Egypt Visa for Tourists: e-Visa, Visa on Arrival and the Sinai Stamp

Most visitors need a visa for Egypt, but getting one is easy. Travelers from the US, Canada, the UK, the EU, Australia and many other countries can apply online for an e-visa before they fly, or buy a visa on arrival at Egypt’s main airports. If you’re only visiting the South Sinai resorts, such as Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, you may not need a visa at all for a short stay. Here’s how each option works, what you need, and the mistakes to avoid.

Planning a trip? Start with our complete Egypt travel guide, our Egypt travel tips, the best time to visit Egypt and Is Egypt safe to visit?

Egypt visa at a glance

Rules and fees change. Check the official Egypt e-Visa portal and your government’s travel advice before you go.

Option 1: the e-visa (online, before you fly)

The e-visa is the simplest choice for most travelers, and it means no queue at the airport.

1. Apply only on the official portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg. Other websites that look official are agents that charge extra.
2. Choose single or multiple entry. A single-entry tourist e-visa is valid for about three months from issue and lets you stay up to 30 days. A multiple-entry visa lets you come and go over a longer period, with each stay up to 30 days.
3. Upload your passport and pay the fee by card.
4. Apply at least a week before you travel. Approval is often faster, but it can take several working days.
5. Print the approved e-visa or keep it on your phone, and show it at passport control.

Option 2: visa on arrival

Citizens of many countries, including the US, Canada, the UK and the EU, can buy a 30-day tourist visa when they land at Egypt’s main international airports.

• Where: at the bank kiosks in the arrivals hall, before you reach passport control. Buy the visa first, then join the immigration line.
• How to pay: traditionally in cash, in US dollars, so bring clean, undamaged notes. Since August 1, 2026, Cairo International Airport also offers a digital visa on arrival, paid by card at self-service machines or online.
• How long: up to 30 days. To stay longer, apply for an extension at the Immigration Authority in Egypt before your visa runs out.

You don’t need an agent or “helper” to buy a visa at the airport. If someone offers, a polite “la, shukran” (no, thank you) is enough.

Option 3: the free Sinai entry stamp

If you fly into Sharm el-Sheikh and stay in the South Sinai resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba for less than 15 days, you can get a free entry permission stamp on arrival instead of a visa.

• The stamp is for those resorts only. If you want to visit Cairo, Luxor or anywhere else in Egypt, you need a full visa (e-visa or visa on arrival).
• Planning a day trip to St Catherine or the Mount Sinai sunrise climb? Ask your guide or hotel whether your stamp covers it; if in doubt, get a full visa.
• Not sure of your plans? A full visa gives you the freedom to travel anywhere.

Passport and other entry rules

You need a passport valid for at least six months after you arrive, with at least one blank page.

• Passport: valid for at least six months after you arrive, with at least one blank page.
• Yellow fever: a vaccination certificate is required only if you’re arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever.
• Cash: you can bring in or take out up to 5,000 Egyptian pounds. Foreign currency over US$10,000 must be declared on arrival.
• Overstaying: if you stay past your 30 days without an extension, you may be fined when you leave.
• Drones: drones are restricted in Egypt, so don’t bring one unless you have permission.

Arriving by land or sea (from Jordan or Israel)

Many travelers combine Egypt with Jordan. The easiest way is to fly between Amman and Cairo, but there are also ferries across the Gulf of Aqaba to Nuweiba, and a land border with Israel at Taba.

• Get an e-visa in advance if you’ll travel beyond the Sinai coast. It’s the simplest way to avoid surprises at a land or sea border.
• Taba: crossing fees have changed at short notice in 2026, so check the latest information before you travel.
• Read your government’s advice on the Sinai first, as some areas inland are not recommended.

Mistakes to avoid

• Using an unofficial visa website. Always apply at visa2egypt.gov.eg.
• Arriving with a short passport. Check the six-month rule before you book.
• Using the Sinai stamp and then going to Cairo. The free stamp doesn’t cover the rest of Egypt.
• Bringing only cards to a visa kiosk. Carry some US dollars in cash in case card payment isn’t available.
• Overstaying. Count your 30 days from the date of entry, not the date the visa was issued.

Local-guided experiences

Once you’re in, our local hosts are ready to show you around:

Find a local guide: meet our local guides in Egypt.

Egypt visa FAQ