Egyptβs Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has confirmed that a new digital visa-on-arrival system will go live in August 2026, replacing the paper sticker that travellers have long collected at Cairo International Airport and other major entry points. Under the new system, eligible visitors can apply and pay online before departure, receiving a QR code that immigration officers scan at arrival.
The formal announcement was made on 13 May 2026, with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Tourism Sherif Fathy attending the signing ceremony alongside officials from SciShield Technology, the National Bank of Egypt, and Banque Misr.
How the New System Works
The process shifts most of the paperwork away from the arrivals hall and onto a government portal that opens up to 48 hours before travel. Applicants fill in personal details, upload a passport scan, pay the fee, and receive a confirmation QR code by email. At the airport, officers verify the code with a scanner rather than issuing a sticker visa on the spot. Applications are also accepted via self-service kiosks in the terminal, an official mobile app, or registered travel agencies.
The Egyptian government says the change reduces processing time at the visa-on-arrival counters by an estimated 60 to 70 percent - a meaningful improvement during peak periods when queues at Cairo arrivals can stretch to 45 minutes or more.
For travellers who have not pre-applied, a counter-based option will remain available, though with potentially longer wait times.
Who Qualifies
Egyptβs standard visa-on-arrival eligibility applies under the new system, covering nationals of all EU member states, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and most Asian and South American passport holders. Gulf Cooperation Council nationals (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman) can enter Egypt without a visa at all. Some African and South Asian passport holders do not qualify and must apply for an e-Visa in advance β check the official portal at evisa.gov.eg for the current eligibility list.
The fee stands at US $30 per single-entry visa (raised from $25 in March 2026), payable by card through the portal. Nationals of countries that require a full visa in advance are not affected by this change; they should verify their situation with the Egyptian embassy before travel.
Entry Points Covered
Cairo International Airport is confirmed as the first entry point to run the full QR system from launch. Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Luxor, and Alexandria (Borg El Arab) airports are expected to follow as the rollout progresses through August and September.
Luxor and Aswan: Free Visas Until October
Travellers flying directly into Upper Egypt benefit from a separate incentive: arrivals at Luxor and Aswan airports qualify for a free visa from May through October 2026, a scheme renewed by the Egyptian government for both 2026 and 2027. If your itinerary centres on the temples and tombs of Upper Egypt and you can route your flights accordingly, this saves US $30 per person.
The Sinai Only Option
Travellers arriving at Sharm el-Sheikh or the Taba border crossing who intend to stay in the South Sinai β covering Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, and the St Catherineβs Monastery area β can obtain a free Sinai Only Entry Permit on arrival. This permit is valid for up to 15 days at no cost but restricts travel to the Sinai peninsula. Crossing the Suez Canal to visit Cairo or Luxor requires a separate standard visa.
e-Visa: Still the Fastest Pre-Arrival Option
Until the digital VoA system goes live in August, Egyptβs existing e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.eg) remains the smoothest option. Single-entry tourist e-Visas cost US $30 and are approved within three to five business days in most cases; multiple-entry e-Visas are also available. Holding an approved e-Visa eliminates the visa-on-arrival queue at Cairo International entirely.
What This Means for Trip Planning
The digital system makes it easier to budget arrival time. Previously, the standard advice was to allow 90 minutes from landing to clearing immigration and customs during busy periods. With the QR code pre-applied, that buffer can shrink β though we still recommend allowing time for baggage claim and customs channels.
Save the QR code to your phone and email in case of connectivity issues at the airport. The code is typically valid for 30 days from issue.
For full entry details including passport validity requirements, see our Egypt visa guide. Before travel, arrange your travel insurance for Egypt β policies covering medical evacuation and trip interruption are recommended for the region. Once through arrivals, our 1-week Egypt itinerary and things to do in Egypt guide cover the major sites and how to plan your days.