What Is the Egypt eVisa?
The Egypt eVisa is the government's official online alternative to bank-queue visas and surprise airport counters - you apply on the official portal, pay online in US dollars, and receive an approved electronic visa to print for your flight. For Nile cruises, Luxor mornings and Red Sea weeks, it is now the standard tourist entry route for eligible passports.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Single-entry eVisa | US$30, valid 3 months from issue, stay up to 30 days |
| Multiple-entry eVisa | US$65, valid 6 months, up to 30 days per stay |
| Processing | Commonly 3 to 7 business days; apply at least 7 days before departure |
| Payment | Online, USD card |
| Entry proof | Printed eVisa copy recommended for the airline checkpoint |
Two 2026 price changes frame the costs: the single-entry fee rose from US$25 to US$30 in April 2026, and the multiple-entry fee from US$60 to US$65. In the same window, the visa on arrival moved to US$30 as well - so the eVisa is no longer cheaper than queuing at the counter, it just brings certainty and a multiple-entry option.
Single Entry or Multiple Entry - Which One Do You Need?
The entry type you apply for is the one you live with - issued eVisas don't convert afterward, so match the visa to your itinerary shape before paying:
- Single entry (US$30): one entry for up to 30 days. Leaving Egypt consumes the visa. Ideal for fly-in-fly-out holidays focused on Cairo, Luxor or the coast.
- Multiple entry (US$65): several entries across a six-month validity, each stay still capped at 30 days. The classic cases: a side trip to Jordan or Israel by land with a return to Egypt, or two separate Egypt holidays inside half a year.
One entry decision worth remembering is the South Sinai stamp: travellers flying directly into the Sinai resorts (Sharm el-Sheikh and friends) and staying in that zone receive a free entry stamp for up to 15 days - but it does not extend to Cairo, Luxor or the Nile Valley. Beach-only Sinai itineraries can skip the eVisa entirely on that stamp; anything beyond Sinai needs proper visa status.
How Long Does Processing Take?
Egypt's official planning rule is simple: submit your application at least 7 days before departure. Behind that guideline, standard applications where the passport scan is clean and the details match the passport's machine-readable zone (MRZ) are commonly decided in 3 to 7 business days.
A subtlety that more applicants should exploit: a single-entry eVisa is valid for 90 days from issue, so the sweet spot is applying 2 to 4 weeks before travel - comfortably ahead of review without the visa ageing near its expiry window.
- Under 7 days before flight? The portal officially floats no guaranteed outcome - remember there is no paid fast-track at any price.
- Want certainty? Application status lives in the portal and by email; watch your inbox - a payment receipt is not a visa, and genuine approval arrives as the eVisa document.
The delay mechanics and timing table are broken down on the Egypt processing time page.
Egypt eVisa Requirements Checklist
- A passport valid (per the safest standard) six months beyond arrival with a clear color scan of the bio-data page - details must match the MRZ letter for letter on the form.
- Your declared accommodation - first hotel or address in Egypt consistent with your itinerary, as part of the standard form.
- Travel purpose alignment - tourism for the tourist eVisa; business trips follow a separate documented route (see the business travel guide).
- A US-dollar payment card - the government fee is USD-denominated online; bank currency conversion charges are separate.
- Children apply individually - family members each carry an own application; the family specifics are in the minors and family guide.
Eligibility for the online route is nationality-specific - confirm your passport qualifies on the Egypt eVisa eligibility page, or whether a visa on arrival better fits your case.
Step-by-Step: Applying for the Egypt eVisa
Step 1 - Confirm eligibility and pick your entry type
Check your nationality, then decide single or multiple entry honestly by itinerary. Sinai-only beach travellers: the free 15-day zone stamp may cover you.
Step 2 - Create and fill the online application
Use the official portal and enter passport data exactly as MRZ prints it - mismatches here are Egypt's leading source of review snags. Add your first-night accommodation as prompted.
Step 3 - Pay the fee
The displayed amount (US$30 single / US$65 multiple as of April 2026) binds your application type. Save the payment confirmation and your application reference - they matter if anything goes sideways.
Step 4 - Receive the approved eVisa
On decision, the eVisa document is issued to you electronically. Open and verify every field - dates, passport number, entry type - before relying on it.
Step 5 - Print the eVisa and travel
Carry a printed copy to the airport - airlines and Egyptian immigration prefer it, and the flight checkpoint is where the copy earns its keep (see the printed-eVisa entry rules). Present it with your passport at immigration; the eVisa's approval is tied to your passport number.
Step 6 - Return trips (multiple entry holders)
The multiple-entry visa flexes across six months, 30-day stays. Re-entering after a regional side trip uses the same document until its entries are consumed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming a payment confirmation is the visa - wait for the actual approved eVisa document before treating the trip as clear.
- Applying fewer than 7 days out and dashing to the airport without an issued visa.
- MRZ mismatches - name and passport digits must mirror the passport's machine-readable zone exactly.
- Wrong entry type - needing to re-enter after a cross-border day trip on a single-entry visa means applying fresh; the multiple-entry fee is cheaper than a second full application.
- Paper photos of the passport instead of proper scans - glare and skew are the classic 3-to-7-day-then-delay triggers.
For context on the old figure: many third-party articles still quote US$25 - outdated after the April 2026 adjustment, which is exactly why verifying at payment matters.
Egypt eVisa FAQs
How much does the Egypt eVisa cost?
The official single-entry tourist eVisa is US$30 (raised from US$25 in April 2026), and the multiple-entry eVisa is US$65 (raised from US$60). Verify the amount displayed at your payment step - it binds your application.
Is the visa on arrival cheaper than the eVisa?
No - since 1 March 2026 the single-entry arrival visa also costs US$30, matching the eVisa. The eVisa's edge is the multiple-entry option and pre-departure certainty, not a price discount.
How long does the Egypt eVisa take?
Commonly 3 to 7 business days in clean cases. The official planning rule is to apply at least 7 days before departure; the sweet spot is 2 to 4 weeks ahead given the 90-day single-entry validity.
Can I visit Cairo on the free Sinai stamp?
No. The free South Sinai stamp (up to 15 days) covers only the Sinai resort zone reached directly. Cairo, Luxor and Nile Valley travel need a proper eVisa or visa.
Does Egypt have eVisa fast-track processing?
The official route publishes no paid fast-track. The honest lever is clean documentation and an application submitted weeks, not days, ahead.
How long is a single-entry eVisa valid?
Three months from issue, for one stay of up to 30 days. Multiple-entry versions run six months with 30-day stays per visit.
Do I need to print the eVisa?
Yes, a printed copy is strongly recommended - Egyptian immigration and airline checkpoints at ticketing expect paper; the digital file alone has stranded travellers at counters.
Is the visa fee refundable?
Do not assume it - check the refund and refusal terms shown on the portal. The fee attaches to a reviewed application, not a guaranteed approval.
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