Planning a holiday to Egypt while living in the United Kingdom can be straightforward, but it is important to understand the difference between your passport nationality and your UK immigration status. One of the most common questions from people living in the UK is whether having a UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) means they can enter Egypt without a visa.
The short answer is: a UK BRP does not normally give you visa-free entry to Egypt. Your eligibility for an Egyptian visa is primarily determined by the passport or travel document you will use to enter Egypt. Your UK residence status can, however, be relevant when demonstrating that you legally live in the UK and when applying through an Egyptian visa channel.
There is also an important update for travellers: physical UK BRPs have now been replaced by the UK's digital eVisa immigration status. Therefore, travellers who previously relied on a BRP should make sure their UK immigration status is accessible digitally before leaving the UK.
This guide explains how Egypt visa requirements generally work for UK residents, what a former BRP holder should know, how the Egyptian eVisa works, what documents may be required, and how to prepare for a smooth trip.
A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) was a physical card issued to many people who had permission to live, work, or study in the United Kingdom.
The card contained information such as:
Your name
Photograph
Date of birth
Immigration status
Conditions attached to your permission
A unique permit number
Biometric information
BRPs were commonly used by non-British citizens as evidence of their UK immigration status.
However, the UK has moved from physical BRPs to a digital immigration system. Existing BRPs have expired and UK immigration status is now generally accessed through a UKVI account and eVisa.
This distinction matters when planning an international trip because an Egyptian visa application is based primarily on your nationality and travel document, not simply on whether you have UK residence permission.
Having a UK BRP by itself is not a substitute for an Egyptian visa.
For example, imagine that you are a Pakistani citizen living legally in the UK. You have UK residence permission and previously held a BRP. Your nationality remains Pakistani, so Egypt will generally assess your visa requirements based on your Pakistani passport.
The same principle applies to other nationalities.
A UK residence permit does not automatically change your nationality for Egyptian immigration purposes.
Therefore, before travelling, check:
Which passport you will use.
Whether that nationality is eligible for an Egyptian eVisa.
Whether you can obtain a visa on arrival.
Whether you need to apply through an Egyptian diplomatic mission.
Whether your passport meets Egypt's validity requirements.
Whether you have the documents required for your particular visa.
Not necessarily.
Egypt's electronic visa system identifies eligible applicants primarily according to their nationality. The official Egyptian eVisa portal lists the nationalities that can apply electronically.
British citizens are included among the nationalities eligible for the Egyptian eVisa. However, being a resident of the UK does not automatically mean that every foreign national living in the UK receives the same eligibility.
For example:
British passport holder living in London:
The person may apply according to the rules applicable to British citizens.
Indian passport holder living in Manchester with UK residence status:
The person must check the Egyptian requirements applicable to Indian citizens.
Pakistani passport holder living in Birmingham with UK residence status:
The person's Egyptian visa requirements are determined by the Pakistani passport and applicable Egyptian rules rather than simply by the UK residence permit.
This is why it is important not to select "United Kingdom" as your nationality merely because you live in Britain.
This is one of the most important points to understand.
There is a major difference between:
Being a British citizen
Being a UK resident
Holding a UK visa
Holding a UK eVisa
Previously holding a UK BRP
Holding another country's passport
Your passport determines your nationality.
Your UK immigration status determines your right to live in the United Kingdom.
These are separate concepts.
If you have a UK residence permit but hold another country's passport, you normally need to follow Egypt's visa requirements for that passport.
The UK has transitioned from physical BRPs to digital immigration records.
All BRPs have now expired as physical immigration-status documents, and UK immigration status is generally represented through an eVisa.
This means that someone who says, "I have a UK BRP," may actually need to use their UK eVisa when proving their UK immigration status.
This does not mean that the person's Egyptian visa requirements have changed. Instead, it changes how their UK residence status is demonstrated.
If you are travelling outside the UK, make sure your current passport or travel document is correctly linked to your UKVI account.
Your passport is the primary travel document used for international entry.
When applying for an Egyptian visa, information such as the following may be taken from your passport:
Full name
Nationality
Passport number
Date of birth
Date of issue
Expiry date
Country of issuance
Your Egyptian visa, where applicable, must correspond to the travel document you intend to use.
If you obtain an Egyptian eVisa using one passport and then travel using a different passport, you could experience problems at check-in or at Egyptian immigration.
For this reason, always carefully compare the information on your approved visa with the passport you will carry.
Travellers should ensure that their passport is valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in Egypt.
Your passport should also have sufficient space for immigration processing.
Before applying for a visa, check the expiry date carefully.
For example, if you plan to arrive in Egypt in December, a passport expiring shortly after your planned trip may not meet the required validity period.
Do not rely on the fact that your UK residence permission remains valid. Your passport must independently satisfy Egypt's entry requirements.
