Egypt Raises Visa-on-Arrival Fee for International Travelers

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Travelers planning to visit iconic sites such as the Great Pyramid of Giza, the open-air archaeological complexes of Luxor, and the temples of Abu Simbel in Egypt will soon face a higher visa-on-arrival fee.

Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has raised the visa-on-arrival cost from US$25 to US$30, with the new fee taking effect on March 1, 2026. The increase marks the first adjustment to the arrival visa fee in years.

Tourism remains a crucial source of foreign exchange for Egypt. The country recorded a tourism milestone in 2025 by welcoming around 19 million visitors, and the government is targeting 30 million annual tourist arrivals by 2030.

Visa-on-arrival fee adjustment

Despite the higher price, Egypt will continue using the existing US$25 visa sticker, according to Travel + Leisure Asia. Authorities will add an additional sticker to indicate the extra US$5 charge.

The new fee applies only to single-entry, 30-day visas issued on arrival at international airports and certain land and sea border crossings across the country.

Meanwhile, the cost of electronic visas obtained through Egypt’s official e-Visa website or visas issued through Egyptian embassies and consulates will remain unchanged. The fee for a multiple-entry visa will also stay at US$60.

For travelers from Indonesia, visa-on-arrival access is available if they hold a valid and previously used visa from the United States, United Kingdom, or a Schengen Area country.

Applicants typically need to provide a passport valid for at least six to eight months, a passport photograph, round-trip airline tickets, proof of hotel reservations, and cash to pay the visa fee.

Indonesian travelers who do not hold visas from those regions must instead apply through the Embassy of Egypt in Jakarta. Alternatively, they can apply for an electronic visa through Egypt’s official e-Visa portal.

Maintaining tourism infrastructure

Authorities say the visa fee adjustment is part of broader efforts to support and maintain the country’s tourism infrastructure.

According to the World Tourism Organization, Egypt remains one of the most visited destinations in the Middle East, known for its vast archaeological heritage, vibrant markets, and cultural traditions—from ancient temples in Luxor to beach resorts along the Red Sea.

The most popular time to visit Egypt is between October and April, when temperatures are cooler and major attractions are fully operational. Travelers seeking fewer crowds may consider visiting between March and May or in September, when the weather is warm but generally milder than during the peak summer months of July and August.

Spring travel can occasionally be disrupted by sandstorms brought by the Khamsin winds, but the period often offers easier access to tourist sites and discounted hotel rates compared with the busy winter season.

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