Planning a holiday to Egypt with a UK passport? Egypt is one of the world's most fascinating destinations, combining ancient history, beautiful coastlines, desert landscapes, vibrant cities, and world-famous archaeological sites. British passport holders can visit Egypt for tourism, but in most cases, they need to obtain a visa before or when entering the country.
For many UK travellers, the simplest options are an Egypt eVisa obtained online before departure or a tourist visa purchased on arrival at an approved Egyptian airport. There is also a special visa-free entry arrangement for certain short stays in the South Sinai resort area.
This guide explains the Egypt visa requirements for UK passport holders, available visa options, passport requirements, application procedures, costs, permitted stays, arrival procedures, and important travel considerations.
Yes. British citizens travelling on a full UK passport normally need a visa to enter Egypt.
There are, however, some exceptions depending on where you are travelling in Egypt and how long you intend to stay.
For example, travellers arriving at Sharm El-Sheikh and staying for fewer than 15 days within the specified South Sinai resort areas may receive free entry permission rather than purchasing a standard tourist visa.
For trips that include destinations such as Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Alexandria, or other parts of Egypt, UK passport holders should normally obtain the appropriate Egyptian visa.
The main options for British tourists are:
Egypt eVisa obtained online before travel
Tourist visa purchased on arrival at an approved airport
Visa-free entry permission for certain short South Sinai stays
Visa obtained through an Egyptian consular authority where required
The most appropriate option depends on your itinerary, length of stay, and purpose of travel.
An Egyptian tourist visa is an immigration document that allows eligible foreign visitors to enter Egypt for tourism.
For UK passport holders, a tourist visa can generally be used for holidays, sightseeing, visiting attractions, taking cruises, and other permitted tourism activities.
The Egyptian eVisa system allows eligible travellers to complete an application online and receive an electronic visa that can then be presented when entering Egypt.
An eVisa is particularly convenient because you can arrange your travel documentation before leaving the UK.
The United Kingdom is included among the nationalities eligible to apply through Egypt's electronic visa system.
The eVisa is designed to make the visa application process more convenient by allowing travellers to submit their details online rather than making a separate visit to a consular office for an ordinary tourist application.
The application generally involves:
Creating an account.
Completing the online application.
Entering passport and personal information.
Providing travel information where required.
Paying the applicable visa fee.
Waiting for the application to be processed.
Downloading the approved eVisa.
Printing a copy for the journey.
Presenting the document to Egyptian immigration on arrival.
The Egyptian eVisa portal advises applicants to create their application at least seven days before departure, so travellers should avoid leaving the application until the last minute.
British passport holders can also obtain a tourist visa on arrival at approved Egyptian airports.
The visa-on-arrival option can be useful for travellers who prefer to arrange their tourist visa after reaching Egypt rather than completing an online application beforehand.
The current tourist visa-on-arrival fee listed by UK travel guidance is US$30, payable in cash.
The visa-on-arrival process generally involves purchasing the visa at the appropriate airport facility before proceeding to immigration.
Although visa on arrival is available, applying for an eVisa before travelling can make the arrival process more predictable because you already have your travel authorization arranged.
Both options can work for eligible UK passport holders, but they offer different advantages.
An eVisa can be convenient if you want to complete the visa process before leaving the UK.
Advantages include:
Apply before your journey
Avoid arranging the visa at the airport
Have your approval documentation before travelling
Easier preparation for an organised holiday
Useful when you want to have your travel paperwork ready in advance
Visa on arrival may appeal to travellers who prefer to obtain their tourist visa after reaching Egypt.
Advantages include:
No online application required in advance
Available at approved airports
Convenient for eligible travellers who have decided to use this option
However, airport procedures can involve queues, and travellers need to have the required payment available.
For this reason, many travellers prefer obtaining an eVisa before departure.
Before applying for an Egyptian tourist visa, check that your passport satisfies the country's entry requirements.
A British passport used to enter Egypt should generally:
Be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival
Have at least one blank page
Be in good condition
Belong to the traveller named in the visa application
The six-month validity requirement is particularly important.
For example, if you plan to arrive in Egypt on 10 October, your passport should normally remain valid for at least six months beyond that arrival date.
If your passport is close to expiry, renew it before arranging your trip.
Yes. UK travel guidance states that your passport should have at least one blank page for entry into Egypt.
Always check your passport before travelling, particularly if you have recently visited several countries and have limited empty pages remaining.
