Can everyone get an Egyptian visa-on-arrival at Cairo airport?
VOA is available for ~80 nationalities (US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Japan, Korea, GCC, etc.) — but many African, Asian, and Middle Eastern nationalities need advance e-visa or consular visa.
The truth
Egypt's Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) at airports + Sharm El-Sheikh + Hurghada + Marsa Alam land borders applies to ~80 nationalities: most of Europe (EU + Switzerland + Norway + Iceland + UK), the US, Canada, Australia, NZ, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, GCC states (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman — visa-free), several Latin American (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico — VOA). Single-entry VOA: USD $25, 30 days. Multiple-entry VOA: USD $60, 30-90 days depending on origin. Visa-required nationalities: most of Africa (excluding GCC + Maghreb states), most of Asia (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Philippines, etc.), most of Eastern Europe + post-Soviet space, all of Caribbean except a few. For visa-required nationals, Egypt offers: e-Visa via visa2egypt.gov.eg (USD $25, applied 7+ days before travel, valid for 90 days from issue) for ~75 nationalities, OR consular visa at Egyptian embassy in country of residence for others. Special arrangements: Sharm El-Sheikh / Red Sea Riviera entry with Sinai-only stamp (free, 14 days, restricted to Sinai resort areas — does not allow travel to Cairo / Luxor / Aswan). For longer stays: Tourist Residence Permit (renewable up to 6 months), Student Visa, Work Permit (employer-sponsored via Ministry of Labour), Investor Visa (USD $1M+ investment), Property-based residence (proven property purchase USD $50k+).
Why this rumour persists
Travel guides + booking sites often headline 'Egypt visa-on-arrival for $25' without the nationality caveats. Plus Egypt's tourism authority promotes the VOA route to maximise tourist arrivals.
What to actually do
- Check eligibility on the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs site OR via the e-Visa portal visa2egypt.gov.eg
- If eligible for VOA, prepare USD $25 cash (USD payment expected at airport) + passport with 6+ months validity
- If not eligible for VOA, apply for e-Visa via visa2egypt.gov.eg at least 7 days before travel
- For Sinai-only travel (Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba), free 14-day Sinai stamp available — but no Cairo / Nile Valley travel
- For long-stay or work, apply for the appropriate residence category at the Mogamma El Tahrir or local immigration office in Cairo
- VOA visas can be extended 60 days at local immigration office (Mogamma + regional offices) — no overstay charge if extension requested before expiry