Egypt is one of the most popular holiday destinations for travellers from the United Kingdom, attracting visitors with its ancient pyramids, Red Sea resorts, Nile cruises, historic temples, desert landscapes and lively cities. If you are planning a holiday from the UK, one of the first things to arrange is your entry permission for Egypt.
For British passport holders, a visa is normally required when travelling to Egypt for tourism. Depending on your itinerary and where you plan to enter Egypt, you may have several options, including applying for an Egyptian e-Visa before travelling, obtaining a visa on arrival at eligible airports, or using the special visa-free entry arrangement for certain short stays in the Sinai resort area.
For most travellers who want to prepare everything before leaving the UK, the Egyptian e-Visa is a convenient option. The official Egyptian e-Visa system lists the United Kingdom among the nationalities eligible to apply online. A tourist e-Visa can be issued for either single or multiple entry, depending on the visa selected.
This guide explains how to get a visa for Egypt from the UK, what documents you may need, how the online application works, what to expect at the airport and the important differences between an e-Visa, visa on arrival and the Sinai entry permission.
Yes. British passport holders normally need a visa to enter Egypt.
There is, however, an important exception for certain short holidays in the Sinai Peninsula. Travellers arriving by air at Sharm El-Sheikh and staying for no more than 15 days in specified resorts such as Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba may qualify for free entry permission rather than a standard tourist visa.
If you intend to visit other parts of Egypt, including Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan or destinations outside the qualifying Sinai resort areas, you should arrange the appropriate Egyptian visa.
For a typical UK-to-Egypt holiday that includes Cairo, the pyramids, Luxor, a Nile cruise or several different destinations, obtaining a standard tourist visa is generally the safer approach.
There are three main possibilities for a British traveller:
Apply for an Egyptian e-Visa online before travelling
Obtain a tourist visa on arrival at an eligible Egyptian airport
Use the limited free entry permission available for qualifying short stays in the Sinai resort area
For many travellers, applying for the e-Visa in advance is attractive because the visa is arranged before the journey and you can carry a printed copy with your travel documents.
The Egyptian e-Visa portal currently instructs applicants to create an account, complete the application, pay the applicable fee online and wait for approval. The portal also states that applications should be created at least seven days before departure.
The Egyptian e-Visa is an electronic travel document that allows eligible foreign nationals to obtain an Egyptian tourist visa before travelling.
The United Kingdom is included among the nationalities eligible to apply through Egypt's e-Visa system.
A tourist e-Visa may be available as:
Single-entry tourist visa
Multiple-entry tourist visa
The official Egyptian e-Visa information currently lists the tourist visa fees as US$30 for a single-entry visa and US$65 for a multiple-entry visa.
Visa rules and fees can change, so travellers should always check the current requirements before submitting an application.
The online application process is relatively straightforward when you have your passport and travel information ready.
Before beginning the application, make sure that your nationality and passport type are eligible for the Egyptian e-Visa.
A standard British passport holder is listed as eligible on the Egyptian e-Visa portal.
If you are travelling with another type of British nationality, a travel document, refugee document or a passport other than a standard British passport, do not automatically assume that the same rules apply. Eligibility can depend on the exact travel document you hold.
The Egyptian e-Visa system requires applicants to create an account.
You will generally need an email address and personal information to register.
Make sure the email address is accessible throughout your application because notifications concerning your application can be sent electronically.
It is also sensible to check your spam or junk folder if you are waiting for an account verification message.
After creating and verifying your account, sign in and select the option to apply for a new visa.
You will need to select the appropriate visa category and carefully read the instructions before completing the form.
For a normal holiday, you would generally be applying for a tourist visa.
The application asks for information relating to you and your passport.
Typical information can include:
Full name
Date of birth
Nationality
Passport information
Contact details
Travel information
Intended arrival information
Accommodation details
Enter your information exactly as it appears in your passport.
Small errors in names, passport numbers or dates can create unnecessary problems, so check the completed application carefully before submitting it.
You may need to provide information about your planned trip to Egypt.
