Egypt launched a digital visa on arrival (DVOA) pilot at Cairo International Airport on 1 August 2026, replacing the traditional paper sticker with a QR code that travellers can generate before boarding β or at kiosks inside the arrivals hall.
How the Digital System Works
The process is straightforward:
- Access the official online portal or mobile app
- Enter travel details and pay $36 (the standard $30 VOA fee plus a $6 digital issuance charge)
- Receive a QR code valid for 48 hours from issue time
- Present the QR code at the immigration desk on arrival in Cairo
Codes can be generated at home before departure, during the flight on Wi-Fi, or at self-service kiosks that have been installed across all terminals. During the pilot period, paper stickers remain available for passengers who prefer them.
Eligible Nationalities
The digital system covers all nationalities currently entitled to a standard visa on arrival at Cairo β roughly 46 countries, including most European nationals, US and Canadian citizens, Australians, Japanese, and South Korean passport holders. A full list is published on the Egyptian e-Visa portal.
Planned Rollout
Cairo International is the pilot site. The Egyptian Airports Authority has confirmed that pending the pilotβs success, the system will roll out to:
- Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport
- Hurghada International Airport
- Luxor International Airport
No timeline has been given for the wider rollout, but the Cairo pilot is expected to run for several months before a decision is made.
Why It Matters
The paper sticker queue at Cairo arrivals has historically been a bottleneck, particularly on evening arrivals when multiple long-haul flights land simultaneously. Travellers with a pre-issued QR code can move directly to the fast-track lane, bypassing the VOA issuance desk entirely.
If you are arriving at Cairo Airport and connecting to a domestic flight within Egypt, the faster immigration clearance is especially useful: Terminals 1 and 2 (the main international arrivals terminals) are separate from Terminal 3, and transfers can take time during peak hours.
Practical Notes
- The $36 fee is a one-off payment; no additional charges apply at the desk
- Single-entry visa on arrival, valid for 30 days
- The QR code expires 48 hours after generation β do not create it too far in advance
- Paper stickers remain an option during the pilot; there is no obligation to use the digital system
- Before you travel, arrange your travel insurance for Egypt β policies covering medical evacuation and trip interruption are strongly recommended