Planning a holiday to Egypt from the UK is an exciting prospect. Egypt offers ancient pyramids, historic temples, Red Sea beaches, desert landscapes, bustling markets and some of the world's most famous archaeological sites. However, before booking your trip, one of the most important questions to answer is: do you need a visa for Egypt from the UK?
For most British citizens travelling on a full British citizen passport, yes, a visa is normally required to enter Egypt. There are several ways to obtain one, including applying for an Egyptian eVisa before travelling, obtaining a tourist visa on arrival at eligible airports, or applying through the Egyptian authorities in the UK.
There is also an important exception for some travellers visiting the South Sinai resorts for a short stay. Understanding the difference between this special entry permission and a standard Egyptian tourist visa can help you avoid problems at the border.
This detailed guide explains the Egypt visa requirements for UK travellers, available visa options, passport requirements, costs, application procedures, permitted stays and practical travel considerations.
British passport holders generally need a visa to enter Egypt for tourism.
If you are travelling from the UK to popular destinations such as Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Hurghada or Alexandria, you should normally arrange an appropriate Egyptian visa before travelling or obtain one on arrival where this option is available.
The main options for eligible British passport holders include:
Applying for an Egyptian tourist eVisa before travelling
Purchasing a tourist visa on arrival at an approved Egyptian airport
Applying for a visa through the Egyptian Consulate General in the UK
Using the special visa-free entry permission available for certain short stays in South Sinai
The best option depends on your destination, nationality, passport type, length of stay and purpose of travel.
For a standard holiday in Egypt, British citizens should prepare the necessary travel documents before departure.
A full British citizen passport should generally:
Be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in Egypt
Have at least one blank page available for immigration purposes
Belong to the traveller applying for or using the visa
Be presented at immigration when entering Egypt
It is important to check your passport validity before booking your trip. A passport that is close to expiry can create problems even if your intended holiday is relatively short.
Your airline or other travel provider may also check your passport and travel documents before allowing you to board.
The Egypt eVisa is an electronic tourist visa that eligible travellers can apply for online before travelling.
Instead of waiting until you arrive at the airport to purchase a visa, you can complete the application process in advance and receive an electronic visa document.
British citizens are included among the nationalities eligible to apply through Egypt's electronic visa system.
The eVisa can be particularly convenient for travellers who prefer to arrange their documentation before leaving the UK.
Once approved, travellers should keep a copy of the eVisa available for their journey. It is sensible to carry a printed copy as well as retaining an electronic copy on your phone or another device.
For tourism, Egypt offers electronic visa options for eligible nationalities.
A single-entry tourist eVisa is generally intended for one visit to Egypt, while a multiple-entry option can be useful for travellers who expect to enter Egypt more than once during the relevant validity period.
The Egyptian eVisa system currently lists a US$30 fee for a single-entry tourism visa and US$65 for a multiple-entry tourism visa.
Always check the current requirements and fee displayed by the Egyptian authorities when submitting an application, as immigration policies and fees can change.
Yes. British passport holders can generally obtain an Egyptian tourist visa on arrival at approved Egyptian airports.
The standard tourist visa on arrival is generally valid for a stay of up to 30 days.
The current UK government travel guidance states that the visa on arrival costs US$30, and payment is made in cash at the airport.
Visa-on-arrival facilities are available at approved airports, where travellers can purchase the visa before proceeding to immigration.
If you choose this option, carrying the appropriate amount of US dollars in cash can make the process easier.
No. Although both can allow eligible tourists to enter Egypt, the application process is different.
With an eVisa:
You apply online before travelling.
You provide the requested personal and passport information.
You pay the applicable visa fee online.
Your application is processed.
You receive the electronic visa.
You travel with the required documentation.
You present your documents to Egyptian immigration on arrival.
With a visa on arrival:
You travel to Egypt with your required passport and travel documents.
You arrive at an eligible Egyptian airport.
You purchase the visa at the designated airport facility.
You proceed to immigration.
Your passport is checked and your entry is processed.
For travellers who like to have their documentation arranged before departure, an eVisa may be more convenient.
There is no single answer for every traveller.
An eVisa can be attractive because you can complete the process before leaving the UK. This means you do not have to rely on completing the visa purchase after landing.
A visa on arrival may be convenient for eligible travellers who prefer to handle the visa at the airport.
You want to arrange your visa before travelling
You want to reduce paperwork at the airport
You prefer knowing your visa arrangements in advance
You have enough time before your trip to complete the application
You are eligible for the facility
You are travelling through an approved airport
You are comfortable purchasing the visa after arrival
You have the required cash available
Whichever option you choose, make sure that the visa corresponds to your passport and intended purpose of travel.
Visa fees depend on the type of visa and how you apply.
