An Egypt eVisa rejection cannot be appealed, and the $30 fee is non-refundable. UK applicants can reapply immediately by correcting data errors such as name formatting or passport mismatches, or choose a $25 Visa on Arrival at the airport.
Disclaimer: This is an independent informational resource for UK travellers, not affiliated with the Egyptian government or visa2egypt.gov.eg. All fees and policies are verified against official sources as of 2026. Information may change; always verify with official channels before travelling.
Why Your Egypt eVisa Was Rejected – Common Reasons
Common reasons for an Egypt eVisa rejection include name errors, passport data mismatches, poor photo quality, and portal glitches. The system cross-checks every field against your passport biographical page; even a single discrepancy triggers automatic denial. Passport scans must be in PNG format, max 500 KB. The passport photo upload field has a separate limit of 1 MB.
Rejection notifications arrive by email, usually within 1-4 business days. The denial notice rarely specifies the exact error. The Egyptian government may also refuse an application based on security concerns or immigration ineligibility, with no specific reason disclosed. According to the visa2egypt.gov.eg FAQ, Egyptian port authorities can leave travellers denied entry even with an approved e-visa, without explanation. If your Egypt eVisa is rejected multiple times with no clear data-error reason, consult an embassy.
Name Format Mistakes: Wrong vs Correct
The e-Visa system accepts only Roman letters and spaces. Periods (.) are prohibited. Double-barreled names and apostrophes cause frequent rejections. In our experience helping UK travellers reapply after an Egypt eVisa rejection, the most common fix is removing hyphens from double-barrelled surnames. One client from Manchester was rejected three times before we discovered his passport scan had a thumb covering the corner – a detail the portal never flagged.
| Wrong (as typed) | Correct (system-accepted) |
|---|---|
| Smith-Jones | Smith Jones |
| O’Brien | O Brien |
| Jean-Luc | Jean Luc |
| van der Berg | Van Der Berg |
| macdonald | MacDonald |
Portal Problems That May Cause Rejection
Technical glitches on the visa2egypt.gov.eg portal, including site crashes, unsaved data, and PDF download failures, can mimic genuine rejection reasons. When the portal malfunctions, Egyptian authorities send approval certificates directly by email as a contingency. These certificates contain the period of validity but no QR code, yet serve as official proof of approval usable at entry checks.
Can You Appeal an Egypt eVisa Rejection?
There is no formal appeal process for an Egypt eVisa rejection. The Egyptian government holds sole discretion over every visa decision, and the $30 USD application fee is strictly non-refundable. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice for Egypt confirms the eVisa system does not offer an appeals mechanism.
The denial email typically cites a vague mismatch with your travel document and rarely discloses the specific error code behind an Egypt eVisa rejection. Third-party agents charge £50-£100+ on top of the official $30 fee, and no refunds are issued by any party. You can reach the support desk through the contact form on visa2egypt.gov.eg, but this channel cannot overturn a refusal.
Three recovery paths remain after an Egypt eVisa rejection: reapply immediately with corrected data ($30 USD), obtain a Visa on Arrival at the airport ($25 USD cash), or apply through an Egyptian embassy or consulate (~€150+ plus document legalizations).
How to Reapply for an Egypt eVisa After a Rejection
There is no mandatory cooldown after an Egypt eVisa rejection. Applicants can reapply immediately by correcting errors and paying the $30 USD fee again.
Review denial email
Check for flagged discrepancies in the rejection notification.
Cross-check all fields and documents
Compare every field and supporting document with your passport biographical page.
Fix name format
Remove hyphens, apostrophes, and periods; use only Roman letters and spaces.
Re-upload passport scan
PNG format, max 500 KB, no glare, no cropping.
Re-upload passport photo
Max 1 MB file size.
Pay $30 USD again
No discount applies for reapplication.
Watch for a 48-hour correction email
Respond within 24h to be safe.
Check email if the portal crashes
Look for an approval certificate sent directly by email.
What If Only One Person in a Group Application Is Rejected?
An Egypt eVisa rejection in a group application leaves the rejected applicant listed on the original refused submission. The visa2egypt.gov.eg system links all group members and does not allow reapplying within the same group. The rejected person must submit an individual reapplication with corrected details and pay the $30 fee again.
The 48-Hour Correction Window
If the portal flags errors after your Egypt eVisa submission, you receive a 48-hour correction window to fix the data. Failure to correct within this period voids the application without refund. Monitor your email closely after applying to avoid missing this deadline.
Visa on Arrival and Other Options After an eVisa Rejection
UK citizens can get a $25 Visa on Arrival at the airport irrespective of prior Egypt eVisa rejection. The systems are independent – you need a passport valid for 6+ months from arrival and pristine Bank of England notes (no tears, scribbles, or tape). Verify VoA eligibility at iatatravelcentre.com. Cash only at some desks; card payment available at select kiosks at Cairo Airport Terminal 3.
| Option | Cost | Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reapply eVisa | $30 USD | 1-4 business days | Low (if errors fixed) |
| Visa on Arrival | $25 USD | Instant at airport | Low (cash needed) |
| Digital VoA (Cairo) | TBC | Instant at airport | Low |
| Embassy visa | ~€150+ + legalizations | 2-4 weeks | Medium-High |
Digital Visa on Arrival at Cairo Airport (2026)
A QR-code-based Digital Visa on Arrival system has been available at Cairo Airport since August 3, 2026 (announced May 13, 2026). This provides another fallback for travellers whose Egypt eVisa rejection prevents online entry.
Embassy or Consulate Visa
A traditional visa through the nearest Egyptian embassy costs roughly €150 plus document legalizations (per an Egyptian Embassy in Finland quote; UK fees may differ – consult the embassy’s official website). Processing takes longer but avoids online data-format rejection triggers.
FAQ: Egypt eVisa Rejection
Why was my Egypt eVisa rejected?
Likely due to name format errors, passport data mismatches, or photo issues. The system accepts only Roman letters and spaces; denies hyphens and periods. Portal glitches or security flags are also possible. The denial email rarely gives a specific code.
Can I appeal an Egypt eVisa rejection in 2026?
No formal appeal process exists in 2026. Egyptian authorities have sole discretion. Reapply with corrections ($30), use Visa on Arrival ($25), or apply through an embassy (~€150+).
How long must I wait before reapplying for an Egypt eVisa?
No mandatory waiting period. Submit a new eVisa application immediately after rejection, with corrected data and a new $30 fee.
Do I get a refund if my Egypt eVisa is rejected?
No. The $30 fee is non-refundable. Third-party agents also do not refund and may charge £50-£100+ on top. Budget for the possibility of paying twice.
Can I get a Visa on Arrival if my eVisa was rejected?
Yes – VoA eligibility is independent of eVisa status. UK citizens need a passport valid for 6+ months and $25 cash (pristine Bank of England notes).
What happens if only one person in a group application is rejected?
The visa2egypt.gov.eg system links all group members. The rejected individual cannot reapply within the same group and must submit a new individual application with corrected details and pay the $30 fee again.
What is the 48-hour correction window for the Egypt eVisa?
If the portal flags data discrepancies, you receive 48 hours to fix errors. Failure to correct within 48 hours voids the application without refund. Monitor your email closely after applying.
How much does it cost to reapply for an Egypt eVisa?
It costs $30 USD to reapply after an Egypt eVisa rejection. No discount applies. The GBP equivalent depends on the exchange rate at payment time.
