Egypt Tourist Visa: A Complete Guide for Travelers

Whether you’re heading to Cairo for the Pyramids, cruising the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, or visiting family, most foreign visitors need a tourist visa to enter Egypt. The good news is that the process is fairly straightforward: apply online through Egypt’s official e-Visa portal, or in many cases get one on arrival at the airport. For a broader look at Egypt’s entry rules, see our Egypt Visa hub.

This guide covers who needs an Egypt Tourist Visa, the difference between single-entry and multiple-entry options, current fees, documents to prepare, and how the application process actually works.

What Is the Egypt Tourist Visa?

The Egypt Tourist Visa authorizes foreign nationals to enter the country for leisure, sightseeing, or visiting family – it’s not intended for work, study, or long-term residency. It comes in two main forms:

• Single-entry visa: allows one entry into Egypt and a stay of up to 30 days. The visa itself is valid for use within three months from the date of approval, though the 30-day stay clock only starts once you actually enter the country.
• Multiple-entry visa: allows travelers to enter and exit Egypt multiple times, with each individual stay still capped at up to 30 days. This visa is valid for use within six months from the date of approval.

Both options are available through the official e-Visa portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg, and most travelers from eligible countries can also obtain a visa on arrival at major airports and other entry points instead of applying online in advance.

Single-Entry vs. Multiple-Entry: Which Do You Need?

If you’re taking one trip to Egypt – a week in Cairo, a Nile cruise, a beach stay in Hurghada – the single-entry visa is the simpler and cheaper option. If your itinerary involves leaving Egypt and coming back, for example combining Egypt with a side trip to Jordan or Israel before returning, the multiple-entry visa saves you from applying again mid-trip. It’s worth checking your full itinerary before choosing, since switching visa types after applying isn’t a simple fix.

Who Needs a Tourist Visa

Visa requirements depend heavily on nationality. Some travelers can enter Egypt visa-free for a defined period, others qualify for the e-Visa or visa on arrival, and a smaller number of nationalities must apply through an Egyptian embassy or consulate in advance rather than online. Not every nationality is eligible for the e-Visa or visa on arrival – if yours isn’t on the eligible list, an embassy application is the route to take. Because these lists change periodically, it’s worth checking your specific eligibility on the official portal before assuming which route applies to you.

Documents and Requirements

Before applying, gather the following:

• A valid passport, with at least six months of validity remaining from your date of arrival, and at least one to two blank visa pages.
• A recent passport-style photograph, meeting the portal’s format requirements.
• Proof of onward or return travel, such as a flight booking, showing you don’t intend to overstay.
• Accommodation details for your stay, such as a hotel booking or host information.
• A payment method accepted by the e-Visa portal (typically credit or debit card) or cash in US dollars, euros, or British pounds if applying on arrival.

Children need their own passport and their own visa authorization – they aren’t automatically covered under a parent’s application.

Cost of the Egypt Tourist Visa

Egypt updated its tourist visa fees in 2026, so figures from older guides may be outdated. As of the most recent update:

• Single-entry e-Visa or visa on arrival: $30 USD (increased from $25 in early 2026)
• Multiple-entry e-Visa: $65 USD (increased from $60)

These fees apply per traveler and are generally payable in US dollars, though the e-Visa portal accepts card payments and visa-on-arrival counters typically also accept euros or British pounds at the prevailing rate. Because fee structures can change, confirm the current amount on the official portal before applying rather than relying on a fixed figure from any single source, including this one.

How to Apply for an Egypt e-Visa

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility.
Check whether your nationality qualifies for the e-Visa, visa on arrival, or requires an embassy application, using the official portal or your nearest Egyptian consulate.

Step 2: Create an account on the official e-Visa portal.
Applications are submitted through visa2egypt.gov.eg. Avoid third-party sites charging inflated service fees for something you can do directly.

Step 3: Enter your personal and travel details.
This includes passport information, travel dates, and the visa type (single or multiple entry) you’re applying for.

