Visa to Egypt: types, documents, cost

Planning a trip to the pyramids of Giza, diving in the Red Sea, or cruising the Nile? The first step is the proper visa application. We have gathered all the relevant information so that you can get your visa to Egypt quickly and without any problems.

Apply for your Egyptian visa online right now and start your adventure without worries!

Egypt is one of the most popular tourist countries, and many travelers are interested in visa-free entry questions. Citizens of certain countries have special conditions of stay depending on the duration of the trip, the method of entry, and the region planned to visit. It is important to note that in some cases, the visa-free regime applies only to certain resort areas, and a visa is required for other destinations in the country.

Visa-free entry conditions in Egypt by nationality:

• Citizens of the EU, USA, and Israel — entry is possible when crossing the land border exclusively through the Taba checkpoint. Allowed zones: Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba. Duration of stay — up to 14 days without a visa. A visa is mandatory for trips to other regions of Egypt.
• Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and UAE — visa-free stay up to 180 days.
• Citizens of Hong Kong, Macao, and Jordan — visa-free stay up to 90 days. Citizens of Jordan require a civil passport valid for 5 years without a stamp «Jordan Registration Office».
• Citizens of Malaysia — visa-free stay up to 15 days.
• Citizens of Lebanon and Singapore — visa-free stay up to 30 days.
• Citizens of Russia (from August 8, 2023) — up to 90 days, only with a direct flight to South Sinai (airports of Sharm El-Sheikh, Taba, or Saint Catherine) and staying in the resort areas of South Sinai. Traveling to Cairo without a visa is not possible.

For up-to-date information on visa-free regimes, it is recommended to contact the embassy or our managers. If a stay longer than the set term or travel outside the permitted areas is planned, a visa should be arranged in advance.

Egypt offers several categories of visas, each designed for specific travel purposes. Tourists, businessmen, transit passengers, and those planning long-term stays apply for different types of documents. Choosing the right visa depends on the purpose of the visit, the duration of the stay, and the nature of the trip. 

Tourist Visa

• For whom: Tourists, vacationers, guests.
• Purpose: Recreation, sightseeing, visiting friends or relatives.
• Duration of stay: Up to 30 days.
• Options for obtaining:
• Electronic visa (e-Visa)
• Visa on arrival at the airport
• Through the consulate (for citizens of some countries)

Business Visa

• For whom: Entrepreneurs, negotiators, company employees.
• Purpose: Business meetings, conferences, signing contracts (but not employment).
• Duration of stay: Usually up to 30 or 90 days.
• Options for obtaining: Most often processed through the Egyptian consulate, but also available as an e-Visa for business purposes.

Transit Visa

• For whom: Travelers passing through Egypt to a third country.
• Purpose: To leave the airport and stay in the country during a long connection.
• Condition: If the time between flights exceeds 48 hours.
• Duration of stay: Limited by the transit period.
• Options for obtaining: Can be issued as an e-Visa or through the consulate.

National Visa (type D)

• For whom: Foreigners planning a long-term stay in Egypt.
• Purpose: Work, study, family reunification, long-term residence.
• Duration of stay: More than 3 months with the possibility of further extension already in Egypt.
• Obtaining: Issued only through the Egyptian consulate in the country of residence.

In addition to the purpose, visas to Egypt vary by method of obtaining. Modern technologies allow to process a visa online, but there are also traditional options — through the consulate or on arrival in the country. Each method has its advantages and limitations, which are important to consider when planning a trip. 

Electronic visa (e-Visa)

• Purposes: Tourism, business, transit.
• Validity period: 90 days from the date of issue.
• Duration of stay: Up to 30 days per trip.
• Entry: Options for Single or Multiple entry are available.
• Method of obtaining: Online through the official portal of the Ministry of Interior of Egypt.
• Advantages: The most popular and convenient method; does not require a visa sticker in the passport; processed within 1-7 working days.

Visa on arrival

• Purposes: Tourism only.
• Duration of stay: Up to 30 days.
• Entry: Single entry only.
• Method of obtaining: Purchased at special counters in international airports of Egypt before passport control.
• Important: Not suitable for business trips. The border officer has the right to deny entry without explaining reasons. Having a pre-arranged e-Visa is considered a more reliable option.

Consular visa (processed through the Embassy/Consulate)

• Purposes:
  • Long-term visas (work, study, type D).
  • For citizens of countries that require a preliminary permission (for example, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Sri Lanka, etc.).
  • If e-Visa or visa on arrival are not available for your country.
• Method of obtaining: Personal submission of documents or through an accredited visa agent to the diplomatic representation of Egypt.
• Features: The process is more complicated and longer, requires a full package of documents (invitations, certificates, etc.).

To apply for a visa to Egypt, the applicant needs to prepare a package of documents. The main requirements depend on the category of visa (tourist, business, transit, or long-term) and the country of nationality. Below is a list of the main papers usually requested by the consulate.

Main documents

• Filled official visa application form.
• Foreign passport with a validity of at least 6 months on the date of entry into Egypt.
• Two recent biometric passport-sized photographs.
• Confirmation of the return or transit route
• Route confirmation
• Confirmation of travel purposes (for example, hotel reservation or tour package).
• receipt for visa fee payment

For each type of visa, the list of documents may differ, so we recommend clarifying the details on the page of the selected visa or contacting our manager for a consultation.