Egypt Visa Types: Tourist, Business, Transit & More

Egypt offers several visa types depending on your purpose of travel – the most common are the tourist e-Visa ($25 single-entry) and visa on arrival ($25 at the airport), but there are also business visas, transit visas, student visas, work permits, and special Sinai permits. The right type for you depends on your nationality, how long you plan to stay, and whether your trip is for tourism, business, study, or transit.

This guide covers every Egypt visa category in one place: what each type is, who qualifies, how much it costs, and how to apply. If you already know you need a tourist visa, jump to our complete Egypt e-Visa guide for the step-by-step application process.

All Egypt Visa Types at a Glance

For most tourists, the choice comes down to three options: the e-Visa, visa on arrival, or an embassy visa. Our visa fee breakdown explains the costs in detail.

Tourist e-Visa

The tourist e-Visa is the most popular way to enter Egypt. You apply entirely online through the official portal at visa2egypt.gov.eg, pay by credit or debit card, and receive an approved PDF by email.

Who can apply: Citizens of approximately 74 eligible countries, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, all EU/Schengen nations, Australia, Japan, South Korea, China, India, Brazil, and others.

Key details:
– Single-entry ($25): One entry within 90 days of issue, up to 30 days per stay
– Multiple-entry ($60): Unlimited entries within 90 days, 30 days per entry
– Processing time: 5-7 business days (apply at least 7 days before departure)
– Passport requirement: Valid for 6+ months beyond your arrival date

The e-Visa is recommended over visa on arrival because you know your visa status before you fly. For a detailed comparison, see our e-Visa vs visa on arrival guide.

Documents needed:
– Passport bio page scan
– Recent passport-style photo (sometimes required)
– Flight booking (proof of return/onward travel)
– Hotel reservation or invitation letter

Visa on Arrival

The visa on arrival is a sticker visa you purchase at Egyptian airports after landing. Bank kiosks in the arrivals hall sell them before you reach passport control.

Who can apply: Citizens of the same 74+ eligible countries as the e-Visa.

How it works:
1. Land at an Egyptian international airport (Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Luxor, Alexandria)
2. Find the bank kiosk in the arrivals area
3. Pay $25 USD (cash preferred, some counters accept cards)
4. Receive a visa sticker for your passport
5. Proceed to passport control

Important: The visa on arrival is only available as a single-entry visa. There is no multiple-entry option at the airport. If you need multiple entries, apply for the e-Visa instead.

During peak tourist season (October-April), bank kiosk queues can stretch to 30-45 minutes at Cairo International Airport. Carry exact USD cash as a backup – card machines occasionally go down.

Embassy or Consular Visa

If your nationality is not on the e-Visa eligible list, you must apply for a traditional visa at the nearest Egyptian embassy or consulate. This is also the route for travelers who need visa types not available online (student, work, diplomatic).

Fees:
– Single-entry: approximately $67 USD
– Multiple-entry: approximately $92 USD

Processing time: 5-15 business days depending on the embassy.

Documents typically required:
– Completed visa application form
– Passport valid for 6+ months
– Two recent passport photos
– Proof of accommodation in Egypt
– Flight itinerary
– Bank statements (proof of funds)
– Purpose-specific documents (invitation letter, enrollment letter, etc.)

Contact your nearest Egyptian embassy for the exact requirements, as they vary by location and nationality.

Egypt Business Visa

Egypt issues business visas for travelers attending meetings, conferences, trade fairs, or conducting short-term business activities. Despite the name, eligible travelers can often use the standard e-Visa for business trips – the e-Visa system covers both tourism and short business visits.

When you need a dedicated business visa:
– Your nationality is not on the e-Visa eligible list
– You need a longer stay than 30 days
– Your employer or the Egyptian host requires a formal business visa

Requirements for an embassy business visa:
– Invitation letter from an Egyptian company or organization
– Letter from your employer stating the purpose of travel
– Business registration documents (sometimes required)
– Standard visa application documents

Cost: Same as embassy visa – approximately $67 single-entry or $92 multiple-entry.

