Most visitors need a visa for Egypt, and as of October 2026 a single-entry tourist visa costs $30 whether you apply online or buy it at the airport. The Egypt entry visa is cheap and quick. The traps are the extra fees, the payment rules and a fee rise due on 1 January 2027.
This guide uses the Egyptian e-visa portal and two governments' travel advice, all checked in October 2026. It covers what each route costs, how to apply, when you can skip the visa and what officers expect to see at the desk.
Do you need a visa for Egypt?
Yes, on almost every passport. The Egyptian e-visa portal says foreign visitors generally need to get an e-visa before they travel, and its list of eligible countries runs to more than 70 names. That list includes the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, India, Japan and most of the EU.
For US citizens, the Egypt entry visa works like this: the United States is on the portal's list, so you can apply online before you fly. If your passport isn't on the list, ask the nearest Egyptian embassy instead of guessing.
Here are the four ways in, as of October 2026.
| Route | Cost (US dollars) | How you pay | Checked in |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-visa, single entry | $30 | Card, on the portal | Portal FAQ, October 2026 |
| E-visa, multiple entry | $65 | Card, on the portal | Portal FAQ, October 2026 |
| Paper visa on arrival | $30 | Cash only | UK FCDO, October 2026 |
| Cairo digital visa on arrival | $36 ($30 plus a $6 service fee) | Card only | UK FCDO, from 1 August 2026 |
A fifth route costs nothing but has limits. It's the Sinai-only stamp, covered below.
Egypt entry visa cost in 2026 and 2027
The official portal's FAQ lists $30 for a single entry and $65 for multiple entries. The Egypt multiple entry visa cost is worth paying only if you'll leave and re-enter, say for a Cairo base with a side trip to Jordan. For a normal two-week trip, single entry is enough.
Now the part most pages get wrong. Travel-industry reports say the single-entry fee rises to $33 on 1 January 2027, after a Cabinet decision in August 2026. That circular comes from Egypt's travel agents' association, not from a government price list, and the portal still listed $30 in October 2026.
The same reports explain the rise. A fixed visa levy set by a prime ministerial decree goes from $12 to $15 on that date.
That's a $3 increase inside the price, not a new $15 charge on top. One outlet's $45 figure doesn't match any of this, so ignore it.
The portal doesn't state a processing time. It says only that you'll get an email when your application has been processed.
How to get an Egypt visa online
Getting an Egypt visa online takes four steps on the official e-visa portal. Use that address, and nothing that only looks like it.
- Create an account with your email address and sign in.
- Fill in the application form with your passport details and travel plans.
- Pay the fee by credit or debit card.
- Download the e-visa from the link you receive, and print it.
Apply at least 7 days before departure, as the portal itself advises. Don't leave it to the night before your flight.
What are the Egypt tourist visa requirements?
The same page sets out what you carry to the border:
- a passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date
- the printed e-visa
- your travel itinerary
- hotel bookings or details of places you'll visit
The UK government adds that the passport needs at least one blank page. Officers can check your e-visa in their system. The portal also warns that holders may be refused entry without an explanation, so carry the printout and a booking you can show.
Can you get an Egypt visa on arrival?
Yes, for many passports. The UK says to buy the physical visa at the kiosks before you reach immigration. It costs $30, cash only, and is valid for up to 30 days.
Cairo has a second option. From 1 August 2026, the UK advises that you can buy a digital visa at Cairo International Airport, through self-service machines or the Visa on Arrival portal. It costs $36, paid by card only.
Which should you pick at Cairo? The paper visa is $6 cheaper, but it needs dollars in cash. The digital version suits you if you don't carry notes.
Launch reports say the QR code stays valid for 48 hours. No official page I could open confirms that, so treat it as unverified.
Skip the agents who meet you in the terminal. The UK warns that agents often charge more than $30, and you don't need one.
The Sinai-only stamp: free, with conditions
If you're flying to a Red Sea resort, you may not need a visa at all. The UK says you get a free entry stamp at Sharm El-Sheikh Airport if you stay under 15 days in Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba.
The catch is that the stamp keeps you in those resorts. Add a day trip to Luxor or Cairo and you need a visa. Canada's advice describes the stamp as 14 days, not 15, so don't plan a stay that runs to the last hour.
So it's a real decision. Staying in Sharm for ten days? The stamp saves you $30.
Planning one pyramid day? Buy the e-visa first.
Crossing by land at Taba
Arriving from Israel costs more than flying in, and the UK says charges have risen at short notice since March 2026. Bring at least $170 in cash per person.
The UK lists these costs at Taba, as of October 2026:
- Staying in Taba only: a $20 border tax and an entry stamp for up to 15 days.
- Going on to Sharm El-Sheikh: a $120 border tax and the same 15-day stamp.
- Going beyond Sinai: the $120 tax plus a $30 visa, and at Taba the visa needs a guarantee letter costing about $20.
Do the sum before you choose this route. A flight to Sharm plus the free stamp can come out cheaper.
Is the e-visa worth it?
At $30, the e-visa and the paper visa cost the same, so you're paying for convenience. The e-visa lets you skip the cash and the kiosk line, and it removes the worry about carrying exact notes. In exchange, you must apply a week ahead and print the result.
Our advice: apply online if you're flying into a smaller airport, travelling with family or landing late at night. Buy on arrival at Cairo only if your plans are still loose. Either way, a third-party site won't save you money.
Two small mistakes cost the most: a passport that expires inside six months, and a missing printout. Check both a week before you go.
Where the visa doesn't help
A visa doesn't make every area open. As of October 2026, the UK advises against all travel to North Sinai and within 20 km of the Libyan border. Canada also advises against travel to the Western Desert beyond the main Giza-Luxor-Aswan-Abu Simbel road.
For the full picture of where it's fine to go, read the Egypt safety guide.
Still shaping the trip? Start with the seven-day Egypt itinerary and the guide to the best time to visit Egypt. Then run your passport through our visa checker tool, and read up on Cairo and Luxor before you book.
Overstaying costs money too. The UK says leaving on a visa that expired more than 14 days earlier may bring a fine. Extend at an Egyptian Passport and Immigration Office instead.
Rules change. Check the official portal and your own government's advice before you book.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Egypt entry visa?
As of October 2026, the portal charges $30 for a single entry and $65 for multiple entries. A paper visa on arrival is $30 in cash, and the Cairo digital version is $36 by card. A rise to $33 is reported for 1 January 2027 but isn't confirmed by the portal.
How do I get an Egypt visa online?
Create an account on the official e-visa portal, fill in the form, pay by card and download the visa. Print it and carry it with your passport. The portal advises applying at least 7 days before you leave, and it gives no processing time.
Can I get an Egypt visa on arrival?
Yes, for many passports. At approved airports you buy a $30 visa from a kiosk before immigration, in cash.
Cairo also sells a $36 digital visa by card. Check your own government's advice for your passport.
Do I need a visa for Egypt if I only visit Sharm El-Sheikh?
Not if you fly into Sharm El-Sheikh and stay under 15 days in Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba. You get a free entry stamp, according to the UK government. Any trip outside those resorts needs a visa.
