Egypt Launched a Digital Visa for Tourists on August 1: How the New System Works

Starting August 1, 2026, tourists arriving in Cairo can obtain a visa upon arrival in the form of a QR code. Learn more about the cost of the digital visa, the code’s validity period, and the restrictions of the new system

Order an insurance policy for safe travel to any part of the world

GET

Until August, tourists who applied for a visa upon arrival in Egypt had to purchase a paper visa sticker at the airport and affix it to their passport. Now, part of this procedure can be completed online: pay the fee, obtain a QR code, and present it along with your passport during border control.

The new system is currently operating in test mode only at Cairo International Airport. It does not change the rules for obtaining a visa upon arrival and does not guarantee entry, but it allows travelers to pay in advance and avoid lines at bank counters.

Travel insurance is a basic element of safe travel, which allows you to avoid significant expenses in case of unforeseen situations. It covers medical expenses, lost luggage, flight delays and other risks that may arise during the trip. This is especially true for popular tourist destinations where medical services can be expensive.

With Visit World, you can apply for insurance online in just a few minutes - quickly, conveniently and without unnecessary hassle. Apply for travel insurance now and travel with peace of mind!

How does the digital visa work upon arrival in Egypt?

The new system is available to passengers at all terminals of Cairo International Airport. It allows you to pay the visa fee in advance and receive a personalized QR code instead of a paper stamp in your passport.

You can apply for a digital visa:

- Through the official Visa on Arrival portal

- Through the Egypt Visa on Arrival mobile app

- At a self-service kiosk upon arrival in Cairo

Travelers must select their nationality and the CAI airport, enter the required information and an email address, and then complete payment. The QR code is sent to the email address provided; it can also be downloaded to a phone or printed.

During passport control, a border official will scan the code and verify the traveler’s passport. Each passenger, including children, needs a separate QR code. Up to 10 codes can be processed and paid for in a single session, which simplifies preparations for family or group trips.

In a previous article, we reported that Egypt updated the cost of tourist visas in 2026.

How much does a digital visa cost, and how long is the QR code valid?

Obtaining a digital visa upon arrival costs $36 per traveler. The total consists of two payments:

- $30 – visa fee

- $6 – fee for digital processing and QR code generation

Payment is made online using a Visa or Mastercard. Once the payment is confirmed, the submitted information cannot be changed, and the funds are non-refundable—even in the event of an error in the application, trip cancellation, or denial of entry.

The QR code is valid for seven days from the date of creation and can be used only once. This is the period during which the code must be presented at the airport, not the permitted length of stay in Egypt. Therefore, you should apply for it no earlier than one week before arrival.

Also read what types of visas exist, what requirements apply in different countries and how to prepare for travel in this material.

What should you consider before applying?

The digital QR code is available only to travelers who, under current regulations, are eligible to receive an Egyptian visa upon arrival. The launch of this service has not expanded the list of eligible nationalities nor waived other entry requirements.

It is important to note several details:

- The QR code is not a pre-approval to cross the border

- The final decision on entry is made by border control

- You must carefully verify your information before making payment

- Each code is linked to a single traveler and can be used only once

- The digital visa upon arrival should not be confused with the standard e-Visa, which is applied for and approved prior to travel

During the pilot phase at Cairo Airport, traditional paper visa stamps are still being sold. Therefore, tourists can currently choose between the digital option or the standard procedure upon arrival. Egyptian authorities have not yet announced a date for the complete phase-out of paper stamps.

A complete list of visa-free countries by passport, current terms of stay, new rules for entering Europe and practical advice for travelers in this article.

When will digital visas be available at other airports in Egypt?

Currently, the Visa on Arrival system with a QR code is available only to tourists arriving at Cairo International Airport. On the official application portal, only the airport with the code CAI is currently available for processing.

Passengers flying directly to Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Marsa Alam, Luxor, or Alexandria cannot yet use the new system. For them, the standard visa application rules continue to apply, depending on their citizenship, itinerary, and length of stay.

Once the testing phase is complete, the authorities plan to gradually expand the system to include other airports and border crossing points. The exact dates for this expansion have not yet been announced, so it is advisable to check the list of eligible airports on the official Visa on Arrival portal before traveling.

When planning a trip to Egypt, it is important to consider not only visa formalities, but also possible risks during the trip. Travel insurance will help avoid financial losses in the event of illness, injury, loss of luggage or flight delay. Given that even basic medical care abroad can be expensive, an insurance policy is actually becoming a necessity, not an option.

The policy can cover emergency medical care, hospitalization, evacuation, as well as unforeseen travel situations. It is important to carefully choose a package so that it matches the format of your trip - especially if you are planning an active vacation.

With Visit World, you can apply for travel insurance online in a few minutes, choosing the best option for your trip to Egypt.

Take care of your safety in advance - take out insurance before your trip.

We remind you! The United Kingdom is completing the transition period for the introduction of the electronic entry permit (ETA) system. From now on, travelers who fall under this requirement will not be able to enter the country without a permit. We have already talked about the new rules, the deadlines for issuing an ETA and important nuances for holders of dual citizenship.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline.