Planning a holiday to Egypt from the UK and wondering how much an Egyptian visa will cost? For British passport holders, Egypt offers several visa options depending on how you enter the country, where you are travelling, and how long you plan to stay.
For most UK travellers visiting popular destinations such as Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, or Sharm El Sheikh, the cost of the Egyptian tourist visa is relatively straightforward. However, the amount you actually spend can vary depending on whether you apply online for an e-Visa, purchase a visa on arrival, use the Egyptian consulate, or qualify for the special visa-free entry arrangement in parts of South Sinai.
This guide explains the Egypt visa from UK cost in detail, including the main visa types, payment methods, additional expenses, and factors that can affect the total amount you pay.
For eligible British passport holders, the Egyptian government currently lists a tourist e-Visa at US$30 for a single-entry visa and US$65 for a multiple-entry tourist visa.
A tourist visa on arrival is also available at approved Egyptian airports and is currently listed by UK travel guidance at US$30 for a standard visa valid for up to 30 days.
The main costs can therefore be summarised as follows:
Visa option
Typical government fee
Main purpose
Single-entry Egypt e-Visa
US$30
One tourist visit
Multiple-entry Egypt e-Visa
US$65
Multiple tourist visits
Visa on arrival
US$30
Tourist entry at eligible airports
South Sinai special entry
Free in qualifying circumstances
Short stays restricted to eligible Sinai resorts
Consular application
Fee varies
Applicants using the Egyptian Consulate
The exact fee and eligibility rules can change, so travellers should check the applicable requirements before submitting an application.
The Egypt e-Visa is one of the most convenient options for British citizens who want to arrange their visa before travelling.
The official Egyptian e-Visa system lists two main tourist visa categories:
The government fee for a single-entry tourist e-Visa is US$30.
This option is generally suitable if you are planning one holiday in Egypt and do not expect to leave and re-enter the country during the trip.
For example, a traveller flying from London to Cairo for a two-week holiday could normally choose a single-entry tourist visa if the planned itinerary involves only one entry into Egypt.
The listed government fee for a multiple-entry tourist e-Visa is US$65.
This can be useful for travellers who expect to enter Egypt more than once during the relevant visa validity period.
For example, someone planning a longer regional itinerary that involves leaving Egypt and returning may prefer a multiple-entry visa, provided they meet the applicable requirements.
British passport holders can generally obtain a tourist visa on arrival at eligible Egyptian airports.
The current UK travel guidance lists the visa-on-arrival fee as US$30, payable in cash.
The visa on arrival is generally valid for up to 30 days.
If you choose this option, it is important to have the required amount of cash available. Travellers should not assume that every airport facility will accept a particular card or payment method.
For a standard single-entry tourist visit, the government fee is currently the same: US$30.
The difference is mainly in convenience.
With an e-Visa, you complete the application before travelling and arrive with the visa already approved. With a visa on arrival, you complete the visa purchase process after arriving in Egypt.
Some travellers prefer the e-Visa because it can reduce uncertainty at the airport, particularly when travelling during busy holiday periods.
There is a special entry arrangement for certain travellers visiting the South Sinai region.
British passport holders arriving in Sharm El Sheikh and staying for a short period in eligible South Sinai resorts may qualify for a free entry permission rather than paying the standard tourist visa fee.
This arrangement can apply when the traveller remains within qualifying destinations such as:
Sharm El Sheikh
Dahab
Nuweiba
Taba
The free arrangement is subject to the applicable conditions and length-of-stay restrictions.
It is important to understand that this is not the same as receiving a standard Egyptian tourist visa.
If you intend to travel outside the qualifying Sinai area, you may need to obtain a normal Egyptian visa.
For example, if your holiday begins in Sharm El Sheikh but you plan to continue to Cairo, Luxor, or another destination outside the qualifying area, you should check the standard visa requirements rather than assuming the free Sinai entry permission covers your entire trip.
Egyptian visa fees are commonly quoted in US dollars rather than pounds sterling.
Therefore, the amount appearing on your card statement can vary depending on the exchange rate used by your bank or payment provider.
For example, a US$30 government fee will not necessarily appear as exactly the same amount in GBP every day.
Exchange rates fluctuate, and card providers may also apply their own foreign-currency conversion rates or fees.
For this reason, it is better to think of the official fee as a dollar-denominated charge rather than relying on a fixed GBP equivalent.
The government visa fee covers the applicable visa itself, but it does not necessarily cover every expense associated with arranging your trip.
Depending on how you apply, you may also encounter costs such as:
Currency conversion charges
Bank or card transaction fees
Travel agency service charges
Visa processing service fees
Courier fees for paper applications
Printing costs
Photograph costs where applicable
Optional expedited services offered by private companies
This is particularly important when comparing a government e-Visa application with a private visa service.