An expired UK BRP should not be treated as your primary travel document or as proof that you can enter Egypt without an Egyptian visa.
The UK has replaced BRPs with eVisas, and physical BRPs are no longer the normal way to demonstrate UK immigration status.
If you still have an expired BRP, its usefulness is primarily connected with accessing or demonstrating your UK immigration status under UK rules. It does not become an Egyptian visa.
For international travel, you should carry:
Your valid passport or travel document
Your Egyptian visa or eVisa, if required
Evidence of your UK immigration status where appropriate
Your travel itinerary
Accommodation details
Other supporting documents relevant to your trip
Living in the UK does not automatically make you visa-exempt from Egypt.
The correct question is:
"Do I need an Egypt visa based on the passport I will use to enter Egypt?"
If your nationality requires an Egyptian visa, you will generally need to obtain one even if you have indefinite leave to remain, settled status, a work visa, a student visa, or another form of UK residence permission.
For example, a person can have permanent residence in Britain while still requiring a visa to enter Egypt.
British citizens are among the nationalities listed by the Egyptian electronic visa system as eligible to apply for an eVisa.
For tourism, the Egyptian eVisa system provides tourist visa options including single-entry and multiple-entry visas.
The published Egyptian eVisa information lists the tourist visa fees as:
US$30 for a single-entry tourist visa
US$65 for a multiple-entry tourist visa
Visa rules and fees can change, so travellers should always verify the current requirements before submitting an application.
If you live in the UK but are not a British citizen, your situation requires more careful checking.
Your UK residence status may demonstrate that you legally live in Britain, but your Egyptian visa eligibility normally depends on your nationality.
Suppose you live in the UK and have:
A Pakistani passport
A valid UK eVisa
A UKVI account
A UK address
A valid Egyptian tourist visa
Your UK immigration status does not replace your Egyptian visa.
The Egyptian authorities will still examine your Pakistani passport and the Egyptian visa or entry permission associated with it.
The exact documentation depends on your nationality and visa type, but a tourist travelling from the UK should generally prepare the following:
Your passport should meet Egypt's validity requirements.
Check that:
Your name is correct.
The passport number is correct.
The passport is not damaged.
It has sufficient validity.
You have enough blank space for immigration processing.
If your nationality requires a visa, obtain the appropriate visa before travelling when applicable.
If you apply for an eVisa, keep a copy of the approved document available.
It is sensible to keep both a digital copy and a printed copy while travelling.
If you are not a British citizen, you should be able to demonstrate your lawful status in the UK.
Because the UK has moved to eVisas, this may involve accessing your UKVI account and ensuring your current passport is linked correctly.
You may also want to have:
Flight booking information
Return or onward travel details
Hotel reservation
Tour information
Contact details for accommodation
Travel insurance information
Some applications can require supporting documentation depending on the circumstances.
If your nationality is eligible for Egypt's eVisa system, the online process is generally convenient.
Before starting an application, determine whether the nationality shown on your passport is included among the nationalities eligible for Egypt's eVisa.
Do not use your country of residence as your nationality.
Make sure your passport meets Egypt's validity requirements.
If your passport is close to expiry, consider renewing it before applying.
For tourism, you may need a tourist visa.
Depending on eligibility and your travel plans, you may have a choice between single-entry and multiple-entry options.
Choose according to your actual travel requirements.
Enter your details exactly as they appear in your passport.
Pay particular attention to:
First name
Middle names
Family name
Date of birth
Nationality
Passport number
Passport issue date
Passport expiry date
Even a small typing mistake can create problems.
You may need to provide information relating to your trip, such as:
Intended arrival date
Accommodation
Travel itinerary
Purpose of travel
Keep your information consistent with your actual plans.
The applicable visa fee is paid according to the available payment method.
The official Egyptian eVisa portal states that online visa fees are collected through the electronic application system.
If your application is approved, the electronic visa is made available to you.
Print the eVisa and keep an electronic copy as well.
At the airport, carry your:
Passport
Egyptian eVisa
Travel information
Accommodation details
Evidence of onward or return travel where appropriate
UK immigration-status information if needed for your return to Britain
This is a particularly common situation.
If you are a Pakistani citizen living in the UK, your UK BRP or eVisa does not turn you into a British citizen for Egyptian immigration purposes.
You should therefore check Egypt's requirements for Pakistani passport holders.
The fact that you live in the UK may be relevant to where you submit an application or what supporting evidence you can provide, but it does not automatically provide the same Egyptian visa eligibility as a British passport.
The same principle applies to Indian, Bangladeshi, Nigerian, Ghanaian, Sri Lankan, South African, or other passport holders living in Britain.
Indefinite Leave to Remain, or ILR, gives eligible people permanent immigration status in the UK.
However, ILR is not British citizenship.