Step 4: Upload your documents.
You’ll need a scanned copy of your passport’s biographical page and a recent photo meeting the specified format.

Step 5: Pay the visa fee online.
Payment is made by credit or debit card through the portal.

Step 6: Wait for processing.
E-Visa applications are typically processed within a few business days, though it’s advisable to apply at least a week or two before departure to allow for any delays.

Step 7: Download and print your approved e-Visa.
Once approved, save a digital copy and print a paper backup. You’ll present this – along with your passport – on arrival, and border officers retain the right to review it before granting entry.

Visa on Arrival: An Alternative for Many Travelers

For eligible nationalities, Egypt also offers a visa on arrival at major airports and select land and sea entry points, allowing you to skip the online application and pay in cash at the border instead. This can be convenient for last-minute trips, but it does mean joining a queue at immigration, and it’s not available to every nationality – some travelers, including certain South Asian nationalities, are required to secure their visa in advance regardless. If you’d rather not deal with an unpredictable airport line after a long flight, applying for the e-Visa ahead of time is generally the smoother option. For a broader look at which destinations offer similar online applications, see our e-Visa Countries guide.

What the Tourist Visa Doesn’t Cover

It’s worth being clear about the limits of this visa category. The tourist visa is strictly for short-term visits – it doesn’t authorize work, formal study, or long-term residency in Egypt. If your plans involve enrolling in a degree program, taking on employment, or staying longer than the visa allows, you’ll need a different visa category entirely, and attempting to stretch a tourist visa to cover those activities can create real problems with Egyptian immigration authorities.

There’s also a separate, more limited entry option for the Sinai Peninsula: certain nationalities can receive a free stamp allowing a short stay confined to specific Sinai resort areas like Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, and Taba, without a full tourist visa. This stamp does not permit travel to Cairo, Luxor, or the rest of mainland Egypt – a standard tourist visa is required for that.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I stay in Egypt on a tourist visa?

Both the single-entry and multiple-entry tourist visas allow a stay of up to 30 days per entry. The visa’s overall validity period – three months for single-entry, six months for multiple-entry – is separate from this 30-day stay limit and simply determines the window in which you can use the visa to enter the country.

What’s the difference between the e-Visa and visa on arrival?

The e-Visa is applied for and approved online before you travel, which speeds up your arrival at Egyptian immigration. The visa on arrival is obtained in person, in cash, at the airport or entry point after you land. Both typically allow the same 30-day stay, but the e-Visa avoids the airport queue and lets you confirm your entry authorization in advance.

Can I extend my Egypt tourist visa once I’m there?

Extensions are generally available through Egypt’s Passport and Immigration authorities before your current visa expires, though the exact terms and any additional fee can vary. If you think you’ll need more time, it’s worth looking into this while you’re still in the country rather than waiting until the last day.

Do I need a visa to visit Sharm El Sheikh or other Sinai resorts?

Some nationalities can enter specific Sinai coastal areas, such as Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, and Taba, with a free entry stamp rather than a full visa, for a limited stay. This stamp doesn’t cover travel to Cairo, Luxor, or mainland Egypt – those destinations require the standard tourist visa.

How much does the Egypt Tourist Visa cost?

As of the most recent fee update, the single-entry e-Visa or visa on arrival costs $30 USD, and the multiple-entry e-Visa costs $65 USD. These figures increased from $25 and $60 respectively in early 2026, so it’s worth confirming the current fee on the official portal before applying.

Do children need their own tourist visa?

Yes. Children traveling to Egypt need their own passport and their own visa authorization; they cannot travel to Egypt under a parent’s visa.

Can I use a tourist visa to study or work in Egypt?

No. The tourist visa is intended for short-term leisure travel and family visits only. Work and formal study require a different visa category entirely, and using a tourist visa for those purposes isn’t permitted.

Is travel insurance required to enter Egypt?

Travel insurance isn’t typically a strict document requirement checked at the border in the way it is for some other destinations, but given the potential costs of medical care or trip disruptions abroad, it’s a sensible precaution for any international trip, including to Egypt.