Even after obtaining an Egyptian eVisa, it is sensible to carry supporting travel documents.
A UK traveller may want to have:
Valid British passport
Printed copy of the Egyptian eVisa
Return or onward flight details
Hotel booking confirmation
Travel itinerary
Travel insurance documents
Details of accommodation
Supporting documents relevant to the purpose of the trip
The Egyptian eVisa system specifically advises travellers to carry a printed copy of their eVisa.
Keeping both a printed copy and an electronic copy can provide an additional backup while travelling.
The online application process is relatively straightforward.
Before beginning the application, check your British passport's expiry date.
Make sure it meets Egypt's validity requirements and has a blank page available.
The Egypt eVisa system requires applicants to create an account.
You normally provide an email address and other requested registration information.
After logging into your account, select the option to apply for a new visa.
Choose the appropriate visa category based on your travel purpose.
Complete the application carefully.
Information may include:
Full name
Date of birth
Nationality
Passport number
Passport issue information
Passport expiry date
Contact information
Travel information
Your information should match your passport exactly.
Before submitting the form, carefully review every field.
A spelling mistake in your name, an incorrect passport number, or an incorrect date of birth can create problems.
Do not rush through this stage.
The applicable visa fee is paid electronically through the eVisa system.
The official Egyptian eVisa information currently lists the tourism eVisa fee as US$30 for a single-entry visa and US$65 for a multiple-entry tourism visa.
Fees and requirements can change, so travellers should always check the current amount when submitting their application.
After submission and payment, the application is processed.
The official Egyptian eVisa portal advises applicants to apply at least seven days before departure.
For this reason, it is sensible to apply well before your flight.
Once approved, the eVisa can be downloaded from the applicant's account.
You should print the document before travelling.
Carry your passport and printed eVisa with you.
Do not place the only copy of your visa in checked luggage.
At the Egyptian border, present your passport and eVisa to the immigration authorities when requested.
The immigration officer makes the final decision regarding admission to Egypt.
A standard tourist visa on arrival is generally valid for a stay of up to 30 days.
Tourist eVisa arrangements can differ depending on the type of visa issued, so travellers should carefully check the validity and permitted stay stated on their approval.
Do not assume that the visa's validity period and permitted period of stay are always the same thing.
Your visa documentation should be checked before departure.
A single-entry tourist visa is designed for travellers who intend to enter Egypt once during their trip.
It can be suitable for a typical holiday such as:
United Kingdom → Cairo → Luxor → Hurghada → United Kingdom
If you leave Egypt after entering on a single-entry visa, you generally cannot use the same visa to return for another visit.
Travellers planning a multi-country itinerary should therefore consider whether they will need to enter Egypt more than once.
A multiple-entry tourist visa can be useful for travellers who expect to enter and leave Egypt several times during the visa's validity.
For example, a traveller might visit Egypt, leave for another country, and then return to Egypt.
The Egyptian eVisa system currently lists a multiple-entry tourism visa with a fee of US$65.
Before selecting this option, make sure that your planned itinerary actually requires multiple entries.
Most UK visitors travelling to Egypt for a normal holiday will use a tourist visa.
Popular holiday itineraries include:
Cairo and the Pyramids
Cairo and Luxor
Nile River cruises
Hurghada beach holidays
Sharm El-Sheikh holidays
Aswan and Abu Simbel
Alexandria city breaks
Combined Egypt and Red Sea holidays
The visa requirement generally depends on your nationality and travel circumstances rather than whether you book an organised package holiday or travel independently.
Sharm El-Sheikh has a special entry arrangement for certain short tourist stays.
If you arrive by air at Sharm El-Sheikh and stay for fewer than 15 days within the qualifying resorts of:
Sharm El-Sheikh
Dahab
Nuweiba
Taba
you may be eligible for free entry permission on arrival.
This arrangement is intended for qualifying short stays within the specified South Sinai area.
It is important not to assume that the permission applies to an entire Egypt itinerary.
If you intend to travel outside the qualifying resort area, or stay longer than the permitted period, you should obtain the appropriate Egyptian visa.
If your trip includes Cairo, you should normally obtain a tourist visa.
Cairo is outside the South Sinai resort arrangement.
This applies to popular attractions such as:
Giza Pyramids
Great Sphinx
Egyptian Museum
Khan el-Khalili
Islamic Cairo
Coptic Cairo
Saqqara
Memphis
For a normal sightseeing trip to Cairo, a standard tourist visa is generally the appropriate option.
