Egypt is a transcontinental country spanning Africa and Asia. It has the longest histories of any country globally, dating back to about 6-4 millennia BCE, and the most populous in North Africa. Egypt has the most diversified economies in the middle east and the third-largest economy in Africa.
Over 12 million tourists visit Egypt annually; however, you need an Egypt Visa to see this spectacular prehistoric site. The process of obtaining an Egypt Visa has been made easy by the Egyptian government. This article will give you a step-to-step approach to obtaining an Egypt visa –Read till the end.
CITIZENS OF THESE COUNTRIES CAN VISIT EGYPT WITHOUT A VISA
As stated in the Egypt visa policy, Foreigners must get an Egypt Visa before they can be permitted to stay in Egypt. Some foreign nationals are allowed to get an online visa or get an Egypt visa on arrival; this saves travelers’ stress and time. Non-the-less, Citizens of a handful of countries can visit and stay in Egypt for 90 days without a visa. This country includes:
- Hong Kong
- Oman
- Lebanon
- Bahrain
- Macao
- Malaysia (14 Days maximum)
- UAE
- Saudi Arabia
- Kuwait.
PS: All chartered flights can enter via Hurghada Airport, Sharm el-sheik Airport, or Borg El Arab Airport.
CONDITIONAL EGYPT VISA EXEMPTED COUNTRIES:
Nationals of the following countries can be allowed a stay in Egypt if they meet definite conditions. The table below contains the nations and their required conditions.
| COUNTRIES | CONDITIONS |
| Afghanistan | Must not be 16 – 50 year of age |
| Algeria | Must not be 14 years of age or above |
| China | Only for persons with a return or onward flight ticket or 2000 US Dollars or it equivalent and a 4 or 5-star hotel reservation. |
| Libya | Only women or Butnan District residents on Sundays and Mondays |
| Jordan | Persons with a 5-year unstamped ordinary Jordan passport. The Jordanian Registration Office stamp must not be imprinted on the back cover of the passport |
| Lebanon | Must not be 16 – 50 year of age and all ages for South Sinai and Alexandria |
| Morocco | Must not be 14 years of age or above |
| Sudan | Must not be 16 – 50 year of age except all female nationals |
| South Sudan | Must not be 16 – 50 year of age except all female nationals |
| Tunisha | Must not be 14 years of age or above |
| Yemen | Must not be 16 – 50 year of age except travelling on aesculapian or medical purposes |
| Palestine | Must not be 18 – 40 years and have been issued travel documents by Jordan, Lebanon, Syria or Egypt. |
OTHER VISA EXEMPTIONS:
There are other exemptions from Egypt visa; the following are exempted from Egypt Visa:
A child of an Egyptian mother who was born after July 25, 2004 (Except for Iraq, Syria, Qatar, or Yemen nationals)
A child of an Egyptian Father (Except for Iraq, Syria, Qatar, or Yemen nationals)
A woman who is married to an Egyptian man (Except for Iraq, Syria, Qatar, or Yemen nationals)
A tourist group of at least five tourists; must have a letter of guarantee endorsed by a travel agency, reserved accommodation, and a return ticket and are from any of the following countries:
China, Costa Rica, Azerbaijan, Barbados, India, Belize, El Salvador, Jordan, Lebanon, Guatemala, Honduras, and Kazakhstan
COUNTRIES THAT REQUIRE PRE-CLEARANCE FOR EGYPT VISA APPLICATION
Nationals of some countries require a pre-clearance for an Egypt visa application at the consular office. The Egyptian State Security Authorities give the pre-clearance. The following countries require a pre-clearance:
Iraq, Kazakhstan, Iran, Kosovo, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Mauritania, and Somalia.
THE EGYPT TOURIST VISA
The Egypt Tourist Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for citizens of foreign countries who wishes to stay for a short term purpose in Egypt. The Visa lasts for 90 days; however, a foreigner still has to acquire a visa if they wish to stay long-term. Foreigners can obtain an Egypt visa on arrival or can make the visa application online.
ELIGIBILITY FOR EGYPT VISA ON ARRIVAL
The validity of an Egypt visa on arrival is for 30 days; it can be obtained by citizens of all countries, except the following territories and countries:
| Angola | Chad | Kyrgyzstan | Lesotho | Montenegro | Philippines |
| Afghanistan | Comoros | R Kosovo | Liberia | Morocco | Sierra Leone |
| Algeria | R Congo | DPR Korea | Madagascar | Mozambique | Somalia |
| Armenia | DR Congo | Kenya | Malawi | Myanmar | South Africa |
| Azerbaijan | Côte d’Ivoire | Israel | Malaysia | Namibia | Sri Lanka |
| Bangladesh | El Salvador | Iraq | Mali | Nicaragua | Sudan |
| Barbados | Eritrea | Iran | Mauritania | Niger | Swaziland |
| Belarus | Ethiopia | Indonesia | Mauritius | Nigeria | Syria |
| Belize | Gabon | India | Moldova | Pakistan | Qatar |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Republic of Central Africa | Equatorial Guinea | Turkey (except those aged below 18 and above 45) | Lebanon (excluding South Sinai and Alexandria), | St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Botswana | Djibouti | Honduras | Mongolia | Palestine | Tunisia |
| Burkina Faso | Gambia | Tajikistan | Thailand | Togo | Vietnam |
| Burundi | Ghana | Tanzania | Uganda | Uzbekistan | Zambia |
| Cameroon | Guatemala | Turkmenistan | Zimbabwe | Cape Verde | Guinea-Bissau |
Egypt visa on arrival is valid for 30 days; it can be obtained by citizens of all countries, except the following countries and territories:
PS: Citizens of GCC member states who still have a minimum of 6 months left on their residence permit can obtain an Egypt visa on arrival.
