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Should I choose an Egypt eVisa or visa on arrival?
The better route depends on your nationality, arrival airport, trip length and how much certainty you want before you fly. A single-entry eVisa and a single-entry visa on arrival both cost US$30 in 2026. The main differences are timing, eligibility and the option of multiple entry.
The eVisa is applied for and paid online before departure, so you know the outcome before you travel. The visa on arrival is bought at the airport after landing, and immigration still decides admission under both routes.
eVisa and visa on arrival compared
| Factor | eVisa | Visa on arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Where you get it | Online, before travel | Bank counter in the arrivals hall, before passport control |
| Fee in 2026 | US$30 single entry; US$65 multiple entry | US$30 single entry |
| Entries | Single or multiple | Single |
| Eligible nationalities | A longer list set on the official portal | A shorter list set by the Egyptian authorities |
| Timing | Apply at least 7 days before departure | No advance application |
| Payment | Online by international bank card | At the airport; check which currencies the counter accepts |
| What to carry | Printed eVisa, passport, itinerary, accommodation details | Passport, the fee, itinerary and accommodation details |
| Certainty before you fly | Outcome known before departure | Confirmed only at the airport |
Eligibility lists differ between the two routes. Some nationalities can apply for the eVisa but cannot get a visa on arrival, so check your own passport.
How to decide
Choose the eVisa if
- you want approval before you fly, or your airline may ask for proof of a visa at check-in;
- you need a multiple-entry option;
- your nationality is not on the visa on arrival list.
Choose the visa on arrival if
- your nationality is eligible and your arrival airport offers it;
- you are travelling at short notice, with fewer than 7 days to departure;
- a single entry is enough and you can pay the fee at the airport.
The Sinai-only entry stamp
Travellers arriving in the South Sinai resort area, for example at Sharm El-Sheikh, can be given a free entry stamp for up to 15 days if they stay within that area. It covers resort destinations such as Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba. It does not allow travel to Cairo, Luxor, the Nile Valley or the rest of mainland Egypt.
If there is any chance you will leave the Sinai area, get a full eVisa or visa on arrival instead.
Points to watch
- Do not assume another traveller's nationality rule applies to your passport.
- Fees change. The visa on arrival rose to US$30 on 1 March 2026 and the eVisa fees rose in April 2026.
- Reports in 2026 mention a pilot of a card-payable digital arrival visa at Cairo Airport. Availability can change, so confirm it with your airline before relying on it.
- Neither route guarantees admission. Passport validity and entry conditions are checked at the border.
Egypt eVisa and visa on arrival FAQs
Is the eVisa better than the visa on arrival?
It can make planning clearer because you apply and pay before departure, and it offers a multiple-entry option. The right route still depends on your nationality and travel plans.
Can every traveller get a visa on arrival?
No. Availability depends on your nationality and the arrival airport. The arrival list is shorter than the eVisa list.
Which is cheaper?
A single-entry eVisa and a single-entry visa on arrival both cost US$30 in 2026. A multiple-entry eVisa costs US$65.
Does the eVisa remove border checks?
No. Passport validity and entry conditions are still checked, and immigration officers decide admission.
Is the Sinai-only stamp enough for my trip?
Only if you will stay in the South Sinai resort area for up to 15 days. It does not cover Cairo, Luxor or the rest of Egypt.
Continue planning
- Egypt visa homepage
- Egypt visa guides and blog
- Egypt eVisa overview
- Egypt eVisa eligibility by nationality and travel purpose
- Egypt eVisa requirements and document checklist
- Egypt eVisa application process
- Egypt eVisa fees
- Egypt single-entry tourist eVisa
- Egypt multiple-entry tourist eVisa
- Egypt transit visa and airport connections
- Global eVisa types
Information and update notice. This page was last updated on 11 October 2026. Egypt's visa categories, eligibility, fees, validity, processing times and entry conditions can change at short notice. This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. VistoRoute is a private information and application-assistance service and is not the visa authority of Egypt or connected to the Egyptian government. Always confirm the current rules on the official Egyptian e-Visa portal, with an Egyptian embassy or consulate, or with your airline before you book or travel.