Therefore, having ILR does not automatically mean you can enter Egypt under the rules applicable to British passport holders.
Your Egyptian entry requirements remain connected to your passport nationality.
The important distinction is:
UK immigration status = permission to live in the UK
Passport nationality = nationality used to determine many Egyptian entry requirements
Settled status under the UK's EU Settlement Scheme is also a UK immigration status.
It does not itself become an Egyptian visa.
If you are an EU citizen with settled status in the UK, for example, Egypt will generally consider the passport you use for your journey.
Your EU passport may provide a different Egyptian visa option from a non-EU passport.
International students living in the UK should also understand that their student immigration permission does not automatically provide Egyptian visa exemption.
If you are studying at a UK university and want to visit Egypt during your holiday, check the Egyptian requirements for your passport nationality.
Your UK student eVisa can demonstrate your status in Britain, but it does not replace an Egyptian visa where one is required.
The same principle applies to workers.
A person with a UK work visa may live in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast, or another part of Britain while holding a foreign passport.
Their Egyptian visa requirements are still determined by the nationality and travel document they use.
Having employment in the UK does not automatically create visa-free access to Egypt.
Travellers who do not hold a standard national passport should be especially careful.
A UK-issued travel document is not necessarily treated in the same way as a national passport.
If you hold:
A Refugee Travel Document
A Certificate of Travel
Another UK-issued travel document
A non-standard travel document
you should confirm directly with the relevant Egyptian diplomatic authority whether the document is accepted and what visa procedure applies.
Do not assume that the visa rules for British passport holders apply to a UK travel document.
Some travellers can obtain an Egyptian tourist visa upon arrival.
For example, British passport holders can generally obtain a tourist visa on arrival at approved airports, subject to the applicable rules.
The current UK government travel guidance states that the visa on arrival is available at approved airports and that the tourist visa is valid for up to 30 days.
However, this does not mean that every person who resides in the UK can automatically obtain the same visa on arrival.
A Pakistani passport holder living in the UK, for example, should not assume that possessing a UK residence permit creates the same visa-on-arrival entitlement as a British passport.
There is a special entry arrangement for certain short stays in the South Sinai area.
British passport holders arriving by air at Sharm El-Sheikh and staying for less than 15 days at qualifying resorts such as Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba may be eligible for a free entry permission stamp.
However, the conditions matter.
If you intend to:
Stay longer
Travel outside the permitted resort areas
Continue to another part of Egypt
you may need a visa.
This exemption should not be assumed to apply solely because you are a UK resident.
If you are travelling to Cairo, your UK residence status does not itself determine whether you need an Egyptian visa.
Cairo is not covered by the special short-stay South Sinai arrangement.
Therefore, check the Egyptian visa requirements applicable to the passport you will use.
For many travellers, obtaining the appropriate Egyptian tourist visa before travelling is the simplest way to prepare for a visit to Cairo.
Hurghada is one of Egypt's most popular Red Sea destinations.
Whether you require a visa depends on your nationality and the applicable Egyptian entry rules.
Simply possessing a UK BRP or UK eVisa does not automatically make you visa-exempt.
Check the requirements for your passport before booking your trip.
Luxor is another major tourist destination and is outside the special South Sinai resort arrangement.
If your passport nationality requires an Egyptian visa, you should obtain the appropriate visa before travelling or use an approved visa-on-arrival option if you are eligible.
Again, your UK residence status does not by itself replace the Egyptian visa.
Yes, tourists commonly combine several destinations, such as:
Cairo
Giza
Luxor
Aswan
Hurghada
Sharm El Sheikh
Dahab
Alexandria
If you are planning a multi-city holiday, make sure the visa or entry permission you obtain is appropriate for the entire itinerary.
A special entry permission for a limited South Sinai stay should not be assumed to cover travel throughout Egypt.
The permitted stay depends on the type of Egyptian entry permission you receive.
For example, tourist visas on arrival are generally issued for stays of up to 30 days under the applicable rules.
The validity of an eVisa and the permitted period of stay are not necessarily concepts that should be confused.
Always check the conditions attached to the specific visa issued to you.
Do not remain in Egypt beyond your permitted period without obtaining the appropriate extension or immigration permission.
Children generally need their own travel documents and may need their own Egyptian visa or entry permission depending on their nationality and the applicable rules.
A child's UK residence status does not automatically replace an Egyptian visa.
Families should check each traveller individually.
For a family travelling with different nationalities, it is possible for different members to have different Egyptian visa requirements.
If several family members live in the UK, do not assume everyone qualifies for the same Egyptian entry procedure.
For example, a family could include:
One British citizen
One Indian citizen
One Pakistani citizen
Children with different passports
Each person's passport should be checked separately.
This is especially important when booking flights and completing visa applications.
A UK BRP is evidence of UK immigration status.
