To apply for an Egypt eVisa, UK travellers register at visa2egypt.gov.eg, complete the form, upload documents, pay by card, and receive approval by email within 5 to 7 business days. The Egypt eVisa is a digital tourist entry authorization requiring a UK passport valid for 6 months from arrival, at least one blank page, and costing approximately $25 USD for single entry. Applicants should submit at least 7 working days before departure. The form requires personal data, passport details, travel dates, and an accommodation address. Ensure all information matches your passport exactly to avoid rejection, as there is no formal appeal process for refused applications.
Last updated: September 2026. This is an independent travel information guide, not affiliated with the Egyptian government. Always verify current requirements on the official portal at visa2egypt.gov.eg.
To apply for an Egypt eVisa in 2026, visit the Egypt eVisa portal (visa2egypt.gov.eg), create an account, select your visa type (single or multiple entry), complete the application form with your personal and passport details, upload a passport scan and photo, pay the fee by Visa, MasterCard, or debit card, and submit. Processing takes 5 to 7 business days. You will receive your approved eVisa by email as a downloadable PDF.
What Is the Egypt eVisa and Who Can Apply?
The Egypt eVisa is a digital entry authorization requiring a UK passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and at least one blank page. The eVisa costs approximately $25 USD (~£20 GBP) for a single-entry visa through the visa2egypt.gov.eg portal, compared with £33 (single) or £68 (multiple) at the Egyptian Consulate in London.
Single-Entry vs. Multiple-Entry eVisa
A single-entry Egypt eVisa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, permitting a maximum stay of 30 days. A multiple-entry eVisa remains valid for 180 days, with up to 30 days permitted per entry. Choose single for one trip, multiple for several visits within six months.
Who Can Apply as a UK Citizen
UK passport holders and residents with a valid BRP or Share Code can apply online. British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies passport holders cannot. New Zealand citizens are exempt from the BRP requirement. Prior clearance is required for Israeli nationals and British Travel Document holders (up to 3 months processing).
eVisa vs Visa on Arrival: Which Option Should You Choose?
The Egypt eVisa is completed online before travel, whereas the Visa on Arrival costs $30 USD in cash at airport kiosks before immigration. The eVisa lets you select single- or multiple-entry validity in advance, while the VoA is limited to a 30-day stay with a single entry.
| Feature | Egypt eVisa | Visa on Arrival | Digital VoA (Cairo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | ~$25 USD | $30 USD | $36 USD |
| Payment | Visa, MasterCard, debit card | Cash only | Card only |
| Validity | 90 days (single), 180 days (multiple) | Up to 30 days | Up to 30 days |
| Processing | Within 7 working days | On arrival | On arrival |
| Entry type | Single or multiple | Single | Single |
Airport visa agents often charge more than the standard $30 USD fee; report any harassment to the tourist police inside the terminal.
Digital Visa on Arrival at Cairo International Airport (from August 2026)
From 1 August 2026, Cairo International Airport offers a digital Visa on Arrival purchasable at self-service machines or via the Visa on Arrival portal. The total cost is $36 USD by card only – $30 USD visa fee plus a $6 USD digital service fee. Cash is not accepted for this option.
Complete Document Checklist for the Egypt eVisa
The Egypt eVisa requires a passport scan, passport photo, and proof of accommodation. Your passport must be valid for 6 months and have 1 blank page.
- Passport scan: clear digital copy of the information page in PDF or JPEG; the machine-readable strip must not be cropped
- Passport-size photo: 45 mm x 35 mm on a white background, recent image
- Proof of travel: round-trip flight tickets or a detailed itinerary
- Proof of accommodation: hotel booking confirmation, or a host invitation letter plus the host’s national ID copy for non-hotel stays
- UK residence permit (non-UK nationals only): valid BRP, Share Code, or Home Office printout with at least 6 months validity
Passport Scan and Photo Specifications
The passport scan must show the full information page clearly, with the machine-readable strip fully visible. Accepted file formats are PDF and JPEG. The photograph must measure 45 mm x 35 mm against a white background and be a recent image of the applicant.
