Practical Info
Visa & Entry Requirements
Everything You Need Before You Travel
Egyptian visa rules are simpler than they first appear, but the details matter. Whether you need a visa, where you get it, and how much it costs depends on your nationality, how long you're staying, and where exactly you plan to go. Let's break it down without the confusing bits.
The most important thing to know upfront: most visitors to Sharm El Sheikh can get a visa on arrival at the airport. It's quick, it's straightforward, and it covers the vast majority of travelers. But there are exceptions and alternatives worth understanding before you board your flight.
Visa Options at a Glance
The standard option for most travelers. Buy the visa sticker at the airport before passport control. Valid for 30 days across all of Egypt. Pay in cash — dollars, euros, or pounds sterling preferred.
Available to some nationalities staying exclusively in the Sinai Peninsula. Covers Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba, and Taba. If you plan to visit Cairo, Luxor, or anywhere beyond Sinai, this stamp won't work — get the full visa instead.
Apply before you travel through Egypt's official e-visa portal. Processing takes up to 7 business days. Saves time at the airport. Print a copy and bring it with you. Double-check you're on the official government site — there are convincing-looking copycats.
Useful if you're planning to leave and re-enter Egypt during your trip — for example, crossing to Jordan or Israel and coming back. Available on arrival and via e-visa. Saves the cost of multiple single-entry visas.
Who Gets What: Nationality Guide
Egypt offers visa-free entry to citizens of several countries, mostly in the Middle East and parts of Africa. If you hold a passport from Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, or the UAE, you can walk straight through without paying for a visa. Same applies to Hong Kong and Macau passport holders.
For UK, EU, US, Canadian, Australian, and most Asian passport holders, the visa on arrival is your standard route. The $25 USD fee applies uniformly across these nationalities. There's no distinction in pricing or process.
Some nationalities need to arrange a visa before traveling — this mainly applies to certain African and Asian countries. If you're unsure about your specific situation, the safest move is to check with the Egyptian embassy or consulate in your home country at least two weeks before departure.
Visa on Arrival: Step by Step
You've landed at Sharm Airport. Here's exactly what happens next:
Step 1: Before you reach passport control, look for the bank counters on the right-hand side. They're clearly marked and impossible to miss — there's usually a queue. Hand over $25 USD (or equivalent in euros or pounds) and you'll receive a small visa sticker.
Step 2: Peel the sticker and affix it to a blank page in your passport. Don't hand it to the officer separately — they want to see it already in place. Pro tip: the stickers don't always have great adhesive. Press firmly.
Step 3: Fill out the arrival card (usually handed out on the plane or available on a table near passport control). You'll need your passport number, flight number, and the address of where you're staying. Hotel name is fine — doesn't need to be the full street address.
Step 4: Proceed to passport control. Hand over your passport with the visa sticker and the completed arrival card. The officer may ask about your stay — where you're going, how long — and will stamp your passport.
That's it. The whole process usually takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how many flights landed at the same time.
If you're absolutely certain you won't leave the Sinai Peninsula and you're staying 15 days or fewer, the free Sinai stamp can save you $25. But plans change. Someone at your hotel mentions a day trip to Cairo. Friends you meet decide to visit Luxor. Suddenly your free stamp is a problem. For the price of a decent dinner, the full tourist visa removes that risk entirely. Our advice? Pay the $25 and travel freely.
Need to Stay Longer? Visa Extensions
Tourist visas are valid for 30 days. If you want to extend, you'll need to visit the Passport and Immigration Office. The main office for Sharm is located in Hadaba, not far from the Old Market. Take your passport, a passport photo, and patience — Egyptian bureaucracy moves at its own pace. Extensions typically grant an additional 30 days and cost around 1,000 EGP, though fees can change.
Overstaying is not recommended. You'll face a fine at the airport when departing, and in some cases, the process can hold you up long enough to miss your flight. If you think you might stay beyond 30 days, sort the extension early — don't wait until the last day.
Quick Reference: What to Bring
| 💵 Cash | $25 USD (or equivalent) in crisp, undamaged notes for the visa fee. They don't accept cards at the visa counter. |
| 🖊️ Pen | A basic ballpoint for filling out the arrival card. Small thing, huge convenience. |
| 🏨 Hotel Address | Name of your hotel or resort. Full street address not required. |
| 📋 Passport | Valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date. At least one completely blank page for the visa sticker. |
| 📄 Flight Info | Flight number for the arrival card. Your boarding pass has it if you forget. |
| 📸 Passport Photo | Only needed if you're applying for an extension. Not required for the initial visa on arrival. |
Rules change. What was true last year may have shifted by the time you travel. The Egyptian government occasionally updates visa policies — sometimes with little notice. Check with your airline or the Egyptian embassy website a week before departure. It takes five minutes and could save you real stress at the airport.
Ready to Book?
Now that the paperwork is sorted, it's time to plan the fun part. Explore our guides to Sharm's best attractions and experiences.
Explore Sharm →