On November 30, 2025, the Egyptian presidency published in the Official Gazette a new law amending the taxes applied to certain consular services.
The text notably authorizes the possibility of imposing “a tax not exceeding twenty U.S. dollars, or the equivalent in foreign currencies abroad, on every entry or transit visa issued by Egyptian authorities at points of entry, as well as on every visa or consular act processed by the embassies and consulates of the Arab Republic of Egypt abroad.”
The decree, signed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, states that the law takes effect “the day after its publication,” meaning December 1, 2025.
However, no changes have been observed on the ground.
According to information shared by our readers who recently arrived in Egypt, along with reports posted on travel forums, the fee for a single-entry visa on arrival remains set at USD 25. The same applies to visa applications submitted to Egyptian embassies and to electronic visa (e-Visa) requests. Likewise, the fee for a multiple-entry visa remains USD 60.
Despite this, several media outlets have reported that the visa fee has already increased to USD 45, an assertion that does not reflect the current reality.
Egypt : Tax or visa fee increase ? A text open to interpretation
Although the law mentions a fee of “up to USD 20,” it does not explicitly state that this amount would be added to the USD 25 currently charged.
The legislative text also does not clarify whether this represents a direct increase in visa fees, a separate fee applied to certain procedures, or simply a legal cap that would not necessarily be enforced. This lack of clarity only adds to the confusion surrounding the measure, especially since no official communication has yet outlined how or when it would be implemented.
It is worth noting that the possibility of an increase in visa fees had already been a topic of debate even before the text appeared in the Official Gazette.
On November 2, 2025, the Egyptian Parliament approved the draft law submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But as early as November 11, the Egyptian Federation of Tourism Chambers voiced its concerns in a letter to Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy. The federation called for urgent intervention, arguing that any increase in visa fees could make Egypt less competitive compared to rival destinations, deter tourist arrivals, and undermine the sector’s recovery after several challenging years.
This reaction highlights how sensitive the issue is in a country where tourism remains a major pillar of the economy.
In this still-evolving context, travelers are advised to regularly check information published by Egyptian authorities, contact an Egyptian diplomatic mission if they have any doubts, and rely on trustworthy expert sources (like VisasNews 😊) to stay informed about potential updates.
