Egypt launches QR code arrival visa at Cairo airport

Egypt has replaced the traditional stick-on visa sticker with a digital QR code system for arrival visas as of August 1, 2026. The total cost remains $36 per traveler, but now includes a $6 service fee for QR code generation. Each QR code is valid for seven days from issuance.

What’s changing at immigration control

Previously, travelers obtained the arrival visa by purchasing a sticker at the arrivals zone before joining the passport check queue. The new process shifts this step online or at self-service kiosks in Cairo International Airport’s arrival halls. Travelers pay, generate a QR code, and present it to immigration officers for validity verification.

Three platforms are now available to obtain the QR code, according to Egyptian authorities and the official government portal:

• the official website visaonarrival.gov.eg, accessible from anywhere;

• a dedicated mobile app, available on major app stores;

• self-service kiosks installed in Cairo International Airport’s arrival halls.

The QR code can be generated either before departure or after landing. Physical printing is not required—display on a mobile device is accepted.

Breaking down the fees

The portal will display the itemized breakdown before payment. The key change is the introduction of a $6 service fee for QR code generation.

Adding the new service fee increases the total cost to $36 per person. Payment is processed exclusively via card, including international card fees and potential currency conversion costs. A single transaction can cover up to ten QR codes for accompanying travelers, but each traveler must have their own individual code—one QR code is valid for one person and one entry only.

International card fees and any currency conversion costs are the cardholder’s responsibility.

7-day validity window

Each QR code is valid for seven days from the time of issuance, including hours. Travelers should generate the code within the week leading up to their Cairo arrival—not months in advance. Delays of more than seven days after code issuance will void the code, and no refunds are issued.

Once payment is confirmed, no information can be edited. Double-check spelling and passport details before submitting—errors require repurchase, not correction.

The QR code is not an entry authorization

This is a crucial distinction highlighted in the portal’s terms of service. The QR code process only confirms payment and code issuance—it does not guarantee eligibility or secure entry. Border authorities retain final authority to admit or refuse visitors, and payment is non-refundable in cases of entry denial, incorrect information, or itinerary changes.

Travelers must independently verify their eligibility for the visa-on-arrival scheme. Rules vary by nationality and, in some cases, by country of residence—passports without eligibility cannot use this system. Travelers needing pre-arrival visas must apply through standard channels.

Pilot phase currently limited to Cairo

The Egyptian government describes the initiative as an initial pilot phase, covering Cairo International Airport’s arrival halls only. Airports such as Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Luxor, and Alexandria still require the traditional visa-on-arrival process.

Those eligible for Egypt’s e-visa may prefer the e-visa option, which is reviewed and approved prior to travel. On flights where airlines verify documents at boarding, this distinction can be important.