Egypt Visa & Entry Requirements

Visa Requirements Overview

💻 Egypt E-Visa (Recommended)

Apply online through the official Egypt e-visa portal before travel:

Official Website: visa2egypt.gov.eg
Single Entry: 30 days stay, valid 90 days - $25 USD
Multiple Entry: 30 days per visit, valid 180 days - $60 USD
Processing Time: 5-7 business days (usually faster)
Apply: 7 days before departure (recommended)
Passport Validity: Minimum 6 months
Payment: Credit/debit card online

🛫 Visa on Arrival

Available at Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, and other airports:

Eligible: Citizens of most Western countries, Gulf states, Japan, South Korea
Single Entry: 30 days - $25 USD
Payment: Cash (USD, EUR, GBP) at airport bank counters
Tip: E-visa is faster - avoids airport queues
Not Available: Some nationalities require pre-approved visa
Bring: Exact change for faster processing

🌟 Visa-Free Entry (Limited)

Only a few countries enjoy visa-free access to Egypt:

Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE: 90 days visa-free
Hong Kong & Macau: 90 days visa-free
Malaysia: 90 days visa-free (2024)
Seychelles: 3 months visa-free
Sinai Peninsula Only: Some nationalities get free 15-day South Sinai entry
Most Travelers: Require either e-visa or visa on arrival

Entry Requirements

Essential Documents

Before traveling to Egypt, ensure you have all required documents and meet entry requirements for a smooth immigration process at Cairo International Airport or other Egyptian entry points.

📖 Passport Requirements

Valid for at least 6 months from entry date
At least 2 blank pages for visa stamps
Must be in good condition (not damaged or water-damaged)
Israeli stamps are generally accepted (Egypt has peace treaty with Israel)
Passport color copies recommended for safety

🎫 Return/Onward Ticket

Confirmed return or onward flight ticket required
May be checked at airline check-in and immigration
Must be within your visa validity period (30 days)
Electronic ticket confirmation or printed copy

💰 Proof of Funds

Sufficient funds for duration of stay
Recommended: $1,000-2,000 USD or equivalent
Credit cards accepted in major cities and hotels
ATMs widely available (Visa/Mastercard)
Bring some USD cash for convenience

🏨 Accommodation Proof

Hotel booking confirmation recommended
Address in Egypt for immigration form
Rarely verified but good to have ready
Invitation letter if staying with friends/family

Entry Points to Egypt

✈️ Cairo International Airport (CAI)

Egypt's main international gateway and busiest airport:

Located 20km northeast of Cairo city center
Open 24/7 with four terminals (mainly Terminal 2 & 3)
Visa on arrival available at bank counters before immigration
Immigration processing: 30-90 minutes (varies)
Airport taxis and Uber available to city
Free WiFi in terminals

✈️ Hurghada International Airport (HRG)

Major Red Sea resort gateway for beach holidays:

Located near Hurghada on the Red Sea coast
Primarily European charters and package tours
Visa on arrival available
Direct access to Red Sea resorts (Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay)
Less crowded than Cairo airport

✈️ Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport (SSH)

Sinai Peninsula's main airport for beach resorts:

Gateway to Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, and South Sinai
Visa on arrival or free 15-day Sinai-only permit
Popular with European package tourists
Direct access to Red Sea diving and beach resorts

🚢 Other Entry Points

Additional ways to enter Egypt:

Luxor Airport (LXR): Direct access to ancient temples
Aswan Airport (ASW): Entry point for Upper Egypt
Alexandria Airport (ALY): Mediterranean coastal entry
Port Said & Alexandria Ports: Cruise ship arrivals
Land Borders: From Israel (Taba), Jordan (Nuweiba ferry), Libya, Sudan
Nile River Entry: Lake Nasser from Sudan (for cruises)

Health & Vaccination Requirements

💉 Vaccination Requirements

No Mandatory Vaccinations: Egypt does not require specific vaccinations for most travelers
COVID-19: Requirements lifted (check latest updates before travel)
Yellow Fever: Certificate required ONLY if arriving from yellow fever endemic countries (parts of Africa and South America)
Polio: Certificate may be required from endemic countries (Pakistan, Afghanistan)

