The Egypt eVisa costs $25 online, the physical Visa on Arrival $30 cash, and the new Digital Visa on Arrival $36 by card. The Egypt eVisa requires online application at least 7 days before departure (processing time 5 to 10 business days); the physical Visa on Arrival is issued at airport bank kiosks with no advance application. eVisa holders typically wait 10 to 20 minutes at immigration, while physical Visa on Arrival queues run 20 to 45 minutes or longer during peak season.
Quick Comparison: Egypt eVisa vs Visa on Arrival
The Egypt eVisa costs $25 single or $60 multiple online, the physical Visa on Arrival $30 cash, and the Digital Visa on Arrival $36 by card. According to gov.uk travel advice for Egypt, the $30 cash fee reflects the current 2026 rate.
| Dimension | Egypt eVisa | Physical Visa on Arrival | Digital Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $25 single / $60 multiple | $30 (cash only) | $36 ($30 + $6 service fee) |
| Processing time | 5 to 10 business days | None (issued on arrival) | None (issued on arrival) |
| Airport queue | 10 to 20 min | 20 to 45 min (off-peak) | 15 to 30 min |
| Payment method | Card (online gateway) | Cash only (USD preferred) | Card only |
| Validity | 90-day entry window | 30 days from arrival | 30 days from arrival |
| Entry type | Single or multiple | Single | Single |
| Pre-application required? | Yes (min. 7 days before departure) | No | Optional (pre-register or kiosk) |
| Reliability | Near 100% (compliant applications) | Guaranteed at border | Guaranteed at border |
The Egypt eVisa reduces airport wait times by verifying documents online before travel. The Egypt Visa on Arrival allows spontaneity but requires queuing and USD cash. The Digital Visa on Arrival, launched 1 August 2026 at Cairo International Airport, offers card-only payment with no pre-registration.
What Is the Egypt eVisa and How Does It Work?
UK citizens apply for an Egypt eVisa online at visa2egypt.gov.eg, pay by card, and receive approval within 5 to 10 business days. The portal is managed by Egypt’s Ministry of Interior. A single-entry Egypt eVisa costs $25 USD (~£20); a multiple-entry eVisa costs $60 USD (~£48). The Visa on Arrival costs $30 at the airport with no advance application.
Create an account & complete the form
Enter passport details matching your document exactly
Upload a passport-style photograph
Keep file under 2 MB, plain white background
Pay the fee by card
Visa or debit card through the online gateway
Receive email status updates
Processing takes 5 to 10 business days
Apply at least 14 days before departure. The portal minimum is 7 days, but the extra buffer absorbs processing delays. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Egypt and contain at least 1 blank page. If the Egypt eVisa is delayed, UK citizens remain eligible for the Egypt Visa on Arrival at the airport. British passport holders from British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies cannot use the eVisa system.
What Is the Visa on Arrival for Egypt?
The physical Egypt Visa on Arrival costs $30 USD in cash at bank kiosks located before passport control at Cairo Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, Hurghada, and Sharm el-Sheikh airports. Unlike the Egypt eVisa, no advance application is required. You queue at the kiosk, pay, and receive a visa sticker affixed to a blank page in your passport.
Kiosks price in USD, and GBP is accepted but at unfavourable conversion rates. Bringing exact $30 USD cash per person avoids poor exchange rates and speeds up the transaction. The Egypt eVisa, by contrast, is paid by card online. Card payment is accepted at some Cairo T2/T3 bank kiosks but is not universal across all airports.
The Digital Visa on Arrival launched on 1 August 2026 at Cairo International Airport, offering a card-only alternative to the physical Egypt Visa on Arrival. It costs $36 USD total: a $30 visa fee plus a $6 digital service fee, payable by debit or credit card at self-service kiosks in the arrivals hall. The Digital Visa on Arrival eliminates the need for cash entirely and issues a single-entry authorisation valid for up to 30 days.
Wait Times Compared at Egyptian Airports
The Egypt eVisa routes holders through a dedicated e-gate lane in 10 to 20 minutes, while the Egypt Visa on Arrival routinely subjects travellers to 20 to 45 minutes of kiosk queuing, climbing to 45 to 90+ minutes during the July-August charter rush at Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. Wait times below are based on traveller reports and travel agency data, not official statistics.
| Airport | Season | eVisa Lane | VOA Kiosk Queue | Digital VOA Queue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo T2 / T3 | Off-peak | 10 to 20 min | 20 to 45 min | 15 to 30 min |
| Cairo T2 / T3 | Jul-Aug peak | 10 to 20 min | 45 to 90+ min | 15 to 30 min |
| Hurghada | Off-peak | 10 to 20 min | 20 to 45 min | N/A |
| Hurghada | Jul-Aug peak | 10 to 20 min | 45 to 90+ min | N/A |
| Sharm el-Sheikh | Off-peak | 10 to 20 min | 20 to 45 min | N/A |
| Sharm el-Sheikh | Jul-Aug peak | 10 to 20 min | 45 to 90+ min | N/A |
The Egypt eVisa minimises airport dwell time because document verification happens before departure, not at a bank kiosk. During the July-August charter rush, multiple flights landing simultaneously at Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh can push Egypt Visa on Arrival queues beyond 90 minutes, while eVisa holders consistently clear immigration in under 20 minutes. If your onward connection is under 90 minutes, an eVisa secured in advance is the safest choice; the Digital Visa on Arrival at Cairo offers a middle ground at 15 to 30 minutes with card-only payment.
