Planning a holiday to Egypt while living in the United Kingdom is relatively straightforward, but it is important to understand one key point: a UK BRP or UK immigration status does not automatically determine whether you need an Egyptian visa.
For travel to Egypt, the most important factor is generally the passport or travel document you will use for the journey. Your UK residence status can be relevant when demonstrating that you legally live in the UK, particularly if you are applying through an Egyptian diplomatic mission or if your nationality has different visa requirements.
There is also an important change affecting people who previously relied on a UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). UK BRPs have now been replaced by digital eVisas, so travellers should make sure their UK immigration status is properly linked to their current passport or travel document before leaving the UK.
This guide explains how Egypt visa requirements generally work for UK residents who have a BRP or UK eVisa, what documents may be needed, how the Egyptian eVisa system works, and what to consider before travelling.
Having a UK BRP does not by itself give you visa-free entry to Egypt.
Egypt determines entry requirements primarily according to your nationality and the passport or travel document you present.
For example, a person who is not a British citizen but has permission to live in the UK may still need an Egyptian visa according to their nationality.
This means that two people living at the same UK address could have different Egyptian visa requirements if they hold different passports.
A UK BRP is evidence of UK immigration status. It is not a British passport and does not change your nationality.
When determining your Egypt visa requirement, consider:
Your nationality
The passport you will use to enter Egypt
Whether that passport is eligible for an Egyptian eVisa
The purpose of your trip
The length of your stay
Whether you are visiting tourist destinations covered by special entry arrangements
Whether you are travelling on an ordinary passport or another type of travel document
Your UK residence status may be useful as supporting evidence, but it does not normally replace the passport-based Egyptian visa requirement.
Travellers should be particularly careful with the terminology "BRP" because the UK immigration system has changed.
UK authorities have replaced physical biometric residence permits with eVisas, which are digital records of immigration status.
Therefore, if you previously held a UK BRP, you should not assume that the physical card is your primary proof of your current UK immigration status.
Before travelling internationally, check that your UKVI account and eVisa are correctly connected to the passport or travel document you intend to use.
This is particularly important when returning to the UK after your Egypt trip.
An expired BRP may still have limited usefulness for accessing an eVisa in certain circumstances, but it should not be treated as a current travel document. Your current passport or travel document remains essential.
Not necessarily.
Egypt's eVisa system is based on eligible nationalities. A person must normally hold a passport from a country that qualifies for the Egyptian eVisa system.
Therefore, simply living in the UK does not automatically make someone eligible.
For example, if you live in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow or another UK city but hold a passport from a country that is not eligible for the Egyptian eVisa system, having UK residence permission does not necessarily make you eligible to apply online.
The safest approach is to check eligibility according to the nationality of your passport.
The Egyptian eVisa can be a convenient option for eligible travellers living in the UK.
The Egyptian electronic visa system allows eligible foreign nationals to submit an application online before travelling.
The Egyptian eVisa portal currently lists the United Kingdom among the nationalities eligible for its electronic visa system.
For eligible passport holders, the tourist eVisa can reduce the need to visit an Egyptian consular office for a standard tourism application.
However, the distinction between UK citizen and UK resident is very important.
A UK citizen normally travels using a British passport.
A UK resident may travel using a passport issued by another country.
The two situations should not be treated as identical.
This is one of the most important distinctions for travellers searching for "Egypt visa from UK BRP."
If you are a British citizen travelling with a British passport, your Egyptian visa requirements are determined by your British nationality and passport.
British passport holders can generally apply for an Egyptian tourist eVisa, obtain a visa through the appropriate Egyptian authorities, or in applicable circumstances obtain a visa on arrival.
If you are a UK resident but hold, for example, an Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nigerian, South African or other foreign passport, your Egyptian visa requirements depend on that passport.
Your UK residence status does not turn your passport into a British passport.
This is why searches such as "Egypt visa from UK with BRP" can be confusing. The relevant question is usually:
What passport will you use to enter Egypt?
Once that is established, you can determine whether you qualify for an Egyptian eVisa, visa on arrival, or another type of visa.
In many cases, yes.
If your nationality requires a visa for Egypt, you can generally begin the appropriate visa process while legally resident in the UK.
