Travelers who want to visit Egypt will need to have formal permission from the government to enter the country. Once they have this, they should be able to do all they want to do in Egypt.

Applying for an Egypt visa the conventional way can take a lot of time and energy. For people who are eligible, there are other visa options available. 

One of these options is the visa on arrival. Eligible travelers can obtain this after arriving in Egypt so they don’t have to do anything ahead of time.

Landing in Egypt

Once travelers land in Egypt, they will need to go through Customs & Immigration. This is where they will get their visa on arrival.

It can be easy to get confused in unfamiliar airports after hours of travel. Visitors with questions can always ask airport attendants or Egyptian officials where to go if they get confused.

Travelers should note that getting a visa on arrival can involve standing in several long lines. They should be prepared to spend as long as they need to here in order to get their visa.

Where to Get the Visa on Arrival (VOA)

Getting a visa on arrival in Egypt involves standing in at least one extra line. Travelers just arriving in the Immigration area should head for the “Arrivals” line first.

Here, they will pay $25 USD for their visa sticker, and this must be paid for in cash. The currency can be US dollars, British pounds, or Euros, though some say only USD is accepted.

This fee is for a single-entry visa valid for up to 30 days. Travelers can also choose to pay $60 for a multi-entry visa valid for up to 90 days if they plan to leave and re-enter Egypt. Once they have paid the fee, they can get in the regular “Immigration” queue.

The second queue is where they will actually get their visa sticker. They will need to place this on a completely empty page in their valid passport from their home country.

They will also get a stamp. They will need to show this in order to be permitted to get their luggage and leave the Immigration area. 

This is all that eligible travelers need to do to get their visa on arrival. Once they have it and get their luggage, they can travel through Egypt with ease.

What Happens at the Visa on Arrival Counter?

In order to get a visa on arrival for Egypt, travelers will need to show several documents at the visa-on-arrival counter.  

First, they need to show a valid passport from their home country. This should have at least six months of additional validity, to cover their whole stay in Egypt.

See what a good passport for travel looks like.

Their passport also needs to have at least two completely blank pages. If it does not have this, travelers should renew the document before they try to enter Egypt.

Travelers will also need to pay for their visa on arrival in cash, as mentioned above. They should have this cash in hand before they arrive as they may not be able to get it once in Egypt. Depending on the current COVID-19 rules and regulations, travelers may also need to show paperwork documenting their COVID status. 

This may include proof of vaccination, proof of having recovered from COVID recently, and/or proof of a negative test taken within a certain number of hours of departure.

The rules surrounding COVID and travel are subject to change and travelers are responsible for knowing what they are before they visit. Finally, travelers may be asked for documents about their trip to Egypt.

For instance, they may be asked for their itinerary while in Egypt or proof that they have accommodations to go to after they leave the airport. They may also be asked to show that they have already purchased a ticket that will take them out of Egypt before their visa on arrival expires.

Getting a Passport Stamp

Travelers who get a visa on arrival to Egypt may not get a passport stamp. Instead, they will get a passport sticker, which takes the place of the more traditional stamp.

Officials may stamp the passport to give permission for luggage pickup. The exact procedure can vary at different ports of entry. Travelers who want a formal passport stamp may ask for one, but it is at the discretion of officials whether or not to give it. Visitors should not push for a passport stamp if it’s not offered.

Who Can Get a Visa on Arrival in Egypt?

Currently, travelers from Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the USA, and all EU countries can get the VOA.

In addition, the visa on arrival is good for tourism and limited business ventures that do not involve making money in Egypt. Travelers visiting for other purposes will need a different visa. 

It is up to each traveler to ensure that they have the correct permission to enter Egypt. If they cannot get a visa on arrival, they will need to have a different visa in place before they travel.

Visitors who are unsure about entry requirements for someone from their country should contact the Egyptian embassy or consulate nearest their home.

Officials, there should be able to help them get the correct type of travel permission for their needs.

Visa on Arrival vs. eVisa

Many people from countries eligible for a visa on arrival (VOA) can also get an Egypt eVisa. This visa is applied for and obtained online before travel.

Reasons to Choose the eVisa

For travelers who have planned ahead, the eVisa makes transit through Immigration faster and smoother than the visa-on-arrival process does.

Travelers will already have their visas in hand, so they won’t have to wait at the arrivals counter to pay for their stickers before they enter the Immigration queue.

Travelers who worry about having their visa on arrival denied may also want to get an eVisa ahead of time. That way, they won’t have to worry about possible denial at the border. 

This is important because Egyptian officials have been known to deny people entry for very little reason. It doesn’t happen often but it can be a concern.

The eVisa is a great option for people who have reliable internet at home and access to a printer. The whole form is filled out electronically and all communication about it is electronic. In addition, the eVisa needs to be printed off once it has been accepted. Travelers who have a printer can thereby expedite their entry process into Egypt.

Reasons to Choose the Visa on Arrival

The visa on arrival is wonderful for travelers who were not expecting to visit Egypt. Sometimes, plans change, and the visa on arrival means that visitors can still enter the country.

Travelers who do not have reliable internet should choose the visa on arrival if they are eligible. That way, they don’t have to worry about filling out forms or receiving information electronically.

The visa on arrival may also be great for people who are very organized. If they have all of their documentation about itineraries, etc., in place, they will be more likely to get this visa in Egypt.

Some travelers may be eligible for a visa on arrival but not for an eVisa. These travelers can still enter Egypt with relative ease, though they may have to stand in an extra line there.

Visa on Arrival vs. Conventional Visa

Some travelers may choose to or need to get a conventional visa, rather than a visa on arrival or an eVisa. They will apply for this through an Egyptian embassy before they leave home.

Reasons to get a Conventional Visa

Some travelers are simply not eligible to enter Egypt without a conventional visa. Their country may not have a travel agreement with Egypt.

Some types of travel, like business travel or medical travel, also require a conventional visa regardless of the traveler’s home country. These visits must be approved ahead of time.

Travelers who have had travel to Egypt denied or who have reason to believe they might be denied should also get a conventional visa. That way, they can work any problems out ahead of time and have some assurance that they will get to enter Egypt once they arrive there.

Travelers who have valid conventional visas should not have problems entering Egypt. They should enter as fast as those with eVisa, as they will likely stand in the same lines.

Every traveler is responsible for getting the correct type of permission to enter Egypt. If they don’t, their trip might be for nothing as they may get stopped at the border.

Visitors can avoid this by doing their research ahead of time and submitting any necessary documents before they leave if that is needed. That way, they will be able to enter Egypt easily once they arrive and they won’t have to worry about entering the country when they get there.