Navigating Egyptian Visas: On Arrival vs. E-Visa – Our Personal Journey

Need a visa for Egypt? Discover whether a Visa on Arrival or an eVisa is right for you with our personal experience and essential travel tips for a seamless journey.

Planning a trip to Egypt can be both exciting and a bit daunting, especially when it comes to handling visa requirements. Just two days before my partner and I flew to Egypt last month for a wedding, I realised we needed to secure our visas. Naturally, we were anxious about whether we'd be allowed entry smoothly. Here’s what we learned about obtaining a visa to Egypt, whether on arrival or in advance.

Do you need a Visa?

Some nationalities do not require an e-Visa for Egypt. For instance, travellers from Lebanon and Saudi Arabia are exempt. To check if your country is eligible for an exemption, visit the official Egypt e-Visa website.

E-Visa vs. Visa on Arrival

For those who need a visa, such as Europeans and Americans, Egypt offers two primary ways to obtain a visa: Visa on Arrival and E-Visa. The best option for you depends on your nationality and travel plans.

E-Visa

Cost: $25 (you can also pay in euros, and you might receive some change in Egyptian currency since euros are slightly stronger than the dollar).
Processing Time: Apply at least 5 days in advance, but 10 days is recommended to avoid any last-minute issues.
Benefits: Avoids queues at the airport and provides peace of mind knowing your visa is secured before departure. The only way to apply for a visa for some nationalities (check here).

Visa on Arrival

Cost: $25 (also payable in euros, and you might receive some change in Egyptian currency since euros are slightly stronger than the dollar).
Processing Time: Generally quick, especially outside the peak tourist season (November to March).
Pros: Convenient for last-minute travellers or those who prefer not to handle the e-Visa application process.
Cons: Potential for longer waits during busy times or peak seasons, although the queue is usually manageable outside these periods.

When to Choose Which Option

Choose E-Visa if:

You are planning two or more weeks in advance.
You prefer having your visa sorted before travelling.
You want to avoid any uncertainties or delays at the airport.
You’re travelling during busier times and want to skip potential queues.
You are from a country with no Visa on Arrival option, such as many sub-Saharan African countries (check here)

Choose Visa on Arrival if:

You’re short on time and didn’t apply for an e-visa in advance.
You’re travelling during off-peak seasons when queues are shorter.
You prefer the flexibility of handling the visa process upon landing.
You are from a country eligible to apply for an Egyptian visa on arrival.

Urgent E-Visa Options: If you find yourself needing an e-visa urgently, some consulates offer expedited e-visa services for an additional fee. This option typically takes at least 2 days but can provide greater comfort and reduce waiting times at the airport.

Our Experience

Two days before our flight, the pressure was on. We weren’t sure if we should apply for the urgent e-visa or go for the Visa on Arrival. After weighing our options, we decided to go with the Visa on Arrival since our trip was imminent and we wanted to avoid the hassle of applying online last minute.

Before arriving at Cairo Airport, our flight distributed the landing card for immigration needed to get the visa on arrival, as it was a flight from Europe with Aegean Airlines (you can read about the flight experience here). The card only asked basic questions, such as your name, passport number, where you are staying, and purpose of stay (tourism). I recommend you bring a pen, as the air staff only had one. Upon arrival, the process was smooth, as we went outside the peak season. Paying in euros worked out well, and we appreciated receiving some change in Egyptian pounds, making the process even more convenient. When you arrive, simply go to an Egyptian bank kiosk in the arrivals hall, hand over your payment, and receive a visa sticker to place in your passport. While the official recommendation is to bring two official passport-sized photos of yourself, we were not asked for any additional forms, photos, or questions—making it a straightforward process.

Tips for a Smooth Visa Process

Check Your Eligibility: Verify if your country requires an e-Visa or if you’re exempt by visiting the official Egypt e-Visa website.
Plan Ahead: If possible, apply for an e-Visa at least 5 days in advance, or 10 days to be safe.
Consider Peak Seasons: During high tourist seasons, opting for an e-Visa can save you from long queues, but it may also take longer to be accepted (up to 10 days).
Bring the Right Payment at Visa on Arrival: While both dollars and euros are accepted, local staff may prefer dollars. That said, we had no problems with euros and would do it again.
Explore Urgent E-Visa Options: If you’re in a rush, check if your local consulate offers expedited e-visa services.
Prepare Necessary Documents: Whether applying online or on arrival, ensure you have all required documents ready, including your passport valid for at least six months (and any supporting materials, such as a photo. We were not asked for this).
Upon leaving Egypt, you will have to fill a similar form, but this time you won't need to get a visa sticker, just need to give the form to the border control at the airport.

Whether you choose to apply for an e-visa in advance or opt for the convenience of a Visa on Arrival, being informed and prepared can make the process seamless. Our experience was smooth, and we were able to focus on enjoying the wedding and the pyramids without any visa-related worries.

Disclosure: We paid for our trip and received no compensation for this review. This post is based on our personal experience and is not officially reviewed by official authorities. Therefore, some details may be subject to inaccuracies.