Visitors to Egypt must obtain a visa from one of the Egyptian diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries that are eligible for visa on arrival.
Visitors must hold passports that are valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival to Egypt.
Nationals of the following countries and territories may visit Egypt without a visa, for a stay up to the duration listed below: [1] [2]
6 months 3 months |
# - Must hold a normal 5-year passport that does not contain a stamp from the "Jordanian Registration Office" on the reverse side cover of the passport on page 60. Holders of "T-series" passports are not eligible for visa exemption, and must obtain a visa before entering Egypt. [3]
In addition, nationals of the following countries in certain age groups and genders may also enter Egypt without a visa, for a stay up to the duration listed below: [1] [4]
Indefinite stay 6 months
3 months
30 days |
1 - Visa exemption for female nationals.
2 - Visa exemption for male nationals aged below 18 or above 45 years old.
3 - Visa exemption for male nationals aged below 16 or above 50 years old.
4 - Visa exemption for all nationals aged below 16 or above 50 years old.
5 - Visa exemption for all nationals aged below 16 or above 50 years old.
6 - Visa exemption for all nationals aged below 14 years old.
7 - Visa exemption for male nationals aged above 40 years old.
According to the Egyptian Consulate General in the United Kingdom citizens of all European Union countries, the United States, and Israel (only through Taba Border Crossing [5] ) do not require a visa prior to travelling as a free entry permission stamp will be granted upon arrival if they are travelling to Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba resorts only without leaving them and for a maximum of 14 days: [2]
According to Timatic, citizens of all countries may enter Egypt without a visa at Sharm el-Sheikh, Saint Catherine or Taba airports, for a maximum stay of 15 days. This does not apply to citizens of the following 76 countries and territories: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, DR Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe. [1]
Furthermore, visa exemption also applies to nationals of the following countries under limited circumstances:
Israel - 14 days in the Sinai Peninsula if entering through Taba Border Crossing or Sharm El Sheikh International Airport.
Lebanon - if travelling to Alexandria and South Sinai; and if arriving at Borg El Arab Airport, Hurghada Airport or Sharm el Sheikh Airport on a charter flight. [6] [7] [8] 
Libya - for male nationals who are husbands or children of female Egyptians; for all nationals who hold an "Investment Authority approval" for those entering Egypt for business; and for Libyan students who hold an accreditation certificate or valid Egyptian University ID card for the current academic year. [1] 
Palestine - for male nationals in transit to the Gaza Strip via Rafah Border Crossing if the border crossing at Rafah is confirmed to be open; for male nationals who hold an official invitation issued to participants of international and regional conferences; and for male nationals who hold an "Investment Authority approval" for those entering Egypt for business related to companies or projects in Egypt. [1] 
Qatar - Egypt suspended unconditional visa waivers for Qatari citizens in July 2017. [9] Nevertheless, according to Timatic, Qatari citizens who have received prior approval from the Ministry of Interior of Egypt can enter Egypt without a visa for a maximum stay of 6 months. [1] 
Yemen - for nationals who are husbands, wives or children of Egyptians; and for nationals entering Egypt for medical reasons, provided they hold original supporting documents issued by an accredited Egyptian government hospital and are arriving directly from Yemen. [1] If travelling as part of a organised tour group that consists of at least 2 people, nationals of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia who hold a signed guarantee letter from a travel agency, do not require a visa to enter Egypt. [1]
Visa exemption also applies to nationals of Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand who are spouses and children of Egyptians. To qualify, a copy of a birth certificate, passport or national ID card of the relative must be presented to prove the relationship. [1]
Visa exemption also applies to sons and daughters born to an Egyptian father (except nationals of Canada, Iraq, Qatar, Syria and Yemen), to an Egyptian mother if born after 25 July 2004 (except nationals of Canada, Iraq, Qatar, Syria and Yemen), and to wives of Egyptian nationals (except nationals of Canada, Iraq, Morocco, Qatar and Syria). To qualify for these visa exemptions, a copy of a birth certificate, passport or national ID card of the relative must be presented to prove the relationship. [1]
Holders of the following diplomatic, official, service or special passports do not require a visa for Egypt: [1]
* - Not visa-exempt, but may obtain a visa on arrival.