Depending on your nationality and circumstances, the available route may include:
Egyptian eVisa
Visa on arrival, where applicable
Application through an Egyptian embassy or consulate
Other visa arrangements for specific travel purposes
The correct route depends on your passport and the purpose of travel.
For tourism, the electronic visa may be the simplest option when your passport is eligible.
For eligible travellers, an Egyptian tourist eVisa is designed for tourism-related visits.
The official Egyptian eVisa information identifies tourist visa options including single-entry and multiple-entry tourism visas.
The Egyptian system currently lists a single-entry tourism visa at US$30 and a multiple-entry tourism visa at US$65.
Fees and requirements can change, so travellers should always check the current application information before paying.
An application may require information such as:
Full name
Date of birth
Nationality
Passport details
Passport expiry date
Contact information
Travel information
Accommodation details
Other information requested by the Egyptian authorities
The exact information requested can vary according to the application.
If you are a UK resident applying for an Egyptian visa, prepare your travel documents carefully.
A typical tourist application may involve the following:
Your passport is the most important document.
Egypt generally requires a passport to have at least six months of validity from the date of arrival.
Make sure the passport you use for the visa application is the same passport you intend to use when travelling.
If you live in the UK, you may need evidence of your lawful residence depending on the visa application route.
Because UK BRPs have been replaced by eVisas, this may now involve evidence of your digital immigration status rather than relying on a physical BRP card.
Tourist travellers may be asked for hotel information or details about where they will stay in Egypt.
Keep your booking confirmation available.
It can be useful to keep your flight details and basic itinerary available.
This could include:
Arrival city
Arrival date
Departure date
Hotel information
Domestic travel plans
Major destinations you expect to visit
If you obtain an Egyptian eVisa online, keep a printed copy with your travel documents.
Although the visa is electronic, having a physical printout can make the arrival process easier.
Your primary travel document is your passport.
The Egyptian authorities will determine your eligibility to enter Egypt based on the documents and visa you present.
If you are travelling as a UK resident rather than a British citizen, it is sensible to carry evidence of your UK immigration status when appropriate, especially because you may need to demonstrate your right to return to the UK.
However, your UK residence document does not replace your Egyptian visa when a visa is required.
Think of the documents as serving different purposes:
Passport: establishes your identity and nationality.
Egyptian visa: establishes permission to seek entry to Egypt.
UK eVisa: demonstrates your UK immigration status and helps establish your right to return to the UK.
These documents should not be confused with one another.
This is an important issue for people who previously held a physical BRP.
UK BRPs have been replaced by eVisas, and travellers should use their digital immigration status rather than assuming that the expired physical card is sufficient evidence for international travel.
Before leaving the UK:
Sign in to your UKVI account.
Check that your immigration details are correct.
Make sure your current passport is linked to your UK immigration record.
Check that your name and date of birth are correct.
Make sure you can access your eVisa.
Consider obtaining a share code where appropriate.
Carry your current passport or travel document.
This can help prevent problems when you return to the UK.
This is where many UK residents need to pay particular attention.
Suppose you live in the UK and have UK immigration permission but hold a foreign passport.
You should not search only for "Egypt visa for UK residents."
Instead, identify the requirements for the nationality shown on your passport.
For example:
Indian passport + UK residence status
Pakistani passport + UK residence status
Bangladeshi passport + UK residence status
Nigerian passport + UK residence status
South African passport + UK residence status
Each situation can have different Egyptian visa rules.
The UK residence permit is supplementary evidence of your legal residence in the UK; it does not automatically determine your Egyptian visa category.
Indian nationals living in the UK should generally assess their Egyptian visa requirements using their Indian passport.
The fact that the traveller has UK immigration status does not make them a British citizen for Egyptian immigration purposes.
If the passport qualifies for the Egyptian eVisa system, the traveller may be able to apply online.
Before applying, make sure:
Your Indian passport is valid for the required period.
Your passport information is entered exactly.
Your UK immigration status is current.
Your travel dates are clear.
Your accommodation information is available.
Your visa details match the passport you will use.
Pakistani passport holders living in the UK should also assess Egyptian visa requirements according to their Pakistani passport.
