Egypt Visa Requirements by Country: 2026 Hurghada Guide

Last verified: May 2026.

Q1: Do I need a visa to visit Hurghada in 2026? A1: Most travelers need a tourist visa to enter Hurghada in 2026. Eligible passports can buy a cash, 30-day Visa on Arrival at Hurghada International Airport (HRG), while non-eligible passports must use Egypt’s official e-visa portal or apply through an Egyptian embassy before travel ([GOV.UK](http://gov.uk/); U.S. Department of State, 2026).

Q2: How much does an Egypt tourist visa cost in 2026? A2: Egypt’s official e-visa FAQ lists US$25 for a single-entry tourist e-visa and US$60 for a multiple-entry tourist e-visa, while UK and US travel advice currently describe Visa on Arrival kiosks at about US$30 cash. Recheck the official fee screen before payment because airport and portal fees can change.

Q3: Can I get an Egypt visa on arrival in Hurghada? A3: Yes, if your passport is eligible for Egypt’s Visa on Arrival list. UK, EU, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Japanese, South Korean, Russian, Ukrainian, and several other passports can buy a cash visa sticker at the bank kiosk before passport control at HRG ([GOV.UK](http://gov.uk/); U.S. Department of State, 2026).

Q4: What is the Sinai-only entry permit? A4: The Sinai-only permit is a free short-stay entry permission for eligible travelers staying within the South Sinai resort zone, including Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, and Taba. It does not cover Hurghada, Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, or Red Sea mainland itineraries ([GOV.UK](http://gov.uk/), 2026).

Q5: How long must my passport be valid to enter Egypt? A5: Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from your Egypt entry date and have at least 1 blank visa page. Airlines can deny boarding before departure if Timatic shows insufficient validity, even when the trip is only 7 days (IATA Timatic, 2026).

Q6: What happens if I overstay my Egypt visa? A6: Egypt can collect overstay fines at airport immigration before departure. Fine amounts and grace-period handling are not consistently published and can change, so confirm with the Passport, Immigration and Nationality Administration before relying on any unofficial figure.

Q7: Can I extend my Egypt tourist visa from Hurghada? A7: Yes. Tourists in Hurghada can apply at the Passport & Immigration Office on Sheraton Road with a passport, entry-stamp copy, hotel proof, 2 passport photos, and local fee stamps; early arrival before 10:00 usually avoids the longest queues.

Direct Answer

Egypt visa requirements 2026 vary by passport: most Hurghada visitors need a tourist visa, with eligible nationalities buying a cash 30-day Visa on Arrival at Hurghada International Airport (HRG) or applying online for an e-visa, while passports not eligible for VOA or e-visa need an embassy visa before flying. The Sinai-only permit is not valid for Hurghada.

Quick Summary

• Fastest route for eligible passports: buy the cash Visa on Arrival at the Hurghada airport bank kiosk before passport control.

• Best pre-trip route: apply at [visa2egypt.gov.eg](http://visa2egypt.gov.eg/) at least 7 working days before departure.

• Passport rule: 6 months of validity from entry date plus 1 blank visa page.

• Sinai-only permit: free for 15 days, but valid only in South Sinai — not Hurghada.

• Embassy visa: required for many South Asian, African, and some Middle Eastern passports before boarding.

• Overstay risk: fines may be collected before departure; confirm current enforcement before relying on any grace period.

• Local rule of thumb: if your holiday includes Hurghada, Cairo, Luxor, Orange Bay, Giftun, or any Red Sea mainland transfer, use the standard Egypt tourist visa.

How Egypt Visa Requirements Work in 2026

Egypt uses 4 main tourist entry routes: visa-free entry, Visa on Arrival, e-visa, and embassy visa. The route is primarily based on passport nationality, with some conditional cases depending on residence permits, passport class, or entry point ([GOV.UK](http://gov.uk/); U.S. Department of State, 2026).

Entry Route	Typical Fee	Typical Validity	Best For	Main Risk
Visa-free entry	US$0	Up to 90 days	Eligible exempt passports	Airline check-in staff still verify passport conditions
Visa on Arrival	About US$30 cash	30 days	Eligible travelers landing at HRG	Cash only at the bank kiosk
Single-entry e-visa	US$25	30 days after entry	Travelers who want approval before flying	Approval can take 7 working days
Multiple-entry e-visa	US$60	180 days from issue	Travelers entering Egypt 2+ times	Still limited to 30 days per visit
Embassy visa	Varies by embassy	Set by embassy	Passports not eligible for VOA/e-visa	Appointments and processing can take 10–15 working days

The four entry tracks

• Visa-free — eligible passports receive an entry stamp without paying a tourist visa fee.

