Last updated: 9 September 2026. This is an unofficial guide for UK travellers. Always verify current fees and rules with the Egyptian eVisa portal (visa2egypt.gov.eg) and UK Foreign Office travel advice (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt) before departure.
The Egypt visa on arrival for UK citizens costs $30 USD in cash at Egyptian airports, valid for a 30-day single entry. From 1 August 2026, Cairo International Airport also offers a $36 USD card-payment self-service machine. No advance application is required.
Quick answer: UK citizens can get a visa on arrival at Egyptian airports in 2026 for $30 USD (single entry, up to 30 days). Payment is cash only at the airport kiosk. From August 2026, a $36 card-payment digital machine is also available at Cairo International Airport.
Eligibility, Documents, and Visa on Arrival Cost for UK Citizens in 2026
The Egypt visa on arrival for UK citizens requires a full British citizen passport valid for at least six months from arrival, with one blank page. The visa costs $30 USD per person (single entry, 30 days), with the same fee applying to adults, children, and infants.
- Passport type: Full British citizen passport required (per gov.uk).
- Validity: At least 6 months from arrival date.
- Blank pages: Minimum 1 blank page for the visa sticker.
- Children and infants: Each must hold their own valid passport and pay the $30 fee.
- British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies passport holders: Cannot apply via the eVisa portal. Must use the Consulate or the Egypt visa on arrival for UK citizens at the airport.
- British dual nationals: Must travel on a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement.
- UK Travel Document holders: Not eligible for visa on arrival. Advance application is mandatory.
- Accepted currencies: USD preferred; GBP and EUR accepted at most airports at an unguaranteed exchange rate.
- Digital VoA at Cairo (from 1 August 2026): $36 USD ($30 visa + $6 digital service fee), card payment only.
- Family cost example: A family of four pays $120 USD at the kiosk versus $100 USD for four single-entry eVisas.
- Consulate alternative: In-person consular visa costs £33 GBP (single) or £68 GBP (multiple). Contact: [email protected] or egyptconsulate.co.uk. Card payments only in person; postal orders accepted by post.
Cash Payment Rules and Step-by-Step Airport Process
The Egypt visa on arrival for UK citizens costs $30 USD per person, paid cash only at traditional kiosks. USD is preferred; GBP and EUR are accepted at most airports. Bring exact change in small bills ($5/$10). Change is given in EGP at a poor rate. Pre-2013 USD series, torn, stapled, or stained notes may be rejected. ATMs before passport control are unreliable at most airports and should not be relied upon.
At the Bank Kiosk (Cash – All Airports)
Follow “Visa” or “Arrivals” signs to the arrivals hall
Navigate from your gate to the arrivals area.
Locate the bank kiosk above the bank windows
Find the designated visa kiosk in the arrivals hall.
Queue with passport and exact cash ready
Have your passport and $30 USD in small bills prepared.
Present passport and cash
The clerk checks your passport validity.
Receive the visa sticker
The clerk affixes it to a blank page in your passport.
Fill in the pink/white immigration arrival card
Complete all required fields on the card.
Join the immigration queue for stamping
Proceed to passport control to receive your entry stamp.
The Egypt visa on arrival for UK citizens is available at Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Luxor, and Marsa Alam airports. One adult can purchase visas for the whole family at the kiosk.
At the Digital Machine (Card – Cairo Only, from August 2026)
Follow signs to self-service visa machines
At Cairo International Airport, locate the digital visa kiosks.
Scan your passport at the machine
Place your passport on the scanner to begin the process.
Pay $36 USD by card
$30 visa + $6 digital fee. Contactless or chip-and-PIN accepted.
The machine prints a visa sticker
Affix the printed sticker in your passport.
Complete the arrival card and proceed to immigration
Fill in the required card and join the immigration queue.
Visa on Arrival vs eVisa – Which Should UK Citizens Choose in 2026?
Choosing between the Egypt visa on arrival for UK citizens and the eVisa depends on cost, payment method, and how far in advance you can plan. The comparison below covers all three options available in 2026.
| Feature | Traditional VoA | Digital VoA (Cairo) | eVisa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $30 per person | $36 ($30 + $6 fee) | $25 single / $60 multiple |
| Payment | Cash only (USD/GBP/EUR) | Card only | Card (online) |
| Processing | Instant | Instant | 5-7 working days |
| Available at | All major airports | Cairo only | Online via visa2egypt.gov.eg |
| Advance planning | No | No | Yes (apply at least 7 days before) |
| Queue | Main kiosk queue | Separate machine queue | Separate eVisa line (often shorter) |
| Validity | 30 days, single entry | 30 days, single entry | Up to 3 months; 30 days per entry |
| Printed document | No (sticker) | No (sticker) | Yes. Printed PDF required |
Decision guide: Sharm/Dahab/Nuweiba/Taba for up to 15 days: free Sinai stamp. Flying into Cairo in 2026: digital VoA machine ($36, card only). Want certainty before departure: eVisa ($25, visa2egypt.gov.eg). Last-minute trip to Hurghada, Sharm, or Luxor: traditional Egypt visa on arrival for UK citizens ($30 cash). Multiple entries required: eVisa only ($60).
