Entry Procedures
Visa and entry requirements depend on the country that issued your passport. The information here is general guidance. Always confirm the requirements for your own nationality with the official source.
This information is for general guidance only. Please verify with the embassy or official government sources before traveling.
Visa Requirements
Types of visas required and their conditions
Egypt commonly requires a visa for many nationalities. A visa on arrival and an e-Visa are available to eligible travelers, but rules depend on your nationality. Confirm with official Egyptian sources or the e-Visa portal before travel.
- Visa needed
- Required for many nationalities; depends on your passport
- Options
- Visa on arrival or e-Visa for eligible nationalities
- Passport validity
- Typically 6 months beyond entry
- Whether you need a visa, and whether you qualify for visa on arrival or the e-Visa, depends on your nationality.
- Always verify current requirements with the official Egypt e-Visa portal or an Egyptian embassy before you travel.
Passport Conditions
Required validity period and blank pages
Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry into Egypt and have blank pages for stamps. Keep a copy of the ID page separate from the original.
- Validity
- At least 6 months beyond entry
- Blank pages
- Enough free pages for entry stamps
- Backup
- Keep a photocopy or digital copy
- Ensure the passport is undamaged and has enough validity and blank pages before departure.
Required Documents & Pre-registration
Arrival cards, health declarations, and other preparations
Immigration may ask for proof of onward or return travel, confirmed accommodation, and sufficient funds for your stay. Have these ready to show on arrival.
- Onward/return ticket
- Proof of departure may be requested
- Accommodation
- Hotel booking or host details
- Funds
- Evidence of sufficient money for the trip
- Requirements vary by officer; keeping printed or digital copies makes entry smoother.
Pre-arrival procedure — Egypt e-Visa: an electronic visa for many nationalities; single or multiple entry, 30 days per stay. Fee about US$25 (single). Apply on the only official portal visa2egypt.gov.eg; the approved visa (QR) arrives by email in about 3-8 working days. A visa-on-arrival option exists for some nationalities. Beware paid look-alike sites.
Official Egypt e-Visa portal (visa2egypt.gov.eg)- Family name
- SMITH
- First / given name
- MICHAEL
- Nationality
- Your nationality (e.g. UNITED STATES)
- Passport No.
- A1234567
- Date of birth
- 1990-05-20
- Photo & passport bio page
- Upload a recent photo and the details page
- Date of arrival
- 2026-04-10
- Address in Egypt
- Hotel name & address (e.g. in Cairo)
How to apply
- 1 Open the official portal visa2egypt.gov.eg and create an account.
- 2 Fill the form: passport & personal details; choose single or multiple entry.
- 3 Upload your photo and passport bio page.
- 4 Review all entries and correct any errors.
- 5 Pay the fee by card and submit; note the reference.
- 6 Wait for the emailed approval (QR) and print it to show on arrival.
Visa need, fees, validity and entry options can change; confirm the current rules on the official portal before you travel.
Last updated: 2026-08-30
Cash Import Limits
Declaration-free limits and procedures for excess amounts
Foreign currency above the declaration threshold (commonly around US$10,000 equivalent) must be declared. Import and export of the Egyptian pound is restricted, so check current limits with Egyptian customs.
- Foreign currency
- Declare above ~US$10,000 equivalent
- Egyptian pound
- Import/export is restricted
- Verify
- Confirm current limits with customs
- Thresholds change; always confirm the latest cash declaration rules with official Egyptian customs before travel.
Duty-Free Allowances & Restricted Items
Limits on tobacco, alcohol, food, and other goods
Egypt allows duty-free personal allowances for a limited quantity of alcohol and tobacco. Goods over the allowance, or items brought for commercial purposes, may be taxed.
- Alcohol/tobacco
- Limited duty-free personal allowance
- Over allowance
- May be taxed at customs
- Personal use
- Commercial quantities are treated differently
- Allowances change; check the current duty-free limits with Egyptian customs before packing.
Prohibited Items
Items that are strictly forbidden from import
Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited with severe penalties. Exporting genuine antiquities is restricted — do not buy or take out real artifacts. Weapons are banned, and drones may require a permit.
- Drugs
- Strictly prohibited; severe penalties
- Antiquities
- Do not buy or export genuine artifacts
- Weapons/drones
- Weapons banned; drones may need a permit
- Egypt enforces drug and antiquities laws strictly; violations can lead to arrest and long prison terms.
Medication Import Rules
Rules for bringing prescription and over-the-counter drugs
Bring your prescription and a doctor’s letter for personal medicines. Some medicines, including certain painkillers and controlled drugs, are restricted — check with the Egyptian embassy before travel.
- Documentation
- Carry prescription and doctor’s letter
- Restricted
- Some painkillers/controlled drugs limited
- Verify
- Ask the Egyptian embassy in advance
- Keep medicines in original packaging with labels; confirm any restricted substances before you depart.
Vaccinations & Health Requirements
Required and recommended vaccines for entry
A yellow fever certificate may be required if you arrive from a country where yellow fever is endemic. Keep routine vaccines up to date and consult a travel clinic before your trip.
- Yellow fever
- Certificate if arriving from endemic areas
- Routine
- Keep standard vaccines up to date
- Advice
- Consult a travel clinic beforehand
- Requirements depend on your itinerary; a travel health professional can advise on recommended vaccines.
Immigration Process
Step-by-step guide from arrival to clearing immigration
Most visitors arrive at Cairo International Airport (CAI) or other airports. Have your passport, visa, and supporting documents ready, and keep your entry stamp safe for departure.
- Arrival
- Cairo (CAI) and other airports
- Documents
- Passport, visa, and supporting papers ready
- Entry stamp
- Keep it for your departure
- Follow signage to immigration and have everything accessible to speed up processing.
Tips for Smooth Entry
Practical advice for a hassle-free arrival
Carry small US dollar bills in case you need a visa on arrival, write down your hotel address for immigration forms, and allow extra time for immigration queues.
- Cash
- Small USD bills for visa on arrival if applicable
- Address
- Write down your hotel address
- Time
- Allow extra time at immigration
- Having exact fees ready and your details written down helps you move through arrival smoothly.