If you wish to travel to Egypt shortly then you may know that it is necessary for you to hold an official visa that authorises you to embark for this country. In this article we will examine different types of visa available in detail and the procedure you need to complete to apply for and obtain this travel document. We will also give you information on the price of this document. In this way you are sure to have all the information you need to ensure your visa application is successful and your travel plans run smoothly.
Egypt e-visa application form: Key points
- The Egypt e-visa is an online procedure for obtaining a tourist visa before departure.
- The Egypt e-visa is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
- The price of an e-visa for Egypt is between €25 and €55, depending on processing and service charges.
- It takes an average of 6 working days to obtain an e-visa for Egypt.
Is it required to have an e-visa to travel to Egypt?
Is having an e-visa required for travel to Egypt? The answer to this question depends on the circumstances, but for the majority of travellers, obtaining an e-visa is now an essential step. The old procedure of obtaining a visa on arrival for certain citizens has been replaced by a modern and simplified system, allowing you to apply for a visa online.
Since 2017, Egypt has introduced the possibility of applying for an electronic visa (e-visa) for travellers from many countries. This system makes it possible to fill in a visa application directly on the internet, simplifying the administrative process. The Egyptian e-visa is intended for those wishing to stay in Egypt for tourism, business or transit purposes, and is valid for 30 days, with a single entry or multiple entries depending on the type of visa chosen.
Although it is possible to apply for a visa for Egypt online, it is important to note that in some situations a visa on arrival may still be issued, but this is no longer the norm. An e-visa is therefore strongly recommended, and in many cases is even required. The online application is made via the Egyptian government's official website or via a service provider's website, where travellers must fill in an electronic form providing personal and travel information, as well as supporting documents such as a copy of their passport and information about their stay in Egypt. Once the application has been submitted and approved, the visa is sent by email in the form of a PDF document, which simply needs to be printed and presented on entering the country.
One of the major advantages of this online system is the speed and convenience it offers. Rather than visiting a consulate or embassy, travellers can obtain their visa without leaving home. What's more, the procedure is generally faster than a traditional visa application, with e-visa processing taking just a few days. Application fees can be paid online, further simplifying the process.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. Citizens of certain countries may be exempt from the requirement to obtain a visa online and may enter Egypt without a visa or by obtaining a visa on arrival. It is therefore essential to check the requirements specific to your nationality before starting the procedure.
In conclusion, although applying for an e-visa to travel to Egypt is not necessary for everyone, it has become a widely preferred and sometimes essential option for many travellers. Obtaining a visa online is now the easiest and quickest way to visit this fascinating country.
The different types of online visa for Egypt
Egypt, a destination prized for its thousand-year-old history and emblematic monuments, offers different types of online visa for international travellers. Thanks to the digitisation of administrative procedures, applying for a visa online is now a quick and easy way to enter Egypt. These e-visas simplify the application process and reduce waiting times. Here is an overview of the different types of online visa available for travel to Egypt.
- The online tourist visa is undoubtedly the most commonly requested type of visa. It is intended for travellers who wish to visit Egypt for tourist purposes. This visa allows a stay of 30 days, with single or multiple entry. If you plan to visit several destinations in Egypt, a multiple-entry visa may be more advantageous, as it allows you to return to Egyptian territory several times during the same period of validity. The process for obtaining this visa is straightforward: simply complete an online form, upload the necessary documents (such as a copy of your passport) and pay the fee online.
- Another popular type of online visa is the business visa. This visa is intended for people travelling to Egypt for professional reasons, such as business meetings, conferences or commercial partnerships. Applying for this visa online requires additional information, such as a letter of invitation from an Egyptian company, in addition to personal details. The business visa also allows a 30-day stay, with single or multiple entry depending on the traveller's needs.
