If you are planning a trip to Egypt this year, you’ll want to take a close look at their visa policy.

Egypt is a country that has a wide range of regulations for visitors, including traditional visa applications, and visa-exempt countries and the newly introduced electronic visa.

This often causes a lot of confusion for travelers to Egypt, so make sure you are prepared for your visit by reading our guide below on the Egypt visa policy.

Who Needs a Visa to Visit Egypt?

Travelers to Egypt can be broken down into a few different categories. Visitors from ten countries, including Hong Kong and the UAE, are allowed to visit the country for up to three months without a visa.

Visitors from other set of countries, including China, Afghanistan, and Jordan, have unique regulations to each country, based on age, the type of trip they are undertaking, and gender, which sometimes allow for a visa-free trip also.

Moving on from that, some countries are also exempt due to traveling in groups of five or more people with booked accommodation or being born to an Egyptian father or Egyptian mother (after the year 2004 for the mother).

However, for countries that are not included in these regulations, you’ll need a visa for your trip.

Visitors from the UK, US, EU, and a few other countries can get their visa on arrival, which came into place in December 2020.

Since 2017, there has also been the option for the e-Visa for visitors from 46 countries, who can apply for tourism and business visas online using the e-Visa system.

For any countries that do not fall under these categories, you will need to follow the traditional visa application process by visiting your local embassy in your home country prior to your trip. On top of requiring a visa, a group of countries, including Iran and Iraq, require the Egyptian State Security Authorities’ approval before their entry.

As you can see, it’s a very complex situation when applying for a visa to Egypt, with so many countries having different rules for entry.

Popular Types of Egyptian Visa to Apply For

If you are visiting Egypt for sightseeing or to visit family and friends, you’ll need to apply for an Egyptian tourist visa. If you aren’t eligible to apply online, this will need to be completed at your local embassy instead.

For anyone who just needs to travel through Egypt, whether you need a transit visa or not will be dependent on your nationality and the length of time you will have to spend in Egypt on your journey. If you are spending less than 48 hours in the country and can show an onward ticket, you won’t need to apply for this visa.

Some countries can even leave the transit area during this time, however, there are some restrictions for a few countries that will need to remain in the airport. Another common visa application is for a business visa. Unlike other countries, you will need this visa even if you are just traveling to attend a conference, course, or seminar.

Of course, if you are engaging in further business, this visa will also be required. On top of these popular visa options, you’ll also find visas especially designed for visiting friends and family in the country, attending sports or cultural events, short-term education or internships, and then long-term visas for academic or business reasons.

Sinai Resorts Visa

Travelers from many countries who plan to travel to Egypt and stay at the Red Sea Sinai resorts of Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba or Sharm El Sheikh can get this visa. This is a free passport stamp that is obtained upon arrival and is good for up to 15 days. Visitors will need to show proof of their travel plans in order to be eligible.

Note that travelers who want to see the rest of Egypt will need a different visa in order to do so. This stamp only permits a single entry into Egypt.

Visa on Arrival

This visa covers a number of traveling purposes, but it is only available to visitors from some countries and only permits one 30-day stay in Egypt.

Travelers who qualify will need to show proof of their purpose in Egypt, as well as proof of onward or return travel before the visa period expires. They will also need to show proof that they have sufficient funds to cover their time in Egypt.

This visa is good for people who don’t have time to apply for an e-Visa before they travel.

Tourist Visa

This visa is for travelers who want to see more of Egypt than the Sinai resorts visa will allow them to see. Travelers from many countries can get a visa-on-arrival, which will permit this kind of travel. Others can get an e-Visa, which is good for tourism only.

Visitors from other countries will need to apply for a tourist visa before they leave home. To get any of these visas, travelers will need to show proof of their travel plans as well as tickets that take them out of Egypt before the visa expires.

They will also need to show that they have sufficient funds to cover their stay in Egypt, including all of the travel they plan to do. There are single and multiple-entry versions of this visa, so travelers should apply for the one that is most appropriate for their travel plans.

Work Visa

The work visa is for people who have been hired by companies in Egypt to do work for them. Anyone who wants to work in Egypt will need this type of visa. Applicants will need to prove that they have been hired by a qualifying Egyptian company. They will need to submit a letter of hire and a contract.