Queue Times, Sinai Exemption, and Important Warnings
The Egypt visa on arrival for UK citizens typically involves a 15-45 minute wait off-peak, extending to 1 hour during peak UK charter arrival windows. Some airports offer Meet & Assist fast-track services for an additional fee. eVisa holders may use a separate, often faster immigration queue.
| Airport | Off-Peak Wait | Peak Wait | Peak UK Flight Windows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo (Terminal 3) | 15-30 min | 30-60+ min | 15:00-19:00; Oct-Mar school holidays |
| Hurghada | 10-20 min | 20-40 min | 14:00-18:00 charter waves |
| Sharm el-Sheikh | 10-20 min | 20-40 min | Same as Hurghada; many UK arrivals qualify for free Sinai stamp |
| Luxor | 10-15 min | 15-30 min | Smaller terminal, fewer flights |
| Marsa Alam | 10-15 min | 15-30 min | Smaller terminal, fewer flights |
Sinai Resort Exemption (Sharm-Only Trips)
Stays up to 15 days in Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, or Taba resorts do not require the Egypt visa on arrival for UK citizens. A free entry permission stamp is issued at Sharm Airport. This does not cover Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, or Alexandria. Leaving the resorts or staying beyond 15 days requires a full visa, purchasable at Sharm airport or online.
According to Egypt’s Passport and Immigration Office, overstaying by more than 14 days beyond the 30-day visa validity triggers a fine at departure. Extensions must be arranged before expiry at Egyptian Passport and Immigration Offices. Airport agents are unnecessary and often charge more than $30 USD. Report harassment to the tourist police. Entry is denied for passport non-compliance. A yellow fever certificate is required only if arriving from a country listed as a transmission risk.
Sources: UK government travel advice for Egypt (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt), Egyptian eVisa portal (visa2egypt.gov.eg), Egyptian Consulate General in the UK (egyptconsulate.co.uk).
Verify before you fly: Entry rules change frequently. Confirm current fees, passport validity rules, and digital machine availability at your arrival airport via visa2egypt.gov.eg and gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt.
FAQ
How much is the Egypt visa on arrival for UK citizens in 2026?
The Egypt visa on arrival for UK citizens costs $30 USD per person in cash at the bank kiosk. From 1 August 2026, a digital machine at Cairo Airport offers the visa for $36 USD ($30 + $6 service fee), card only.
Can I pay for the Egypt visa on arrival by card?
Traditional bank kiosks at all Egyptian airports are cash only. From 1 August 2026, Cairo International Airport introduced self-service machines accepting card only (contactless or chip-and-PIN). Card payments are not accepted at Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Luxor, or Marsa Alam.
What documents do I need for the Egypt visa on arrival?
UK citizens need a full British citizen passport valid for at least six months from arrival, with one blank page. Children and infants must hold their own passport. British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies passport holders cannot use the eVisa portal and must use the Egypt visa on arrival for UK citizens or a consulate.
How long is the queue for the Egypt visa on arrival at Cairo airport?
Queue times at Cairo Terminal 3 range from 15 to 30 minutes off-peak. During peak UK charter windows (15:00-19:00, especially October to March school holidays), waits can reach 30 to 60+ minutes. eVisa holders may use a separate, faster queue.
Is it better to get an Egypt visa on arrival or an eVisa?
The eVisa costs $25 USD single entry and lets you skip the kiosk queue, but requires applying at least 7 days ahead via visa2egypt.gov.eg. The $30 USD Egypt visa on arrival for UK citizens needs no advance planning. For multiple entries, the eVisa is the only option at $60 USD.
Which Egyptian airports offer visa on arrival for UK citizens?
The Egypt visa on arrival for UK citizens is available at Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Luxor, and Marsa Alam airports. At Sharm, travellers staying only in resort areas for up to 15 days can receive a free entry permission stamp instead. Digital card-payment self-service machines are currently only at Cairo International Airport.
How long is the Egypt visa on arrival valid for?
The Egypt visa on arrival for UK citizens is valid for up to 30 days from the date of entry, permitting a single entry for tourism. Extensions require visiting an Egyptian Passport and Immigration Office before expiry.
Do children and infants need their own visa on arrival?
Yes. Children and infants must hold their own valid passport and require their own Egypt visa on arrival for UK citizens. The fee is $30 USD per person regardless of age. One adult can purchase visas for the whole family at the kiosk.
What happens if I overstay my Egypt visa?
Overstaying by more than 14 days beyond the 30-day validity triggers a fine at departure. Apply for an extension at an Egyptian Passport and Immigration Office before the visa expires to avoid penalties.
Do I need to print my Egypt eVisa, or is a digital copy enough?
You must print your Egypt eVisa. The eVisa is delivered as a PDF, and a printed copy is required by immigration officers. A digital copy on your phone is not sufficient.
