Egypt Entry Requirements: Passport, Visa & Arrival Checklist

Before travelling to Egypt, check the rules for your passport, nationality and arrival route. The official eVisa portal requires at least six months of passport validity from your arrival date. Tourist visa options depend on eligibility; an eVisa, visa on arrival and a consular visa are not interchangeable for every traveller. Limited South Sinai entry permission applies only in specified circumstances, and Yellow Fever proof depends on your travel history. Use the official sources below before departure.

Passport validity and blank pages

For Egypt tourist travel, check your passport before applying or flying:

• The Egypt eVisa portal requires at least six months of validity from your arrival date.
• British-citizen guidance also requires one blank page; check the requirements for your own passport.
• To be in good condition and not to be damaged.

This checklist covers ordinary tourist travel. For diplomatic passports, a UN Laissez-Passer or another special travel document, ask the Egyptian consulate which rules apply.

Which tourist visa route applies to you?

Choose by nationality, passport type, purpose and entry point—not price alone. A tourist visa is not permission to work. Check the conditions printed on your issued visa: its validity window and the permitted length of each stay are different things.

Egypt eVisa

You can get your e-Visa online from Egypt’s Official e-Visa Portal.

The official eVisa FAQ lists tourism fees of US$30 for single entry and US$65 for multiple entries. These are eVisa fees, not consular or airport-service fees. Check the portal before paying; fees can change.

The portal’s application instructions say to apply at least seven days before departure. This is a minimum lead time, not a guaranteed approval deadline. Check your details carefully and allow time for processing. An approved eVisa does not guarantee admission; border authorities make the final decision.

A single-entry visa is for one entry; a multiple-entry visa is for repeat entries within its conditions. Do not assume that two visits make the multiple-entry option cheaper: two US$30 applications total US$60, compared with US$65. Choose according to your itinerary, eligibility and issued-visa conditions.

Visa on arrival

Eligibility is nationality-dependent. For British-citizen travellers, UK entry guidance describes physical visas at approved airports for US$30, cash only. From 1 August 2026, it also describes an optional US$36 digital visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport, including a US$6 service fee, paid by card. Do not assume this Cairo option operates at other airports.

Confirm your own passport’s eligibility before travelling. Keep your return/onward itinerary and accommodation details available; do not rely on being able to resolve an ineligible application at the airport.

Advance consular visa

If your passport or travel circumstances require advance clearance, contact the responsible Egyptian embassy or consulate. Follow its current checklist and processing advice rather than a universal approval estimate.

• A completed visa application form that you can get online or from the embassy. 
• Your passport and photographs meeting that consulate’s specifications.
• Your flight ticket to Egypt or your itinerary. 
• Indication of your accommodation or an invitation letter of your family, friends, or an Egyptian company.
• The applicable fee and any additional documents or clearance requested for your case.

Nationality and passport-type checks

The eVisa portal currently lists the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France and Germany among eligible nationalities. These are examples, not a complete list or a guarantee for every travel document.

• United States: check the official eligibility rules and our Egypt visa guide for Americans.
• United Kingdom: the UK guidance linked above is for full British-citizen passports. Overseas Territories and Crown Dependency passport holders are not covered by the same online eligibility.
• Canada, Australia, France and Germany: check the portal using your actual passport nationality; do not infer airport eligibility or special-document treatment from another nationality’s advice.
• Other passports: use the portal’s current list or ask the Egyptian consulate before choosing a route.

South Sinai’s limited entry permission

For British citizens flying into Sharm El-Sheikh and staying less than 15 days only at Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba resorts, UK guidance describes a free arrival stamp. Travel outside those resorts requires a visa. For exactly 15 days, confirm the appropriate permission: official sources differ at that boundary. Do not apply these air-arrival terms to Taba land crossings or assume they cover every nationality.

Health certificates and recent transit

Yellow Fever proof is not a universal requirement. The CDC Egypt guidance says it is not required for direct travel from the United States. It is required for travellers aged nine months or older arriving from a Yellow Fever risk country, including airport transit or layovers of more than 12 hours in such a country. Check your full route and recent travel history.

This is a health-certificate condition, not a transit-visa rule. Routine vaccinations and travel insurance are separate health/planning considerations; they should not be confused with compulsory entry documents. Do not rely on old COVID-era checklists. Consult current official health guidance and a qualified travel-health professional for advice relevant to you. Our Egypt travel safety guide covers wider trip-safety planning.

Documents to carry on arrival

Keep the documents for your chosen entry route accessible, not only in checked luggage:

• Your valid passport.
• Your visa where required, including a printed copy if using an eVisa.
• Your travel itinerary and return/onward details.
• You will need a proof of your accommodation in Egypt such as a hotel booking. 
• A supporting invitation letter when relevant to the purpose of your visit.
• Any health certificate triggered by your route.

For children, verify individual passport/visa arrangements and any consent documents with the consulate and airline. Requirements depend on the child’s documents and who is travelling with them. For broader planning beyond the border checklist, see our Egypt travel requirements guide.

Customs and longer stays

Before you make your decision to travel, you must know the customs Regulations.

Check official customs guidance for restricted goods and declarations. Do not treat cash, medicines or equipment as automatically duty-free.

If you need more time, ask Egyptian immigration about an extension before your permission expires. Approval is not automatic. Do not rely on an assumed grace period, a border run or negotiating a fine.

Before-you-fly checklist and official sources

• Check passport validity against your arrival date.
• Confirm the correct visa route for your nationality, document and arrival point.
• Read the entry count, validity dates and permitted stay on your issued visa.
• Review recent travel and airport transits for health-certificate conditions.
• Keep your visa, itinerary, accommodation and any required supporting documents ready.
• Recheck the official portal and relevant government guidance before departure; rules can change.

Frequently asked questions

Is six months counted from arrival or departure?

The Egypt eVisa portal counts passport validity from arrival in Egypt. Check any additional consular requirements for your application route.

Can every traveller buy a visa on arrival?

No. Nationality, travel document and entry point matter. Confirm eligibility before relying on this option.

Is Yellow Fever proof needed when flying directly from the US?

CDC says it is not required for direct travel from the United States. Relevant travel through a risk country can change the requirement; check the conditions above.

Can I visit Cairo with a resort-only Sinai stamp?

No—do not treat limited resort permission as authority for mainland travel. Obtain the appropriate visa.

Does a child need a separate visa?

The Egyptian Consulate in the UK’s guidance says children with their own passports, including babies, need their own visas. Confirm the child’s route-specific requirements and any parental-consent documents with the responsible consulate.

If you would like help planning an itinerary around your arrival arrangements, explore our Tailor Made Egypt trips. ETG assists with trip planning, not visa issuance or guaranteed entry.