Can I Get A Visa For Egypt Before I Go
Can I get a visa for Egypt before I go? That’s a question we get asked more than any other. No matter when you plan to travel, it’s always good to get your tourist visa as soon as possible (ideally 4 weeks in advance). And if you’re traveling before July 4th you may find that things are taking a little longer than usual right now. So if you’re planning on visiting Cairo, Alexandria, and the red sea resorts or Aswan and Luxor then here is what we’ve heard.
Can I Get A Visa For Egypt Before I Go
As the sun sets over the ancient pyramid of Cheops, you are sipping on a glass of red wine and thinking about where to visit next. It’s safe to assume the red wine has swayed your decision in favour of Egypt. Here you’ll find beautiful mountains and beaches, as well as a rich history and culture. What it may not be as easy to find, however, is information on how to get a visa before you go.
As an American citizen, you are privileged to visit one of the most amazing places in the world: Egypt. Yet according to the U.S. Department of State, you will need a visa to enter Egypt unless you fall within one of their visa-waiver categories. In this article, I’ll show you how to get a visa for Egypt before you get there so you can rest easy and avoid any problems at the border or airport!
Applying for an Egypt Visa On Arrival
If you are from one of the countries eligible for an Egypt Visa On Arrival, you have to obtain the visa after you arrive in Egypt, but before you pass through immigration. You can get a Visa On Arrival at one of the visa-issuing counters at Egyptian entry ports. You must pay the Egypt visa fee in exact change.
However, many of the travelers who are eligible for a Visa On Arrival still choose to obtain the Egypt visa before they travel. That’s because all of the nationals who are eligible for the VOA are also eligible to apply for an Egypt visa online, and the online process offers more security due to the fact you know that your visa has been approved before you make any travel plans.
Who can get an Egypt Visa Online?
You can get an Egypt Visa Online before you travel if you are from one of the following countries:
| A European Union country | Albania | Australia | Canada | Iceland |
| Japan | North Korea | South Korea | Moldova | Monaco |
| Montenegro | North Macedonia | Norway | Russia | Serbia |
| Switzerland | Ukraine | United Kingdom | United States | Vatican City |
The Egypt government launched the Egypt eVisa in 2017, as a way of allowing foreigners to obtain a visa in an easier way before they travel to Egypt.
Applying for an Egypt Visa Online (e-Visa)
You have to apply for an Egypt e-Visa at least seven days before you intend to travel. You must apply through this website, which operates under the Egyptian Ministry of Interior.
- Create an account. You will receive a confirmation code on your email address.
- Enter the traveling information (visa type, arrival and departure dates, etc)
- Attach the scanned copy of your passport
- Pay the Egypt eVisa fee through a credit or debit card
- Wait for the visa to be processed
If your Egypt eVisa is approved, you will receive an electronic visa which you must print and show it at the entry point in Egypt.
When you travel to Egypt, you must also have the following with you:
- Your passport, which is valid for at least six more months
- The printed Egypt e-Visa
- A travel itinerary
- Hotel reservation or a tour agenda, if you’re traveling as a tourist
- A letter of invitation from a host or company/organization in Egypt (if applicable)
Applying for an Egypt Visa at an Embassy or Consulate
Anyone who is not exempt from Egypt visa requirements and who is not eligible to receive an Egypt Visa On Arrival or online has to apply through an Egyptian embassy or consulate in their country or a neighboring country.
The exact application changes depending on which country’s embassy or consulate you have submitted your visa application. However, an outline of the Egypt visa application process is as follows:
- Contact the Egyptian embassy or consulate to set up an appointment
- Complete the Egypt Visa Application Form. You can get the application form at the embassy/consulate offices
- Gather the required documents
- Pay the Egypt visa fee*
- Submit the documents and application at the Egyptian embassy/consulate. Check with them regarding the submission process, since some offices require you to submit the documents in person, whereas others also allow submissions through the mail.
- Wait for the visa to be processed
- Pick up your passport (or have it mailed back to you) with the visa affixed, if the application is approved.
*Regarding payment of the visa fee, you may have to pay it prior to applying through bank transfer or at the actual visa counter at the embassy/consulate in cash. Check with the Egyptian embassy or consulate for the specific visa fee requirements. See the list of Egypt visa fees below.
The consulate/embassy may also require an interview if they see fit.
Note: You also have to apply for your Egypt visa at an Egyptian embassy or consulate if you are from a visa-exempt country, or you are eligible for the e-Visa or VOA, and you want to stay in Egypt long-term.