For the standard tourist visa on arrival, the current fee is US$30.
For Egypt's electronic tourist visa system, the listed fees include:
Single-entry tourist visa: US$30
Multiple-entry tourist visa: US$65
Fees can change, so travellers should verify the current amount before submitting an application or travelling.
You should also be careful when dealing with third-party visa services. Some companies charge service fees in addition to the official government visa fee.
There is an important exception for certain short visits to South Sinai.
British citizens arriving by air at Sharm El-Sheikh Airport and staying for less than 15 days at specified South Sinai resorts may be able to enter without purchasing a standard Egyptian tourist visa.
Instead, they can receive a free entry permission stamp on arrival.
This arrangement applies to qualifying stays in destinations including:
Sharm El-Sheikh
Dahab
Nuweiba
Taba
However, the conditions are important.
If you plan to travel outside the permitted resort areas, or if you intend to remain for more than 15 days, you will normally need a standard Egyptian visa.
This means that travellers should not assume that a short South Sinai holiday automatically gives them permission to travel throughout Egypt.
This is an important consideration when planning an Egyptian holiday.
Suppose you fly from the UK to Sharm El-Sheikh and receive the special short-stay entry permission. You may be able to stay in the qualifying South Sinai resort area without purchasing the normal tourist visa.
However, if you later decide to travel to Cairo, Giza, Luxor or other destinations outside the qualifying area, the special entry permission may not be sufficient.
If your itinerary includes destinations outside the South Sinai area, it is generally safer to arrange the appropriate standard Egyptian visa.
For example, a holiday combining:
London → Sharm El-Sheikh → Cairo → Giza → Luxor
is very different from:
London → Sharm El-Sheikh → resort holiday → London.
The first itinerary requires you to consider the standard visa requirements because you are travelling beyond the special South Sinai conditions.
Generally, no.
The special visa-free entry arrangement is designed for qualifying short stays in specific South Sinai resort areas.
Cairo and the Giza pyramids are outside this area.
If your holiday includes Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Alexandria or other parts of mainland Egypt, you should obtain the appropriate Egyptian tourist visa.
This is one reason it is important to plan your itinerary before travelling.
Children travelling on British passports are subject to Egyptian entry requirements too.
Parents or guardians should check the requirements for each child travelling to Egypt and ensure that every traveller has the necessary passport and travel documentation.
A child's passport should satisfy the applicable validity requirements, and families should make sure that any visa application information matches the child's passport exactly.
When travelling as a family, it is wise to organize all passports, visas, hotel information and travel documents before departure.
Not necessarily.
This is an important distinction.
Egyptian entry requirements are primarily based on nationality and the passport or travel document you use, rather than simply the country where you live.
For example, someone who lives in London but holds a Pakistani, Indian, Nigerian, Bangladeshi or another nationality may have different Egyptian visa requirements from a British citizen.
Having a UK residence permit does not automatically make you a British citizen for Egyptian immigration purposes.
Therefore, if you are a UK resident but do not hold a British citizen passport, check the Egyptian requirements for your actual nationality and travel document.
A UK residence permit can establish your right to live in the UK, but it does not automatically determine your eligibility for Egypt's visa facilities.
The Egyptian authorities will generally look at the nationality and travel document being used for entry.
For example, a traveller could live permanently in Manchester or Birmingham but still need to follow the Egyptian visa rules applicable to their passport nationality.
This is especially important for travellers who hold:
A foreign passport
A refugee travel document
A certificate of travel
A British Overseas Territories passport
A Crown Dependency passport
Another type of travel document
Do not assume that holding UK immigration status automatically gives you the same Egyptian visa privileges as a British citizen.
There is another important distinction between a full British citizen passport and other British nationality or travel-document categories.
The UK government's Egypt entry guidance specifically notes that British passport holders from British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies cannot use the online Egyptian eVisa application in the same way as full British citizen passport holders.
If you do not hold a standard British citizen passport, check the rules that apply specifically to your nationality and travel document before making travel arrangements.
If you are an eligible British citizen and decide to apply for an Egypt eVisa, the process is completed online.
The general process involves several stages.
Before applying, confirm that your nationality is eligible for the Egyptian eVisa system.
British citizens are listed among the eligible nationalities.
Make sure your passport meets the Egyptian entry requirements.
Your passport should generally be valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
Enter your personal information and passport details carefully.
The information should match the details printed in your passport.
Errors in names, passport numbers, dates of birth or other information can cause problems.
Tourist applicants may need to provide information about their itinerary and accommodation.
You should have details such as your hotel or accommodation available when completing the application.
Pay the applicable visa fee using the payment method accepted by the official electronic visa system.
Once submitted, the application goes through the relevant processing procedure.
Do not leave your application until the last possible moment.