🏥 Recommended Vaccinations

Hepatitis A: Highly recommended (food/water-borne)
Hepatitis B: Recommended for most travelers
Typhoid: Recommended if eating street food or visiting rural areas
Routine Vaccines: Ensure MMR, DPT, and flu vaccines are up to date
Rabies: Consider if extensive animal contact or adventure travel

🩺 Health Precautions

Egypt has good healthcare in major cities (Cairo, Alexandria)
Travel/health insurance STRONGLY recommended
Tap water: NOT recommended to drink - use bottled water
Avoid ice cubes unless made from purified water
Food: Stick to well-cooked foods in reputable restaurants
No malaria in most tourist areas (exists in El Faiyum Oasis only)
Summer heat: Stay hydrated, sun protection (40°C+/104°F+)

Customs & Prohibited Items

✅ Duty-Free Allowances

Cigarettes: 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200g tobacco
Alcohol: 1 liter of alcohol OR 2 liters of beer (non-Muslims only, age 21+)
Perfume: 1 liter of eau de cologne and reasonable amount of perfume
Personal Items: Used personal effects, camera, laptop
Gifts: Up to 200 EGP value
Currency: No limit on foreign currency (declare amounts over $10,000 USD)
Egyptian Currency: Maximum 5,000 EGP can be imported/exported

❌ Strictly Prohibited Items

Drugs & narcotics: Extremely severe penalties including death penalty
Weapons, firearms, ammunition: All prohibited without special permits
Drones: Strictly prohibited - will be confiscated (requires special permit)
Certain medications: Tramadol and some controlled substances banned
Walkie-talkies/VoIP devices: Require permits
Cotton: Raw cotton import is restricted
Counterfeit goods: Subject to confiscation
Pornographic materials: Books, magazines, videos with sexual content
Printed matter against public morals: Religious materials may be scrutinized

⚠️ Important Customs Notes

Drones: STRICTLY prohibited for tourists - will be confiscated
Medications: Carry prescriptions; Tramadol is ILLEGAL in Egypt
High-Value Items: Declare laptops, cameras, expensive electronics
Green Channel: Nothing to declare
Red Channel: Items to declare
Currency Declaration: Required for amounts over $10,000 USD
Antiquities: Cannot export without special permit - serious offense

Important Tips for Arrival

📱 Arrival Preparation

Download offline maps (Google Maps and Maps.me recommended)
Get local SIM card at airport (Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat)
Free WiFi available at airports and some cafes/hotels
Have hotel address in English and Arabic written down
Download apps: Uber/Careem (taxi), Google Translate
WhatsApp works well for communication
Bring small USD bills for tips and purchases

🕒 Processing Times at Cairo Airport

Visa on arrival counter: 15-30 minutes (get before immigration)
Immigration: 30-90 minutes (can be slow, especially evenings)
Baggage claim: 30-60 minutes (can be slow)
Customs: 5-15 minutes (usually quick if nothing to declare)
Taxi to Cairo center: 30-60 minutes depending on traffic
Allow 2-3 hours total from landing to hotel

💡 Pro Tips

Bring exact $25 USD for visa on arrival (avoids change issues)
Exchange small amount at airport, better rates in city
Credit cards accepted in hotels/malls, less in markets
Use Uber/Careem for reliable metered taxis
Dress modestly (shoulders/knees covered, especially for women)
Keep visa printout and passport safe
Bargaining expected in markets (Khan el-Khalili, souks)

🆘 Emergency Contacts

Police Emergency: 122
Ambulance: 123
Fire Department: 180
Tourist Police: 126 (multilingual support)
Cairo Airport: +20 2 2265 5000
Egypt Tourism Hotline: 19654

Consular Services & Resources

Need Help?

Contact your home country's embassy or consulate in Egypt for assistance with visa issues, emergency travel documents, or other consular services. Egypt hosts over 150 diplomatic missions in Cairo, making it a major diplomatic center in the Middle East and Africa.

🏛️ Consular Services

Emergency passport replacement
Travel document assistance
Notarial services and document authentication
Legal assistance and lawyer referrals
Emergency financial assistance (limited)
Birth, marriage, death registration
Assistance in case of arrest or detention

📞 Tourist Support

Tourist Police: 126 (multilingual support)
Egypt Tourism Hotline: 19654
Emergency Police: 122
Ambulance: 123
Cairo Airport: +20 2 2265 5000
Lost Passport: Contact your embassy immediately