nationality.
If using an e-Visa, apply through the official portal well in advance and print the approved document.
Keep your hotel details and itinerary accessible.
And if you are flying to Sharm El Sheikh, decide whether you genuinely intend to stay within South Sinai before choosing the free entry permission.
That last decision seems tiny at the airport.
It feels considerably less tiny when you decide two days later that you want to see the Pyramids.
Planning a Holiday in Egypt?
Infinity Tours Egypt offers excursions from Egypt’s most popular holiday destinations. Choose where you are staying to see the available cultural tours, Red Sea trips, desert adventures and private experiences.