If you are traveling to Egypt, a visa is required for most nations but is easily obtainable upon arrival at major border crossings. I’ll focus here on arrivals at Cairo International Airport (CAI) and why I prefer a visa on arrival over an e-visa.
Guide: How To Obtain An Egypt Visa On Arrival
The process is very straightforward, which is one reason I write this short guide. Many Award Expert clients who visit Egypt express fear that they will have to buy a visa on arrival. There is no need to fear: it’s easy as pie and nothing but a revenue generator for the Egyptian government (rather than a means to separate desirable from undesirable travelers). There is no background check or anything like that: just pay the 25 USD and you’ll be handed a sticker that you can affix in your passport (some agents will place the sticker directly in your passport for you).
As you exit your flight, follow the signs for passport control. For my most recent trip, we arrived in Terminal 2 (my first time ever flying into or out of Cairo on an airline other than EgyptAir). Once you reach downstairs, immigration counters will precede the baggage claim area. Do not proceed directly to immigration. Instead, find the visa on arrival booth (clearly marked). There, you can obtain your visa (cash only USD, EUR, or GBP – no credit or debit cards). Only single-entry visas are sold. You’ll be handed the sticker (pictured above), which you can place directly in your passport before you reach the front of the passport control line.
A couple of further thoughts. First, Egypt does now offer e-visas online. I am not a fan of them because it is my understanding that you do not receive a visa sticker on arrival if you arrange an e-visa. However, the e-visa may be more appealing precisely because it does take up less space, because it can be arranged in advance without waiting in line, can be paid by credit card, and a multiple-entry visa can be purchased for 60 USD.
Second, if you are only traveling to the Sinai region (for example, Sharm El-Sheikh), no visa is required for stays under 15 days, provided you do not leave the region.
CONCLUSION
Obtaining a visa on arrival in Egypt is a straightforward process. I still prefer to do it the old-fashioned way in order to obtain a sticker on my passport, but an e-visa is now possible too.
How was your experience obtaining a visa for Egypt?
Unrelated to Egypt, but I was just in line to get into the Denver United Club, and asked the check-in agent when the new clubs are expected to open as the current one is insanely overcrowded. She said both the B East club and the new A club are expected to open in June, and then she whispered that there is a Polaris lounge being built as well above the new A club, but didn’t know when that was opening. Has anyone heard anything about this? Would be pretty big news if Denver was getting a Polaris lounge out of nowhere.
United has repeatedly said no Polaris Lounge in DEN. Zach from TPG just spoke to Alexander Dorow and he also said there would be no Polaris Lounge.
correct matthew, no sticker for the evisa…there is a printout but you don’t even need it as its all electronic (as the name suggests:)). one other advantage is it doesn’t slow you down so you don’t end up at the end of the customs line. and obviously obviates the need to carry cash.
As Matthew pointed out, the preference is to pay for the visa in USD, EUR or GBP. I was there last year, coming from Jordan, and did not have the right currency. I went to an ATM and withdrew Egyptian dollars which the people at the desk were hesitant to accept, but eventually did.
Considering that the currency in Egypt is pounds, I don’t blame them for refusing to accept Egyptian dollars. 🙂
I flew on BA to Egypt in November. When getting my visa on arrival, I was ready to pay cash but was told I could use a credit card. I did so, and when the visa bill showed up on my credit card bill, I discovered there was a fee for using the credit card…as I recall it was something like $9! So, pay cash!
What countries are able to get a visa on arrival?
Are all countries of the world eligible?
74 countries. See link in post. I can add them directly.
Hi I am sani from Nigeria I want apply egypt e visa
Nigerians do not qualify for Egyptian e-visa
I’m Bangladeshi I need e visa
Hi ..how can I get arrival visa from Kenya to Egypt please
Check the e-visa website to see if your country qualifies.
Where to apply for visa on arrival and what are the requirements??
That is good, how can I apply please
Book a guide through a trusted travel agency in Cairo. We landed, he met us before immigration, he had purchased the visas and stuck them in our passports, walked us through to the front of passport control, he did everything for us. The best part of it was not having to drive ourselves through messy Cairo. And he took us exactly where we wanted to go