- For travellers transiting through Egypt, there is also a transit visa. This type of visa is intended for passengers passing through Egypt on their way to another country and wishing to stay in the country for a few hours or days. The transit visa is generally valid for a shorter period (up to 72 hours) and requires a stopover at an Egyptian airport. Again, the application procedure is entirely online, with minimal documentation requirements.
In summary, Egypt offers several types of online visa to suit the varied needs of travellers: tourist, business and transit visas. All these types of visa are accessible via an easy-to-use online platform, allowing travellers to avoid queues and begin their Egyptian adventure with complete peace of mind.
What other requirements need to be met for your trip to Egypt?
When preparing your trip to Egypt, there are certain requirements that must be met to ensure a smooth stay. These include a valid passport, a return ticket and appropriate travel insurance. Many of these formalities can be carried out online, making them much simpler to complete.
A passport is an essential document for all international travel, and Egypt is no exception. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your planned date of entry into Egypt. This is required for all travellers, regardless of the length of their stay. If your passport is due to expire soon, it is imperative that you renew it before you leave. Fortunately, in many countries, renewal can be initiated online, via dedicated government platforms, which considerably reduces the time and travel involved.
To enter Egypt, you are required to present a return ticket or, failing that, proof that you will be leaving the country before the end of your authorised stay. This is to ensure that you stay within the validity period of your visa or e-visa. When you apply for an e-visa online, you may also be asked to provide a copy of your flight bookings. Keep these documents handy, as they can be checked by the authorities when you arrive at the airport.
Although not always legally required, travel insurance is strongly recommended for any stay in Egypt and may be requested in certain specific cases, particularly if you are applying for a particular visa. Travel insurance generally covers medical expenses, emergencies and repatriation, offering peace of mind in the event of the unexpected. Many insurance companies allow you to take out cover online, tailoring it to your needs and length of stay. A copy of your insurance certificate may be required by the authorities, especially for health regulations or if you are visiting specific regions.
The e-visa service for Egypt and its numerous advantages:
As we explained earlier, obtaining a visa for Egypt previously required a visit to the Egyptian Embassy or consulate in your home country and the application procedure was generally long and complex. However, fairly recently the Egyptian government decided to create an e-visa service that greatly simplifies the administrative procedure and enables you to complete this visa application procedure rapidly online from the comfort of your own home.
This e-visa programme therefore enables you to complete the entire visa application procedure without visiting any authorities and directly through the internet. It is in fact a service available to citizens of 46 different countries of which the United Kingdom is of course one of them.
This e-visa is actually very similar to a visa obtained through the traditional procedure. It also is valid for a maximum of three months. We do recommend however that you complete and submit your e-visa application at least one full week before your departure date for Egypt.
Once you have obtained this e-visa you simply need to present a printed copy of it with your passport when you arrive and enter the country. Please note that you will also need to provide details relating to your accommodation in Egypt as well as your planned visit itinerary in this country.
As you may notice, the objective of the Egyptian government for implementing this e-visa service corresponds to the desire of the country to simplify the procedure for visitors as much as possible by using digital methods that are increasingly popular nowadays. The visa application procedure has thereby been greatly simplified which makes it more accessible to a greater number of visitors which in turn favours the tourism in Egypt.
How to proceed to obtain an online visa or e-visa for Egypt:
We will now examine more in detail the procedure to follow if you wish to obtain a visa for Egypt using the e-visa system. It should be remembered that this programme is an advantageous alternative to the classic paper visa and will authorise you to travel to Egypt under the same conditions. This is how to proceed with the completion of this visa application online in order to obtain this visa as rapidly as possible:
Firstly, you will need to visit a website that offers a visa application form for Egypt, preferably in your native language, such as the website we recommend on this page. Ensure you have your passport with you before you start the application procedure as your passport number will be requested. Various information will be requested on this application form and it is important you respond to all questions honestly and clearly.
You then simply need to pay the fees for the transfer and processing of your application online, using a credit or debit card through a secure server. You then have nothing else you need to do as you will receive your visa directly by email within just a few days.
