What does the Egypt visa on arrival cost in 2026?
The long-quoted USD 25 figure is out of date. The UK FCDO entry requirements page now gives the on-arrival tourist visa as USD 30, cash only, at most airports. At Cairo International Airport, from 1 August 2026, it is USD 36, which includes a USD 6 digital service fee, paid by card at self-service machines or through an online portal.
The U.S. State Department gives the same split: a 30-day tourist visa for USD 30 cash at most entry points, or USD 36 by credit card at Cairo. It also stresses that at ports other than Cairo you should carry the exact amount in US dollars.
Cairo's card system runs through the official Visa on Arrival platform. You pay on the website, the mobile app or a self-service machine, enter your details, receive a QR code and show it to the immigration officer. The platform says the code can be emailed, downloaded or printed.
Should I get the e-visa or the visa on arrival?
The e-visa costs USD 6 less than the Cairo on-arrival price for a single entry, but only if you plan ahead. The e-Visa Portal home page asks you to apply at least 7 days before your departure, and its FAQ lists the tourist fees as USD 30 single entry and USD 65 multiple entry for citizens of more than 60 eligible countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan and China.
This table combines the fee rules with where you land and how your trip is shaped.
| Your situation | Best option | Cost per person | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying into Cairo, booking last minute | Visa on arrival | USD 36 by card | No 7-day lead time needed |
| Flying into Cairo, trip booked weeks ahead | e-Visa single entry | USD 30 | Cheaper and done before you fly |
| Landing at Hurghada, Luxor or another airport | e-Visa, or on-arrival visa | USD 30 either way | On arrival needs exact USD cash |
| Leaving Egypt and coming back, e.g. Jordan | e-Visa multiple entry | USD 65 | One visa covers both entries |
| Sharm El-Sheikh resorts only, under 15 days | Free entry stamp | USD 0 | Only valid in named Sinai resorts |
| Crossing at a land border | Visa bought ahead where possible | Varies | Border fees are USD cash only |
Worked example: Cairo with a side trip to Petra
A couple flies into Cairo, crosses to Jordan for Petra, then returns to Egypt for Luxor. Buying on arrival at Cairo costs 2 × USD 36 = USD 72 for the first entry alone, and they would need another visa to re-enter. Two multiple-entry e-visas cost 2 × USD 65 = USD 130 and cover both entries with nothing to buy at the border.
The single-entry e-visas would be 2 × USD 30 = USD 60, but they do not cover the return. If you are planning that loop, read our Jordan Pass and Petra tickets guide to see how the Jordanian side is paid for.
How do I apply for the e-visa?
The portal's how-to page sets out the steps. Use only visa2egypt.gov.eg: the State Department warns that third-party sites can charge double.
The FAQ says an e-visa printout is required on arrival, so do not rely on a phone screen. The UK FCDO says tourist e-visas are valid for up to 3 months, which is the window for using the visa rather than the length of your stay.
Sinai-only entry, passports and overstays
The free Sinai stamp is narrower than many people assume. The UK FCDO says it applies when you arrive by air at Sharm El-Sheikh and stay under 15 days at resorts in Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba. Ireland's advice gives the same four resorts and 15 days. Canada describes a 14-day visa-free stamp at the Taba land border for stays within the Sinai Peninsula, so the length depends on where you enter.
For passports, the UK FCDO requires at least 6 months validity from the date you arrive and at least one blank page. Canada measures the 6 months from the date you expect to leave, which is stricter. Aim for 6 months beyond your departure date.
How much cash can I bring into Egypt?
Egyptian pounds and foreign currency are treated differently. The UK FCDO, Canada and Smartraveller all give EGP 5,000 as the most you can carry into or out of Egypt in Egyptian pounds. For foreign currency there is no upper limit, but the UK says you must declare amounts over USD 10,000, and Canada words the threshold as USD 10,000 or more.
The State Department goes further and warns that amounts above USD 10,000 may be confiscated, with additional penalties, if not handled correctly. If you are carrying close to that figure, declare it on arrival and keep the paperwork for departure. For how to pay once you are through, see our guide to cash, cards and tips in Egypt.
What to do if something goes wrong
- Your e-visa has not arrived and you fly in 3 days: buy the visa on arrival instead. At Cairo that means USD 36 on a card, elsewhere USD 30 in cash.
- The Cairo card machine rejects your card: try another card or the online Visa on Arrival platform on your phone, then ask the immigration staff. Carry USD 30 cash as a fallback, although Cairo's published process is card-based.
- You entered on the Sharm stamp and want to visit Cairo: you need a full visa before leaving the permitted resorts. Do not travel on the stamp beyond those four resorts.
- You are about to overstay: apply for an extension before the 30 days end, because Canada warns that overstays can be fined at departure.
Once you are in, the Giza pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum ticket guide covers what the main sites cost.