Last updated: 9 September 2026. Reviewed against gov.uk and visa2egypt.gov.eg. This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the Egyptian government. Always verify requirements on the Egypt e-Visa Portal before applying.
To apply for an Egypt eVisa, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and have 1 blank page. A biometric chip is not mandatory, and expired passports require a new eVisa application.
What Passport Validity Rules Apply to the Egypt eVisa?
Egypt eVisa passport validity requirements mandate that your passport remain valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date in Egypt, not from your departure date. Both gov.uk and visa2egypt.gov.eg confirm this calculation point.
| Planned Arrival Date | Passport Must Be Valid Until At Least |
|---|---|
| 15 October 2026 | 15 April 2027 |
| 1 December 2026 | 1 June 2027 |
| Passport expires 20 March 2027 | Latest allowed arrival: 20 September 2026 |
A single-entry Egypt eVisa remains valid for 3 months from the date of issue, so your passport must cover both the eVisa validity period and the 6-month post-arrival threshold. A multiple-entry Egypt eVisa is valid for 6 months from issue, with a maximum stay of 90 days.
Do You Need a Biometric (e-Passport) Chip for the Egypt eVisa?
Biometric chip not required. Standard machine-readable passports (MRP) are fully accepted for the Egypt eVisa application. An e-passport, identifiable by the ePassport symbol on the front cover (a small rectangle with circles), may speed up e-gate processing at Egyptian airports, but the embedded chip is not a prerequisite for Egypt eVisa approval.
- Biometric chip: not required – MRP accepted
- ePassport symbol (rectangle with circles): speeds up e-gates only
- Chip is not a prerequisite for Egypt eVisa approval
How Many Blank Pages Do You Need for an Egypt eVisa?
The official minimum is 1 blank page (gov.uk), but 2 blank pages are recommended for the entry stamp and any potential visa sticker. Endorsement and observation pages do not count as blank visa pages. If you have fewer than 2 blank pages, renew your passport before applying for the Egypt eVisa.
- Official minimum: 1 blank page (gov.uk)
- Recommended: 2 blank pages for stamps and stickers
- Endorsement/observation pages: do not count
What Happens to Your Egypt eVisa If Your Passport Expires or Is Renewed?
The Egypt eVisa is non-transferable and electronically tied to the passport number entered during application. Renewal requires a new Egypt eVisa and fee.
| Situation | Consequence | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Passport expires before travel | eVisa linked to expired passport is void | Renew passport, apply for a new Egypt eVisa, pay the fee again |
| Passport expires after eVisa approval but before travel | eVisa valid only if used within its 3-month validity window and passport meets the 6-month rule from arrival | Verify both conditions; renew and reapply if either fails |
| Passport lost or stolen after approval | Old eVisa cannot be transferred to a replacement passport | Report loss, obtain replacement passport, apply for a new Egypt eVisa |
Entering Egypt with two passports (old document with eVisa plus new valid one) is prohibited – the passport number is verified electronically by authorities at ports of arrival.
Passport Type Eligibility – Which Passports Qualify for the Egypt eVisa?
Eligible: regular British passports (10-year adult, 5-year child). Not eligible: Emergency Travel Documents, temporary passports, and British Overseas Territories or Crown Dependencies passports – these cannot be used for the Egypt eVisa online application.
- Eligible: regular British passport (10-year adult, 5-year child)
- Not eligible: Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) and temporary passports – require pre-approval from the Egyptian Consulate General in London (processing up to 3 months)
- British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies holders: cannot apply online
- Dual nationals: must enter Egypt on the same passport used for the Egypt eVisa application
How the Egypt eVisa Works – Application Steps and Required Documents
Apply via visa2egypt.gov.eg. Upload your passport bio-data page (JPEG or PDF). Pay $30 USD (single-entry) or $65 USD (multiple-entry) by credit or debit card. Approval arrives as a download link via email within 3 to 7 business days.
Create an account on the Egypt e-Visa Portal
Register at visa2egypt.gov.eg to begin your application.
Fill in personal and travel details
Provide all required personal and trip information.
Upload the passport bio-data page
Submit your passport bio-data page in JPEG or PDF format.
Pay the fee
$30 USD single-entry or $65 USD multiple-entry by credit or debit card.
Receive the Egypt eVisa
Download link sent via email within 3 to 7 business days.
Documents to carry when landing in Egypt: printed eVisa copy, valid passport, proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation letter), and a return or onward ticket. A visa on arrival is also available at approved airports for $30 USD (cash only, USD preferred), increased from $25 on 1 March 2026. From 1 August 2026, Cairo International Airport offers a digital visa on arrival via self-service machines for $36 USD ($30 visa + $6 service fee, card payment only).
Special Cases for the Egypt eVisa – Damaged Passports, Manual Extension Stamps, and Children’s Passports
The 6-month validity rule applies equally to children’s 5-year passports. Damaged or manually extended passports risk entry denial at the Egypt eVisa verification stage.
- Damaged passports: significant tears, water damage, or a faded bio-data page may prevent e-gate scanning and cause rejection at the border. Renew your passport if damaged.
- Manual validity extension stamps: the UK Passport Office can extend validity by observation, but Egyptian border authorities may not recognise non-digital extensions. Renew your passport to be safe.
- Children’s 5-year passports: the same 6-month rule applies – a child’s passport expiring 1 January 2027 cannot be used for arrival dates after 1 July 2026.
- BRP holders: UK biometric residence permits must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of visa issue. A print of valid residency confirmation or a Share Code profile from the Home Office website is accepted.
- Sinai resort free entry: a free entry permission stamp is available for Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, and Taba, allowing up to 15 days. It does not permit travel to other parts of Egypt (Luxor, Cairo, Nile Valley).
- Visa overstay: overstaying by more than 14 days incurs a fine. Apply for extensions at Egyptian Passport and Immigration Offices.
FAQ: Egypt eVisa Passport Validity Rules
Can I use an expired passport for an Egypt eVisa application?
No – your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your planned arrival date. Expired passports cause immediate rejection of your Egypt eVisa application.
Does the 6-month validity rule apply to children’s 5-year passports?
Yes. The rule is identical regardless of passport validity period. A child’s passport expiring 1 January 2027 cannot be used for arrival after 1 July 2026.
Can I enter Egypt with two passports – one with the eVisa and one valid?
No. You must present the exact passport linked to your Egypt eVisa at immigration. The passport number is verified electronically.
What if I renew my passport after my eVisa is approved?
The Egypt eVisa is non-transferable and linked to the passport number. Apply for a new eVisa with your new passport number and pay the fee again.
Can I use an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) for the Egypt eVisa?
ETDs are not eligible for the Egypt eVisa. Contact the Egyptian Consulate General in London at [email protected] for pre-approved entry arrangements (processing up to 3 months).
Do I need to bring supporting documents even with an eVisa?
Yes. Carry a printed eVisa copy, valid passport, proof of accommodation, and a return or onward ticket to present at border control.
How long is the Egypt eVisa valid after issue?
Single-entry: valid for 3 months from date of issue (maximum stay 30 days). Multiple-entry: valid for 6 months from date of issue (maximum stay 90 days).
Will a damaged passport cause eVisa problems at the border?
Yes. Significant physical damage (missing pages, water damage, torn bio-data page) may prevent e-gate scanning. Renew your passport if damaged.
