Travellers staying in Egypt for up to 96 hours can avail of a new transit visa under certain conditions. This visa can only be used by travellers arriving at Cairo International Airport. Those who do not meet the transit visa requirements or prefer to arrange the visa before departure can apply for the Egypt e-visa.
New visa to boost tourism
Since the lifting of the last travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Egypt is fully committed to boosting tourism to the country. In fact, Egypt has long seen tourism as an important pillar of its economy. Consequently, this is one of the main reasons why Egypt has introduced several new visas in recent months that should make it easier to visit the country. These new visas complement the already existing e-visa for Egypt. Available in single-entry and multiple-entry variants, this e-visa is in line with the travel plans of most tourists travelling to Egypt. As such, the new visas should particularly appeal to special niche groups of travellers that have been given little attention until now.
The various new visas
Firstly, Egypt announced the introduction of a 5-year visa in early 2023. This visa is now available. During the 5-year validity period, it can be used for multiple trips. Due to the relatively high cost of 700 US dollars, this visa is generally not very interesting for tourists. Thus, the visa is mainly suitable for people who regularly travel to the African country, such as investors or business travellers. Secondly, a new visa was created especially for travellers arriving in Egypt on a boat or yacht. This group of travellers has been allowed to use a special visa valid for 3 months since the summer of 2023. Thirdly, the latest visa for Egypt was introduced in June 2023 and is intended for travellers who do not want to spend more than 4 days in the country.
The new transit visa for Egypt
Since June 2023, travellers wishing to stay in Egypt for only a few days can apply for a free transit visa. This visa can exclusively be obtained at Cairo International Airport and allows a stay of up to 96 hours in Egypt. This should give travellers enough time to visit the country’s main attractions or spend a few days in the metropolis of Cairo during a transit in Egypt. Here is what you need to know about the new transit visa:
- It is only available for travellers arriving at Cairo International Airport.
- The visa can only be applied for at a counter of the airline EgyptAir.
- For now, the transit visa is only available to EgyptAir passengers.
- The visa allows a stay of up to 96 hours (4 days).
- The visa is free of charge.
Rules for a transit in Egypt
Most trips to Egypt require a visa, but this does not always apply to a transit. In fact, most major international airports, including Cairo International Airport, have a separate section for international travellers transferring to a connecting flight. If you are connecting to a flight to another country, in most cases you are not required to leave the transit area of the airport. If you do not leave the transit area, you will not need a visa. However, sometimes it is necessary to leave the international transit zone, for example to check in luggage for the connecting flight. In that case, you do need a visa.
Do you need to leave the transit area of the airport during your transfer in Egypt? Or do you wish to spend a few days in Egypt? In both cases, you will a need a visa. You may be able to use the special transit visa for Egypt in this case, but check carefully whether you meet the requirements. You can also choose to apply for an e-visa before departure. The e-visa can be easily applied for within minutes using an online form. This way, even before departure, you will be sure that you hold a valid visa.