Egypt has officially rolled out its new digital visa-on-arrival process.
Since August 1, 2026, eligible travelers have been able to obtain a QR code before going through border control at Cairo International Airport. The code replaces the visa sticker traditionally purchased in the airport’s arrivals area.
The service is available through the official visa-on-arrival portal: apps.visaonarrival.gov.eg, as well as through the mobile app on the App Store, Google Play and AppGallery. Travelers can also use the self-service kiosks installed in the arrival halls at Cairo International Airport after landing.
Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has confirmed that the launch marks the first pilot phase of the program. For now, the system is available in all arrival halls at Cairo International Airport.
A QR code available before or on arrival
On the portal, travelers must first select their nationality and airport of arrival. At this stage of the rollout, Cairo International Airport, listed under the airport code “CAI,” is the only available option.
Travelers must then provide a valid email address to receive the QR code. The code can also be downloaded and saved on a phone, and there is no requirement to print it.
“Simplifying entry procedures is one of the main ways to improve the quality of services provided to visitors and strengthen Egypt’s competitiveness as a tourist destination,” said Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s minister of tourism and antiquities.
Fathy added that the pilot phase would allow authorities “to assess the effectiveness of the new system and evaluate its performance in practice” before gradually expanding it to other airports and entry points across the country.
Egypt’s digital visa on arrival costs $36
The digital visa on arrival costs a total of $36 per traveler.
The amount includes:
- a $30 visa fee;
- a $6 service fee for issuing the QR code.
Payment can only be made electronically using a Visa or Mastercard. Travelers can purchase several QR codes in a single transaction for accompanying passengers, but each person must have an individual code.
Egypt’s visa-on-arrival fee has been set at $30 since March 1, 2026. Using the new digital process therefore adds a $6 service charge.
The QR code is valid for seven days
Each QR code is valid for seven days from the date and time it is issued. It can only be used once and is valid for one traveler.
Travelers should therefore complete the process during the week before arriving in Cairo, while allowing enough time in case their flight is delayed or rescheduled.
Once payment has been completed, the information entered in the application can no longer be changed.
The QR code does not guarantee entry into Egypt
Despite being described as a digital visa on arrival, the process is not a preapproved travel authorization comparable to an e-Visa issued before departure.
The service primarily covers payment of the visa fee and issuance of the QR code. Travelers must then present the code to a passport control officer, who will verify it and complete the admission process.
Travelers remain responsible for confirming that they are eligible for a visa on arrival. Receiving a QR code does not prevent Egyptian border authorities from approving or denying entry.
All payments are final and nonrefundable once authorized by the traveler’s bank, including when incorrect information has been provided, travel plans have changed or entry has been denied.
The new process should not be confused with Egypt’s standard e-Visa, which requires an advance application and a decision before departure.
Paper visa stickers remain available during the pilot phase
The switch to QR codes is not yet mandatory for all travelers arriving in Cairo.
The ministry says the new digital system will temporarily operate alongside the traditional paper visa sticker process. This transition period is intended to allow authorities to test the platform and gradually introduce the new system.
No date has been announced for the permanent withdrawal of paper visa stickers. Travelers who do not wish to use the portal or who experience technical problems should therefore still be able to purchase a visa on arrival through the usual process during the pilot phase.
The system also remains limited to Cairo. Arrivals at other Egyptian airports, including Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, Marsa Alam, Luxor and Alexandria, are not yet supported by the portal.
VisasNews Take
This new service does not truly turn Egypt’s visa on arrival into an e-Visa. Its main purpose is to allow travelers to pay in advance and replace the traditional paper visa sticker with a QR code. For eligible travelers arriving in Cairo, the process may eliminate the need to stop at an airport bank counter. However, all information should be checked carefully before payment, since the code cannot be changed or refunded and admission remains subject to the final decision of the Egyptian authorities.