EGYPT VISA ON ARRIVAL APPLICATION
To apply for an Egypt visa on arrival, you first check if your country is eligible. On arrival, the Egypt visa is obtained from any visa-issuing points at the entry ports before approaching the immigration. The Egypt visa fee is paid in exact change.
Foreign nationals who have met the Egypt visa requirements are eligible for the Egypt visa on arrival and Online Egypt visa application. This is a preferable and more secure process because you can know if your application has been approved before your travel.
ELIGIBILITY FOR EGYPT VISA ONLINE
To obtain the Egypt visa online, you have to fill the Egypt visa application form online. The table below includes countries whose citizens can get an Egypt Visa online.
| A European Union country | Japan | Montenegro | Switzerland |
| Albania | North Korea | North Macedonia | Ukraine |
| Australia | South Korea | Norway | United Kingdom |
| Canada | Moldova | Russia | Serbia |
| Iceland | Monaco | United States | Vatican City |
EGYPT VISA APPLICATION ONLINE (e-Visa)
Egypt e-Visa is an official document authorizing a foreigner’s entry and travel into Egypt. The e-visa is obtained electronically and serves as an alternative to port entry visas. The e-Visa application should be made at least a week before your travel. The following countries are eligible to apply for an Egypt e-visa
.
If you have met Egypt visa requirements. Apply for an Egypt visa online here
Here are the procedures to apply for an e-Visa:
- Open an account with your email. A confirmation code will be sent to your email.
- Fill in your traveling information –visa type, departure and arrival dates, etc.
- Upload a scanned copy of your Passport.
- Make payments for the e-visa via a debit or credit card.
- Hold on till the process is completed.
N/B: You must print the e-Visa; it will be required at the entry port.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRE AT THE EGYPT ENTRY PORT
- A passport – must be valid for a minimum of 6 months.
- A travel itinerary.
- The Egypt e-Visa printout.
- A support letter (e.g., IV letter for family visits or business, a letter from a company)
- Reservation bookings.
SINAI RESORT PERMISSION STAMP
Citizens of the US, Israel, and all European Union countries do not need a visa before traveling only through Taba Border Crossing. If they visit Sharm El Sheikh, Taba, and Nuweiba, they will be granted a free entry stamp.
Obtaining a Sinai resort visa on arrival, which has a 15 days validation, will allow you entry into Egypt for tourism. Any country excluding the following countries can obtain the Sinai Resort Permission Stamp:
| Afghanistan | Chad | Kyrgyzstan | Lesotho | Montenegro | Philippines |
| Angola | Comoros | R Kosovo | Liberia | Morocco | Sierra Leone |
| Algeria | R Congo | DPR Korea | Madagascar | Mozambique | Somalia |
| Armenia | DR Congo | Kenya | Malawi | Myanmar | South Africa |
| Azerbaijan | Côte d’Ivoire | Cape Verde | Zimbabwe | Namibia | Sri Lanka |
| Bangladesh | El Salvador | Iraq | Mali | Nicaragua | Sudan |
| Barbados | Eritrea | Iran | Mauritania | Niger | Swaziland |
| Belarus | Ethiopia | Indonesia | Mauritius | Nigeria | Syria |
| Belize | Gabon | India | Moldova | Pakistan | Turkmenistan |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Central African Republic | Equatorial Guinea | Turkey (excluding those whose ages are above 45 and below 20) | Guinea-Bissau | St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Botswana | Djibouti | Honduras | Mongolia | Palestine | Tunisia |
| Burkina Faso | Gambia | Tajikistan | Thailand | Togo | Vietnam |
| Burundi | Ghana | Tanzania | Uganda | Uzbekistan | Zambia |
| Cameroon | Guatemala |
EGYPT VISA APPLICATION AT THE CONSULATE
Foreigners who intent to travel to Egypt (who are not exempted or eligible to apply for Egypt e-Visa or Visa on arrival) must apply for an Egypt visa through the Egyptian embassy in their country or bordering country.
Citizens of Visa-free countries to Egypt and those eligible for an Egypt e-Visa can also apply to Egypt if they want to stay long-term in Egypt. According to the Egyptian Consulate General, the application process for an Egypt Visa is as follows:
- Book an appointment with the Egyptian embassy in your country.
