Egypt eVisa vs Visa on Arrival 2026
Egypt eVisa vs visa on arrival: official fees, cash or card payment, the free Sinai-only stamp, who can use each route and when the e-visa is the safer choice.
Last verified: 15 October 2026 against visa2egypt.gov.eg and gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/entry-requirements
The official Egypt e-visa costs US$30 for single entry or US$65 for multiple entry, and you get it online before you fly. Visa on arrival costs US$30 in cash at airport kiosks. At Cairo airport, a digital visa on arrival is also available for US$36 by card. If you're staying in the Sinai resorts only, you may need no visa at all.
So the choice between the Egypt eVisa and visa on arrival comes down to three things: your nationality, your arrival airport, and how much uncertainty you'll accept at the airport.
The official rules in brief
Egypt's online visa system is the Egypt e-Visa Portal, run by the Egyptian government. According to its FAQ, the e-visa is issued for single or multiple entries to people whose nationality requires a visa to enter Egypt. You pay the fee on the portal by card. The portal's home page asks you to create your application at least 7 days before departure.
The UK government's Egypt entry requirements page describes the arrival options for British travellers:
- Visa on arrival: approved airports have kiosks before the immigration counters, where you can buy a physical visa for US$30, cash only. These visas are valid for up to 30 days.
- Digital visa on arrival at Cairo: from 1 August 2026, travellers arriving at Cairo International Airport can buy a visa at self-service machines or through the Visa on Arrival portal for US$36, card only. The US$36 includes a US$6 digital service fee.
- E-visa: GOV.UK says getting an e-visa in advance "can help to prevent delays". Tourist e-visas are valid for up to 3 months.
Side-by-side comparison
| Official e-visa | Visa on arrival (cash) | Cairo digital visa on arrival | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where you get it | visa2egypt.gov.eg, before travel | Kiosk at approved airports, before immigration | Self-service machine or VOA portal, Cairo International Airport |
| Government cost | US$30 single / US$65 multiple | US$30 | US$36 (incl. US$6 service fee) |
| Payment | Card, online | US dollars cash only | Card only |
| Validity | Up to 3 months (GOV.UK, tourist e-visa) | Up to 30 days | Check before travel |
| Multiple entry | Yes, US$65 option | Not stated officially | Not stated officially |
| Who can use it | Nationalities that need a visa for Egypt | Depends on nationality; check before travel | Depends on nationality; check before travel |
| Decided before you fly | Yes | No | No |
Queues and timing
No official source publishes waiting times, so we won't quote any. What is certain is how each route works.
With a visa on arrival, you have an extra step before the immigration counter: you queue at the kiosk, pay in US dollar cash, and then join the immigration line. If you arrive without enough dollars, you'll have to find cash before you can get the visa.
With the Cairo digital visa on arrival, you pay by card at a machine or online, so you don't need cash. It is only for arrivals at Cairo International Airport.
With an e-visa, the visa is decided before you travel. You show your printed e-visa and passport at immigration, and the border officer can check it in their system. That is why GOV.UK suggests getting one in advance to help avoid delays.
Eligibility: who can use which route
- The e-visa is for nationalities that need a visa to enter Egypt. British travellers can read our Egypt eVisa guide for UK citizens. For every nationality, the official portal has the final say.
- Visa on arrival is not open to every nationality, and the official list can change. GOV.UK confirms it for British citizens. For any other passport, check before travel with the nearest Egyptian embassy or your airline.
- The Cairo digital visa on arrival is described by GOV.UK for arrivals at Cairo International Airport. Check before travel whether it covers your nationality.
The Sinai-only entry stamp
You may not need a visa at all if your trip is short and stays in the South Sinai resorts. GOV.UK says that if you arrive by air at Sharm El-Sheikh and stay under 15 days at Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba, you get a free entry permission stamp at Sharm El-Sheikh Airport.
The limits are strict:
- If you plan to travel outside these resorts, for example on a day trip to Cairo, Luxor or the pyramids, you need a visa.