Once approved, save the eVisa and consider printing a copy.
Having a printed copy can be useful during your journey even if you also have the electronic version stored on your phone.
Although the visa is one of the most important documents, travellers should prepare a complete travel document package.
Consider carrying:
Valid British passport
Approved Egyptian eVisa, if obtained
Return or onward travel information
Hotel booking details
Travel itinerary
Travel insurance information
Emergency contact information
Copies of important documents
It is also sensible to keep electronic backups of important documents.
Do not keep every important document in only one place. Losing a phone containing your only copy of your travel documents can create unnecessary difficulties.
The permitted stay depends on the type of entry permission or visa you receive.
A standard tourist visa on arrival is generally valid for up to 30 days.
The Egyptian eVisa system also provides tourist visa options, with the applicable conditions depending on the visa issued.
Travellers should always check the permitted stay associated with their specific visa rather than assuming that every Egyptian visa allows the same length of stay.
In some circumstances, visitors can apply for a visa extension through Egypt's Passport and Immigration Offices.
However, travellers should not assume that an extension will automatically be granted.
If you expect to remain in Egypt longer than your original permitted stay, deal with the extension process before your visa expires.
Remaining beyond your permitted period can create immigration problems and may result in fines or difficulties when leaving Egypt.
If you plan an extended trip, do not simply purchase a standard short-stay tourist visa and assume that you can remain indefinitely.
Instead, consider the appropriate visa or residence arrangements for your circumstances.
Longer stays can involve different immigration procedures, particularly if you intend to work, study, conduct business or live in Egypt rather than simply take a holiday.
Tourist permission should not be treated as permission to undertake activities that require a different type of visa or permit.
A tourist visa is not a substitute for a work permit.
If your purpose is employment in Egypt, you should investigate the appropriate work and immigration requirements before travelling.
The same principle applies to other activities that fall outside ordinary tourism.
For example, a traveller planning to:
Take up employment
Establish long-term residence
Study
Undertake certain business activities
Conduct professional activities
may require documentation different from a normal tourist visa.
Business travel can involve different requirements from ordinary tourism.
If you are travelling to Egypt for meetings, conferences, negotiations or other business-related activities, check the appropriate visa category and permitted activities before travelling.
Do not assume that every business activity is automatically covered by a tourist visa.
If your trip involves employment or paid professional activity in Egypt, additional permissions may be required.
Travel documents can have different rules from ordinary passports.
If you hold a UK-issued travel document rather than a full British citizen passport, you should not assume that the same visa rules apply.
This can include:
Refugee travel documents
Certificates of travel
Other UK-issued travel documents
The safest approach is to verify the requirements for the exact document you intend to use.
After arriving in Egypt, you will proceed through immigration.
Depending on how you obtained your visa, you may need to present:
Your passport
Your eVisa printout, if applicable
Your travel information
Accommodation details
Other supporting documents requested by immigration officials
The immigration officer may ask basic questions about your trip, such as where you are staying and how long you intend to remain in Egypt.
Answer clearly and truthfully.
Yes, carrying a printed copy is a sensible precaution.
Although an eVisa is an electronic document, having a physical copy can make the process easier if airline or immigration staff ask to see evidence of your visa.
You can also keep a digital copy securely stored on your phone.
A good approach is to have:
One printed copy + one digital backup.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for an international holiday.
Egypt offers many types of travel experiences, from sightseeing around ancient monuments to desert excursions and Red Sea activities.
Travel insurance can help protect you against unexpected events such as:
Medical expenses
Trip cancellation
Delays
Lost baggage
Travel interruptions
Emergency assistance
Before purchasing insurance, read the policy carefully to understand what is and is not covered.
Once your visa arrangements are sorted, Egypt offers an enormous variety of destinations.
Cairo is the country's enormous capital and a major starting point for international visitors.
Highlights include:
The Egyptian Museum
Historic Islamic Cairo
Khan el-Khalili
The Citadel
Nile River experiences
Cairo is also a convenient base for visiting the Giza pyramid complex.
The pyramids of Giza are among the world's most recognizable archaeological landmarks.
Visitors can see:
The Great Pyramid
The Pyramid of Khafre
The Pyramid of Menkaure
The Great Sphinx
For many British travellers, visiting the pyramids is the highlight of their Egyptian holiday.
Luxor is one of Egypt's most important destinations for ancient history.
The area includes famous attractions such as:
Karnak Temple
Luxor Temple
Valley of the Kings
Valley of the Queens
Colossi of Memnon
Luxor can be particularly appealing to travellers interested in ancient Egyptian civilization.
Hurghada is popular with travellers looking for a combination of sunshine, beaches and Red Sea activities.
