Egypt: Will the visa fee increase by $15 in 2027?

On August 20, 2026, Decree No. 2553/2026 was published in the Egyptian Official Gazette, establishing a fee of 15 U.S. dollars (or the equivalent in foreign currency) for entry and transit visas issued by Egyptian authorities at points of entry. The same amount will also apply in the future to visas and certain consular services provided by Egyptian embassies and consulates abroad. The regulation takes effect on January 1, 2027.

At first glance, this reads as though, starting in 2027, a flat additional fee of 15 U.S. dollars will simply be added to existing visa fees. Upon closer inspection, however, this is not an entirely new fee, but rather an increase to an existing one: An earlier decree (No. 4873/2025) had already set this fee at 12 U.S. dollars for 2026. The new decree merely increases this amount from $12 to $15 starting in 2027—so a completely new $15 charge is not automatically added on top of all existing visa fees; rather, the existing fee increases by $3.

This fee is not legally identical to the actual “visa fee.” It is based on a legal provision intended to help finance the buildings and infrastructure of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs abroad—including embassies and consulates. This legal basis was revised at the end of 2025: Law No. 175/2025 has since allowed the government to set the fee at up to $20 per entry or transit visa, as well as for certain consular services. The specific amount is determined by the prime minister on a case-by-case basis—it was set at 12 U.S. dollars for 2026 and has now been set at 15 U.S. dollars for 2027.

The key question of whether the popular visa on arrival, which currently costs 30 U.S. dollars, will actually increase to 45 U.S. dollars starting in 2027 remains unanswered at this time. This cannot be clearly deduced from the published decree, as it is unclear how this administrative fee relates to the regular visa fee, or whether and how the two amounts will be combined in the future.

For travelers planning a trip to Egypt, this development means one thing above all: Anyone who wants to apply for a visa early and pay the correct, up-to-date fees should keep an eye on how costs evolve, as the exact amount of the total fee may change starting in January 2027. Here at buch-dein-visum.de, we continuously monitor such changes and ensure that your application always reflects the currently valid fees, whether you need an e-visa for tourists or a traditional tourist visa for Egypt.

The fee adjustment may also affect business travelers applying for a business visa for Egypt, as well as individuals who are merely transiting through Egypt and require a transit visa. Since the final breakdown of the total costs for 2027 has not yet been definitively determined, it is advisable to plan your trip well in advance and to process your visa application through a reliable partner who is familiar with the current cost situation and can compile the necessary documents correctly.

In summary, the decree indicates that Egypt is gradually increasing its administrative fees for visas—from $12 in 2026 to $15 starting in 2027, with legal leeway to set the fee at up to $20. How this will specifically affect the final price of the visa upon entry will only become clear with further official clarifications. Until then, anyone planning to obtain an Egyptian visa should find out the current costs well in advance to avoid surprises when planning their trip.