Egypt Visa for UAE Residents: Arrival, eVisa & Sinai

Last checked: 16 July 2026

Egypt applies passport-specific visa rules. Confirm your eligibility with the official Egypt eVisa portal, the Egyptian diplomatic mission and your airline before paying for non-refundable travel.

Introduction

An Egypt visa for UAE residents may be available as an eVisa, visa on arrival or embassy visa. However, eligibility depends primarily on passport nationality rather than UAE residency alone.

Travellers holding eligible passports can purchase a tourist visa on arrival for USD 25, while nationalities listed on Egypt’s official eVisa portal can apply online before departure. A single-entry eVisa costs USD 30, and a multiple-entry eVisa costs USD 65.

Separate entry rules apply to Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba. Certain travellers can receive free South Sinai entry permission, but this does not allow travel to Cairo or other parts of Egypt.

Pakistani passport holders should not assume that the South Sinai permission or visa on arrival is automatically available. Egyptian consular guidance lists Pakistani nationals among those requiring prior clearance.

Table of Contents

Do UAE Residents Need a Visa for Egypt?

There is no single Egypt visa rule covering every expatriate living in the UAE.

Egypt considers:

• The country that issued your passport
• Your reason for travelling
• Whether your nationality qualifies for an eVisa or visa on arrival
• If any prior security clearance is required
• Your passport validity
• Your supporting travel documents

UAE residence can help demonstrate where you live and that you have permission to return to the Emirates. However, it does not automatically make you eligible for an Egypt visa on arrival.

The official Egypt eVisa portal currently lists nationalities including India, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, South Africa, Japan, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States and many European countries. Pakistan does not appear on the current official eVisa nationality list.

Use the official Egypt eVisa portal to check your nationality.

You can also compare destinations offering easier entry in our guide to visa-free countries for UAE residents.

Egypt Visa Options for UAE Residents

The main Egypt entry routes are:

Visa on arrival

This option is suitable for passport holders whose nationalities are eligible to purchase a visa at an Egyptian airport.

The standard fee is USD 25 or the equivalent in Egyptian pounds. The visa is normally issued before passport control.

Single-entry eVisa

This is suitable for nationalities appearing on the official Egypt eVisa list.

The official fee is USD 30, paid online by debit or credit card. The visa is intended for one entry.

Multiple-entry eVisa

This is designed for eligible travellers who expect to enter Egypt more than once during the visa’s validity.

The official fee is USD 65, paid online by card. Approval of a multiple-entry application remains at the discretion of the Egyptian authorities.

Embassy or consulate visa

Travellers who do not qualify for an eVisa or visa on arrival must normally apply through an Egyptian diplomatic mission.

Some nationalities need prior clearance from the authorities in Cairo before a visa can be issued.

South Sinai entry permission

Certain passport holders visiting only Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba can receive free short-stay permission at arrival.

This permission is geographically restricted and cannot be used for wider travel within Egypt.

The safest route is one confirmed before departure. Even when a traveller appears eligible for visa on arrival, airline staff may refuse boarding if the passport conditions cannot be verified.

Egypt Visa on Arrival for UAE Residents

An Egypt tourist visa on arrival is purchased at an airport bank counter or visa desk before reaching passport control.

The official Egyptian consular guidance confirms visa on arrival for nationals of:

• Australia
• Canada
• Croatia
• European Union countries
• Georgia
• Japan
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Republic of Korea
• Russian Federation
• Serbia
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom
• United States

This published list is nationality-based. Holding UAE residency does not add every passport holder to it.

How long is the visa valid?

The standard tourist visa on arrival normally permits a short tourist stay, commonly up to 30 days.

The immigration stamp placed in your passport is the final authority. Check the permitted stay before leaving the airport.

Documents to carry

Prepare:

• Original passport valid for at least six months
• At least one blank passport page
• Physical Emirates ID
• UAE residence record
• Confirmed return or onward ticket
• Hotel booking or host address
• Travel insurance
• Evidence of sufficient funds
• Documents required for your next destination
• USD cash for the visa fee

Egypt’s official eVisa requirements state that passports must be valid for at least six months from arrival.

