British passport holders need a visa for Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, or a Nile cruise in 2026. The Egypt eVisa is a $30 single-entry online visa from visa2egypt.gov.eg, taking 7 working days to process, valid for up to 3 months, and covering all mainland Egypt destinations.
UK travellers can choose between three options: the Egypt eVisa applied online before departure, a traditional Visa on Arrival purchased at airport kiosks for $30 USD in cash, or the new Digital Visa on Arrival at Cairo International Airport from 1 August 2026, costing $36 USD via card payment at self-service machines. The free Sinai entry permission stamp (Sharm El-Sheikh air arrivals only, under 15 days, resorts: Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba) does not cover Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, or Nile cruises – a full tourist visa is mandatory.
Last updated: 9 September 2026. All prices and dates verified against visa2egypt.gov.eg and gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt on 1 September 2026. This is an independent travel information portal, not affiliated with the Egyptian government. Visa rules change – always confirm current requirements before booking.
Your Egypt eVisa Options for Mainland Egypt in 2026
UK travellers can choose between a $30 online Egypt eVisa, a $30 cash Visa on Arrival, or the new $36 digital kiosk launching at Cairo International Airport on 1 August 2026. British passport holders must obtain a full tourist visa for all mainland destinations; the Sinai Peninsula entry permission stamp does not apply.
| Option | Cost | Payment | Processing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt eVisa (single-entry) | $30 USD | Card (debit accepted) | 7 working days | Planned trips; valid up to 3 months |
| Egypt eVisa (multiple-entry) | $65 USD | Card (debit accepted) | 7 working days | Re-entering Egypt within 3 months |
| Traditional Visa on Arrival | $30 USD | Cash only | Instant at airport | Last-minute backup (30-day stay) |
| Digital Visa on Arrival (Cairo) | $36 USD ($30 visa + $6 digital service fee) | Card only | Instant at self-service machines | Arrivals at Cairo from 1 August 2026 |
For current FCDO guidance, consult gov.uk foreign travel advice for Egypt before applying.
How to Apply for the Egypt eVisa Online – Step-by-Step (2026)
The Egypt eVisa is applied in 4 steps at visa2egypt.gov.eg – register, upload a passport scan, pay $30 or $65 by card, and receive approval within 7 working days. Use only visa2egypt.gov.eg; third-party sites charge extra fees. For a detailed walkthrough, see our complete step-by-step application guide.
Register an account
Use your email address and complementary information on the eVisa portal
Fill in application data
Passport details, travel dates, hotel booking; upload passport scan (JPG/PNG/PDF, min 300 DPI, under 2 MB, colour bio page)
Pay online
$30 single-entry or $65 multiple-entry by credit or debit card
Receive your response
Within 7 working days via email; download the Egypt eVisa through the provided link
UK-specific notes: the Egyptian working week runs Sunday to Thursday (weekends Friday and Saturday), so factor this into your 7-working-day processing time. During peak season (October to April), processing may take the full 7 days; apply at least 2 weeks before departure. Each child travelling on their own passport requires a separate $30 eVisa application.
Egypt eVisa Requirements for Cairo, Luxor, Aswan & Nile Cruises (2026)
A single $30 Egypt eVisa covers entry through Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan airports. British passport holders need one eVisa regardless of which mainland destination they fly into.
| Destination | Airport | eVisa Type Recommended | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | Cairo International Airport | Single-entry | $30 USD |
| Luxor | Luxor International Airport | Single-entry | $30 USD |
| Aswan | Aswan International Airport | Single-entry | $30 USD |
A multiple-entry eVisa ($65 USD) is only required if you leave and re-enter Egypt – for example, a Nile cruise combined with a Jordan day trip or an excursion to Israel.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and contain at least 1 blank page.
A single-entry $30 Egypt eVisa covers a standard Luxor-Aswan round-trip Nile cruise (no border crossings). On boarding day, bring: a valid passport, a printed Egypt eVisa, and your cruise booking confirmation.
For domestic flights between Cairo and Luxor or Aswan, the original passport is required at check-in, and airport security may verify visa status.
Egypt eVisa at Cairo Airport – Arrival, Immigration & Printout Rules
The Egypt eVisa must be printed before you fly – border officers at Cairo Airport will not accept a phone screen. The eVisa portal FAQ lists an e-Visa printout as a required arrival document alongside your passport, travel itinerary, and hotel booking details. Border officers verify electronically on their system, but a paper printout is mandatory. Print two copies: one for immigration, one spare.
Arrival checklist for UK citizens:
- Valid British passport – at least 6 months remaining from arrival date and at least 1 blank page
- Printed Egypt eVisa – print two copies (one for immigration, one spare)
- Hotel booking confirmation
- Return or onward flight details
- Travel itinerary
If eVisa hasn’t arrived by departure, check spam and contact the portal. Backup: VoA at Cairo Airport ($30 cash or $36 digital via self-service kiosk).
Egyptian port authorities reserve the right to refuse entry to any eVisa holder without explanation. UK travellers whose appearance does not match the sex marker or photo on their passport may face denial of entry.
Egypt eVisa Requirements for Cairo: FAQ
Do children need a separate Egypt eVisa?
Each child with own passport needs a separate $30 eVisa. Children under 16 on a parent’s British passport need no separate visa.
Can I extend my Egypt eVisa if my trip is longer than 30 days?
Yes. Visit a Passport and Immigration Office in Cairo (Mugamma), Luxor, or Aswan with passport, photos, and ~$20 USD/month fee. Apply before expiry. Max stay 30 days per entry.
What happens if I overstay my Egypt eVisa?
Fines begin after 14 days of overstay, payable at the airport on departure. Chronic overstayers may face entry bans.
Can I leave Cairo Airport during a long layover?
No transit visa. Need eVisa or VoA to exit terminal. Minimum 8-hour layover for Giza; single-entry $30 eVisa covers this.
Does a UK dual national need a specific passport to enter Egypt?
Enter and exit Egypt on the same passport used for your Egypt eVisa application. If dual British-Egyptian, carry both passports. Details must match.
What is the Egypt eVisa website?
The portal is visa2egypt.gov.eg, operated by Egypt’s Ministry of Interior. Avoid third-party sites charging extra fees. Handles single-entry ($30) and multiple-entry ($65) applications.
Can I show my Egypt eVisa on my phone at immigration?
No. Print the eVisa. Portal lists printout as required. Electronic verification, but paper mandatory. Print two copies.
Is the Sinai free entry stamp valid for Cairo or Luxor?
No. Free stamp covers Sharm El-Sheikh air arrivals only, under 15 days, resorts: Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba. Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Nile cruises require a full tourist visa.
