Generally speaking, travellers to Egypt are advised to apply for an Egypt e-visa. Travellers with an e-visa don't need to queue for a visa on arrival. This makes the entry procedure much simpler. In some cases, however, the visa on arrival can be a useful emergency solution. For example, if you need to fly to Egypt at short notice due to an emergency, you might not have enough time to apply for an e-visa. Fortunately, in this kind of situations, you can obtain a visa on arrival at the airport.
Egypt wants to support the tourism sector
Since tourism is an important sector in the Egyptian economy, the government tries to make the entry procedure as simple as possible for visitors. The aim is to offer tourists a good travel experience.
Concrete measures to improve the visa on arrival
The Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, emphasized his eagerness for the new system to be operative as quickly as possible. According to him, this is an important step towards providing a good and smooth travel experience at Egyptian airports. The new visa application system on arrival works with a QR code. Once they have paid the corresponding fee, travellers will be able to apply for their visa on arrival at the airport.
Test phase at Cairo Airport
The initial trial period will take place at Terminal 2 of Cairo Airport. If the trial phase goes well, the system will also be introduced at other airports.
Ambitious time schedule for the introduction of the new system
The new Grand Egyptian Museum opened on 1 November 2025, giving Cairo another major attraction. It is therefore expected that more tourists will visit the Egyptian capital to see the museum. The Prime Minister of Egypt recently stressed the need of a smooth and complete adjustment of entry procedures. The aim is that travellers will be able to use both the e-visa and the visa on arrival at all Egyptian airports by 2026. In addition, the technical systems must be able to seamlessly process a growing number of applications, and waiting times must be reduced.
Apply for an e-visa for Egypt
If you are planning a trip to Egypt, you are advised to apply for an e-visa. This allows you to know before departure that you will be allowed to enter the country and you will not have to queue up to apply for a visa upon arrival. On this website, you can use an application form in English. The application process only takes a few minutes.
Once you have completed the application form and the payment, you will need to submit a clear photo of your passport. Your e-visa will be issued within 11 days on average. You can also submit an urgent application. In that case, your e-visa will be approved on average after 5 days. Your e-visa will be valid for 90 days, but you may only stay in Egypt for a maximum of 30 consecutive days. Here you will find more information about the requirements and the validity of your e-visa.