A private company may advertise an Egypt visa at a considerably higher price because its total price includes its own service fee in addition to the government charge.
If you search online for an Egypt visa from the UK, you may see prices substantially higher than the official government fee.
This does not necessarily mean that the Egyptian visa itself costs that much.
Private visa agencies can charge additional amounts for services such as:
Checking your application
Completing forms
Customer support
Document checking
Application submission assistance
Priority handling
Courier services
Administrative services
For example, a company might advertise a package costing £60, £80, or more. The difference between that price and the government visa fee may represent the company's service charge.
Travellers should therefore distinguish between the official visa fee and the total price charged by a third-party service.
Some travellers may choose to apply through the Egyptian Consulate rather than using the online e-Visa system.
Consular fees can differ from the standard online tourist e-Visa fee and can also depend on nationality and the type of visa requested.
The Egyptian Consulate in the UK publishes separate visa-fee information for different categories of applicants.
This can be particularly important for people travelling on documents other than a standard British citizen passport.
If you hold a UK travel document, refugee travel document, or another nationality's passport, do not assume that the standard British passport fee applies to you.
Your nationality and travel document can affect both eligibility and the application process.
Simply living in the UK does not automatically give a traveller British nationality for Egyptian visa purposes.
Egyptian visa requirements are generally based on the passport or travel document being used for travel.
This distinction is important for UK residents who are not British citizens.
For example, a person may live permanently in London but travel using an Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nigerian, or other passport.
That traveller should check the requirements applicable to their nationality rather than automatically using the rules for British passport holders.
A UK residence permit can be relevant to the application process, but it does not necessarily change the nationality-based visa requirement.
If you are a UK resident but hold a non-UK passport, your Egypt visa cost may be different from the cost for a British citizen.
Egypt has different visa arrangements for different nationalities.
Some nationalities may be eligible for an e-Visa, while others may need to apply through an Egyptian diplomatic mission or obtain additional clearance before a visa can be issued.
Before applying, check:
Which passport you will use to enter Egypt.
Whether that nationality is eligible for the Egyptian e-Visa.
Whether you can obtain a visa on arrival.
Whether you need prior approval or clearance.
Whether your UK residence status affects where you can apply.
What visa fee applies to your nationality.
Visa requirements can apply to travellers regardless of age, although particular exemptions and procedures can apply.
Parents travelling with children should check the requirements for each child's passport.
Do not assume that a child is automatically covered by a parent's visa.
If each traveller requires a separate visa, the applicable fee may also need to be paid separately.
For a typical tourist e-Visa application, travellers should be prepared to provide information and documentation such as:
A valid passport
Passport details
Personal information
Travel information
Accommodation details
Travel itinerary
Supporting information where requested
A payment method for the visa fee
Your passport should generally be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive in Egypt.
It is also advisable to ensure that your passport has an available blank page and that the personal information entered on the application exactly matches your passport.
Even a small error in passport details can create problems when travelling.
The Egyptian e-Visa system provides tourist visas with specified validity and entry conditions.
A single-entry tourist e-Visa is designed for one entry, while a multiple-entry tourist e-Visa allows multiple entries according to its terms.
The visa's validity period should not be confused with the maximum amount of time you are allowed to remain in Egypt.
These are two different concepts.
For example, a visa may remain valid for a particular period during which you can enter Egypt, while the permitted stay after entry can be shorter.
Always check the conditions printed on your approved visa before travelling.
If you want to remain in Egypt longer than the period permitted by your visa, you should not simply remain in the country without checking the applicable immigration rules.
Visa extensions may be possible through the relevant Egyptian immigration authorities.
Travellers should deal with extension arrangements before their permitted stay expires.
Overstaying can result in additional costs and immigration complications.
For many British tourists, the choice comes down to convenience rather than the basic government price.
An e-Visa allows you to:
Apply before leaving the UK
Have your visa arranged in advance
Reduce the need to queue for visa purchase after arrival
Keep an electronic record of your approval
Prepare your travel documents before departure
A visa on arrival can be useful if:
You prefer not to apply online in advance
Your travel plans are confirmed at short notice
You are eligible for visa on arrival
You are comfortable completing the process after landing
For many travellers, the e-Visa is attractive because the visa is arranged before departure.
However, travellers who are eligible for visa on arrival may find that option convenient as well.
The best choice depends on your itinerary, arrival airport, nationality, and personal preference.
The visa is only one part of your Egypt travel budget.
When calculating the total cost of your holiday, you may also need to consider:
Return flights from the UK to Egypt can vary substantially depending on the season, airport, airline, and destination.
Flights to Cairo, Hurghada, and Sharm El Sheikh can have different pricing.
Hotels range from budget accommodation to luxury resorts.
Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Luxor, and other destinations can have very different hotel prices.