For short business trips (conferences, meetings), the $25 e-Visa is usually sufficient and much faster to obtain.

Egypt Transit Visa

A transit visa is for travelers who are passing through Egypt on their way to another country. If you have a layover in Cairo and need to leave the airport, you may need a transit visa.

When you need a transit visa:
– You are connecting through an Egyptian airport and want to leave the transit area
– Your layover is longer than 48 hours
– Your nationality requires a visa even for short stays

When you do NOT need one:
– You remain in the international transit area of the airport
– Your layover is under 48 hours and you hold an eligible nationality (some nationalities can transit visa-free for up to 48 hours)
– You hold a passport from a visa-free country (Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, etc.)

How to get a transit visa:
– Apply at an Egyptian embassy or consulate before travel
– Some nationalities can obtain a transit visa on arrival (check with your airline)
– Cost varies but is typically free or up to $25 USD

Tip: If your layover is short and you want to leave the airport to see Cairo, check whether your nationality qualifies for a visa on arrival – at $25, it is often simpler than arranging a transit visa separately.

Student Visa

Foreign students enrolled at Egyptian universities, language institutes, or other accredited institutions need a student visa. This visa type is not available online – you must apply through an Egyptian embassy or consulate.

Requirements:
– Acceptance or enrollment letter from an Egyptian educational institution
– Valid passport (6+ months validity)
– Proof of financial means (bank statements or scholarship letter)
– Medical certificate (some embassies require this)
– Passport photos

Duration: Student visas are typically issued for one academic year and can be renewed while in Egypt through the local immigration office (Mogamma in Cairo).

Cost: Approximately $40-$70 USD, depending on the embassy and duration.

Important: Do not enter Egypt on a tourist visa if you plan to study. Converting a tourist visa to a student visa inside Egypt is complicated and may require you to leave and re-enter the country.

Work Visa and Work Permit

Working in Egypt requires both a work visa (obtained before entry) and a work permit (arranged by your employer after arrival). This is a two-step process.

Step 1 – Work Visa (before travel):
– Your Egyptian employer provides a work contract and supporting documents
– You apply at the nearest Egyptian embassy with the employer’s documents
– The embassy issues an entry visa for employment purposes

Step 2 – Work Permit (after arrival):
– Your employer applies to the Egyptian Ministry of Manpower for a work permit
– Processing takes 2-4 weeks
– The permit is tied to your specific employer and role

Cost: Varies significantly – the visa fee at the embassy is standard (~$67), but the work permit fees depend on the type of employment and duration.

Duration: Work permits are typically issued for one year and renewable. Your employer handles the renewal process.

Special Permits

Sinai Permit (Free Entry Permit)

Travelers staying only in the Sharm El Sheikh resort area can receive a free entry permit on arrival – no visa required. This permit covers:
– Sharm El Sheikh
– Dahab
– Nuweiba
– Taba (Sinai Peninsula resorts)

Limitations:
– Maximum 15-day stay
– Does NOT cover Cairo, Luxor, Alexandria, or anywhere outside the Sinai Peninsula
– If you want to leave Sinai, you need a full visa

This permit is stamped in your passport at the airport. If you later decide to visit Cairo or other parts of Egypt, you can upgrade to a full visa at the immigration office in Sharm El Sheikh.

Cruise Ship Passengers

Passengers arriving by cruise ship at ports like Alexandria or Port Said typically receive visas arranged by the cruise line. You generally do not need to arrange a separate visa – check with your cruise operator for specific details.

Which Egypt Visa Do I Need?

Use this decision guide to find the right visa type:

For most travelers heading to Egypt on vacation, the tourist e-Visa is the fastest and most convenient option. Read our complete tourist visa guide for more details on the tourist visa specifically.

FAQs About Egypt Visa Types