Egypt e-Visa for US Citizens

Yes — US citizens need a visa to enter Egypt. Americans are not visa-exempt, so you must hold a valid visa before you can be admitted. The good news is that for tourism you do not need to queue at an embassy: the easiest route is the online tourist e-Visa, an electronic visa linked to your passport and emailed to you as a PDF.

The e-Visa covers leisure travel — sightseeing in Cairo and Giza, Nile cruises, the temples of Luxor and Aswan, and Red Sea resorts such as Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada. You can review the destination on our Egypt travel hub or go straight to the Egypt tourist e-Visa page to begin.

US citizens can technically obtain a visa on arrival at major Egyptian airports, but the online e-Visa is the recommended option because it is arranged in advance, removes the airport queue, and gives your airline a clear electronic record before you board. Use this comparison to see how the two differ:

• Who needs it: Every US traveller needs a visa; the e-Visa suits most tourists.
• Type: Electronic tourist visa, delivered as a PDF — single-entry or multiple-entry.
• Length of stay: Up to 30 days per visit.
• Single-entry validity: Valid 90 days from issue.
• Multiple-entry validity: Valid 180 days from issue, up to 30 days per visit.
• When to apply: At least 7 days before travel.
• Processing: Commonly a few business days.

The Egypt tourist e-Visa comes in two forms, and the right one depends on your itinerary. A single-entry e-Visa lets you enter Egypt once; it is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, and once admitted you can stay up to 30 days. It is the natural choice for a one-off trip with no plans to leave and re-enter.

A multiple-entry e-Visa lets you enter Egypt more than once; it is valid for 180 days from issue, again allowing up to 30 days per visit. This is the better fit if your plans include a side trip to a neighbouring country and a return to Egypt, or several separate stays within that validity window. Choose the entry type that matches your route before you submit, because it is tied to the visa you are issued.

The e-Visa is requested online, but Egypt still expects you to meet its entry conditions. Have the following ready before you apply, and keep them available for the airline and for immigration on arrival:

• A valid US passport with at least 6 months' validity beyond your arrival date and blank pages for stamps.
• A return or onward air ticket out of Egypt.
• Confirmed accommodation — a hotel or Nile cruise booking, or an invitation if you will stay with friends or family.
• Proof of sufficient funds for your trip.
• A clear passport-style photo and the personal page of your passport, as prompted by the form.
• A valid email address — your e-Visa is sent here as a PDF.

1. Get your documents ready: a US passport valid 6+ months with blank pages, your return ticket, accommodation details and a payment card.
2. Start the online Egypt tourist e-Visa application and choose single-entry or multiple-entry to match your trip.
3. Enter your passport and personal details exactly as they appear in your passport.
4. Add your trip information — arrival date, accommodation, and contact email — and upload any prompted documents.
5. Review every field carefully, then submit your application and complete the required payment.
6. Receive your approved e-Visa by email as a PDF, ready to show at check-in and on arrival.

Because the system advises applying at least 7 days before travel, plan your timing so your e-Visa is submitted comfortably ahead of your departure rather than at the last minute.

For US applicants, the Egypt tourist e-Visa is commonly processed within a few business days, with the approval emailed as a PDF. Because timelines can vary with demand and any additional checks, the official guidance is to apply at least 7 days before travel. The safest approach is to submit your application well ahead of your flight rather than waiting until the last moment. If any extra information is requested, respond quickly so your approval is not held up.

How long your e-Visa remains usable depends on the entry type. A single-entry e-Visa is valid for 90 days from issue, and a multiple-entry e-Visa is valid for 180 days from issue. In both cases, each admitted stay can be up to 30 days. The validity period is the window in which you must enter Egypt — it is not the same as the length of stay you are granted once inside. The e-Visa is tied to the specific passport you used to apply, so if you renew or replace your passport you will need a new e-Visa linked to the current document.

Your approved e-Visa lets you board and presents you at the border, but admission is granted by an immigration officer on arrival. Be ready in Egypt to present your valid US passport with at least 6 months' validity, your approved e-Visa, a return or onward ticket, proof of confirmed accommodation, and evidence of sufficient funds for your stay. Carrying these in an easy-to-reach folder — printed or on your phone — makes the arrival process at Cairo or your resort airport faster and smoother.

• Mismatched passport details: the e-Visa is linked to your exact passport number — check every field against your passport before submitting.
• Insufficient passport validity: your US passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival and have blank pages for stamps.
• Applying too late: the guidance is to apply at least 7 days before travel, so leaving it to the last minute risks missing your flight.
• Missing accommodation proof: have a confirmed hotel or cruise booking, or an invitation if staying with friends or family.
• No onward ticket or funds: a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds are part of the entry conditions.
• Wrong entry type: choose single or multiple entry to match your route so you are not caught short on a side trip.

An approved e-Visa allows you to board your flight, but the final decision to enter Egypt rests with the immigration officer on arrival. Present the same passport you used to apply, along with your e-Visa, and be ready to explain the purpose and length of your visit, where you will stay, and that you have the means to support your trip. Provided your documents are in order and consistent with your application, the officer will admit you and you can begin your stay.

Every traveller needs their own visa, including children and infants, because each e-Visa is linked to an individual passport. A parent or guardian can complete the application on a child's behalf using the child's own passport details. If you are travelling as a US family, simply submit a separate application for each member, choose the same entry type that matches your trip, and make sure each child's accommodation and return ticket details are covered just as they are for the adults.