Do You Need a Visa to Visit Egypt? Entry Requirements Explained

Are you planning a trip to Egypt? A visit to the marvelous pyramids of Giza or a cruise on the Nile? Here is a list of things you, as a foreign traveler, need to know before landing in Egypt.

People around the world dream of visiting the country at least once in their lifetime. This guide will list exactly all the things that you will need to make that dream a reality. Following these simple guidelines will help you embark on that planned journey with assurance and confidence.

Here, we will discuss whether you need to fill out an Egypt online visa application, get one at the airport, or can just go without a visa to Egypt.

Would You Need a Visa for Egypt?

Most countries need a visa to visit Egypt. Out of these, 78 countries can go with an eVisa. The following countries do not need a visa to Egypt conditionally:

Can stay for 6 months without a visa: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, KSA, Oman

Can stay for 3 months without a visa: Hong Kong, Macao, Jordan

Nationals from the following countries are also conditionally exempt:

• Palestine: Women can stay indefinitely, men above 40 can stay for 30 days
• Libya: Women of all ages and men under, 18 and above 45 can stay for 6 months
• Sudan and South Sudan: All women, men below 16 and above 50
• Yemen: All nationals below 16 and above 50
• Afghanistan: All nationals below 16 and above 50
• Morocco: All nationals below 14
• Algeria: All nationals below 14
• Lebanon: All nationals below 16 and above 50
• Tunisia: All nationals below 14

If you are from countries other than the ones listed above, you will need to go to the nearest Egypt visa application center and submit the form.

If you have a valid passport, you can apply for an Egyptian visa at your local Egyptian consulate or embassy. Or, just apply for an Egypt Visa online. And when we say a valid passport, it usually implies a passport with remaining validity of 6 months from the date of leaving Egypt.

What Types of Visas Does Egypt Offer?

Being an immensely popular tourist destination, there are lots of places to visit in Egypt. The country also offers a variety of other visa options that you can avail depending on your purpose of visit.

Here is a table listing the different types of Egyptian visas:

What Methods of Visa Application Can You Consider?

There are a few visa formats to apply for when opting for an Egyptian visa. These formats include:

• Egypt e-Visa
• Traditional Embassy Visa
• Visa On Arrival

Egypt e-Visa

This type of visa would be our recommendation when planning for some of the great places to visit in Egypt. The process of an Egypt online visa application is simpler, as you can complete the entire process online, from the comfort of your own home.

If you are applying for the Egypt Visa online, here are the documents that you would require:

• A valid passport consisting of two blank pages.
• Information about accommodation: Proof of hotel booking and location.
• A completed and detailed travel itinerary.
• Travel insurance: Not mandatory, but recommended.
• Email ID: For receiving the approved e-Visa.
• A scanned copy of the passport with the name and photograph clearly visible.
• An appropriate card for e-Visa fee payment.

Once you have gathered all the required documents, preferably both as downloaded soft copies and printed copies, you can begin the application process.

• First, visit the Egypt e-visa portal. It can either be the official government website or a portal of a reputable application website. The latter can be recommended, as they often help by offering complete and simply-framed guides.
• The form should be completed with all accurate details.
• Upload scanned copies of the required documents.
• Pay the Visa fee.
• Wait for 4 to 7 days, and you will receive your approved e-Visa in the email ID that you provided on the form.

Traditional Embassy Visa

The following documents are required for the application of an Egyptian traditional visa for tourists.

• A valid passport with two blank pages.
• Photocopies of the passport, especially the first and last sections.
• Two recent passport-sized photographs.
• A visa application form, duly filled out with accurate and necessary details.
• Statements of income tax returns for the preceding 3 years.
• A valid letter of request to the consular.
• Return tickets as proof of a temporary visit.
• Bank statements for the last three months.

Now that you know what documents you would need, here is a breakdown of the steps to take to apply for a traditional embassy visa:

• Step 1: You need to visit the nearest Egypt visa application center.
• Step 2: Fill out the application form. Make sure not to miss out on any relevant details.
• Step 3:  Keep all the original versions of the documents handy.
• Step 4: You need to submit the form along with photocopies of the documents at the closest Egyptian embassy or consulate.
• Step 5: Pay the required visa fees.
• Step 6: Get the visa approval stamped on your passport.

Here is a simple process chart denoting the order of the steps:

Image 1: Process of getting the Egyptian visa

The procedure might take between 4 to 7 days from the date of getting the application form to the date of getting your visa stamped.

Visa on Arrival

Egypt allows a Visa on Arrival for many countries.

However, you have to stay updated with the latest requirements as well as the eligibility criteria before opting for this choice. This permits stays lasting 30-day durations at major entry points, which include the Cairo International Airport.

* Malaysia is granted a 15-day stay duration

To apply for a visa on arrival, you need to carry with yourself a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of your departure from Egypt. You also have to have cash ready for a payable fee. Please note that for this process, you would need to pay in US$, which you have to keep ready in cash.

It is a riskier process, given that you might get denied the visa on arrival, and has strict restrictions on duration. Which implies that any form of extension might have legal consequences. So, it is usually better to apply for an appropriate visa beforehand to seamlessly plan for the places to visit in Egypt.

A Comparison of the Visa Options

Having discussed what each of the available visa options are, here is a clear comparison of the three options:

Considering these factors, as well as the eligibility criteria, you can apply for either one of these three formats.

Multiple visa types, i.e., tourist, transit, business, and so on, are available for eligible countries to apply for when visiting Egypt. They are also allowed to apply for the visa in three formats: the e-Visa, the Embassy Visa, and the Visa on Arrival.

Carefully consider everything as you plan for the great places to visit in Egypt.

Apply For an Egyptian Visa ASAP

Getting ready to explore the pyramids and the pristine currents of the Nile? Do not wait and apply on a reputable portal as soon as possible and start your Egypt online visa application! The earlier you apply, the less the chances will be for any mishaps, ensuring a smooth journey.

Get your passport validity checked today, ensure that you have filled out the form appropriately, and embark on your journey to experience the Gift of the Nile!

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Check your eligibility for Online Egypt Visa and apply for Egypt e-Visa 5 (five) days in advance of your flight.