• Visa on Arrival — eligible travelers pay the current cash fee at airport bank kiosks before passport control.

• E-visa — eligible travelers apply online at [visa2egypt.gov.eg](http://visa2egypt.gov.eg/), usually before departure.

• Embassy visa — non-eligible passports apply through an Egyptian embassy or consulate before travel.

Egypt Visa Requirements 2026 by Country

The table below covers 60 high-volume Hurghada source markets and common long-haul feeder markets. Fee cells are planning figures only: the official e-visa FAQ lists US$25/US$60, while UK and US travel advice currently cite about US$30 cash for Visa on Arrival. Visa policy can change without notice, so travelers should confirm their exact passport with the airline, the official e-visa portal, or the nearest Egyptian embassy before ticketing.

Country / Passport	Requirement	Fee	Max Tourist Stay	Recommended Route
United Kingdom	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	HRG kiosk for simple Hurghada holidays
Germany	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
France	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Italy	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Spain	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Netherlands	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Belgium	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Austria	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Switzerland	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Poland	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Czech Republic	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Slovakia	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Hungary	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Romania	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Bulgaria	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Greece	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Portugal	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Ireland	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Denmark	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Sweden	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Norway	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Finland	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Iceland	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Estonia	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Latvia	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Lithuania	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Slovenia	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Croatia	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Cyprus	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Malta	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Luxembourg	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
United States	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	E-visa if connecting through strict airline checks
Canada	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	E-visa or HRG VOA
Australia	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	E-visa for long-haul itineraries
New Zealand	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	E-visa for long-haul itineraries
Japan	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	E-visa or HRG VOA
South Korea	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	E-visa or HRG VOA
Russia	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Ukraine	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Belarus	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Serbia	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
North Macedonia	VOA or e-visa	US$25	30 days	VOA at HRG
Bahrain	Visa-free or simplified entry	US$0 typical	Up to 90 days	Confirm passport class before travel
Kuwait	Visa-free or simplified entry	US$0 typical	Up to 90 days	Confirm passport class before travel
Oman	Visa-free or simplified entry	US$0 typical	Up to 90 days	Confirm passport class before travel
Saudi Arabia	Visa-free or simplified entry	US$0 typical	Up to 90 days	Confirm passport class before travel
United Arab Emirates	Visa-free or simplified entry	US$0 typical	Up to 90 days	Confirm passport class before travel
Lebanon	Check before travel	Varies	Set at entry	Airline Timatic check or embassy confirmation
Jordan	Check before travel	Varies	Set at entry	Airline Timatic check or embassy confirmation
Hong Kong SAR	Check before travel	Varies	Set at entry	Airline Timatic check or embassy confirmation
Macao SAR	Check before travel	Varies	Set at entry	Airline Timatic check or embassy confirmation
Malaysia	Check before travel	Varies	Set at entry	Airline Timatic check or embassy confirmation
Turkey	Check before travel	Varies	Set at entry	Airline Timatic check or embassy confirmation
China	E-visa or embassy visa	US$25–US$60	30 days	Apply before travel
India	Embassy visa in most cases	US$60 typical	Set by visa	Egyptian embassy or consulate
Pakistan	Embassy visa in most cases	US$60 typical	Set by visa	Egyptian embassy or consulate
Bangladesh	Embassy visa in most cases	US$60 typical	Set by visa	Egyptian embassy or consulate
Nigeria	Embassy visa in most cases	US$60 typical	Set by visa	Egyptian embassy or consulate
South Africa	Embassy visa or pre-clearance	US$60 typical	Set by visa	Egyptian embassy or consulate

How to read the table

• VOA or e-visa — official e-visa fees and airport cash fees can differ; choose VOA for simple direct Hurghada arrivals and e-visa when an airline connection requires pre-clearance.

• Visa-free or simplified entry — confirm the exact passport type because rules can differ for ordinary, service, and diplomatic passports.

• Check before travel — use airline Timatic, the official e-visa portal, or the nearest Egyptian embassy before buying non-refundable flights.

• Embassy visa — allow 10–15 working days, plus extra time if the embassy asks for hotel proof, employer letters, or bank statements.

Visa on Arrival: Step-by-Step at Hurghada International

The Visa on Arrival process at HRG is simple: buy the sticker at the bank kiosk, attach it to your passport, then proceed to immigration. On normal charter-arrival waves, the visa step is often faster than baggage delivery, but the queue becomes slower when several late-night flights land together.

Walk from the aircraft or bus gate into arrivals and follow signs for “Visa” or “Bank.”

Join the bank-kiosk line before passport control.

Pay the current cash fee per traveler; UK and US travel advice currently cite about US$30, so carry exact US$ bills when possible.