- If you stay more than 15 days, you need a visa.
- Overland arrivals from Israel at Taba pay a border tax instead: US$20 to stay in Taba or US$120 to travel elsewhere in the Sinai, in cash. Both give an entry stamp of up to 15 days.
If there's any chance you'll leave the resort area, get a visa before you go.
When the e-visa is the safer choice
The e-visa is usually the better option if:
- Your nationality isn't clearly on the visa-on-arrival list. If you get an e-visa in advance, you don't have to rely on an airport decision.
- You want multiple entry. The official US$65 multiple-entry e-visa suits trips that include a side visit to Jordan or a cruise stop.
- You don't want to carry US dollar cash. The standard visa on arrival is cash only.
- You're landing somewhere other than Cairo. The card-based digital visa on arrival is only described for Cairo International Airport.
- You want everything settled before you fly.
Visa on arrival can still make sense for an eligible traveller on a simple single-entry trip who has US$30 in cash ready.
What to carry, whichever route you choose
- A passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival, with at least one blank page (GOV.UK)
- Your printed e-visa, if you have one (the e-visa portal FAQ asks you to bring a printed copy)
- Your travel itinerary and hotel bookings
- US$30 in cash if you plan to use the standard visa on arrival
A visa never guarantees entry. The official FAQ states that Egyptian port authorities can refuse entry to an e-visa holder. GOV.UK also notes that you don't have to buy a visa from an agent at the airport.
Official route vs our service: cost comparison
We are a private visa service. We are not the Egyptian government, and you can always apply through visa2egypt.gov.eg yourself.
| Route | Cost | Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Sinai-only entry stamp (Sharm El-Sheikh, under 15 days) | Free | At the airport |
| Visa on arrival (cash) | US$30 | At the airport |
| Cairo digital visa on arrival | US$36 by card | At the airport |
| Official e-visa, single entry | US$30 | Apply at least 7 days before departure |
| Official e-visa, multiple entry | US$65 | Apply at least 7 days before departure |
| egvisas.com single entry | US$99 / US$129 / US$149, government fee included | Standard 8, Priority 5 or Express 3 business days |
| egvisas.com multiple entry | US$139 / US$169 / US$199, government fee included | Same speed options |
The official route is cheaper. What we add is a checked application, help with your photo and documents, and support until the decision comes back. Approval is always decided by the Egyptian authorities. See our homepage for current prices and our eVisa vs regular visa guide for how the e-visa compares with an embassy visa.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Egypt e-visa cheaper than a visa on arrival?
No. The official single-entry e-visa and the cash visa on arrival both cost US$30. The Cairo digital visa on arrival costs US$36 by card. The multiple-entry e-visa costs US$65.
Can I pay for the Egypt visa on arrival by card?
At approved airport kiosks, the standard visa on arrival is cash only, in US dollars. From 1 August 2026, the digital visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport is card only.
Do I need a visa for Sharm El-Sheikh?
Not if you fly into Sharm El-Sheikh and stay under 15 days in Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba. You get a free entry stamp. You need a visa to travel beyond those resorts or to stay longer.
How early should I apply for the Egypt e-visa?
The official portal asks you to apply at least 7 days before departure. Leave extra time if your trip is close to a public holiday or your documents need correcting.
Can every nationality get a visa on arrival in Egypt?
No. It depends on your passport, and the list can change. Check before travel with the Egyptian embassy or your airline. If you're unsure, an e-visa avoids the question.
Does a visa guarantee entry to Egypt?
No. The official e-visa FAQ states that port authorities can refuse entry to an e-visa holder. Carry your printed visa, itinerary and hotel bookings.
Ready to apply?
If you'd rather have your visa settled before you fly, you can apply for your Egypt eVisa online. Choose single or multiple entry and the speed that fits your travel date, and we'll keep you updated until the decision arrives. Questions first? See our FAQ.