Visa guide · 2026
Visa on arrival, e-visa, or free Sinai stamp — which one you need, what it costs, and exactly what to bring. For 2026 travel.
Single entry, 30 days. Pay at the bank window in the arrivals hall before immigration. Available at Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Luxor, Alexandria airports. The simplest option for 90% of travelers.
$25 single-entry or $60 multiple-entry. Apply at visa2egypt.gov.eg at least 7 days before travel. Skip the airport line. Valid 90 days from issue; each stay up to 30 days.
If arriving at Sharm El Sheikh airport AND staying only in South Sinai resorts (Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba) up to 15 days. Stamped at immigration for free. Cannot leave South Sinai on this stamp — no Cairo day trips, no St. Catherine's outside Sinai.
Always check your government's travel advisory and the official Egypt visa portal at visa2egypt.gov.eg before booking. Rules change.
Avoid: men in colored vests near the entrance offering to help. They're touts who'll mark up the price by $15-25 for the same sticker.
Slight premium in convenience for the same $25 (single entry). Real win is the multiple-entry option ($60) — useful if you want to cross to Jordan via Aqaba and come back, or do a Red Sea + Sinai split.
Apply 1-3 weeks before travel. Some travelers report processing in 24h; others take 7 days. Don't cut it close.
If your entire trip is a Sharm El Sheikh beach holiday — no Cairo, no Luxor, no St. Catherine's monastery (technically outside South Sinai's tourist corridor) — you can get a free 15-day "Sinai-only" entry stamp at Sharm airport. Saves you $25.
Catch: You're geographically restricted to South Sinai (basically Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba and the immediate coast). The Cairo day-trip flights from Sharm are blocked on this stamp. If you decide mid-trip you want Cairo, you'd need to convert to a full visa at immigration ($25, with hassle).
Recommendation: If there's any chance you'll want a Cairo day-trip, just pay the $25 visa on arrival. It's not worth the lock-in.
Extension: Visit the Mogamma government building in Cairo (now mostly moved to the Administrative Capital — your hotel can advise on current location) or the passport office in Hurghada/Luxor. ~$60 for a 6-month extension. Bring 2 passport photos and accommodation proof.
Overstay: Up to 14 days overstay is usually waved through with a small fine at departure (~$20). Longer overstays = real fines and possible ban. Don't push it.
We handle visa-on-arrival pickup with you, transfer directly from the plane, and have your hotel waiting. Zero airport friction.