Check that the bank teller gives you the visa sticker and payment receipt.

Place the sticker on a blank passport page or hand it loose to the immigration officer.

Present passport, visa sticker, hotel name, and return-flight details at passport control.

Confirm the entry stamp date before leaving the desk.

Collect luggage, pass customs, and meet your transfer in the arrivals hall.

Cash tips for the HRG counter

• Bring the current cash fee in clean US$ notes per traveler; torn, marked, or very old bills can be refused.

• Keep EUR €25 or GBP £20 only as a backup because exchange handling varies by bank counter.

• Do not rely on card payment at the visa kiosk; use cash first, ATM second.

• If 2 or more charter flights arrive between 01:30 and 04:30, one person should queue while another prepares passports and exact cash.

• Keep the receipt until hotel check-in; some hotels copy the visa page and entry stamp at reception.

E-Visa Application Guide ([visa2egypt.gov.eg](http://visa2egypt.gov.eg/))

Egypt’s official e-visa portal is [visa2egypt.gov.eg](http://visa2egypt.gov.eg/). The official FAQ lists US$25 for a single-entry tourist e-visa and US$60 for a multiple-entry e-visa; third-party visa sites often charge higher service fees for the same underlying application, and travelers should recheck the portal fee screen before payment.

Document / Detail	Required Format	Common Rejection Trigger	Fix Before Upload	Time Needed
Passport scan	Color image of bio page	Cropped corners or glare	Scan flat in daylight	3 minutes
Passport validity	6 months from entry date	Passport expires too soon	Renew before applying	Varies by country
Digital photo	Passport-style digital photo, plain background	Selfie angle or glasses glare	Use a passport-photo app or studio	5 minutes
Hotel proof	Reservation with traveler name	Name mismatch	Match passport spelling exactly	2 minutes
Flight proof	Return or onward booking	No departure evidence	Upload full itinerary PDF	2 minutes
Payment card	Visa or Mastercard	Bank blocks international charge	Approve 3-D Secure prompt	1 minute

What you need to apply

• Passport scan with the full bio page visible.

• Passport valid for 6 months from the Egypt entry date.

• Digital passport photo on a plain white background.

• Hotel reservation, apartment booking, or invitation details.

• Return or onward flight confirmation.

• Payment card enabled for online international transactions.

Timeline

• Application time: 15 minutes if documents are ready.

• Recommended lead time: 7 working days before travel.

• Safety buffer: 10 working days during public holidays or peak summer weeks.

• Single-entry fee: US$25.

• Multiple-entry fee: US$60.

• Fee check: verify the final fee on the official portal before payment.

• Validity: single-entry e-visa is typically used for one 30-day visit; multiple-entry covers repeat entries within 180 days.

Sinai-Only Entry Permit

The Sinai-only permit is useful for travelers staying exclusively in Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba, or Saint Catherine. It is not a shortcut for Hurghada because Hurghada is on Egypt’s Red Sea mainland, outside the South Sinai permit zone.

Place / Trip	Sinai-Only Permit Valid?	Standard Egypt Visa Needed?	Why It Matters	Best Choice
Sharm El Sheikh resort stay	Yes	No for permit-only stay	Inside South Sinai resort zone	Sinai permit if staying 15 days or less
Dahab holiday	Yes	No for permit-only stay	Inside South Sinai zone	Sinai permit for short stays
Hurghada beach holiday	No	Yes	Hurghada is outside Sinai	Standard tourist visa
Cairo or Giza day trip	No	Yes	Mainland Egypt travel	Standard tourist visa
Luxor from Hurghada	No	Yes	Mainland checkpoint route	Standard tourist visa
Ras Mohammed diving	Check before booking	Only if routing leaves the permitted Sinai resort area or operator requires it	Rules depend on pickup point, route, and operator checks	Ask the operator; buy a standard tourist visa if unsure

Where the Sinai permit is and isn’t valid

• Valid: Sharm El Sheikh resort area, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba, and Saint Catherine.

• Invalid: Hurghada, Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Red Sea mainland transfers, and most cross-governorate itineraries.

• Upgrade point: Sharm El Sheikh immigration office, where eligible travelers can buy a standard tourist visa.

• Operator note: Hurghada tour suppliers will ask for a standard Egypt entry stamp when a trip involves hotel pickup, checkpoints, or domestic flight routing.

Passport and Photo Requirements

Egypt entry checks are often strictest at airline check-in, not after landing. [GOV.UK](http://gov.uk/) states that passports must be valid for at least 6 months after arrival and have at least 1 blank page, and airlines can deny boarding when travel documents do not meet entry rules.

• Passport valid for 6 months from the date of entry.

• At least 1 blank visa page for the sticker and entry stamp.