There will be additional details that the company will need to submit on their behalf. Most companies go through this process often and know what they need to do. Foreigners who want to work in Egypt can enter the country on a tourist visa, find a job, then apply for a work visa.

If they already have a job, they can also apply from their home country.

The duration of the visa will depend on the contract the worker gets, their home country, and other details about their stay in Egypt.

Study Visa

People who want to study in Egypt can apply for a study visa. This visa is good for people who are taking university classes or other certifications. Travelers applying for this visa will need to show that they have been accepted into a qualifying program in Egypt and that they have the funds to cover their costs in the country. 

As with the work visa, travelers have the option to enter Egypt on a tourist visa, find an educational program they want to complete, then apply for the visa from inside Egypt.

Study visas will generally allow entry into Egypt for the duration of the study program. They may allow multiple entries so people can visit home and return.

Cruise Visa

Travelers on a cruise involving Egyptian tours will need a cruise visa under certain circumstances. These are complex and so the cruise company will usually take care of the visa needs of its passengers. They may request documentation in order to apply for a visa on a traveler’s behalf.

Travelers who are taking cruises that depart from Egypt will need to get a tourist visa in order to enter the country. Cruise visas will cover the duration of the traveler’s cruise and permit any excursions that are taken as part of the cruise.

Transit Visa

Travelers who are going through Egypt on their way to another destination can apply for a transit visa for the country. Anyone who plans to leave the International Traveler portion of the airport will need a visa to do so. Some travelers may be eligible for the visa-on-arrival and can use that instead.

Travelers who do not qualify for the visa-on-arrival will need to get a transit visa before they leave home. They will need to show that they are transiting Egypt and provide proof that they have money to cover their stay in Egypt. Transit visas are short-term and usually only permit a single entry.

Business Visa

A business visa is for any traveler visiting Egypt on behalf of a company they work for in another country, or anyone looking to establish a business in Egypt.

Travelers visiting on behalf of a company will need to submit a letter from that company. This must be printed on official letterhead showing a foreign address. Travelers looking to establish a business in Egypt will need to prove that they have the experience and expertise to set up the business they are planning.

They will also need to prove that they have funding for the business and, preferably, that they are invited by people in Egypt to set up this particular business. The details of this visa will depend on the purpose of travel, the traveler’s country of origin, and more.

Diplomatic or Official Visa

These formal visas are for people visiting Egypt on behalf of their home country’s government. Most of the time, people getting these visas have diplomatic passports. The traveler’s home country will usually procure these visas before a trip to Egypt.

Visa details will depend on the traveler’s purpose in visiting, their home country, and more.

How Can I Apply for an Egypt Visa?

For anyone who needs to apply for a visa to Egypt, you’ll need to get in contact with your local embassy to begin the process. Contact them via phone or email to select a date and time for your appointment. From there, you’ll need to complete the visa application form, which can either be found online or sent by the embassy. Ensure you complete this form correctly and in black pen.

During your appointment, you will be required to submit the application form and pay your visa fee. Fees will vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for and if you need your application rushed through at all. After the stated processing time, you will then be told whether your visa application was successful.

You will then either need to collect your passport or have it sent via the mail, and it should now include your approved visa.

What Documents Are Needed for the Visa Application

In order to apply for an Egyptian visa, you’ll need to collect together certain documents. You’ll need to provide two copies of the completed and signed application form, along with your valid passport. You should attach two recent photos and proof of your visa payment.

To show the reason for your visit to Egypt, you’ll need to include a bank statement, return flight ticket, and proof of accommodation for your trip. If you are working or studying in the country, expect to also need to prove your employment or place of study with a contract or letter of support.

Egypt E-Visa Application

For visitors from the countries that are required to complete an e-Visa application, you’ll find this to be a simple online application you can complete before your trip.

This type of visa offers single or multiple entry options, with stays for a maximum of thirty days at a time. To get started, you’ll just need a valid passport, payment card, and email address. You’ll find the process to be quick and easy, and you’ll be guided through every step of entering your details, so you are ready to head off on your Egyptian adventure.

As you can see, Egyptian visa policies are one of the most complexes in the world, with rules and regulations varying from country to country.

To avoid any issues, you’ll want to ensure you follow the guidelines listed above carefully to apply for the right type of visa for your upcoming trip.

This will ensure you have a stress-free trip and that you aren’t overstaying your welcome in this beautiful country.