Proof of Travel and Accommodation
Upload round-trip flight tickets or a detailed travel itinerary as proof of travel plans. For accommodation, a hotel booking confirmation is standard. For non-hotel stays, submit a host invitation letter alongside the host’s national ID copy.
How to Apply for an Egypt eVisa: Steps 1 to 3
Create Your Account
Register with email, password, and CAPTCHA verification
Fill in the Application Form
Select visa type and enter personal and passport details
Upload Your Supporting Documents
Add passport scan and passport-size photo
Step 1 – Create Your Account
Register using an email address, create a password, and complete a CAPTCHA verification. You must also provide complementary information during registration and verify your email before accessing the form.
Step 2 – Fill in the Application Form
Log in and select your visa type: single-entry or multiple-entry. Enter your full name exactly as printed on your passport, including middle names. Provide your date of birth, nationality, occupation, passport number, issue date, and expiry date. Enter intended arrival and departure dates using DD/MM/YYYY format. For the “address in Egypt” field, enter your hotel name if booked, or your intended accommodation address if not yet confirmed.
Step 3 – Upload Your Supporting Documents
Upload a clear passport scan in PDF or JPEG format showing the full information page with the machine-readable strip uncropped. Attach a recent passport-size photo with a white background and 45 mm x 35 mm dimensions. Use the drag-and-drop upload tool and ensure files meet size limits before proceeding to payment.
How to Apply for an Egypt eVisa: Steps 4 to 5
Step 4 – Pay the Visa Fee
- The Egypt eVisa fee is charged in USD on the visa2egypt.gov.eg portal; your UK bank applies dynamic currency conversion to GBP.
- Accepted payment methods are Visa card, MasterCard, or other debit cards.
- Processing begins only after completion of both application and payment.
Step 5 – Review and Submit Your Application
- Before final submission, verify name spelling, passport number, travel dates, and accommodation address against your passport.
- The Egypt eVisa mandates submission at least 7 days before departure, with a recommended lead time of at least 7 working days.
- Upon submission, the portal issues a reference tracking number for status monitoring.
After Submission: Tracking, Errors, and Downloading
Egypt eVisa approval arrives by email within 7 working days.
How to Track Your eVisa Application Status
Use the tracking reference from checkout to check your status on the visa2egypt.gov.eg portal. Status notifications are delivered by email, covering pending, approved, and rejected states.
What to Do If You Made a Mistake
If a critical error is discovered after submission, the Egypt eVisa portal offers no in-portal editing once review has begun. Contact portal support first; if the error is unfixable, re-apply with a new fee. Rejected applications do not receive refunds.
Downloading and Printing Your eVisa
The approved Egypt eVisa is delivered as a downloadable PDF via the portal and email attachment. A printed colour copy is strongly recommended for the airport, as immigration staff verify electronically but systems may be offline.
Applying for a Child’s Egypt eVisa or Group Applications
Each child, including infants, requires a separate Egypt eVisa application linked to the child’s own passport. The portal does not support linked group submissions, meaning every family member must be submitted individually.
How to Apply for a Child’s eVisa
A child’s Egypt eVisa application requires the child’s own passport scan, a birth certificate, and a parental consent letter if one parent is not travelling. Each traveller, regardless of age, generates a distinct application with a separate visa fee. Parents or guardians manage the submission through their own portal account on visa2egypt.gov.eg.
Family Group Workflow
Families submit individual Egypt eVisa applications for each member under separate portal entries, as the system does not support linked group submissions. To reduce errors across multiple applications, parents should prepare all passport scans and supporting documents before starting, then complete each form sequentially using the same travel dates and accommodation address.
Common Mistakes and Alternative Visa Routes
The most frequent Egypt eVisa rejections result from passport number typos, name mismatches, and incorrect date formats.
Top Errors in the Application Form
Name fields that do not match the passport exactly, passport number typos, and incorrect date formatting (use DD/MM/YYYY) are the leading causes of Egypt eVisa rejection. Rejected applicants must re-apply with a new fee; no formal appeal process exists.
