Do I Need a Visa for Cairo?

Most travelers need a visa to visit Cairo, but the process is much simpler than you might expect.

Whether you’re planning a quick weekend exploring the pyramids or an extended cultural immersion in Egypt’s fascinating capital, understanding the visa requirements is your first step toward an unforgettable journey. The good news is that Cairo welcomes international visitors with several convenient visa options, from traditional embassy applications to modern e-visa systems and even visas on arrival at Cairo International Airport. These flexible entry procedures mean that spontaneous travelers and meticulous planners alike can secure their Egyptian adventure with relative ease.

We’ve guided thousands of travelers through Cairo’s entry requirements, and we know exactly what works. Let us walk you through everything you need to know about getting your visa sorted, so you can focus on the exciting part – discovering one of the world’s most captivating cities.

Understanding Egypt’s Visa Requirements

Cairo requires visas for most international visitors, with only a handful of countries enjoying visa-free access to Egypt.

US Citizens Requirements

American passport holders must obtain a visa before entering Egypt. Your passport needs at least six months of remaining validity from your planned entry date, plus at least one completely blank page for the visa stamp. US citizens can choose from three main application methods: applying online through Egypt’s official e-visa portal at visa2egypt.gov.eg, securing a visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport, or visiting an Egyptian consulate before departure.

The standard tourist visa allows a 30-day stay and costs $25 USD when obtained online or on arrival. Processing through the e-visa system typically takes 5-7 business days, while consular applications require at least 10 business days.

European Union and UK

British and EU citizens face similar visa requirements, though some European travelers enjoy slightly different procedures. UK passport holders need visas for all visits to Cairo, but they benefit from the same convenient online and arrival visa options available to Americans. The process remains straightforward: valid passport, blank page, and the standard $25 fee.

However, there’s an interesting exception for certain Red Sea resort areas. If you’re flying directly to Sharm el Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, or Taba and staying less than 15 days, you can enter visa-free with just a Sinai stamp – though this doesn’t cover Cairo visits.

Other Nationalities

Citizens from Gulf Cooperation Council countries typically enjoy visa-free access to Egypt for tourism stays up to 90 days. This includes travelers from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar. Meanwhile, travelers from many African and some Asian countries can also access simplified visa procedures.

Dual Egyptian-foreign nationals should note that Egyptian authorities consider them solely Egyptian citizens while in the country, which can affect consular assistance and departure requirements.

E-Visa System: Modern Entry Method

Egypt’s electronic visa system revolutionized travel to Cairo when it launched in December 2017.

Citizens from 46 countries can now apply for Egyptian tourist or business visas entirely online through the official government portal. The system accepts applications for both single-entry and multiple-entry visas, with tourist visas valid for 30 days from entry and multiple-entry options allowing stays up to 90 days within a six-month period. Business visas follow similar validity periods but require additional documentation from sponsoring companies.

The online application process is refreshingly straightforward. Upload a digital passport photo, provide basic travel information, pay the processing fee using an international credit card, and wait for email confirmation. Most applications receive approval within 5-7 business days, though we recommend applying at least two weeks before travel to account for any potential delays or additional document requests.

Payment and Processing

E-visa fees structure includes the $25 visa cost plus a $3 service charge, totaling $28 for single-entry tourist visas. Multiple-entry visas cost $60 plus the service fee. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, and some other major credit cards, but payment processing occasionally experiences technical issues – having a backup payment method helps ensure smooth applications.

Always print your approved e-visa confirmation. Cairo International Airport immigration officials need to see this document alongside your passport, and mobile phone displays aren’t always accepted due to screen glare and verification concerns.

Visa on Arrival Services

Cairo International Airport offers visa on arrival services for eligible nationalities, perfect for spontaneous travel plans.

The visa on arrival counter operates 24/7 in Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3, though service speeds vary significantly depending on flight arrival times and staffing levels. During peak tourist seasons from October through April, expect longer processing times as multiple international flights arrive simultaneously. The counter accepts US dollars, euros, or Egyptian pounds, but exact change speeds up the process considerably since change isn’t always readily available.

Budget at least 30-45 minutes for the complete visa on arrival process during busy periods. This includes waiting in line, document review, fee payment, and passport stamping. Rush periods typically occur between 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm (18:00-22:00) when European flights arrive, and again from midnight to 3:00 am (00:00-03:00) during Gulf region flight arrivals. Early morning arrivals between 5:00 am and 8:00 am (05:00-08:00) usually experience faster processing.

Travelers using visa on arrival should carry backup documentation including hotel reservations, return flight tickets, and proof of sufficient funds, though immigration officers rarely request these documents for tourist visits.

Required Documentation

Passport validity requirements remain identical to other visa types: six months remaining validity and at least one blank page. The $25 fee applies universally, regardless of your intended length of stay up to the 30-day maximum. Some travelers report being asked to show return flight confirmations, particularly during high-season periods when tourism volumes peak.

Traditional Consular Applications

Egyptian embassies and consulates worldwide continue processing traditional visa applications for travelers preferring advance preparation.

Consular applications make sense for several specific situations. Business travelers requiring letters of invitation or company sponsorship often find consular processing more accommodating for complex documentation. Travelers with non-standard passports, diplomatic credentials, or special circumstances also benefit from in-person consular consultations. Additionally, some travel insurance policies require visa approval before policy activation, making advance consular applications necessary.