Visa-on-arrival process

1. Follow signs for visa, banking or currency counters before immigration.
2. Request the standard tourist visa sticker.
3. Pay the required fee.
4. Check that the sticker and amount are correct.
5. Attach the sticker to a blank passport page if instructed.
6. Proceed to passport control.
7. Present your passport and supporting travel documents.
8. Check the date and conditions of the entry stamp.

Who should not rely on visa on arrival?

Do not rely on this option when:

• Your nationality is not on an official eligibility list.
• The nationality requires prior clearance.
• Your airline cannot confirm that you can board.
• The passport has less than six months’ validity.
• Your UAE residence expires before your planned return.
• You are travelling with an emergency or refugee travel document.
• Do not have accommodation or an onward ticket.
• You are a Pakistani passport holder without advance clearance.

Egypt eVisa for UAE Residents

The Egypt eVisa is available only to citizens of nationalities listed on the official portal. It is not granted simply because the applicant lives in the UAE.

Indian passport holders are currently included on the eVisa list. Pakistani passport holders are not included in the published list and should use the consular route unless the official system changes.

Egypt eVisa fees

The official fees are:

• Single-entry tourist eVisa: USD 30
• Multiple-entry tourist eVisa: USD 65

Payment is collected online by card.

When should you apply?

The official portal advises travellers to create the eVisa application at least seven days before departure.

Applying earlier gives you time to correct document problems or respond to requests.

Documents and information required

Prepare:

• Passport bio-page scan
• Passport valid for at least six months from arrival
• Active email address
• Personal and passport details
• Travel dates
• Hotel booking or accommodation details
• Travel itinerary
• Supporting invitation or company letter for a business or family visit
• Debit or credit card

The approved eVisa should be printed and carried with the passport used in the application. Egyptian border authorities can verify it electronically, but the official portal also lists the printout among the arrival requirements.

How to apply for the Egypt eVisa

Step 1: Register on the official portal

Open the Egypt eVisa portal and create an account.

Use an email address that you check regularly.

Step 2: Confirm nationality eligibility

Select the country that issued your passport.

Do not choose the UAE merely because you are a UAE resident. The nationality field must match your passport.

Step 3: Choose the visa type

Select:

• Single entry for one trip
• Multiple entry when you have a genuine need for repeat visits

Requesting multiple entry does not guarantee that it will be approved.

Step 4: Complete the application

Enter:

• Full name
• Date and place of birth
• Passport number
• Passport issue and expiry dates
• Nationality
• Occupation
• Contact information
• Arrival date
• Accommodation details

Make sure every detail matches the passport.

Step 5: Upload the documents

Upload clear files with all corners visible.

Avoid:

• Blurred passport scans
• Glare
• Cropped machine-readable lines
• Files with unreadable text
• Documents that have expired

Step 6: Review and pay

Check the passport number, spelling and travel dates before paying.

The official system accepts Visa, Mastercard and other supported debit cards. Cash is not accepted for an online application.

Step 7: Download the approval

Once approved, download and print the eVisa.

Carry:

• Printed eVisa
• Original passport
• Hotel details
• Return ticket
• Travel itinerary

Sharm El Sheikh Visa and the Sinai-Only Stamp

Egypt offers free South Sinai entry permission to certain travellers who are visiting only:

• Sharm El Sheikh
• Dahab
• Nuweiba
• Taba

Official Egyptian consular guidance confirms this facility for nationals of the United Kingdom, European Union countries and the United States.

How long can you stay?

Official Egyptian consular pages use slightly different wording. One page refers to a maximum stay of 15 days, while the consulate FAQ states up to 14 days.

A practical and cautious approach is to plan a stay of no more than 14 days unless immigration confirms otherwise.

Can you leave Sharm El Sheikh?

