Egypt, the cradle of civilization, has long been a dream destination for American travelers. The allure of its ancient history—the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the temples of Luxor—combined with the modern resorts of the Red Sea, offers an unforgettable travel experience. For citizens of the United States planning this magnificent trip, navigating the visa requirements is the crucial first step.
Fortunately, the Egyptian government has streamlined this process for Americans through the Electronic Visa (eVisa) system, which offers a fast, secure, and convenient way to secure your entry permit.
This comprehensive guide details everything travelers need to know about the Egypt Visa for USA Citizens, including updated fees and processing times, ensuring you are fully prepared for your journey across the Atlantic to the Nile.
Do US Citizens Need a Visa to Travel to Egypt?
Yes, holders of a United States passport must obtain a visa to enter the Arab Republic of Egypt for tourism purposes.
US citizens are eligible for two main tourist visa options:
The Egypt Electronic Visa (eVisa): Applied for and approved online before departure. This is the recommended option for peace of mind.
Visa on Arrival (VOA): Purchased directly at designated points of entry in Egypt.
What Are the Passport Requirements for US Citizens Applying for an eVisa?
Your US passport is the most critical document for your trip. Ensure it meets the following strict Egypt Visa Requirements:
Six Months Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of entry into Egypt. If your passport is due to expire in less than six months, you must renew it before applying for the eVisa.
Blank Pages: Your passport must have at least one blank page for the entry and exit stamps. While the eVisa is digital, the physical stamp is still required upon entry.
Digital Copy: You will need a clear digital scan or photograph of the passport’s biographical data page (the page with your photo and information) to upload during the online application.
Crucial Tip: The approved eVisa is electronically tied to the passport number used in the application. Any discrepancy or a new passport issued after application approval will invalidate the eVisa.
Does Every Family Member Need an Individual eVisa?
Yes, every traveler, regardless of age, must have their own valid passport and their own visa.
This applies to all US citizens, including infants and children traveling with their parents.
How to Apply as a Family:
Individual Passports: Ensure every family member has a valid passport.
Family Application Feature: The Egypt eVisa often includes a "Family" application option. You should use this feature.
Same Application: When applying as a family, the primary applicant creates one account and then adds all other family members (spouse, children) to the same application batch. This links the applications and ensures they are processed together, though each person still receives and pays for their own individual eVisa.
Can I Use My eVisa for Business Travel?
The official Egypt eVisa offers visas for both Tourism and Business purposes. US citizens traveling for short-term commercial activities, conferences, or meetings can select the "Business" option during the application process. However, if your purpose of travel is employment, you must apply for a specific work visa at an Egyptian embassy or consulate before travel.
What Level of Application Assistance is Provided?
Government Website
Self-Service Only: The process is purely self-service. You are responsible for completing the form and uploading documents without any personalized help.
No 24/7 Support: Personal help or customer support is generally unavailable for application issues, delays, or general questions.
evisa-to-egypt.info
Dedicated 24/7 Support: Offers continuous help via email, chat, and WhatsApp/calls until your visa is delivered.
Continuous Tracking: Provides real-time status updates and priority follow-up in case of processing delays.
Is My Application Reviewed for Errors and Documents Checked?
Government Website
No Pre-Checking: There is no mechanism for checking your documents or application data before submission.
High Risk of Rejection/Delay: If any document is blurry, incomplete, or contains incorrect entries, the application may be delayed or rejected without warning or guidance. Mistakes can lead to lost government fees.
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Expert Pre-Review: A team of experts reviews all details, photos, and documents before secure submission to the government portal.
Guidance for Corrections: If the team notices any error, unclear document, or missing detail, they will contact and guide you immediately to fix the issue. This dramatically increases the chance of approval.
99% Success Rate: Claims a 99% success rate with approved applications due to the thorough pre-checking process.
How Do US Citizens Apply for the Egypt eVisa?
The official Egypt eVisa application is a straightforward process:
Choose Visa Type: Select "Family" or "Individual" and choose your purpose (Tourism or Business) and entry type (Single or Multiple).
Complete the Form: Fill in all personal details, passport data, and travel plans accurately.
Upload Documents: Upload the digital copy of the US passport’s information page for each traveler.
Pay the Fee: Securely pay the government fee using a credit or debit card.
Submit and Wait: Submit the application and await approval via email.
What is the Validity Period of the Egypt eVisa for Tourists?
Egypt eVisa Cost for US Citizens
The cost of obtaining your Egypt eVisa is generally composed of two distinct parts, especially when using an agency service:
1. Visa Cost / Official Government Fee
This is the non-refundable fee paid directly to the Egyptian Immigration Authority for reviewing and issuing your visa. These fees are fixed regardless of processing speed.
2. Service Fee (If Using an Agency)
This is an additional charge levied by a third-party visa agency. This fee covers their professional service, which typically includes: detailed review of your application, error checking, document verification, secure payment processing, and 24/7 customer support, and often includes the tiered processing options below.
What are the Available eVisa Processing Times?
The official Egyptian government suggests applying at least 7 working days in advance. However, many travelers utilize third-party services that offer expedited processing options for an extra fee.
Here are the typical processing tiers you may encounter:
How Does the eVisa Work Upon Arrival and Departure?
Using a pre-approved eVisa simplifies your movement through Egyptian airports:
On Arrival:
Immigration Queue: Upon disembarking your flight, bypass the bank kiosks where the Visa on Arrival is sold. Proceed directly to the Immigration Control area.
Present Documents: Hand the immigration officer your valid US passport and your printed copy of the approved Egypt eVisa.
Verification: The officer will scan your passport, verify the eVisa in their system, and affix the entry stamp, marking the start of your 30-day stay.
On Departure:
Check-in/Customs: Proceed through security and airline check-in as usual.
Immigration Check: At the Departure Immigration desk, the officer will check your passport and visa to ensure you did not overstay the 30-day limit.
Exit Stamp: If your stay was within the legal limit, you will receive an exit stamp, and you are free to board your flight.
Do I Need a Visa for Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, or Taba Only?
Conditional Exemption (Sinai Resorts):
If you are flying directly into the South Sinai region (Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, or Taba) and your stay is 15 days or less, you may be granted a free Sinai-Only stamp upon arrival. This stamp only allows travel within the designated Sinai resort areas. If you plan to travel outside of the Sinai Peninsula (e.g., to Cairo, Luxor, or the West Bank), or if your stay exceeds 15 days, you must obtain a full visa (eVisa or VOA).
What Happens if There is an Error on My eVisa Application?
Accuracy is paramount. If you discover a mistake (especially on your passport number or name) after submission:
Contact Support Immediately: Reach out to the official eVisa authority support team ASAP.
Re-application Risk: Minor errors might be corrected, but significant errors (like a wrong passport number) usually necessitate the submission and payment for a completely new application, as the existing eVisa will be useless.
Preparing for Your Egyptian Adventure
The process for US citizens to secure travel authorization to Egypt is highly efficient thanks to the eVisa system. By taking a few moments to apply online well in advance, you guarantee a smooth entry into the land of pharaohs, ensuring your focus remains solely on the incredible sights awaiting you.