A UK residence permit or eVisa does not automatically provide visa-free entry to Egypt.
Depending on the applicable Egyptian rules, the traveller may need to apply through an appropriate Egyptian visa process rather than assuming that the standard British passport route applies.
If you hold a Pakistani passport and live in the UK, check the current Egyptian requirements for Pakistani nationals before booking non-refundable travel.
People travelling with a UK-issued refugee or other special travel document should be especially careful.
An ordinary Egyptian eVisa may not necessarily be available for every type of travel document.
The Egyptian eVisa system specifically states that certain special passport and travel-document categories, including refugee and some other non-standard documents, cannot currently use the eVisa system and may need to contact an embassy or consulate instead.
Therefore, if you do not hold a normal national passport, do not assume that having UK residence permission makes you eligible for the standard Egyptian eVisa.
Contact the appropriate Egyptian diplomatic authority before making travel arrangements.
Visa on arrival is another possible route for some travellers, but eligibility depends on nationality and the applicable Egyptian rules.
British passport holders may be able to obtain a tourist visa on arrival at approved airports.
The UK government's current travel guidance states that the visa-on-arrival fee is US$30, with payment made in cash, and that such visas are valid for up to 30 days.
However, this should not be interpreted as meaning that every UK resident can obtain an Egyptian visa on arrival.
A UK resident travelling on a foreign passport should check the rules for that nationality.
There is a special arrangement for certain travellers entering the Sharm El-Sheikh area.
British passport holders arriving by air at Sharm El-Sheikh and staying for fewer than 15 days at specified South Sinai resorts may receive a free entry permission stamp rather than purchasing a standard tourist visa.
The relevant destinations include:
Sharm El-Sheikh
Dahab
Nuweiba
Taba
However, if you plan to leave the applicable resort areas or remain for longer than the permitted period, a visa may be required.
This special arrangement should not be assumed to apply to every nationality or every type of travel document.
Travellers should be careful about assuming that a South Sinai entry permission covers the whole country.
If your itinerary includes Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada or other destinations outside the applicable South Sinai resort arrangement, you may need a standard Egyptian visa.
For a multi-destination holiday, obtaining the appropriate tourist visa before travelling can be a simpler approach than relying on a restricted local entry arrangement.
Visa validity and permitted stay are not necessarily the same thing.
A visa can have a validity period during which you can use it, while the immigration authorities determine the period you are permitted to remain in Egypt.
For tourist travel, the commonly used Egyptian tourist visa arrangements include stays of up to 30 days, depending on the visa type and traveller's circumstances.
Always check the conditions printed on or associated with your visa.
Do not assume that the visa validity date automatically means you can remain in Egypt until that date.
If your passport is eligible for an Egyptian eVisa, the general process is straightforward.
Start with your nationality and passport type.
Do not use your UK residence status as the primary eligibility criterion.
Your passport should meet Egypt's validity requirements.
A passport with insufficient validity can cause problems even if your visa application has been approved.
Have your passport information, contact details and travel information ready.
You may also need accommodation details.
Enter your details carefully.
Your name, passport number, date of birth and other information should correspond exactly with your passport.
Pay the applicable fee using the payment method accepted by the Egyptian eVisa system.
Do not assume that submitting an application automatically guarantees approval.
The Egyptian authorities make the final decision.
Once approved, save the electronic visa and print a copy.
Keep the printed document with your passport when travelling.
Many visa problems are caused by small errors rather than complicated immigration issues.
It does not.
A BRP was evidence of UK immigration status, not nationality.
Egyptian visa eligibility generally depends on the passport you use.
If you obtain a new passport after applying, the visa may not automatically transfer.
Use the passport that you intend to present at the Egyptian border.
A spelling difference between your passport and visa application can create unnecessary complications.
Check your passport well before your departure date.
Visa-on-arrival arrangements should be assessed according to nationality and applicable Egyptian rules.
UK immigration status is now primarily recorded digitally through the eVisa system.
Even where online processing is available, it is better to organize your visa before your flight rather than waiting until departure day.
A sensible travel document folder can include:
Current passport
Printed Egyptian eVisa, if applicable
Flight confirmation
Hotel confirmation
Travel itinerary
Travel insurance documents
Evidence of UK immigration status
UKVI share code information where appropriate
Copies of important documents
Emergency contact information
Keep digital copies securely available as well.