The permission is often called the Sinai-only stamp, but it is not limited to the city of Sharm El Sheikh. It covers the approved South Sinai resort area.

However, you cannot use it to visit:

• Cairo
• Alexandria
• Luxor
• Aswan
• Hurghada
• Giza
• Other areas outside the permitted South Sinai zone

A full Egyptian visa is required before travelling beyond the authorised area.

What about Ras Mohammed?

Some Ras Mohammed excursions may pass checkpoints where a full Egyptian visa is requested.

Confirm the exact route with the tour operator and immigration authorities. Do not assume every excursion from Sharm El Sheikh is covered by the free stamp.

Can Pakistani UAE Residents Get the Sharm El Sheikh Stamp?

Pakistani passport holders should not rely on claims that they automatically receive free South Sinai permission.

The official Egyptian consular guidance reviewed for this article confirms the free resort entry facility for UK, EU and US nationals. It does not include Pakistan in that exemption.

The same consular guidance lists Pakistan among the nationalities that need prior clearance from the authorities in Cairo before a visa application can be completed. It states that this preliminary process can take approximately two to six weeks.

Pakistani passport holders should:

• Contact the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate before booking.
• Apply for prior clearance when instructed.
• Ask the airline to verify boarding eligibility through Timatic.
• Use an authorised Egyptian travel company when a guarantee is required.
• Obtain written confirmation before relying on any Sharm El Sheikh exemption.
• Avoid non-refundable flights until entry permission is confirmed.

Do not assume that UAE residency removes the prior-clearance requirement.

Documents Required for an Egypt Visa

Documents for visa on arrival

Carry:

• Original passport valid for at least six months
• Blank passport page
• Physical Emirates ID
• UAE residence evidence
• Return or onward ticket
• Hotel confirmation
• Travel insurance
• Evidence of funds
• Exact USD cash
• Prior approval where required

Documents for the eVisa

Prepare:

• Passport bio-page scan
• Passport valid for at least six months
• Active email address
• Travel itinerary
• Hotel booking
• Invitation or supporting letter when applicable
• Debit or credit card
• Printed eVisa

Documents for an embassy application

The Egyptian mission may ask for:

• Completed application form
• Original passport
• Passport copies
• UAE residence copy
• Emirates ID copy
• Passport photographs
• Employer letter or NOC
• Salary certificate
• Recent bank statements
• Return-flight reservation
• Hotel booking
• Invitation letter where relevant
• Travel insurance
• Prior-clearance forms
• Additional nationality-specific documents

Documents for children

Each child should have:

• An individual passport
• Their own visa or entry permission
• Birth certificate copy
• Parents’ passport and residence copies
• Consent documentation when travelling with one parent or another adult

Egypt Visa Fees and Payment Methods

Visa on arrival

The official visa-on-arrival fee is:

USD 25 or the equivalent in Egyptian pounds.

The safest payment method is cash.

Card acceptance is not guaranteed at every visa or bank counter. Carry:

• Exact USD notes in good condition
• Some Egyptian pounds as a backup
• A physical international card for other airport costs

Do not rely only on Apple Pay, Google Pay or a mobile wallet.

Single-entry eVisa

Fee: USD 30

Payment: Online debit or credit card

Cash accepted: No

Multiple-entry eVisa

Fee: USD 65

Payment: Online debit or credit card

Cash accepted: No

The eVisa fees are confirmed by Egypt’s official Ministry of Interior portal.

Embassy visa

Embassy visa fees can depend on:

• Nationality
• Single or multiple entry
• Reciprocity
• Travel purpose
• Required prior clearance

Request the current amount and accepted payment method from the Egyptian mission processing your application.

Egypt Transit Visa and Stopover Rules

Staying in the international transit area

A transit visa is generally not required when:

• You remain inside the airport’s international transit area.
• Your baggage is checked through to the final destination.
• You have a confirmed onward boarding pass.
• You do not change airports.
• You have all documents required for your final destination.

