Egypt is a land of many wonders. From the Pyramids to the sandy beaches, there’s plenty to explore here. If you’re planning a holiday in this country, you may need a tourist visa for Egypt. Read on to find out more.
Egypt, the land of Pharaohs and Mummies has a timeless appeal that makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations across the world. This country can trace its history back to the 4th millennia BC and is considered by many to be the cradle of civilization.
Tourism is a major sector of the Egyptian economy. For a few years in between, the number of tourists visiting Egypt fell as a result of internal revolutions and political uncertainty but slowly, the country is once again marking its presence on the tourist itinerary.
With 14,731,000 visitors, 2010 saw the highest number of tourists in Egypt. In 2017, more than 8.3 million tourists visited Egypt and in February 2018 alone, 730,000 tourists entered Egypt. 70% of all tourists visiting Egypt are from Europe.
| Year | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Tourists | 9,463,000 | 9,878,811 | 9,327,998 | 5,399,453 | 8,292,426 |
| Best Time to Visit | Busiest Season | Summer (May-August) | Winter (October-February) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Between September and April | Easter, Christmas, and New Years | Temperature: Minimum 17 °C and maximum 36 °C | Temperature: Minimum 18 °C and maximum 26 °C |
Egypt offers a unique window not only to the country’s history but to the development of civilization as a whole. The earliest developments of urbanization, agriculture, writing, organized religion etc. all took place in Egypt. The Giza Necropolis is the only monument from the ancient 7 wonders of the world to be still standing.
And then, there are the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the tombs and other monuments just waiting to be explored. A cruise along the river Nile offers a spectacular view of Egypt and is yet another reason to visit this beautiful country. Egypt isn’t just for explorers. It’s a shopper’s paradise as well especially if you’re looking for fine Egyptian carpets.
A tourist visa for Egypt is typically valid for three months. However, an individual may stay in Egypt only for a maximum of 30 days during this period. Egyptian tourist visas may be issued as a single entry or multiple entry visas.
There are nine countries whose citizens do not need a visa to enter Egypt. These are:
Under certain conditions, visa-free travel may also be extended to a few other countries.
| Country | Conditions for Visa-Free Travel |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | The individual must be below the age of 16 years or above the age of 50 years |
| Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia | The individual must be below the age of 14 years |
| China | The individual must have a confirmed return ticket, upper-class hotel reservation and access to at least USD 2,000 |
| Jordan | The individual must have a normal 5-year passport without the stamp of the Jordanian Registration Office |
| Lebanon | The individual must be below the age of 16 years or above the age of 50 years. Visa not needed for travel to Alexandria and South Sinai for applicants of all ages |
| Libya | The individual must be a female |
| Sudan and South Sudan | The individual must be below the age of 16 years or above the age of 50 years or be a female citizen |
| Yemen | The individual must be below the age of 16 years or above the age of 50 years or travelling for medical treatment |
Citizens of the below-listed countries are also exempted from tourist visas if they meet certain conditions:
All countries of the European Union, Australia, USA, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Georgia, Russia, South Korea, Serbia, Macedonia, Ukraine, and Norway can get a visa on arrival at any port of entry in Egypt.
Towards the end of 2017, the Egyptian government introduced an e-Visa for 46 countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Austria, Hungary, Spain, Norway, Sweden, and the United States. Below is the complete list:
| Albania | Australia | Austria | Belgium | Bulgaria |
| Canada | Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic | Denmark |
| Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece |
| Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy | Japan |
| Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Macedonia | Malta |
| Moldova | Monaco | Montenegro | Netherlands | North Korea |
| Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia |
| Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | South Korea | Spain |
| Sweden | Switzerland | United Kingdom | United States | Ukraine |
| The Vatican |
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