Applying via the Egyptian Consulate in London
The Egyptian Consulate in London charges £33 for a single-entry tourist visa and £68 for multiple entry. In-person applications require card payment only with 5 to 7 business days processing. Postal applications require a typed Postal Order payable to “Consulate General of Egypt” with 5 to 10 business days processing. Cash is not accepted. Visa inquiries: [email protected].
Sharm El-Sheikh Free Entry Stamp
UK travellers staying 15 days or fewer within Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, or Taba resort areas receive a free entry stamp. A visa is required for stays exceeding 15 days or for travel outside these resort areas.
Land Border Crossings and Ferry Arrivals
The Taba border crossing charges $20 USD (stay in Taba, up to 15 days) or $120 USD (Sinai beyond Taba, up to 15 days) in cash only. ATMs at Taba are unreliable and frequently run out of cash. Ferries from Aqaba, Jordan arrive at Taba Heights ($35 USD visa) or Nuweiba ($30 USD visa). Egypt-Sudan crossings (Qustul, Argeen) no longer issue visas on arrival; the consulate in Wadi Halfa processes applications in upwards of 6 months.
Extending Your Visa or Overstaying in Egypt
Egypt visa extensions are processed at Egyptian Passport and Immigration Offices. Overstaying by more than 14 days incurs a financial penalty. Apply for the correct duration before travel.
FCDO Travel Advice for Egypt
The FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Egypt and against all but essential travel to other parts. Check FCDO travel advice for Egypt for current regional warnings before booking your trip.
FAQ: Egypt eVisa Common Questions
How long does it take to get an Egypt eVisa in 2026?
Standard processing takes within 7 working days. Some applications may be approved within 24 to 48 hours, but no guaranteed expedited route exists. Apply at least 7 working days before travel.
Can I apply for an Egypt eVisa at the airport?
No, the eVisa must be applied for online before travel via visa2egypt.gov.eg. If you arrive without an eVisa, you can obtain a Visa on Arrival for $30 USD in cash, or a Digital Visa on Arrival at Cairo International Airport for $36 USD by card from August 2026.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Egypt in 2026?
Yes, all UK passport holders normally need a visa to enter Egypt. The exception is for travellers staying 15 days or fewer within the Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, or Taba resort areas, who receive a free entry permission stamp upon arrival at Sharm El-Sheikh airport.
Can I pay for an Egypt eVisa with PayPal or a UK debit card?
The portal accepts Visa card, MasterCard, or other debit cards. PayPal availability may vary. Payments are processed in USD; your UK bank converts to GBP at the prevailing rate.
How long is an Egypt eVisa valid for?
A single-entry Egypt eVisa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, with a maximum stay of 30 days. A multiple-entry eVisa remains valid for 180 days from the date of issue, allowing a maximum stay of 30 days per entry.
Can I extend my Egypt eVisa while in Egypt?
Visa extensions are processed at Egyptian Passport and Immigration Offices. Overstaying by more than 14 days incurs a financial penalty. Apply for the correct duration before travel.
What happens if my Egypt eVisa application is rejected?
You will receive a notification with the reason for rejection sent by email. For fixable errors such as typos, you must re-apply and pay a new fee. There is no formal appeal process for rejected Egypt eVisa applications.
Do I need to print my Egypt eVisa or is a digital copy enough?
A printed colour copy is strongly recommended. Immigration staff verify the visa electronically, but a physical printout ensures smooth entry if airport systems are offline. Do not rely solely on a digital copy on your phone.
Can I apply for an Egypt eVisa for my child?
Yes, each traveller including infants requires a separate application. You will need the child’s own passport scan, a birth certificate, and potentially a consent letter from the non-accompanying parent. Applications are submitted through the parent’s or guardian’s account.
Is it safe to use a third-party visa agency for my Egypt eVisa?
Third-party agencies charge significantly more than the standard eVisa fee of approximately $25 USD. The visa2egypt.gov.eg portal is designed for direct self-service. Using an agency is optional and incurs additional service fees.