- Get the Egypt Visa Application Form and fill in the required information.
- Make available the necessary documents.
- Make the Egypt visa fee payment. Payment can be made through bank transfer, cash, or in banks prior to application.
- Submit the Egypt visa application form alongside the required documents at the Egyptian consulate. The copy can be submitted in person or via mail; this is at the embassy’s discretion.
- Hold-up for the Visa to be processed.
- If the visa application is approved, collect your Passport or have it mailed back to you (depending on your application channel) with the Visa affixed.
PS: The embassy may call you for an interview at the Egyptian embassy’s discretion.
REQUIREMENTS FOR EGYPT VISA APPLICATION
The following documents are required for an Egypt visa application:
- Two copies of the Egypt Visa application form.
- Two recent passport-sized photographs (2inch by 2inch with white background).
- Your Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6months from the entry date with at least two black pages.
- 2 Photocopies of the personal information page of your Passport.
- Residence permit or other legal residence proof; if you are not applying from your country.
- Evidence of an onward or return ticket.
- Proof of accommodation reservation in Egypt.
- An invitation letter from your host company; if traveling for business.
- Evidence of Egypt visa fee payment.
If the application was made via mail, include a prepaid envelope alongside a self-addressed. The embassy will need it to return your documents and Passport.
PS: The requirements may vary depending on the consulate you apply to and your travel purpose.
EGYPT VISA PROCESSING TIME-LENGTH
The time it takes to process your Visa may vary depending on the visa type. See the table below:
| VISA TYPE | TIME |
| Egypt Visa on arrival | Immediately |
| Egypt e-Visa | 7 Days |
| Egypt visa | 10 working days |
Applying via mail may take a longer time to mail the documents to and fro.
EGYPT VISA VALIDITY PERIOD
All Egypt visas expire at a stipulated time; the duration depends on the number of entries. The table below shows the visa types, its corresponding validity period, and the number of entries:
| VISA TYPE | VALIDITY PERIOD | NO. OF ENTRIES |
| Egypt Visa on arrival | 90 days | 1 entry (30 days maximum) |
| Egypt Tourist Visa | 6 months | 1 entry (60 days maximum) |
| Egypt Tourist Visa | 6 months | Multiple-entry (90 days maximum) |
EGYPT VISA FEES
For Egypt Visa On Arrival and E-Visa:
- Multiple-entry Visa: 25 USD
- Single-entry Visa: 60 USD
Egypt Visa Application at an Egypt Consulate:
| CITIZENS OF | SINGLE-ENTRY BUSINESS VISA | MULTIPLE-ENTRY BUSINESS VISA | SINGLE-ENTRY TOURIST VISA | MULTIPLE-ENTRY TOURIST VISA |
| Canada (individual passport) | $65 | $85 | $30 | $40 |
| Canada (family passport) | $115 | $155 | $30 | $40 |
| Cyprus | $40 | $55 | $15 | $15 |
| Denmark | $40 | $55 | $15 | $15 |
| Finland | $40 | $55 | $15 | $15 |
| Germany | $40 | $55 | $20 | $20 |
| Guinea | $40 | $55 | $15 | $15 |
| Nigeria | $45 | $70 | FREE | FREE |
| Norway | $40 | $55 | $15 | $15 |
| Russia | $40 | $55 | $15 | $15 |
| South Africa | FREE | FREE | FREE | FREE |
| Sweeden | $40 | $55 | $15 | $15 |
| The UK | $95 | $160 | $30 | $40 |
| The United States | $40 | $55 | $15 | $15 |
| Zimbabwe | $45 | $70 | FREE | FREE |
| All other countries: | $40 | $55 | $30 | $40 |
You are advised to confirm from the embassy, as these fees may change depending on the embassy.
Official or diplomatic passport holders and United Nation Laissez-Passer are exempted from paying an Egypt visa fee.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can an Egypt Tourist Visa be extended?
Yes, it can be renewed for 90 days; however, you have to present your Egypt visa and your Passport at the Egypt Passport and Immigration Administration. Another payment will be made to obtain a Visa.
Is an Egypt Transit Visa required?
There are a few factors that determine whether you need an Egypt Transit Visa or not; these are:
If you have less than 6 hours to your transit; It is not required, but you can’t leave the airport.
If you have 6-48 hours to your transit; You can leave the airport, but your Passport and evidence of onward travel will be required.
If you have more than 48 hours to your transit; You will be required to get the relevant Visa.
HOW DO I SUBMIT AN EGYPT VISA APPLICATION FROM THE UK?
This can be done two in two ways; you can apply for an Egypt visa online or get an Egypt visa on arrival. You can also apply through the Egypt Visa Consulate in the UK.
To get a visa for long-term purposes, you have to apply to the UK’s Egypt embassy.
AS A UNITED STATES CITIZEN, DO I NEED AN EGYPT VISA?
YES, an Egypt visa is required from a US citizen before they are allowed entrance into Egypt. To obtain the Egypt visa, USA nationals can apply for an Egypt visa online or get a visa on arrival at the entry port.