Ruth Haines
Non-Egyptian visitors arriving in Egypt are required to have a valid passport and a visa. This can be obtained from Egyptian Diplomatic Bodies abroad or from the Entry Visa Department at the Travel Documents, Immigration and Nationality Administration (TDINA). It is also possible for most tourists and visitors to obtain an entry visa at any of the Major Entry Ports, including Cairo International Airport. The visa costs $25 USD and can be purchased from a bank teller at the airport. However, it is recommended to check with the nearest Egyptian Consulate or online sources for specific details and regulations relevant to your nationality, as not every nationality can buy their visa upon arrival and the requirements can change over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa availability at Cairo Airport | Yes, it is possible to obtain a visa at Cairo Airport upon arrival. |
| Visa cost | $25 USD for a single-entry 30-day visa, $60 USD for a multiple-entry visa. |
| Accepted currencies | USD, Euros, GBP |
| Payment methods | Cash only, credit cards not accepted |
| Required documents | Valid passport, landing card, support letter from a travel agency for 30-day visa |
| Processing time | Around 15-40 minutes |
| Other services | Currency exchange |
| Online visa | Available for citizens of the US and 44 other countries |
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What You'll Learn
Visa requirements for Cairo Airport
Non-Egyptian visitors arriving in Egypt are required to have a valid passport. An entry visa may be obtained from Egyptian Diplomatic Bodies abroad or from the Entry Visa Department at the Travel Documents, Immigration and Nationality Administration (TDINA). It is also possible for most tourists and visitors to obtain an entry visa at any of the Major Entry Ports, including Cairo Airport.
Single-entry tourist visas are available for most nationalities, and can be obtained on arrival at Cairo Airport. The visa costs $25 USD in cash, and can also be paid in Euros or GBP. It is recommended to have the exact change in new, crisp bills. Credit cards are not accepted. The visa is valid for 30 days, and can be renewed. To get the 30-day visa, travelers must submit a support letter from a travel agency, which can be obtained from travel agents at the border.
Alternatively, travelers can obtain an eVisa before departure by applying on the official government website. The eligibility criteria for both visa options are similar, but the application processes differ. The eVisa requires advance planning, but often results in a smoother arrival experience, as travelers can avoid the queues at the airport. The visa on arrival offers more flexibility for last-minute travelers.
Upon arrival at Cairo Airport, travelers can follow the signs for immigration and purchase the visa on arrival stickers from the bank kiosks. They will then need to proceed to the immigration counters and hand over their passport, the visa sticker, and their landing card.
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Buying a visa at Cairo Airport
Non-Egyptian citizens arriving in Egypt are required to have a valid passport. A visa may be obtained from Egyptian Diplomatic Bodies abroad or from the Entry Visa Department at the Travel Documents, Immigration and Nationality Administration (TDINA). It is also possible for most tourists and visitors to obtain an entry visa at any of the Major Entry Ports, including Cairo Airport. However, not all nationalities can buy their visa upon arrival, so it is important to check with the nearest Egyptian Consulate or online sources for specific details and regulations relevant to your nationality. For example, Canadians can no longer get visas upon arrival in Egypt, but they used to be able to.
The process of buying a visa at Cairo Airport is straightforward. After landing and entering the terminal building, follow the signs for immigration. Before arriving at the counters, you will see a variety of bank kiosks to your left and right. These are where you buy the visa-on-arrival stickers. Hand over $25 USD cash (or the equivalent in Euros or GBP) to the bank teller, and they will give you a sticker. It is recommended to have the exact change in crisp, new bills with no folds, tears, creases, or any markings of any kind, as the teller may reject flawed bills. Do not put the sticker in your passport, as passport control will do this for you when they stamp the visa with your date of arrival.
In addition to buying the visa sticker, you will also need to fill out a landing card, which you should have received on your incoming flight. If not, landing cards are available near the Immigration Queues. At the immigration counters, hand over your passport, the visa sticker, and your completed landing card. The immigration officer will stick the visa sticker in your passport, stamp it, and write in the expiry date of your visa. A single-entry tourist visa is usually valid for a period not exceeding three months.
Obtaining a visa on arrival at Cairo Airport offers flexibility for last-minute travellers, but it may result in longer wait times during peak tourist seasons (October-April). The entire process can take around 40 minutes or less, depending on the queue length. Buying a visa at the airport also allows you to complete two tasks at once, as the bank teller who sells you the visa can also exchange foreign currency for you. However, it is worth noting that they do not accept credit cards, only cash payments. For a smoother arrival experience and to avoid queues at the airport, travellers may prefer to obtain an e-visa before departure.