• Passport must be undamaged: no loose pages, torn cover, water damage, or unreadable machine-readable zone.

• Temporary, emergency, refugee, and alien passports require extra checking before travel.

• Children with their own passport need their own visa unless an exemption applies.

• E-visa photo: follow the official portal upload instructions; use a passport-style image with a plain background, neutral expression, and no heavy shadow.

Overstay Penalties and Visa Extensions

Do not plan to overstay an Egypt tourist visa. Fines and enforcement can change by airport, nationality, and length of overstay, and travelers may be sent to a fines desk before departure control.

Situation	Typical Consequence	Likely Payment Point	Travel Impact	Best Prevention
1–7 days over	Fine likely	Airport fines desk	Extra 20–60 minutes before departure	Extend before expiry
8–14 days over	Higher scrutiny and fine likely	Airport fines desk	Possible missed check-in if arriving late	Arrive 4 hours before flight
15–30 days over	Fine plus possible entry warning	Airport or immigration office	Future travel questions possible	Apply for extension in Hurghada
31–90 days over	Higher fine and possible referral	Immigration office before airport	Departure delay possible	Resolve before booking flight
90+ days over	Serious immigration issue	Passport & Immigration Administration	Re-entry difficulty possible	Use local legal/consular guidance

Extending a tourist visa from Hurghada

• Office: Passport & Immigration Office, Sheraton Road, Hurghada.

• Best arrival time: 08:45–09:30, before tour-bus and long-stay resident queues build.

• Documents: passport, copy of passport bio page, copy of entry stamp, hotel or rental proof, 2 passport photos.

• Costs: local government fee plus stamp fees; bring EGP cash in small notes.

• Processing: short extensions can be same day; longer extensions may require a return visit.

• Practical tip: take photocopies before arriving because nearby copy shops get crowded after 10:30.

Special Cases

Special cases are where travelers make the most expensive mistakes. The passport used for booking, check-in, visa approval, hotel registration, and exit should match unless immigration specifically instructs otherwise.

Dual nationals

Dual nationals should enter and leave Egypt on the same passport. If one passport is eligible for VOA and the other is not, use the eligible passport consistently for the airline ticket, visa, hotel registration, and exit stamp.

Diplomatic and service passports

Diplomatic and service passports can follow different bilateral rules from ordinary tourist passports. Confirm the exact passport class with the Egyptian embassy or official diplomatic travel office before relying on any exemption.

Israeli stamps and passports

An Israeli stamp in a third-country passport is not, by itself, a reason to be refused entry to Egypt. Travelers visiting Israel, Jordan, and Egypt on one itinerary should still keep transport records and hotel bookings ready because land-border questioning can be more detailed than airport arrival.

Children under 14

Children with their own passports usually need their own visa unless a specific exemption applies. If a child is listed on a parent’s passport, the airline and Egyptian mission should confirm the rule before departure because many countries no longer issue family passports.

Local Insight: What Hurghada Locals Know

• The HRG visa bank kiosk is usually quickest when travelers carry exact clean US$ notes for the current fee; the slowest arrivals are late-night charter banks between 01:30 and 04:30, when small-change shortages create extra back-and-forth at the counter.

• For Hurghada extensions, the Sheraton Road immigration office is a morning task: arriving before 09:30 can save 45–75 minutes compared with arriving after hotel checkout time.

• If a guest lands in Sharm on a Sinai-only stamp and later books a Hurghada or Luxor transfer, the visa upgrade becomes a logistics problem, not just a fee problem; the lost time can cost more than buying the standard tourist visa at arrival.

• Hotels in Hurghada copy the passport photo page, visa sticker, and entry stamp at check-in, so keep the passport accessible in hand luggage rather than packed in a checked suitcase.

Sources

• Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — tourist visa categories, consular guidance, and bilateral visa rules.

• Egypt official e-visa portal: [visa2egypt.gov.eg](http://visa2egypt.gov.eg/) — e-visa fees, application route, and online visa validity.

• [GOV.UK](http://gov.uk/) Egypt travel advice — passport validity, blank-page rule, Sinai permission stamp, and 2026 Visa on Arrival guidance.

• U.S. Department of State Egypt travel advice — U.S. traveler visa requirement, official e-visa portal warning, and 30-day Visa on Arrival guidance.

• Airline Timatic checks — airline-grade passport, visa, and boarding-rule database used at check-in.

• Egyptian Tourism Authority — South Sinai resort-zone and tourist-region guidance.

• Egyptian Passport, Immigration and Nationality Administration — visa extension and overstay processing.

• Egyptian embassy and consulate websites — country-specific visa confirmation for passports not eligible for VOA or e-visa.