Egypt has taken a major step in the country’s digital transformation strategy to modernize entry procedures and enhance the experience of international travellers with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities’ announcement that it is launching a new Digital Visa-on-Arrival System.
The pilot phase of the new system will begin on Aug. 1, 2026 at Cairo International Airport – at all arrival terminals – and will mark the first stage in a nationwide rollout that will extend to Egypt’s other airports according to a schedule to be announced in due course.
The new system replaces the traditional paper visa sticker with a Visa QR Code, offering a faster, more efficient, and seamless arrival process. It reflects Egypt’s continued commitment to positioning itself as a destination that invests in smart, seamless, and traveler-friendly experiences.
Travellers will be able to obtain their Visa QR Code through several channels:
- The official online portal, which will go live 48 hours ahead of the pilot’s implementation
- The dedicated official mobile application
- Self-Service Machines (SSMs) located in the arrival halls of Cairo International Airport
Direct links to the portal and the mobile app will be published ahead of launch.
The QR code can be generated before departure, mid-flight, or right after landing in Egypt, either by the traveler or on their behalf by a travel agency.
At the border, officers will scan the code together with the passport, whether the traveler shows it by email or as a printed copy from a kiosk. Each code stays valid for 48 hours from the moment it’s issued.
Pricing sits at USD 36 total: a USD 30 the current visa fee plus a USD 6 issuing fee for the new digital service.
During the pilot phase, the digital system will run alongside the existing paper visa-on-arrival, so travellers can continue using either option without disruption. Once the pilot concludes, the paper sticker will be phased out and the digital QR code will become the sole method of entry.
Following the pilot at Cairo International Airport, the government will extend the Digital Visa-on-Arrival System to the rest of Egypt’s airports in stages, with implementation dates for each location communicated in advance to airlines, travel agencies, and the public.
The Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities is encouraging airlines, tour operators, travel agencies, and online travel platforms to share this information with their teams and customers to help ensure a well-informed and seamless launch.