This can include details such as:
Intended arrival date
Place of arrival
Accommodation
Travel itinerary
Purpose of visit
If you are staying at a hotel, keep your booking confirmation available.
If your trip includes multiple destinations, it is useful to have your itinerary organised before starting the application.
Before payment, review everything.
Pay particular attention to:
Passport number
Full name
Date of birth
Nationality
Passport expiry date
Intended travel dates
Email address
Accommodation details
A passport number entered incorrectly can be especially problematic because your visa needs to correspond with the passport you use to travel.
The Egyptian e-Visa portal allows applicants to pay online using supported bank cards.
The current official portal lists the tourist visa fee at US$30 for a single-entry tourist visa and US$65 for a multiple-entry tourist visa.
The final amount shown during the application process should be checked before payment.
Visa application fees may be non-refundable, so avoid submitting an application until you are satisfied that the information is correct.
After submitting the application and making payment, the application is processed electronically.
The Egyptian e-Visa portal states that applicants should create an e-Visa application at least seven days before departure.
It is therefore a good idea not to leave your application until the last minute.
Even if your holiday is several weeks or months away, applying with sufficient time gives you more opportunity to deal with an unexpected issue.
If your application is approved, you can download the e-Visa through your account.
The approval may also be communicated by email.
Save a digital copy and print a paper copy.
Although many modern travel documents are electronic, the Egyptian e-Visa instructions specifically state that a printed e-Visa should be presented at the port of entry.
For a normal tourist trip, it is important to have your travel documents organised before departure.
You should generally prepare:
A valid British passport
Your approved Egyptian e-Visa, if applying online
Hotel booking or accommodation details
Travel itinerary
Return or onward travel information
Supporting documents if requested
Payment card for the online application
The Egyptian e-Visa information states that the passport should be valid for at least six months from the arrival date.
This is an important requirement. Do not look only at whether your passport is valid for the entire holiday. Check the validity period against your intended date of arrival in Egypt.
Your passport should normally have at least six months' validity remaining from your date of arrival in Egypt.
For example, if you plan to arrive in Egypt on 10 October, your passport should generally remain valid for at least six months after that arrival date.
It is best to check your passport well before booking your trip.
If your passport is approaching expiry, consider renewing it before arranging your Egypt visa.
British passport holders can normally obtain a tourist visa on arrival at eligible Egyptian airports.
The UK government's current travel guidance states that visas on arrival can be purchased at approved airports before reaching the immigration counters.
The stated fee is US$30, payable in cash, and the visa is valid for up to 30 days.
Visa-on-arrival procedures can be convenient, particularly for travellers who have not applied online. However, you should make sure your arrival airport supports the visa-on-arrival facility and that you have the required payment available.
It is also worth remembering that queues and airport procedures can vary.
For travellers who prefer to have their visa arranged before boarding their flight, an e-Visa may be more convenient.
Both options can be useful, but they suit different travel preferences.
An e-Visa allows you to arrange your tourist visa before leaving the UK.
Advantages can include:
Application from home
Visa arranged before travel
No need to purchase the visa at the airport
Printed approval can be carried with your travel documents
Useful for travellers who like to prepare everything in advance
A visa on arrival can be obtained after reaching an eligible Egyptian airport.
Advantages can include:
No online application required beforehand
Useful for travellers who qualify and prefer to arrange the visa at the airport
Can be convenient for straightforward short tourist visits
However, airport procedures may involve queues, and the visa-on-arrival fee is payable in cash according to current UK travel guidance.
For a standard holiday, the choice usually depends on your itinerary and personal preference.
An e-Visa can be a good choice if you want to organise your entry permission before travelling.
A visa on arrival can be suitable if you qualify and are comfortable completing the process at the airport.
The Sinai free-entry permission can be suitable for travellers whose entire trip meets the specific requirements of the Sinai arrangement.
If your holiday involves Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan or other areas outside the qualifying Sinai resorts, you should not rely on the Sinai exemption.
No, you should not assume that the special Sinai entry permission covers travel throughout Egypt.
The limited visa-free arrangement is designed for certain short stays in specified Sinai resort areas.