It is not an Egyptian visa.
Residence and nationality are different.
Use the nationality shown on your passport when completing an Egyptian visa application.
Egypt requires the passport to meet its validity requirements.
Check your passport before making travel arrangements.
Your Egyptian visa should correspond to the travel document you will use.
If you previously relied on a BRP, make sure your UK immigration status is accessible through your UKVI account.
Indefinite Leave to Remain is a UK immigration status.
It does not make you a British citizen.
Egyptian visa rules can differ significantly according to nationality.
Before travelling, review the following:
Valid passport or accepted travel document
Passport valid for at least six months from arrival
Correct Egyptian visa or eVisa, if required
Printed copy of your Egyptian eVisa if applicable
UKVI account and eVisa accessible
Current passport linked to your UK immigration record
Flight booking
Return or onward travel information
Hotel or accommodation details
Travel insurance
Copies of important documents
Sufficient funds for your trip
Contact information for your accommodation
For travellers who are eligible, applying online in advance can make the journey more organised.
An approved eVisa means you can arrive with your entry document already prepared rather than relying on obtaining a visa at the airport.
It can also help you identify potential problems before travelling.
However, always make sure you are using the correct nationality and passport details when applying.
It is sensible not to leave visa arrangements until the last moment.
Give yourself enough time to:
Complete the application accurately
Correct any errors
Receive the decision
Print your documentation
Organise your travel documents
The exact processing time can vary, so check the current processing information when applying.
If your trip is approaching quickly, do not assume that an application submitted immediately before departure will necessarily be processed in time.
When you arrive in Egypt, immigration officials may examine your travel documents.
You may be asked to present:
Passport
Egyptian visa or eVisa
Travel information
Hotel details
Other supporting documentation
Having your documents organised can make the arrival process easier.
An eVisa does not guarantee entry in every circumstance. Final admission is determined by Egyptian border authorities.
UK residents should also remember that returning to Britain is a separate immigration matter from entering Egypt.
If you previously used a BRP, check your UK eVisa before travelling.
Make sure:
Your current passport is linked to your UKVI account.
Your personal information is correct.
Your immigration status is visible.
You understand how to demonstrate your UK status if required.
The UK government has moved to digital immigration status, so travellers should not rely on an old physical BRP as their primary proof of permission to travel to the UK.
Because the UK has transitioned to eVisas, the important issue is not simply whether a physical card appears to have a date that has not passed.
UK government guidance states that BRPs have now expired and have been replaced by eVisas.
Therefore, travellers should use their digital UK immigration status and ensure that their passport is correctly linked to their UKVI account.
The most important thing to remember is:
A UK BRP or UK eVisa does not normally determine whether you need an Egyptian visa. Your passport nationality is the key factor.
Your UK immigration status can still be important because you may need to demonstrate your lawful residence in Britain, particularly when dealing with visa applications or returning to the UK.
Think of the process as two separate immigration questions:
Question 1: Can I enter Egypt?
Check Egyptian visa and entry requirements for your passport.
Question 2: Can I return to the UK?
Check that your UK immigration status is valid and accessible through your UKVI eVisa.
Keeping these two issues separate can prevent many common travel problems.
If you live in the UK and previously held a BRP, do not assume that the physical card gives you any special right to enter Egypt.
Instead, identify the passport you will use for your journey and check the Egyptian visa rules applicable to that nationality. If you are eligible for an Egyptian eVisa, applying online before departure may be a convenient option. If your nationality is not eligible for the eVisa, you may need to follow another Egyptian visa procedure.
Before leaving Britain, also make sure your UK eVisa is accessible and linked to your current passport or travel document.
With the correct Egyptian visa, a valid travel document, appropriate UK immigration records, and your travel arrangements prepared in advance, you can avoid many of the problems that travellers encounter when travelling from the UK to Egypt.
Do I need an Egypt visa if I have a UK BRP?
Possibly. Your UK BRP does not automatically make you visa-exempt. Check the rules for your passport nationality.
Does a UK BRP replace an Egypt visa?
No.
Can UK residents apply for an Egypt eVisa?
Eligibility depends primarily on the nationality and passport being used.
Can British citizens apply for an Egypt eVisa?
Yes, British citizens are listed among the nationalities eligible for the Egyptian eVisa system.
Can a Pakistani citizen living in the UK use their UK residence status as an Egyptian visa?
No. The UK residence status does not replace an Egyptian visa where one is required.
Can I still use my old UK BRP as my main immigration document?
The UK has transitioned to eVisas, so travellers should use their digital UK immigration status and ensure their current passport is linked correctly.
What should I take to Egypt?
At minimum, take your valid passport or accepted travel document and the appropriate Egyptian visa or entry permission if required. It is also sensible to carry your travel and accommodation details and evidence of your UK immigration status where appropriate.