Convenience and Reliability for UK Tourists
The Egypt eVisa suits planners with near-100% approval for compliant UK applications, while the Egypt Visa on Arrival is effectively guaranteed at the border for valid UK passport holders. The eVisa front-loads effort (14-day lead time) to save 10 to 20 minutes at the airport; the Visa on Arrival offers zero pre-trip work but costs 20 to 45 minutes in the queue.
Egypt eVisa rejections affect fewer than 1% of UK applications. Three causes account for most rejections: photo errors, name mismatch with passport, and selecting the wrong nationality. The $25 single-entry fee is non-refundable if the eVisa is rejected. The fallback: UK citizens can buy a Visa on Arrival for $30 cash at the airport.
The Egypt Visa on Arrival guarantees issuance at the immigration desk with no pre-screening. Present a valid UK passport (minimum 6 months validity from date of arrival) and the fee, and the sticker is issued on the spot.
For convenience at the border, a paper printout of the Egypt eVisa is strongly recommended. Staffed counters prefer paper, though some e-gates accept the QR code on a phone screen. The eVisa’s 90-day entry window from issuance absorbs short flight delays without invalidation. UK Emergency Travel Document holders cannot use the eVisa system and should confirm Egypt Visa on Arrival eligibility with the Egyptian Consulate in London before travel.
Validity, Extensions, and the Sinai Exemption
The Egypt eVisa grants a 90-day entry window from issuance, with a maximum stay of 30 days per entry, available as single-entry or multiple-entry. The Egypt Visa on Arrival permits a single entry of up to 30 days with no advance validity window. The Digital Visa on Arrival mirrors the physical VOA: 30 days, single-entry, issued on the spot at Cairo International Airport.
Stays exceeding 30 days require a visa extension filed at an Egyptian Passport and Immigration Office, such as Mogama’a El Tahrir, El Tahrir Square, Cairo, before the visa expires. Overstay fines are triggered once the visa has expired by more than 14 days, payable at immigration before departure.
The Sinai Resort Exemption offers a free, 14-day entry permission stamp at Sharm el-Sheikh Airport (by air) or Taba border crossing (by land), restricted to the Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, and Taba resort areas. Travel outside these zones or a stay beyond 14 days requires a full visa: the Egypt eVisa, physical Egypt Visa on Arrival, or Digital Visa on Arrival.
Last updated: September 2026. Visa fees and procedures are subject to change. Always verify current requirements on the e-Visa portal within 30 days of your departure.
FAQ: Egypt eVisa vs Visa on Arrival
Can UK citizens get a visa on arrival at Hurghada and Sharm airports?
Yes, physical Visa on Arrival kiosks operate at both Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh airports before passport control. The Digital Visa on Arrival, which accepts card payments, is currently available only at Cairo International Airport.
How much does the Egypt eVisa cost for UK residents in 2026?
A single-entry Egypt eVisa costs $25 USD (~£20) and a multiple-entry eVisa costs $60 USD (~£48), both paid online by card via the e-Visa portal managed by the Egyptian Ministry of Interior.
Is the Egypt eVisa guaranteed to be approved?
UK citizens with a compliant application have a near-100% approval rate. Rejections are rare and typically caused by photo upload errors, name mismatches, or miscalculating the 6-month passport validity rule. The fee is non-refundable if rejected.
What happens if I overstay my Egypt visa?
Overstay fines apply once your visa has expired by more than 14 days, payable at immigration before departure. To stay longer than 30 days, apply for a visa extension at an Egyptian Passport and Immigration Office before expiry.
Do I need to print my eVisa or can I show it on my phone?
A paper printout is strongly recommended. While some e-gates at Cairo may accept the QR code on a phone screen, staffed passport control counters typically expect paper. Always carry a printed copy as backup.
Can I apply for an eVisa on the day I travel?
No. The e-Visa portal requires application at least 7 days before departure, and processing takes 5 to 10 business days. Apply at least 14 days in advance to buffer against delays.
What currency should I bring for the visa on arrival?
USD cash is strongly recommended. The physical Visa on Arrival costs $30 USD; GBP is accepted but at unfavourable rates. Bring exact USD cash to speed up the process, as ATM availability inside terminals is unreliable.
Is the Sinai resort exemption enough for a Sharm el-Sheikh holiday?
Yes, if your stay is 14 days or fewer and you remain within Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, or Taba. You receive a free entry permission stamp on arrival. Travel outside these zones requires a full visa.
What should I do if someone approaches me about buying a visa at the airport?
Ignore them. Visa agents are not required and often charge more than the standard $30 USD fee. Proceed directly to the bank kiosks in the arrivals hall. Report harassment to the tourist police in the terminal.
What happens if my flight is delayed and I arrive on a different day?
An Egypt eVisa has a 90-day entry window from approval, so a single-day flight delay poses no issue. If a delay extends to weeks, you remain within the 90-day window. If it exceeds 90 days, a new application is required.