British tourists visiting Luxor should also normally have the appropriate Egyptian tourist visa.
Luxor is famous for its ancient monuments, including:
Karnak Temple
Luxor Temple
Valley of the Kings
Valley of the Queens
Colossi of Memnon
Hatshepsut Temple
A Nile cruise itinerary involving Luxor will also normally require the appropriate Egyptian tourist entry permission.
Hurghada is one of Egypt's most popular Red Sea destinations.
UK tourists can travel to Hurghada for beach holidays, diving, snorkelling, boat trips, and resort stays, provided they meet the applicable Egyptian entry requirements.
A normal Hurghada holiday will generally require a tourist visa.
The South Sinai visa-free arrangement for certain short stays in Sharm El-Sheikh and surrounding resorts should not be confused with entry requirements for Hurghada.
A tourist visa allows eligible visitors to enter Egypt for tourism subject to the conditions of their visa and Egyptian immigration rules.
Tourists commonly combine several destinations during one trip.
For example:
Cairo → Luxor → Aswan → Hurghada → Cairo
Your visa does not mean that every activity is automatically permitted.
Tourist visitors should remain within the activities allowed by their immigration status.
Working or carrying out activities that require a separate permit without the appropriate authorization is not permitted.
No.
A tourist visa is intended for tourism and permitted visitor activities, not employment.
If you intend to work in Egypt, you need to investigate the appropriate work and residence authorization before undertaking employment.
Do not use a tourist visa as a substitute for a work permit.
A short tourist visit and formal study are different immigration situations.
If your purpose is education or a longer course, check the requirements for the appropriate Egyptian visa or residence permission before travelling.
Do not assume that a tourist visa automatically permits enrolment in a long-term educational programme.
Children travelling on British passports also need to meet Egypt's entry requirements.
Parents or guardians should make sure that every child has:
Their own valid passport
The required Egyptian visa or entry permission
Appropriate travel documentation
Accommodation information
Relevant consent documentation where applicable
The Egyptian eVisa system states that parents can apply for children through the parent's account.
However, each traveller still needs the appropriate visa application and documentation.
If you hold British citizenship and another nationality, the passport you use for your journey can affect your visa requirements.
Visa rules are based on nationality and travel document.
If you have dual nationality, check which passport you will use to enter Egypt and make sure your visa application corresponds with that passport.
When returning to the UK, British citizens should also travel with the appropriate British documentation.
Not every document associated with the United Kingdom is treated in exactly the same way as a full British citizen passport.
The standard Egypt eVisa eligibility information specifically lists United Kingdom nationals from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies can have different arrangements.
If you hold a passport from a British Overseas Territory or Crown Dependency rather than a full British citizen passport, check the applicable Egyptian requirements before travelling.
Having UK residence status does not automatically make a person a British citizen.
Egyptian visa requirements are primarily based on the nationality and passport being used for travel.
For example, someone who lives permanently in the UK but travels on a Pakistani, Indian, Nigerian, Bangladeshi, or another foreign passport may have different Egyptian visa requirements from someone travelling on a British citizen passport.
Therefore, always check the rules for the passport you will actually use to enter Egypt.
No.
An Egyptian eVisa is permission to travel to Egypt.
It has nothing to do with permission to enter the United Kingdom.
A British citizen travelling from the UK to Egypt is applying for Egyptian entry permission, not a UK visa.
Likewise, a person who has UK residence permission does not automatically receive the same entry privileges as a British passport holder.
The Egyptian eVisa portal currently lists:
Single-entry tourist eVisa: US$30
Multiple-entry tourist eVisa: US$65
A tourist visa on arrival is currently listed by UK travel guidance at US$30.
The amount you actually pay can depend on the visa method and any official changes introduced by Egyptian authorities.
Always verify the current fee before making payment.
Be cautious about unofficial websites that advertise substantially higher prices because they may include additional service or processing charges.
Travellers should not leave their application until the day before departure.
The official Egyptian eVisa portal advises applicants to create their application at least seven days before departure.
Applying earlier gives you more time to identify and correct potential problems with your application.
It is particularly important to allow extra time if:
Your trip is approaching quickly
You have recently renewed your passport
Your itinerary is complicated
You are travelling with children
You have multiple nationalities
Your travel purpose is not straightforward tourism
A large proportion of visa problems can be avoided by checking your application carefully.
