Egypt is set to roll out a pilot phase of its new visa-on-arrival system at Cairo International Airport (CAI) in mid-June, aiming to transform the arrival experience for international visitors.
Speaking during a meeting with key government ministries and the private company responsible for the implementation, Sherif Fathy, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, said the system would leverage digital technology to streamline entry processes. Designed to reduce congestion and boost convenience, the new visa-on-arrival programme offers travellers multiple options for obtaining emergency visas upon arrival. At the time of publishing, it remains unclear whether the service is applicable for visitors of all nationalities or a select group only.
Central to the system are self-service kiosks within airport terminals and a dedicated mobile application, enabling visitors to secure emergency visas using quick-response (QR) codes and digital payments. This eliminates the traditional paperwork and cash-based transactions that have long contributed to bottlenecks at the airport.
“This new system is a significant step forward in our efforts to modernise Egypt’s tourism sector. By leveraging digital technology, we aim to make the arrival experience smoother, faster and more convenient for our guests from around the world,” Fathy said.
The pilot programme will be monitored closely at Cairo International Airport, Egypt’s busiest gateway, to refine procedures before expanding to other airports nationwide. The move supports Egypt’s ambitious strategy to attract 30 million tourists annually by 2028.
The new visa-on-arrival system forms part of Egypt’s broader Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to position the country as a leading global destination. As part of this strategy, Egypt has also extended its free 96-hour transit visa programme for another year, with the new expiration date set for April 2026.
At present, Indian travellers going to Egypt for tourist, business or work purposes have to apply for a visa via the VFS Global website or the official Egyptian e-visa website.
Applicants using VFS Global for a tourist visa need to have a valid passport of at least six months, provide a detailed tour program, and furnish copies of their flights in and out of the country and a confirmed hotel booking, among other documents. The processing time at the VFS Delhi location takes between 10 and 12 working days (12 to 15 days in other locations). A single-entry visa to Egypt costs INR 2,700 while a multiple-entry visa costs INR 5,800.
Alternatively, Indian passport holders can apply for an e-visa from the official visa website. A single-entry e-visa costs USD 25 (approximately INR 2,144) while a multiple-entry e-visa costs USD 60 (approximately INR 5,147).
(With inputs from a news report)