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The visa on arrival process
At the immigration counter, hand over your passport, the visa sticker, and your filled-in landing card (which you will have received on the plane). The immigration officer will stick the sticker in your passport, stamp it, and write in the expiry date of your visa. You have officially entered Egypt!
It is worth noting that the visa on arrival process may result in longer wait times, especially during peak tourist seasons (October to April). For this reason, it is recommended to have the exact change in USD to avoid delays and complications. Additionally, some travellers prefer to obtain an eVisa before departure to avoid queues at the airport. However, the visa on arrival option offers more flexibility for last-minute travellers.
Finally, it is important to check that your nationality is eligible for a visa on arrival, as this information changes frequently. Contact your travel agent, tour company, or government entity to confirm the current requirements for your country.
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eVisa vs. Visa on Arrival
When travelling to Egypt, you can either obtain an eVisa before departure or get a Visa on Arrival at Cairo Airport. Both visa types require a passport valid for at least 6 months, and single-entry tourist visas are available for most nationalities. However, the application processes differ significantly.
EVisa
The eVisa application process is virtual and can be completed from anywhere with a reliable internet connection and an internet-enabled device. You will need to download the form, fill it out, sign it, attach the required documents, and submit it. The eVisa process requires advance planning, but it often results in a smoother arrival experience, as you won't need to queue at airport visa counters. Additionally, eVisas offer electronic and secure payment options and advance confirmation of visa status. The processing time for an eVisa is generally faster than that of a Visa on Arrival, and once approved, the eVisa is sent electronically, usually via email. It is also cost-effective, as it eliminates the need for postage, courier services, and travel to embassies.
Visa on Arrival
The Visa on Arrival process does not require a formal application. You can simply travel with your passport and purchase the visa at the airport, ferry terminal, or border point. The visa will then be stamped in your passport by the authorities. The Visa on Arrival offers flexibility for last-minute travellers, and the process is simple, requiring only a cash payment. However, it may result in longer wait times at the airport, especially during peak tourist seasons. Additionally, some travellers have reported issues with incorrect application information or missing documents when obtaining a Visa on Arrival.
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Passport validity and other considerations
A valid passport is required for non-Egyptian visitors arriving in Egypt. The passport must be valid for at least six months, and it is recommended that you carry copies of your passport and visa. The eligibility criteria for both visa options are similar, but the application processes differ. The eVisa requires advance planning and online paperwork, whereas the visa on arrival offers more flexibility for last-minute travellers. However, the visa on arrival may result in longer wait times at the airport, especially during peak tourist seasons (October to April).
When obtaining a visa on arrival, it is recommended to have the exact change in US dollars ($25 for a single-entry 30-day visa or $60 for a multiple-entry visa) to avoid delays and complications. The banks at Cairo International Airport are open 24/7, and the visa process typically takes around 15-40 minutes. It is important to note that credit cards are not accepted, and the bills should be crisp and new with no folds, tears, creases, or markings of any kind.
For those seeking a 30-day visa, a support letter from a travel agency is required. This can be obtained from travel agents at the border, but the fees may vary. Additionally, it is worth noting that not all nationalities can buy their visa upon arrival. It is recommended to check with your embassy or a reliable online source to ensure that your country is eligible for a visa upon arrival in Egypt. These requirements can change over time, so staying up-to-date with the current information is essential.
Other considerations when travelling to Egypt include the security situation and local laws. Extremists have expressed interest in targeting religious sites, diplomatic facilities, tourist locations, and transportation hubs. While Egyptian authorities maintain effective security, terrorists may still launch attacks with little or no warning. Local laws prohibit photographing certain sensitive buildings, such as police stations and military barracks, and protesting or demonstrating without a permit. Additionally, harassment of women, including foreigners, is a concern in Egypt, and tourists should be aware of overcharging and scams in tourist areas.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is possible to obtain a visa on arrival at Cairo Airport. The visa costs $25 USD in cash and can be purchased at one of the bank kiosks in the airport terminal before you reach the immigration counters.
The e-visa requires advance planning, whereas the visa on arrival offers more flexibility for last-minute travellers. The visa on arrival also allows you to complete two tasks at once: buying the visa and exchanging your money for Egyptian pounds.
After buying your visa sticker from one of the bank kiosks, you need to go to the immigration counters and hand over your passport, the visa sticker, and your filled-in landing card (which you will have been given on the plane). The immigration officer will then stick the sticker in your passport, stamp it, and write in the expiry date of your visa.
