Egypt entry requirements for United Kingdom passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 31, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
If you hold a British passport, you can get a visa on arrival in Egypt – no need to arrange one before you travel. You’ll be stamped in for up to 30 days, and the process at major airports is quick and straightforward.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival Visa on arrival | British passport holders can get a 30-day single-entry visa on arrival at Egyptian airports (Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Luxor). Cost is $25 USD in cash (exact change preferred). You'll fill in a landing card on the plane and queue at the bank counter before immigration.Check eVisa portal | Required |
| Valid passport Passport validity | Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry into Egypt. Airlines check this at check-in — if you're under 6 months, you'll be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Return ticket | Immigration officers routinely ask for proof of onward travel. Have a printed or digital copy of your return flight or onward ticket ready. Budget airlines flying into Egypt are especially strict about this. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking | Carry a printed hotel confirmation or a booking on your phone. Immigration may ask where you're staying, especially if you're arriving without a pre-booked tour. | Recommended |
Cash only at visa desk
The visa-on-arrival counter takes cash only – no cards, no mobile payments. ATMs are scarce before immigration, so bring $25 USD (or £20/€23) in clean notes.
Visa on arrival is straightforward
Don’t worry – this isn’t a complicated process. Thousands of British travellers do it every year. Just follow the signs to the visa desk, pay, stick the sticker, and go to passport control.
What happens at the border
1
Queue at the visa purchase desk
After landing, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' desks (usually before passport control). Hand over your passport and $25 USD cash – you get a small sticker.
2
Affix the sticker and proceed to immigration
Peel the sticker and place it on a blank page in your passport. Then join the passport control queue – present your passport with the sticker; no extra forms needed.
3
Collect luggage and exit
Once stamped, you’re free to collect your bags and enter Egypt. The whole process takes 15–30 minutes at normal times.
Download Egypt Entry Checklist
PDF · United Kingdom Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 31, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry) – pre-arranged
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
CostUSD 25 (USD 25)
Can be obtained online via official eVisa portal or at Egyptian embassy. Allows one entry.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable 30 days
Validity6 months from issue date
CostUSD 60 (USD 60)
Available via eVisa or embassy. Good for multiple visits within validity.
Long-stay visa (e.g., work or study)
Max stayVaries by permit
ValidityUp to 1 year
CostVaries (approx. USD 100–300)
Requires sponsorship from employer or institution in Egypt. Apply at Egyptian embassy.
retirement visa
Egypt Retirement Visa (Temporary Residence)
1 year, renewable annually
~USD 500 / year (including fees)
For retirees aged 60+ with proof of pension or sufficient funds. Requires annual renewal and health insurance. Allows long-term stay without leaving.
work visa
Egypt Work Visa (Employment Visa)
1 year, renewable
~USD 200–500 (employer-sponsored)
For those with a job offer from an Egyptian company. Requires work permit and residency registration. Allows multiple entries.
investor visa
Egypt Investor Visa (Residency by Investment)
1 year, renewable
~USD 1,000+ (depending on investment)
For investors who invest in Egyptian real estate or business. Minimum investment varies. Provides residency and potential citizenship path.
student visa
Egypt Student Visa (Study Visa)
1 year, renewable per academic year
~USD 100–200 (plus tuition)
For those enrolled in an Egyptian university or language program. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds. Allows part-time work.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on arrival (single entry)Payable in cash (USD, EUR, GBP) at airport bank kiosks before immigration. | USD 25 (USD 25) |
| Overstay fine per dayMaximum cap not specified; pay at immigration office before departure. | EGP 100 (~USD 3.30) per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Egypt
No transit visa needed
UK passport holders transiting through Egyptian airports do not need a visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. For land or sea transit, a visa may be required.
Airside transitAllowed
Exceptions & conditions
- Transit without visa is allowed for up to 48 hours if holding a confirmed onward ticket.
Transit hubsCairo International Airport (CAI) · Hurghada International Airport (HRG) · Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH)
Health & vaccines for Egypt
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission (e.g., parts of Africa or South America).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, influenza)Essential
Health risks
Traveler's diarrheaHigh risk
Common due to food and water contamination. Drink bottled water and avoid street food.
SchistosomiasisModerate risk
Risk from swimming in fresh water (Nile, canals). Avoid swimming in untreated water.
Dengue feverLow risk
Mosquito-borne, mainly in urban areas. Use insect repellent.
Malaria risk: low
Risk is low in most tourist areas (Cairo, Luxor, Red Sea resorts). Prophylaxis not routinely recommended but consider for rural Nile Delta or desert areas.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Cairo
Egyptian Passport and Immigration Office (Cairo)
Al Abageyah, Qasr El Nil, Cairo Governorate
Sun–Thu 08:00–14:00
For visa extensions, bring passport, 2 passport photos, and proof of funds. Expect processing time of 1–3 days.
Alexandria
Alexandria Passport and Immigration Office
El Horreya Road, Bab Sharqi, Alexandria
Sun–Thu 08:00–14:00
Less crowded than Cairo; same requirements.
Practical information for GB travellers
Country basics
CapitalCairo
LanguageArabic
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceIDP required alongside US license.
Money
CurrencyEgyptian Pound (EGP)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 51.94 EGP
Time zone
Local timeUTC+2
vs New York+7h (EST) / +6h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+10h (PST) / +9h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C, F — US plugs do not fit. Bring a European/universal adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Do not drink tap water. Use sealed bottled water.
Emergency numbers
Getting to Egypt
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Egypt — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
Usually 30 days from the date of entry. You can extend once at a local passport office for another 30 days – cost around 1000 EGP, but plan a morning in Cairo or Alexandria for the paperwork.
No – only at certain airports and seaports. Major airports like Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Luxor, and Marsa Alam all have the desk. Land borders (e.g., Taba, Rafah) do not offer visa on arrival for UK passport holders – you’d need an e‑visa or embassy visa.
Yes – the Egyptian e‑visa (visa2egypt.gov.eg) costs about $25 USD plus a processing fee. It’s valid for 30 days and you can apply online before you go. Some travellers prefer it to avoid queues, but visa on arrival is cheaper and equally accepted.
You only need one blank page for the visa sticker. If your passport has zero blank pages, you’ll be refused entry – get a new passport before travel.
If you stay airside and your connecting flight leaves within 48 hours, you don’t need a visa. If you plan to leave the airport even for a few hours, you must get a visa on arrival.
Yes – the visa desk usually accepts GBP (£20) and EUR (€23) as well as USD. But USD is easiest – have clean notes. Cards are not accepted at the desk.
There’s a fine of 100 EGP per day overstayed. Pay it at the airport’s customs office before departure – they’ll stamp your passport and you can leave. Avoid delaying – fines can add up.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 31, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.