UK residents should think about the return journey before leaving Britain.
This is particularly important for people who previously relied on a physical BRP.
Your UK immigration status is now generally represented digitally through an eVisa.
Before travelling to Egypt, check that your eVisa is connected to the passport you will use.
If your passport has changed since your UK immigration permission was granted, make sure your UKVI information has been updated.
A mismatch between your passport and immigration record can create unnecessary difficulties when travelling back to the UK.
In many cases, you can prepare your visa application before finalizing every part of your trip, but the application may require travel and accommodation information.
Because visa rules and application requirements can change, it is important to check the current requirements before submitting an application.
If your trip involves several cities or different hotels, keep a clear itinerary so that the information you provide is consistent.
A common Egyptian entry requirement is that the passport should remain valid for at least six months from the date of arrival.
For example, if you arrive in Egypt on 10 December, your passport should generally remain valid for at least six months after that arrival date.
Do not wait until the last few weeks before departure to check.
Passport renewal can take time, and obtaining a new passport may also require you to update your UK immigration records before travelling.
You should be cautious if your UK immigration permission is close to expiry.
There are two separate issues:
Egypt entry: determined by Egyptian immigration rules.
Return to the UK: determined by your UK immigration status.
Even if you can legally enter Egypt, you need to make sure you have the necessary permission to return to the UK.
If your UK immigration permission is due to expire during your trip, check your circumstances carefully before departure.
No. A UK BRP does not automatically provide visa-free access to Egypt. Your Egyptian visa requirements are primarily determined by your nationality and passport.
Eligible UK residents may be able to apply for an Egyptian eVisa, but eligibility depends on the passport they hold rather than simply living in the UK.
UK BRPs have been replaced by eVisas. Travellers should check their UKVI digital immigration status and ensure it is correctly linked to their current passport.
The UK has moved to digital immigration status. An expired BRP should not be treated as a current travel document. Check your eVisa and passport information before travelling.
Visa on arrival may be available to eligible nationalities, including British passport holders under applicable rules. UK residence alone does not establish eligibility.
The Egyptian eVisa portal currently lists a single-entry tourist visa at US$30 and a multiple-entry tourist visa at US$65. Fees can change, so check the current amount when applying.
A restricted South Sinai entry arrangement may not cover travel elsewhere in Egypt. If your holiday includes Cairo or other destinations outside the applicable area, check whether you need a standard visa.
It is advisable to carry a printed copy. The Egyptian eVisa system states that the eVisa printout should be presented at the port of entry.
Do not assume that the normal Egyptian eVisa route applies. Certain refugee and other special travel documents are excluded from the current eVisa system, so you may need to contact an Egyptian embassy or consulate.
Before leaving the UK, check the following:
Your passport is valid for the required period.
You have checked Egyptian visa requirements for your nationality.
You have applied for an Egyptian visa if required.
Your Egyptian visa details match your passport.
You have printed your eVisa if you obtained one.
Your hotel or accommodation details are available.
Your flight itinerary is available.
Your UK eVisa is accessible.
Your current passport is linked to your UK immigration status.
You have evidence of your UK immigration status if needed.
Your travel insurance documents are available.
You have checked the conditions attached to your Egyptian visa.
The phrase "Egypt visa from UK BRP" can be misleading because a UK BRP is not what normally determines whether you need an Egyptian visa.
The most important factor is the passport you will use to enter Egypt.
If you are a British citizen travelling on a British passport, follow the Egyptian requirements for British passport holders.
If you are a UK resident travelling on a foreign passport, check the Egyptian requirements for that nationality. Your UK residence status may be relevant as supporting evidence, but it does not normally change your nationality for Egyptian immigration purposes.
Also remember that the UK has transitioned from physical BRPs to digital eVisas. Before travelling, make sure your UK immigration record is accessible and linked to your current passport.
With the correct passport, visa, travel documents and UK immigration information prepared in advance, travelling from the UK to Egypt can be a much smoother experience.
For the latest requirements, always verify the rules that apply to your specific passport and travel document before departure, because Egyptian and UK immigration procedures can change.