Egyptian consular guidance states that no transit visa is needed when the passenger remains in the airport’s international area between two flights.

Transit fee when remaining airside: No visa fee

When you need permission to enter Egypt

You need valid Egyptian entry permission when:

• You collect and recheck baggage.
• You travel on separate tickets.
• You need a landside hotel.
• You leave the airport.
• You change airports.
• Your airline requires you to pass immigration.
• Your connection involves an overnight airport closure.

Depending on nationality, you may use:

• Visa on arrival
• Single-entry eVisa
• Embassy tourist visa
• South Sinai permission at an eligible airport and for an eligible passport

Egyptian consular guidance says travellers leaving the airport during a stopover need a tourist or business visa, depending on the purpose of entry.

Transit fee when entering Egypt

There is no single universal stand-alone transit fee published for every traveller.

When you enter using a normal tourist visa, the relevant tourist visa fee applies:

• USD 25 for visa on arrival when eligible
• USD 30 for a single-entry eVisa
• Embassy fee where advance application is required

EgyptAir stopovers

An airline may offer hotel, tour or stopover assistance for qualifying passengers. However, an airline booking does not automatically grant immigration permission.

Confirm separately:

• Whether you can enter Egypt
• Whether your baggage is checked through
• Whether a hotel is airside or landside
• Who arranges the visa
• Whether the stopover service includes immigration support

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming UAE residency guarantees visa on arrival
• Selecting UAE as the passport nationality in an eVisa application
• Relying on an unofficial visa website
• Arriving without USD cash
• Travelling with less than six months of passport validity
• Failing to print the eVisa
• Using the Sinai-only stamp for travel to Cairo
• Assuming Pakistani passport holders automatically receive the Sharm stamp
• Booking separate transit tickets without checking baggage collection
• Purchasing non-refundable travel before prior clearance is approved
• Applying too late for the eVisa
• Entering passport details incorrectly

Conclusion

The correct Egypt visa for UAE residents depends mainly on passport nationality rather than UAE residence. Eligible passport holders can purchase a USD 25 visa on arrival, while travellers whose nationalities appear on the official eVisa list can apply online for USD 30 single entry or USD 65 multiple entry.

The South Sinai permission is restricted to eligible travellers staying in Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba. It cannot be used for wider travel in Egypt.

Pakistani passport holders should obtain consular guidance and any required prior clearance before departure rather than relying on unverified claims about visa on arrival or the Sharm El Sheikh stamp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can every UAE resident get an Egypt visa on arrival?

No. Visa on arrival is primarily based on passport nationality. UAE residence alone does not guarantee eligibility.

How much is the Egypt visa on arrival?

The official fee is USD 25 or the equivalent in Egyptian pounds. Carry cash because card acceptance is not guaranteed.

How much is the Egypt eVisa?

A single-entry tourist eVisa costs USD 30. A multiple-entry tourist eVisa costs USD 65.

Can Indian UAE residents apply for an Egypt eVisa?

Yes. India currently appears on Egypt’s official eVisa nationality list.

Can Pakistani UAE residents apply for an Egypt eVisa?

Pakistan does not currently appear on the official eVisa nationality list. Egyptian consular guidance also lists Pakistani nationals among those requiring prior clearance.

Can Pakistani travellers receive the free Sharm El Sheikh stamp?

An automatic entitlement could not be verified from official Egyptian guidance. Pakistani travellers should obtain written confirmation and any required prior clearance before travelling.

Can I visit Cairo with a Sinai-only stamp?

No. A full Egyptian visa is required to travel outside the permitted South Sinai resort area.

Can I pay for an Egypt eVisa in cash?

No. The official portal requires payment by credit or debit card.

Do I need a transit visa at Cairo Airport?

Not when you remain in the international transit area and meet the airline’s airside-transfer requirements. You need valid entry permission if you pass immigration or leave the airport.

Do children need separate visas?

Yes. Every child needs an individual passport and the correct visa or entry permission.