It is known for:
Beaches
Resorts
Boat excursions
Snorkelling
Diving
Red Sea marine life
Sharm El-Sheikh is one of Egypt's best-known Red Sea resort destinations.
It is particularly popular for beach holidays and marine activities.
British visitors should remember that the special short-stay South Sinai entry arrangement has specific geographical and duration restrictions.
Alexandria sits on Egypt's Mediterranean coast and offers a different atmosphere from Cairo and the Red Sea resorts.
Visitors can explore its waterfront, historical sites and cultural attractions while enjoying the Mediterranean setting.
If you are planning a trip that combines several destinations, consider your visa requirements before booking internal transportation.
For example:
London → Cairo → Luxor → Hurghada → London
is a straightforward mainland Egypt itinerary, but it requires the appropriate standard entry visa.
Another itinerary could be:
London → Sharm El-Sheikh → Dahab → Sharm El-Sheikh → London
This may fall within the special South Sinai short-stay arrangement if all applicable conditions are satisfied.
The key is to plan the itinerary first and then select the appropriate visa.
Being a British citizen does not automatically mean you can enter Egypt without a visa.
Most British tourists need an appropriate visa or qualifying entry permission.
The special short-stay entry permission for certain South Sinai resorts does not mean that the entire country is visa-free.
Cairo, Giza and Luxor are outside the qualifying South Sinai resort area.
Make sure your passport meets the six-month validity requirement.
If you intend to use an eVisa, apply with sufficient time before your journey.
Visa applications should accurately match your passport.
Double-check:
Full name
Passport number
Date of birth
Nationality
Passport expiry date
Egyptian visa requirements can depend on the passport you use.
A UK residence permit does not automatically make a foreign national eligible for the same visa arrangements as a British citizen.
If you plan to purchase a visa on arrival, remember that the UK government's current guidance says the fee is payable in cash.
Before leaving the UK, review the following:
Check your passport validity
Confirm whether you need an Egyptian visa
Decide whether to apply for an eVisa or use another eligible visa option
Check your destination and itinerary
Check whether your trip qualifies for the South Sinai entry exception
Arrange accommodation details
Keep your return or onward travel information
Print your eVisa if you have one
Keep digital copies of important documents
Arrange appropriate travel insurance
Check airline requirements
Check current Egypt travel advice before departure
Yes, most British citizens travelling to Egypt for tourism need a visa. Eligible travellers can generally apply for an eVisa in advance or obtain a tourist visa on arrival at approved airports.
Yes. British passport holders can generally purchase a tourist visa on arrival at approved Egyptian airports. The current fee is US$30 and the visa is generally valid for up to 30 days.
Yes. British citizens are included among the nationalities eligible for Egypt's electronic visa system.
Not generally. There is a limited exception for qualifying short stays in certain South Sinai resorts when arriving at Sharm El-Sheikh, but this does not apply to ordinary travel throughout Egypt.
British tourists travelling to Cairo generally need a standard Egyptian tourist visa or another appropriate entry permission.
Yes, if you are travelling to Giza from the UK as a British citizen, you generally need the appropriate Egyptian tourist visa because Giza is not covered by the special South Sinai visa-free entry arrangement.
British tourists generally need an appropriate Egyptian visa to visit Luxor.
Qualifying British citizens arriving by air at Sharm El-Sheikh can generally receive free entry permission for stays of less than 15 days within the specified South Sinai resort areas.
The special entry permission is geographically limited. If you plan to travel outside the permitted South Sinai area, you should obtain the appropriate standard Egyptian visa.
The current tourist visa-on-arrival fee is US$30. Egypt's eVisa system currently lists US$30 for a single-entry tourist visa and US$65 for a multiple-entry tourist visa.
A tourist visa on arrival is generally valid for up to 30 days. The conditions of an eVisa depend on the visa issued.
Not automatically. Egyptian visa requirements are generally determined by your nationality and travel document rather than simply your UK residence status.
So, do you need a visa for Egypt from the UK?
For most British citizens, the answer is yes.
If you are planning a normal holiday to Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Hurghada, Alexandria or other parts of Egypt, you should arrange the appropriate tourist visa. Eligible British citizens can generally choose between applying for an Egyptian eVisa in advance and obtaining a tourist visa on arrival at an approved airport.
The main exception is the special short-stay entry arrangement for qualifying travellers visiting certain South Sinai resorts, including Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba. This exception has specific conditions and should not be confused with general visa-free access to Egypt.
The simplest approach is to decide your itinerary first, check your passport validity, determine which visa option applies to your nationality and travel document, and make sure your visa covers the places you intend to visit.
With the correct travel documents prepared in advance, you can concentrate on enjoying Egypt's pyramids, temples, beaches, museums, markets and extraordinary ancient history rather than dealing with avoidable immigration problems at the airport.