D - Diplomatic passports
O - Official passports
S - Service passports
Sp - Special passports
VIP - VIP passports
Visa exemption agreements for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports were signed with Bulgaria and Burundi, but they have not yet entered into force. [10] [11]
According to Timatic, nationals of the following countries may obtain a visa on arrival in Egypt for stays up to the duration listed below, provided the purpose of entering Egypt is for tourism only: [1]
30 days
1 month 15 days |
On 17 December 2020, Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt announced, on Twitter, that a decree has been activated that allows tourists holding valid visas from the US, the UK, or Schengen countries to apply for visa on arrival at airports in Egypt. [15]
According to Timatic, such visas are valid for a maximum stay of 30 days, and that nationals of Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Mali, Niger, Sudan and Yemen are not eligible for visas on arrival under this decree. [1]
Nationals of Iraq are instead eligible for a similar policy, in which they must hold a multiple-entry visa from the US, the UK, or Schengen countries, a confirmed return / onward ticket, a hotel reservation confirmation and proof of sufficient funds to be eligible for a visa on arrival, for a maximum stay of 1 month. [1]
Nationals of Yemen are also eligible for a similar policy, in which they must hold a multiple-entry visa from the US, Schengen countries, or a GCC member state to be eligible for a visa on arrival. [1]
If travelling as part of a organised tour group that consists of at least 2 people, nationals of India who hold a signed guarantee letter from an authorized Egyptian travel agency can obtain a visa on arrival in Egypt. [1]
If travelling as part of a organised tour group that consists of at least 15 people, nationals of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand who hold a signed guarantee letter from an authorized Egyptian travel agency can obtain a visa on arrival in Egypt. [1]
If travelling as part of a organised tour group (arranged by an Egyptian tourism company certified by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities) that consists of at least 3 people, nationals of Iraq can obtain a visa on arrival in Egypt, valid for a maximum stay of 1 month. [1]
Nationals of Armenia, Georgia, India and Kyrgyzstan can also obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 1 month, if they hold a "Letter of Guarantee" issued by a local travel agency. [1]
Nationals of Canada holding proof of valid or expired Egyptian nationality can obtain a visa on arrival. [1]
Nationals of Syria holding a residence permit issued by a GCC Member State can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 90 days. [1]
Nationals of Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia who are husbands or wives of a GCC national can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days. To qualify for a visa on arrival, they must hold a marriage certificate and travel into and out of Egypt with their spouses. [1]
Nationals of Iraq aged below 16 or above 60 years old can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 1 month. [1]
According to the Egyptian Consulate General in the United Kingdom, citizens of the following countries can obtain a visa upon arrival at any of the Egyptian ports of entry: [2]
Since 3 December 2017, citizens of 46 countries were eligible to apply for tourist or business visas valid for 30 days online through the e-Visa system. [16] 28 countries more were added from July 1, 2021, with North Korea apparently being removed back in 2018. [17]
According to the Egyptian Consulate General in the United Kingdom visitors holding passports of the following countries must apply for a visa in person and a visa approval must be sought for them from the proper authorities in Egypt and takes several weeks to process. [2]
Holders of onward tickets can transit for a maximum time of 48 hours. This is not applicable to nationals of Iran who are required to hold a transit visa. Leaving the airport is permitted for passengers with transit time between 6 and 48 hours.
Passengers with transit time of less than 6 hours may leave the transit area but not the airport. This is not applicable to nationals of Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine and Philippines who must remain in the transit area (airside) and must continue by the same or first connecting aircraft. [1]
Visitors to Kyrgyzstan must obtain an e-Visa unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries or citizens who may obtain a visa on arrival.
The visa policy of Jordan deals with the requirements which a foreign citizen wishing to enter Jordan must meet to be permitted to travel to, enter and remain in the country.
The visa policy of Malaysia consists of the requirements for foreign nationals to travel to, enter, and remain in Malaysia. Most visitors to Malaysia are granted visa-free entry for a period of 90, 30, or 14 days respectively. However, nationals from some countries must first obtain a visa from one of the Malaysian diplomatic missions around the world before being allowed into the country.
The visa policy of the United Arab Emirates allows citizens of certain countries to enter the United Arab Emirates without a visa. Citizens of certain other countries must obtain a visa from one of the UAE diplomatic missions. Alternatively, they may obtain an online visa through Smart Service or airlines.
Visitors to Azerbaijan must obtain a visa from one of the Azerbaijani diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries, or citizens eligible for an electronic visa on arrival, or citizens eligible for an electronic visa.
Visitors to Mauritius must obtain a visa in advance, unless they are a citizen of a visa-exempt country or are eligible to obtain a visa on arrival.
Under normal circumstances, visitors to Kuwait must obtain a visa unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries eligible for visa on arrival/eVisa. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.
Most visitors to Cambodia must obtain a visa, either on arrival or online, unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries.
Most visitors to Iran must obtain an electronic visa (e-Visa) prior to their arrival in Iran, unless they are a citizen of one of the visa-exempt countries or countries that are ineligible for an e-Visa, in which case they must obtain a visa in advance from one of the Iranian diplomatic missions around the world.
Visitors to Pakistan typically must obtain a visa online or in certain cases from one of the Pakistani diplomatic missions.
The visa policy of Nepal allows citizens of most countries to obtain either an Online tourist visa or a visa on arrival while citizens of India are allowed freedom of movement. However, citizens of certain other countries must obtain a visa from one of the Nepalese diplomatic missions.
Visitors to Qatar must obtain a visa, unless if they are citizens of one of the GCC countries or if they are citizens of one of the countries eligible for a visa waiver on arrival.
Visitors to Oman must obtain a visa prior to travel unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries.
Visitors to Yemen must obtain a visa from one of the Yemeni diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa countries whose citizens may obtain a visa on arrival. Until January 2010 Yemen had a visa on arrival policy for some 50 nations.
In accordance with Iraqi law, citizens of most countries require a visa to visit Iraq. However, visitors from certain countries are given a visa on arrival in select airports and certain countries are banned from entering Iraq.
Visitors to Cuba must obtain a visa before travel or a tourist card from one of the Cuban diplomatic missions, travel agencies or authorized airlines unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries. Electronic visa is also available.
Visitors to El Salvador must obtain a visa from one of the Salvadoran diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.
Visitors to Nicaragua must obtain a visa from one of the Nicaraguan diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries that can obtain a visa on arrival. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.
All visitors to Djibouti must obtain either a visa on arrival to Djibouti, an electronic visa online or a visa from one of the Djiboutian diplomatic missions prior to arrival in Djibouti, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries mentioned below.
Visitors to Syria must obtain an e-Visa in advance, unless they are a national of a visa-exempt country or a country whose citizens are eligible to obtain visas on arrival. Visitors can obtain a visa from one of the Syrian diplomatic missions.
Egypt travel guide from Wikivoyage
