Egypt Visa
Requirements
Visa on Arrival, E Visa & “Sinai Only” Free Stamp.
Navigating Egypt visa requirements can be confusing when planning your trip to Egypt. Between “Sinai Only” stamps, E-Visas, and stickers at the airport, many tourists end up overpaying or waiting in unnecessary lines. We update our information directly from the ground at Sharm El Sheikh Airport to ensure you know exactly where to go, how much to pay, and how to avoid common “travel rep” traps.
The “Sinai Only” Free Stamp
How to get it:
If your trip is limited to Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, or Taba for less than 15 days, you do not need to pay for a visa. Instead of lining up at the bank kiosks, go straight to the immigration officer and clearly request the “Sinai Only” stamp. They will stamp your passport for free on the spot—no forms or arrival cards required anymore.
⚠️ Good to Know:
While it is technically possible to upgrade to a full sticker visa after you have already entered with the Sinai stamp, the process is a major hassle. It requires a trip to the local passport office. Instead of enjoying your vacation, you will likely spend an entire day dealing with paperwork and transportation, so it is much wiser to decide your needs before passing through immigration.
Egypt Visa on Arrival
How to get it:
As soon as you enter the arrival hall and before you reach the immigration desks, you will see several official bank windows (such as Banque Misr or National Bank of Egypt). Approach any window—there is no need to wait for a specific one. Simply hand over your passport and the $30 cash fee (ensure your bills are clean, crisp, and have no tears). The teller will give you a holographic visa sticker; you should peel it and place it on an empty page in your passport before joining the immigration line.
📌 Important:
This is the most common tourist trap at Sharm Airport. You will see representatives from various travel agencies standing in the hall, waving signs and shouting for passengers. They will offer to sell you the same visa sticker for $35 or more, claiming it’s a “service fee” or that they will help you skip the line. Ignore them. The official bank kiosks are only a few steps away, they have no queue most of the time, and they charge the honest government rate of $30. Go straight to the bank and save your money.
Egypt E Visa
Online Application:
To apply for an Egypt eVisa, visit the Official Egypt E-visa Portal. Choose your visa type (Single or Multiple entry), and pay the fee online. Once approved, you will receive the visa by email; you must print a physical copy to present at the airport. Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date.
Single-Entry:
Valid for one entry only. You can stay for up to 30 days. If you leave Egypt, the visa expires immediately.
Multiple-Entry:
Valid for 6 months. Allows you to enter and exit Egypt multiple times, with each individual stay capped at 30 days.
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