Egypt requires most travelers to hold a visa for entry into the country, but citizens of many countries, including the United States, can purchase a visa on arrival at Egyptian airports.
At Cairo International Airport, you can purchase the visa just outside the immigration checkpoint, from one of the bank tellers. You will exchange $25 USD (in cash) for a visa sticker, which is to be affixed to an empty page in your passport. This sticker will entitle you to up to 30 days in Egypt, and it is a single-entry visa.
People carrying the following passports can purchase a visa on arrival at Egyptian airports: United States, United Kingdom, European Union member states, Australia, Canada, Croatia, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, South Korea and Ukraine.
Certain health restrictions are placed on foreign travelers entering Egypt:
- If arriving from an area that has been infected with yellow fever, proof of immunizations will be required.
- Travelers coming from an area with an Ebola outbreak may be subject to quarantine.
- HIV tests are required for travelers spending more than 30 days in Egypt for work or study.
Passports must have a minimum of six months remaining validity and at least one blank page for the visa and associated stamps.
Travel Safety & Advisories
For the most up to date and detailed information on the safety of travel to Egypt, read the country report authored and released by the United States Department of State at www.travel.state.gov. Please also search for the most up-to-date travel warnings and advisories.
Resources In An Emergency
If you encounter a medical emergency or are a victim of a crime in Cairo, contact the local authorities immediately. Although 9-1-1 is the emergency number in the United States, that is not true in the majority of other countries. Read this FAQ article I wrote to locate the appropriate emergency contact numbers: What Are The Emergency Response Telephone Numbers In Other Countries?
The U.S. Embassy in Cairo can also be a resource to American Citizens. It is located at:
Consular Section
5 Tawfik Diab Street
Garden City, Cairo
Contact information is listed below:
Phone: +20 2-2797-3300
Phone (24-hours/Emergency): +20 2-2797-3300
E-mail: consularcairoacs@state.gov
Website: https://eg.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/cairo/