Processing Times

Standard consular processing requires 10-15 business days for tourist visas and potentially longer for business applications requiring additional verification. Required documents typically include completed application forms, passport photographs meeting specific size and background requirements, passport copies, and supporting documentation based on visa type.

Embassy fees sometimes differ from online and arrival visa costs, with some consulates charging additional service fees or requiring money orders rather than cash payments. Contact your nearest Egyptian diplomatic mission directly for current fee schedules and accepted payment methods.

Applications submitted by mail require additional processing time and should include prepaid return shipping. In-person applications often allow same-day processing for urgent travel, though rush service fees may apply.

Business Visa Requirements

Business travelers to Cairo face additional documentation requirements beyond standard tourist visa procedures.

Corporate Documentation

Egyptian business visas require official invitation letters from Egyptian companies or organizations detailing your visit purpose, duration, and local contact information. Your home company must also provide a letter confirming your employment, travel purpose, and financial responsibility for the trip. Both letters should use official letterhead and include authorized signatures with printed names and titles.

Some business visa applications require copies of business registration documents, particularly for entrepreneurs or freelancers without traditional employment relationships. Professional associations, chambers of commerce, or trade organization memberships can sometimes substitute for employer letters in these circumstances.

Processing times for business visas typically extend beyond tourist visa timeframes due to additional verification procedures. Embassy staff may contact sponsoring organizations to confirm invitation details, adding several days to standard processing periods.

Multiple-Entry Business Visas

Frequent business travelers can apply for multiple-entry visas valid for six months to one year. These visas require additional justification including detailed travel schedules, confirmed business relationships in Egypt, and sometimes bank statements demonstrating financial stability. Multiple-entry business visas cost significantly more than single-entry alternatives but provide excellent value for regular Cairo visitors.

Special Circumstances and Exemptions

Certain travel situations create unique visa requirements or exemptions worth understanding before your Cairo journey.

Transit passengers remaining in Cairo International Airport’s international transit areas for less than 48 hours typically don’t require visas, though this exemption doesn’t apply if you want to leave the airport or if your layover exceeds the time limit. Transit visa exemptions also require confirmed onward tickets and may not apply during certain high-security periods.

Diplomatic passport holders often enjoy different entry procedures, but requirements vary based on specific diplomatic agreements between Egypt and issuing countries. Contact Egyptian diplomatic missions directly for current diplomatic visa procedures and required documentation.

Travelers arriving overland from Sudan or Libya face different entry procedures than air travelers, including potential security screening and documentation requirements specific to border crossing points. These procedures change frequently based on regional security conditions.

Group tour participants sometimes benefit from simplified visa procedures when traveling with licensed Egyptian tour operators. However, individual tour members still need valid passports and must meet standard entry requirements.

Entry Process at Cairo Airport

Understanding Cairo International Airport’s immigration procedures helps ensure smooth arrivals regardless of your visa type.

Cairo International Airport processes international arrivals through three main terminals, with Terminal 1 handling most European and American flights, Terminal 2 serving some regional carriers, and Terminal 3 accommodating additional international routes. All terminals maintain immigration facilities, but processing speeds and crowd levels vary significantly.

Immigration counters separate into Egyptian nationals, Arab nationals, and foreign visitors lines. Foreign visitors should join the appropriate queue based on their passport, not their visa type. Officers typically ask basic questions about visit purpose, accommodation plans, and intended departure dates – straightforward, honest answers work best.

After passport stamping, collect your luggage and proceed through customs declaration. Egypt maintains green “nothing to declare” and red “goods to declare” channels similar to most international airports. Customs officers occasionally conduct random luggage inspections, particularly for electronics, medications, or large quantities of identical items that might suggest commercial activity.

Health and Documentation

Recent health protocols may include temperature screening and occasional health documentation reviews, though requirements change based on global health situations. Travelers should check current health entry requirements before departure, as these can update more frequently than visa policies.

Some travelers report being asked to show hotel reservations or tour confirmations, though this occurs more commonly during peak tourist seasons when accommodation availability tightens. Having digital or printed confirmations readily accessible prevents potential delays.

Common Visa Mistakes

Learning from other travelers’ experiences can save you significant time and frustration during your Cairo visa process.

The most frequent mistake involves passport validity miscalculations. Egypt requires six months of remaining validity from your entry date, not your visa application date or departure date. If your passport expires in August and you’re traveling in March, you need passport renewal before applying for your Egyptian visa.

Many travelers also underestimate processing times, particularly for consular applications during busy seasons. E-visa applications during Ramadan, major Islamic holidays, or Egyptian national holidays may experience extended processing periods due to reduced government office hours.

Photo requirements create another common stumbling block. Passport photos for visa applications must meet specific size, background, and quality standards that differ from standard passport photos in some countries. Using photos from professional passport photo services typically ensures compliance with Egyptian requirements.

Payment and Technical Issues

Online payment failures happen more frequently than expected, particularly with international credit cards that have strict foreign transaction restrictions. Contact your bank before applying to ensure Egyptian government payment processors won’t trigger fraud protection measures.

Technical browser compatibility sometimes affects e-visa applications. Using updated versions of major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari typically prevents submission errors that can delay application processing.

Travelers occasionally submit incomplete applications or forget to upload required documents, triggering automatic rejections that require starting the entire process again. Double-checking all required fields and document uploads before final submission prevents these easily avoided delays.

Frequently Asked Questions