🇺🇸United States

🇪🇬EgyptUS-EG

United States to Egypt visa requirements

Q: Should I get the e-Visa or visa on arrival?

The e-Visa is recommended because you secure it online in advance and skip airport queues. Visa on arrival works at Egyptian airports for tourist stays but requires exact USD cash and can involve waiting.

Q: How much does the Egypt e-Visa cost?

The official e-Visa FAQ lists USD 30 for a single-entry tourist e-Visa and USD 65 for a multiple-entry tourist e-Visa, paid online by card.

Q: How long can I stay in Egypt?

The State Department describes the standard tourist visa on arrival as a renewable single-entry 30-day tourist visa. The Sinai-only permission is limited to 14 days and only the Sinai Peninsula.

Q: Which website is the official one?

Only visa2egypt.gov.eg. The State Department warns that many lookalike sites charge double - avoid them.

Q: What are the passport requirements?

Your US passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and have at least one blank page.

Q: Can I enter at Taba from Israel and continue to Cairo or Giza?

Do not rely on the free Sinai-only permission for that itinerary. The State Department says it is valid only in the Sinai Peninsula; for travel throughout Egypt, arrange the proper tourist visa.

US ordinary passport holders need a visa for Egypt. The official e-Visa is available before travel (USD 30 single-entry tourist e-Visa, USD 65 multiple-entry), and a 30-day tourist visa on arrival is also available at Egyptian airports for about USD 30 in exact cash. US ordinary passport holders cannot enter Egypt visa-free for general tourism. Egypt's official e-Visa portal lists the United States of America among nationalities eligible to apply online, and its FAQ lists tourist e-Visa fees of USD 30 for single entry and USD 65 for multiple entries. The portal requires a passport valid for at least six months from arrival, an e-Visa printout, travel itinerary, and tourist accommodation details; the Egyptian Embassy in Washington also states that passport applications need at least six months validity on arrival and an empty visa page. The U.S. Department of State confirms that U.S. citizens must have a visa to enter Egypt, warns that visa2egypt.gov.eg is the only official e-Visa source, and says U.S. citizens may obtain a renewable single-entry 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Egyptian airports for about USD 30 in exact USD cash. A visa does not guarantee entry, and work or study visas must be arranged before travel. A narrow Sinai exception applies at the Israel/Taba route: travelers without a full visa may receive a free 14-day permission valid only in the Sinai Peninsula; it does not cover Cairo, Giza, Luxor, or the rest of Egypt, and travelers seeking the 30-day all-Egypt visa there may need a travel-agency support letter.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-20

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →United States (Green Card)Living in United States as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-20

Visa type

e-Visa (online) or Visa on Arrival

Maximum stay

30 days for the standard tourist visa; 14 days for Sinai-only permission

per entry

Entries

Single-entry tourist visa on arrival; single or multiple-entry e-Visa

from issue date

Visa fee

USD 30 (single-entry e-Visa)

consular fee only

Processing time

Apply online before travel or obtain the airport visa on arrival

standard track

Validity

Passport must be valid at least 6 months from arrival

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm passport validity

Ensure your US passport is valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date in Egypt and has at least one blank page for stamps.

· 6 months validity· 1 blank page

/02

Go to the official e-Visa portal

Open visa2egypt.gov.eg and create an account. Avoid third-party sites that charge inflated fees - the State Department warns many imitation sites exist.

· visa2egypt.gov.eg· Official only

/03

Complete the application and upload documents

Enter your personal and travel details and upload a clear copy of your passport bio page. Select single-entry or multiple-entry.

· Passport scan· Travel details

/04

Pay the visa fee

Pay by credit or debit card: USD 30 for single-entry or USD 65 for multiple-entry tourist e-Visa.

· USD 30 single· USD 65 multiple

/05

Receive and print the e-Visa

After approval, download and print the e-Visa from your account. Carry the printout, itinerary, and hotel or host details for arrival inspection.

· Print copy· Carry itinerary

/06

Use visa on arrival only when appropriate

If you do not pre-apply, the State Department says a 30-day tourist visa on arrival is available at Egyptian airports for about USD 30 in exact USD cash. For Taba/Israel entry, do not rely on the free Sinai-only stamp if your trip goes beyond Sinai.

· Exact USD cash· Sinai limit

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

United States -> Egypt · e-Visa (online) or Visa on Arrival

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredUS passport valid 6+ months from arrival

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredAt least one blank passport page

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredApproved e-Visa printout (or cash for visa on arrival)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredPassport bio-page scan for online application

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredCredit/debit card for online fee payment

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredTravel itinerary and hotel/accommodation details

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RecommendedConfirmed return or onward ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

OptionalApprox. USD 30 in exact US cash (if using visa on arrival)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

optional

RequiredDo not use the free Sinai-only stamp for travel to Cairo, Giza, Luxor, or elsewhere in Egypt

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesEgypt e-Visa Portal - FAQ Egypt e-Visa Portal - How to Apply U.S. Department of State - Egypt Travel Advisory and Entry Requirements

Application link included: Egypt e-Visa Portal - FAQ

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Single-entry tourist e-VisaUSD 30Tourist e-Visa fee listed by the official portal

Multiple-entry tourist e-VisaUSD 65Multiple-entry tourist e-Visa fee listed by the official portal

Single-entry visa on arrivalApprox. USD 3030-day tourist visa paid in exact US cash at Egyptian airports

Sinai-only entry permissionUSD 0Free 14-day permission valid only in the Sinai Peninsula

Total estimateUSD 0 (Sinai-only) — USD 65incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

e-Visa (online)

Before travel

Create an account, apply, pay by card, then download and print the approved e-Visa from the official portal.

Visa on arrival

Same day at airport

Available at Egyptian airports for a 30-day tourist stay; pay about USD 30 in exact US cash before immigration.

Sinai-only permission

On arrival at eligible Sinai entry

Free 14-day permission is limited to the Sinai Peninsula and is not a substitute for a full Egypt tourist visa.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Tourism and sightseeing

Visiting the Giza pyramids, Nile cruises, Luxor, and Cairo - the most common reason US travelers visit Egypt.

High

/02

Red Sea beach resorts

Diving and beach holidays in Hurghada and South Sinai resorts such as Sharm El Sheikh.

High

/03

Visiting friends and relatives

Short personal visits to family or friends residing in Egypt.

Medium

/04

Business meetings and conferences

Short business trips; note a tourist e-Visa may not cover all business activities.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-06-21

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-20

Reviewed by Codex

Re-verified against Egypt's official e-Visa portal, the U.S. Department of State, and the Egyptian Embassy in Washington; refreshed sources, added checked-date, corrected the Sinai-only permission from 15 to 14 days, and clarified airport visa-on-arrival cash requirements.

2026-05-30

United States to Egypt route verified

Confirmed via the official visa2egypt.gov.eg portal and the US State Department advisory that US citizens need a visa. Verified the April 2026 fee update: single-entry e-Visa USD 30, multiple-entry USD 65.

/09 — The questions