Egypt to Launch Digital Visa-on-Arrival System at Cairo Airport

Egypt announced a new digital Visa-on-Arrival system, replacing traditional paper visa stickers with QR codes, to streamline entry for international travellers.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities announced the pilot program will launch Aug. 1, 2026, at all arrival terminals at Cairo International Airport, marking the first phase of a nationwide rollout to other airports.

The new system allows travellers to obtain a Visa QR Code before departure, during their flight or after landing through an official online portal, a dedicated mobile app or self-service kiosks located in Cairo Airport's arrival halls. Travel agencies will also be able to generate QR codes on behalf of clients.

At immigration, border officers will scan the QR code alongside the traveller's passport. The code can be presented electronically by email or as a printed copy and remains valid for 48 hours from the time it is issued.

The total cost of the digital visa will be US$36, consisting of the existing US$30 visa fee plus a US$6 issuing fee.

During the pilot phase, the digital system will operate alongside the current paper visa process. Once testing is complete, the QR code system will replace paper visa stickers entirely.

Following the Cairo pilot, the Egyptian government plans to expand the digital Visa-on-Arrival system to additional airports in phases, with implementation dates to be announced in advance.

Topics From This Article to Explore