Egypt Launching Fully Digital Arrival Visa via QR Code in August 2026

Starting in August 2026, Egypt is set to revolutionize entry for international visitors. Say goodbye to long queues at Cairo Airport immigration counters for your adhesive paper visa sticker. A new 100% digital arrival visa system based on QR Code will streamline entry in its place.

On May 13, 2026, the Egyptian government announced a strategic partnership with CyShield Technology and two major national banks, the National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr. The goal—spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities—is to streamline border crossings and deliver a fundamentally modernized tourist experience.

Official announcement from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

What Changes When the New System Goes Live in August 2026

The QR Code rollout will not apply to all international travelers arriving in Egypt by air when it first launches. In its initial phase, it will be available only at Cairo International Airport, where every terminal will be equipped. Further airports across the country will adopt the system progressively afterward.

What does this mean for travelers? The old paper vignette purchased at the counter is being retired in favor of a secure QR Code. The arrival visa is not being eliminated; rather, the process of obtaining it is being moved entirely online.

This move continues successful pilot tests conducted in 2025 on emergency visas and follows the full digitization of landing cards.

How to Obtain Your Visa via QR Code

For visitors who are eligible for an arrival visa, the new process is designed around speed and self-service.

Step 1: Enter Information and Pay
Travelers have two ways to proceed:
Through the official platform (before or after arrival): Supply your personal details and passport data on the dedicated government portal.
Via on-site self-service kiosks: After disembarking, interactive airport terminals let you scan your travel document and complete your application instantly.
Payment is collected through built-in, secure electronic channels linked directly to the platform.

Step 2: Receive Your QR Code
Once payment is confirmed, the system issues a unique QR Code that serves as your digital visa stamp. Travelers can store it on their smartphone or print it as a backup.

Step 3: Clear Immigration
At passport control, border officers simply scan the QR Code to verify validity and compliance in seconds.

Egypt currently grants the arrival visa to travelers from numerous countries, but eligibility rules vary widely by nationality and passport type. If you qualify for the new QR Code arrival visa, your inbound experience at Cairo will be significantly smoother. If your nationality is not eligible for either an e-Visa or an arrival visa, you must secure a visa beforehand through the nearest Egyptian embassy. Special exemptions also apply if you hold a valid visa for the Schengen area, the United States or the United Kingdom, or if you are a resident of a Gulf Cooperation Council country.

💡 Expert tip: Don’t leave your paperwork to chance. Airlines check entry rules strictly and will deny boarding to anyone relying on an arrival visa when they are not formally eligible. If you are eligible for an e-Visa, obtain it before you travel for the smoothest experience. Whether you opt for a tourist arrival visa or an e-Visa, the fee remains the same: US$30 for a single entry or US$60 for multiple entries.

How our agency helps: Secure your departure

Our agency assists with e-Visa applications, which are available to eligible European passport holders. By trusting us to manage your Egypt travel documents, we ensure:

• Instant eligibility checks: Confirm directly via our Egypt destination page whether you’re eligible for an e-Visa, an arrival (QR Code) visa, or a consular visa.

• Anticipate, never wait: Skip the self-service kiosks at Cairo after a long flight. By securing your e-Visa in advance with us, your documents are pre-approved before touchdown. You sail through immigration faster and with less stress.

• Guaranteed compliance: We verify photos, scan dimensions, passport validity and more to eliminate any risk of government rejection.