Common mistakes include:
Enter your passport number exactly as shown on your document.
Use the name shown on the passport rather than a nickname.
Double-check the day, month, and year.
Make sure the expiry date is entered correctly.
Do not wait until immediately before your flight.
Make sure your selected visa corresponds to your actual travel purpose.
Keep a printed copy with your passport.
Visa requirements depend on the passport and nationality being used.
If you have obtained an eVisa before travelling, keep your passport and printed eVisa easily accessible.
After arriving, you will normally proceed through the relevant airport procedures and immigration controls.
The immigration officer may check:
Passport
Visa
Travel information
Accommodation details
Other supporting documents
Answer questions accurately and provide documentation when requested.
Possessing an eVisa does not by itself guarantee admission. Egyptian border authorities retain the authority to determine whether a traveller meets the conditions for entry.
Yes.
Even though an eVisa is electronic, travellers should print the approved document and take it with them.
Do not rely exclusively on your phone.
A printed copy is easier to present at immigration and provides a useful backup if your phone battery is low or you cannot access your email.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for UK visitors to Egypt.
A good policy can provide protection for unexpected situations such as:
Medical treatment
Emergency assistance
Trip cancellation
Lost baggage
Travel disruption
Personal liability
Check the policy carefully before travelling.
Some activities, such as diving or certain adventure activities, may require additional coverage.
A visa is only one part of preparing for an overseas trip.
Before travelling to Egypt, check the latest travel advice, especially regarding security, border areas, transport, local laws, health, and insurance.
Egypt is a large country, and conditions can differ significantly between regions.
Travellers should also respect local customs and laws.
For a first visit, a combination of Cairo and the Nile Valley can provide an excellent introduction to Egypt.
A possible itinerary might look like:
Explore the capital and visit:
Giza Pyramids
Great Sphinx
Egyptian Museum
Khan el-Khalili
Historic Cairo
Visit:
Karnak Temple
Luxor Temple
Valley of the Kings
Hatshepsut Temple
Explore:
Philae Temple
Nile scenery
Traditional markets
Nubian cultural attractions
Finish the trip with a relaxing stay at a Red Sea resort.
This kind of itinerary allows visitors to experience Egypt's ancient history and its modern resort culture in one holiday.
Before leaving for Egypt, check the following:
British passport is valid for at least six months after arrival
Passport has a blank page
Appropriate Egyptian visa has been obtained if required
Printed eVisa is packed if applying online
Hotel information is available
Return or onward flight information is available
Travel insurance is arranged
Important documents are backed up
Visa details have been checked
Travel itinerary is available
Current Egypt travel advice has been reviewed
Yes. British passport holders normally need an Egyptian visa, although qualifying travellers staying for fewer than 15 days in certain South Sinai resorts may receive free entry permission.
Yes. The United Kingdom is included among the nationalities eligible for Egypt's eVisa system.
Yes. UK passport holders can generally obtain a tourist visa on arrival at approved Egyptian airports.
The current Egyptian eVisa portal lists US$30 for a single-entry tourist eVisa and US$65 for a multiple-entry tourist eVisa. The tourist visa on arrival is currently listed at US$30.
Your passport should generally be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive in Egypt.
Yes. Travellers should carry a printed copy of their approved eVisa.
Normally, no. The special visa-free arrangement applies to certain short stays in South Sinai and does not cover normal tourism in Cairo.
No. Employment requires the appropriate authorization.
Yes, provided they meet Egypt's entry requirements and have the required travel documentation and visa or entry permission.
Not necessarily. Egyptian visa requirements depend primarily on the nationality and passport you use for travel.
Travelling to Egypt with a UK passport is relatively straightforward when your documentation is prepared in advance. British citizens normally need an Egyptian tourist visa, with the main options being an online eVisa or a tourist visa obtained on arrival.
For travellers visiting Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, or multiple destinations, arranging the appropriate tourist visa before departure can make the journey easier to organise. Travellers heading specifically to qualifying South Sinai resorts for a short stay may instead be eligible for free entry permission.
Before booking or departing, check your passport validity, make sure you understand the conditions of your visa, keep a printed copy of your eVisa if applicable, and review the latest Egyptian entry requirements.
With the visa arrangements taken care of, UK travellers can concentrate on enjoying Egypt's ancient monuments, Nile landscapes, Red Sea beaches, desert scenery, museums, markets, and unique cultural experiences.