You may need to budget for airport transfers, taxis, or private transportation.
Travel insurance is another important travel expense and can provide protection against certain unexpected costs.
Egypt offers a wide range of tours, including:
Giza pyramid tours
Nile cruises
Luxor temple tours
Valley of the Kings excursions
Red Sea activities
Desert excursions
Museum visits
Cultural tours
These expenses are separate from the Egyptian visa fee.
If you are trying to keep the cost of your Egypt holiday under control, there are several practical steps you can take.
Know the government fee before using a private service.
This helps you understand whether an advertised price includes additional service charges.
Eligible British passport holders may be able to purchase a tourist visa at an approved airport.
Although the basic government cost may be similar to visa on arrival for a single-entry tourist visa, applying online can make the arrival process more predictable.
Private agencies may offer expedited processing, document checking, courier delivery, or other services.
These can be useful for some travellers but are not necessarily required for everyone.
Make sure your passport has the required validity.
Submitting an application before discovering a passport problem can create unnecessary complications.
Visa fees are generally paid for processing an application and should not be treated as refundable simply because your travel plans change.
If your visa application is refused or you make a mistake in your application, you should not assume that the fee will automatically be returned.
Before paying, carefully check:
Your passport number
Full name
Date of birth
Nationality
Passport expiry date
Travel dates
Email address
Other application information
Accuracy can help avoid unnecessary problems.
The amount you pay can depend on your circumstances.
A British passport holder visiting Egypt for tourism can generally consider the single-entry e-Visa, multiple-entry e-Visa, or visa-on-arrival options, subject to the applicable requirements.
The traveller should check the rules applicable to Indian passport holders rather than using British passport rules simply because they live in the UK.
A Pakistani passport holder should similarly check the Egypt visa rules for Pakistani nationals and any additional application requirements.
Travellers using UK-issued travel documents should pay particular attention to the requirements because travel-document holders may be subject to different procedures and fees.
If your nationality requires a visa and you arrive without the appropriate permission, you could face difficulties at the border.
Depending on your circumstances, this could result in delays, refusal of entry, or the need to obtain an appropriate visa through the available process.
Do not assume that having a UK residence permit automatically means you can enter Egypt without a visa.
Your travel document and nationality remain important.
For a British passport holder travelling to Egypt for tourism, the main government visa costs are currently:
Single-entry tourist e-Visa: US$30
Multiple-entry tourist e-Visa: US$65
Visa on arrival: US$30
Qualifying short South Sinai trips: potentially visa-free under the applicable conditions
Private visa agencies may charge considerably more because they add service fees to the government visa cost.
The amount you ultimately pay in pounds can also vary because the official fees are commonly quoted in US dollars and currency exchange rates change.
For eligible British passport holders, a single-entry Egyptian tourist e-Visa currently costs US$30, while a multiple-entry tourist e-Visa costs US$65.
The standard government fee for a single-entry tourist visa is currently US$30 through the e-Visa route and US$30 for a visa on arrival. The main difference is the application process rather than the basic government price.
Yes. British passport holders are generally among the nationalities eligible for an Egyptian tourist visa on arrival at approved airports.
The current fee listed for the standard tourist visa on arrival is US$30.
Some British travellers arriving in Sharm El Sheikh and staying within eligible South Sinai destinations for a qualifying short stay may receive free entry permission. Conditions apply.
No. UK residence and British citizenship are different. Egypt's visa requirements depend substantially on the passport or travel document you use.
The applicable payment method depends on the application route. Government fees may be quoted in US dollars, while consular applications can have fees expressed in pounds. Check the payment instructions for your chosen application route.
For travellers who want to arrange their visa before leaving the UK, an e-Visa can be a convenient option. It allows you to complete the visa process in advance rather than purchasing a visa after arrival.
No. British passport holders and UK residents using other passports can be subject to different requirements and fees.
The Egypt visa from UK cost is relatively straightforward for British passport holders travelling for tourism. A single-entry tourist e-Visa currently costs US$30, while a multiple-entry tourist e-Visa costs US$65. Eligible travellers can also obtain a tourist visa on arrival for US$30.
However, the cheapest option is not always the most convenient. Travellers should consider their itinerary, arrival airport, length of stay, number of entries, passport type, and whether they qualify for any special entry arrangements.
If you are travelling beyond South Sinai or visiting destinations such as Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan, or Hurghada, make sure you have the appropriate Egyptian visa before travelling.
Most importantly, check the rules that apply specifically to the passport or travel document you will use to enter Egypt. This is particularly important for UK residents who are not British citizens, as UK residency does not automatically provide the same Egyptian visa privileges as a British passport.
With the right visa arranged in advance and a clear understanding of the costs involved, you can concentrate on planning your Egyptian adventure—from the pyramids and ancient temples to the Nile Valley and the Red Sea.