If your itinerary includes Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza, you should arrange a normal Egyptian tourist visa.
The same applies if you plan to travel to Luxor, Aswan or other destinations outside the permitted resort area.
It depends on your plans.
British passport holders arriving by air at Sharm El-Sheikh and staying for no more than 15 days in qualifying Sinai resort areas may be able to enter without purchasing a standard tourist visa.
If you plan to remain longer than 15 days or travel outside the qualifying resort areas, you should obtain a visa.
For example, if you fly to Sharm El-Sheikh for a one-week beach holiday and remain within the qualifying resort area, the special entry permission may apply.
If you fly to Sharm El-Sheikh and then travel to Cairo, the situation is different and a standard Egyptian visa may be required.
If your Nile cruise itinerary involves entering Egypt as a tourist and travelling between destinations such as Luxor and Aswan, you should arrange the appropriate Egyptian tourist visa.
A Nile cruise is not a reason to rely on the limited Sinai entry arrangement.
Before travelling, check that your visa type matches the itinerary supplied by your cruise operator or travel company.
Yes.
The famous Pyramids of Giza are located near Cairo, and a standard Egyptian tourist visa is suitable for ordinary tourism in Cairo and Giza when the traveller meets the relevant entry requirements.
A trip to Egypt can combine several destinations, such as:
Cairo
Giza
Luxor
Aswan
Abu Simbel
Hurghada
Sharm El-Sheikh
Alexandria
Your visa should cover the nature and duration of your planned trip.
The permitted stay depends on the type of visa and entry permission you receive.
The UK government's current guidance states that a visa on arrival is valid for up to 30 days.
Tourist e-Visas have their own validity and entry conditions, so travellers should read the information associated with their approved visa rather than assuming that every Egyptian visa has identical conditions.
Always check the dates and conditions printed on your visa before beginning your trip.
It is best to apply well before your flight.
The Egyptian e-Visa portal currently says that an application should be created at least seven days before departure.
However, waiting until the minimum period is not recommended when you can apply earlier.
A sensible approach is to organise your application several weeks before your trip, giving you time to:
Check your passport
Gather accommodation information
Complete the application
Correct any issues
Receive the approval
Print your e-Visa
Prepare your travel documents
Avoid submitting an application at the last possible moment.
When you arrive in Egypt, you will proceed through the airport's immigration procedures.
If you have an e-Visa, keep your printed copy accessible.
You may be asked to provide:
Passport
Printed e-Visa
Travel itinerary
Hotel or accommodation information
Supporting documentation
The Egyptian e-Visa guidance specifically lists a passport valid for at least six months, a printed e-Visa and travel information among the entry requirements.
Having everything together can make the arrival process easier.
No.
An e-Visa is permission to travel under the applicable visa conditions, but possession of an e-Visa does not automatically guarantee admission.
Border authorities can still assess travellers when they arrive.
This is why it is important to ensure that your passport, visa, itinerary and other travel documents are consistent.
If your application is unsuccessful, review the information provided by the Egyptian visa system and determine whether you need to make a new application or contact the appropriate Egyptian authorities.
Do not immediately submit repeated applications containing the same incorrect information.
Common problems with visa applications can arise from incomplete information, incorrect passport details or choosing the wrong visa category.
Before submitting a new application, carefully review the requirements and your circumstances.
Children travelling to Egypt need to meet the applicable entry requirements.
The Egyptian e-Visa portal states that parents can apply for children from the parent's account.
Each traveller should have the appropriate travel document and visa where required.
If a family is travelling together, carefully check every child's passport information before submitting the applications.
Do not assume that because a parent has an approved visa, every child automatically has permission to enter Egypt.
This is an important distinction.
Being legally resident in the UK does not necessarily mean that you have the same Egyptian visa requirements as a British citizen.
Egyptian visa eligibility is generally connected to nationality and the travel document being used, not simply where you live.
If you hold a UK-issued travel document, refugee travel document or another non-British passport, check the rules that apply specifically to your nationality and document before travelling.