Egypt Visa Requirements
When you apply for an Egypt visa, you need several documents to support your application, such as:
- The Egypt Visa application form (two copies)
- Two passport-size pictures of yourself (2inch x 2inch, white background, taken recently)
- Your passport, valid for at least six more months from the date of entry and with at least two blank pages
- Two photocopies of the personal information page of your passport
- If you are not a citizen of the country from which you’re applying: Your residence permit or other proof of legal residence
- Proof of a return or onward travel ticket
- Proof of accommodation in Egypt
- If you’re traveling for business: A Letter of Invitation from the company which is hosting you
- Proof of payment of the visa fee
- If you apply by mail, also include a self-addressed and prepaid envelope so that the Egyptian embassy/consulate can return your passport and documents
Please note: This is not a complete list of documents you may have to provide for an Egypt visa application. The exact required documents depend on the purpose of your travel as well as the embassy or consulate in which you apply.
Egypt visa processing time
The processing time for an Egypt visa changes depending on the method of application. If you apply for the Visa On Arrival, you will receive it (or have your application be rejected, as it is) right there.
The Egypt e-Visa is processed in about seven days, which is why it is advisable to apply at least seven days before you intend to travel.
If you’re applying through an embassy or consulate, the processing time changes depending on the specific office. In most cases, it takes at least 10 working days, so make sure to apply well before you intend to travel, but no earlier than three months.
If you apply by mail, also take into consideration the time it will need for the documents to be mailed back and forth.
Duration of an Egypt Visa
The duration of an Egypt visa depends on the number of entries it allows. As such:
- Egypt Visa On Arrival and e-Visa are valid for 90 days from the date of issue. They’re valid for one single entry and allow you to remain in Egypt for a maximum of 30 days.
- Single-entry Egypt tourist visas are valid for 6 months and allow you to stay in Egypt for a maximum of 60 days
- Multiple-entry Egypt tourist visas are valid for 6 months and allow you to stay in Egypt for a maximum of 90 collective days
Can you extend an Egypt Tourist Visa?
You may be able to extend an Egypt tourist visa (short-term visa) for an additional 90 days at the Egypt Passport and Immigration Administration. You need a copy of your passport, your Egypt visa, and enough money to pay for the processing fee.
Do I need an Egypt Transit Visa?
Whether you need an Egypt Transit visa depends on the duration of your transit. As such:
- If your transit is less than six hours: You do not need a transit visa, but you are not allowed to leave the airport
- If your transit is 6 – 48 hours, you may leave the airport and visit the surrounding areas. You must show your valid passport and proof of onward travel.
- If your transit will be longer than 48 hours, you have to get the relevant visa
Submitting an Egypt Visa application from the UK
As a UK national, you are eligible to apply for an Egypt visa online or get it upon arrival. You can also get an Egypt visa if you apply through one of the consulates of Egypt in the UK.
You can apply online through this website at least seven days before you intend to travel. If you opt for getting the Egypt visa upon arrival, you have to line up at one of the visa-issuing counters at the Egyptian airport before you clear immigration.
If you want to travel to Egypt for long-term purposes, you have to get a visa at the embassy or consulate.
See a more detailed explanation of the application for an Egypt e-Visa or Visa On Arrival above.
Do US citizens need a visa for Egypt?
Yes, US citizens do need to have a visa if they want to enter Egypt. However, as a US citizen, you are eligible to apply for an Egypt visa online or on arrival at the port of entry in Egypt without having to visit an embassy or consulate.
Please see the application process for an Egypt Visa On Arrival and e-Visa detailed above.
Egypt Visa fees
For the eVisa and Visa On Arrival, which are issued for tourism purposes, the fees are as follows:
- Single-entry visa: 25$
- Multiple-entry visa: 60$
When applying at an Egypt embassy or consulate, the Egypt visa fee costs are as follows:
| For nationals of: | Single-entry tourist visa | Multiple-entry tourist visa | Single-entry business visa | Multiple-entry business visa |
| The United States | $15 | $15 | $40 | $55 |
| Germany | $20 | $20 | $40 | $55 |
| Russia | $15 | $15 | $40 | $55 |
| Denmark | $15 | $15 | $40 | $55 |
| Finland | $15 | $15 | $40 | $55 |
| Sweeden | $15 | $15 | $40 | $55 |
| Guinea | $15 | $15 | $40 | $55 |
| Cyprus | $15 | $15 | $40 | $55 |
| Norway | $15 | $15 | $40 | $55 |
| Canada (individual passport) | $30 | $40 | $65 | $85 |
| Canada (family passport) | $30 | $40 | $115 | $155 |
| The UK | $30 | $40 | $95 | $160 |
| Nigeria | Free of charge | Free of charge | $45 | $70 |
| South Africa | Free of charge | Free of charge | Free of charge | Free of charge |
| Zimbabwe | Free of charge | Free of charge | $45 | $70 |
| All other countries: | $30 | $40 | $40 | $55 |
Holders of diplomatic or official passports and UN Laissez-Passer do not have to pay an Egypt visa fee.
Note: Fees may change depending on the consulate or embassy, so it is advisable to check with them first.