Do not select "United Kingdom" simply because you live in the UK if your passport nationality is different.
UK residence and British citizenship are different for visa purposes.
For example, a person who lives in London but holds a Pakistani, Indian, Nigerian, Bangladeshi or other passport should check Egypt's requirements for that nationality.
Having a UK residence permit may be relevant to your travel circumstances, but it does not automatically give you the same Egyptian visa privileges as a British passport holder.
Always use the nationality shown on the passport you will use to enter Egypt when determining eligibility.
No.
A tourist visa is intended for tourism and does not give you permission to undertake employment in Egypt.
If you plan to work, conduct activities requiring a specific permit, study or undertake another non-tourism purpose, you may need a different type of visa or authorisation.
Do not use a tourist visa for employment.
Visa extensions and changes of status are separate immigration matters.
If you decide to remain in Egypt longer than the period permitted by your visa, do not simply overstay.
Check with the relevant Egyptian immigration authorities about whether an extension or another lawful arrangement is available for your circumstances.
Your permitted stay should always be treated separately from the overall validity of your visa.
Getting an Egyptian visa is generally straightforward, but several avoidable mistakes can cause problems.
Do not wait until the day before your flight.
The official e-Visa portal advises applicants to create their application at least seven days before departure.
Double-check every digit.
Your visa information should correspond to the passport you use for travel.
If you live in the UK but are not a British citizen, use the nationality and passport information that actually applies to your travel document.
It does not.
The special short-stay arrangement is restricted to specified Sinai resort circumstances.
The Egyptian e-Visa instructions state that travellers should present a printed copy at the port of entry.
Keep a paper copy with your passport and travel documents.
Make sure your passport meets the six-month validity requirement from your intended arrival date.
If you are eligible for a visa on arrival, you do not necessarily need to purchase additional services from airport agents.
Check the official fee and procedure before paying third parties.
Before travelling from the UK to Egypt, check the following:
Your passport is valid for at least six months from your planned arrival date.
You have determined which Egyptian visa or entry permission applies to your trip.
You have completed your e-Visa application if applying online.
Your passport information is entered correctly.
Your accommodation details are available.
Your travel itinerary is available.
Your e-Visa has been approved if you applied online.
You have printed your e-Visa.
You have your return or onward travel information.
You have checked the latest entry requirements before departure.
You have appropriate travel insurance.
Once your visa arrangements are complete, you can start planning the rest of your Egyptian adventure.
Egypt offers a huge variety of travel experiences.
Cairo is ideal for travellers interested in history, culture and city life.
A Cairo itinerary can include the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, museums, historic mosques, markets and the Nile.
Luxor is one of the world's most remarkable archaeological destinations.
Visitors can explore ancient temples, tombs and monuments on both sides of the Nile.
Aswan offers a more relaxed atmosphere, with Nile scenery, traditional boats, historic sites and access to attractions such as Philae.
Hurghada is popular with travellers seeking beaches, warm weather and Red Sea activities.
Sharm El-Sheikh is famous for its resort hotels, beaches and Red Sea attractions.
It is also the destination where the special short-stay Sinai entry arrangement can be relevant for qualifying travellers.
For British passport holders travelling from the UK, obtaining an Egyptian tourist visa can usually be done in one of several ways.
For a typical holiday, the main options are an Egyptian e-Visa obtained online before departure or a tourist visa purchased on arrival at an eligible Egyptian airport. Travellers visiting qualifying Sinai resorts for no more than 15 days may also benefit from a special free entry permission.
For many holidaymakers, applying for the e-Visa before leaving the UK provides a convenient way to arrange the visa in advance. The application can be completed online, the applicable fee can be paid electronically and the approved visa can be printed and carried with your passport.
The most important things are to use the correct passport details, check your passport validity, apply early and make sure your visa matches your itinerary.
Egypt is a destination where a single holiday can combine ancient history, desert landscapes, Red Sea beaches, vibrant cities and unforgettable Nile scenery. By taking care of your visa requirements before travelling, you can spend less time worrying about entry procedures and more time enjoying your Egyptian adventure.