Egypt - Immigration

Egypt Immigration Procedures for Yacht Crew

Do I Need a Visa?

In general, nearly all foreign nationals intending to visit Egypt will require some form of visa.

There are only nine countries whose citizens can enter Egypt without a visa. These countries include Bahrain, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macao, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - whose citizens can enter visa-free for up to 90 days - and Malaysia - whose citizens can enter visa-free for up to 14 days.

Visas are not needed by anyone traveling on a yacht transiting the Suez Canal and remaining in the port area.

Options for getting a visa are either visa on arrival (VOA), E-Visa, or through an Egyptian embassy or consulate.

If arriving in Egypt by boat, most nationalities are issued VOA.

Passports must be valid for six months beyond the visa period.

Other Visa Information

There are 2 types of visa:

• Single Entry Visas: valid for 6 months and allow a maximum stay of ONLY 30 days in Egypt - cost US$25.
• Multiple Entry Visas: valid for 6 months and allow a collective stay of 90 days in Egypt - cost US$60.

Visas on Arrival:

Nationals of the following countries can obtain a visa upon arrival at any of the Egyptian ports of entry: UK, EU members, USA, Australia, Croatia, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Macedonia, Republic of Korea. Most ports of entry can issue both single entry or multiple entry visas. Port Ghalib immigration office, however, can only issue single entry visas with a maximum stay of 30 days.

VOAs can be paid for in US dollars, Euros or British pounds - but don't expect change.

E-Visa:

An E-Visa can be obtained from https://www.visa2egypt.gov.eg

The following official link to the E-Visa website shows a list of countries that are eligible for an E-Visa.

The process is straightforward: sign up for an account, fill in the form and pay the fee using a credit or debit card. You’ll receive email notifications as the application is processed. If you’re issued a visa, you’ll be emailed a link to your e-Visa to download and print the document. Present the e-Visa to the Egyptian border patrol with your passport.

Note:Since 1 December, 2024, Canadians are once again able to get a visa on arrival, or an E-visa.

Other Visas:

If you are not eligible for the E-Visa or VOA, or want something more than a Tourist Visa, there are Egyptian embassies or consulates in most nearby countries, including Israel (Tel Aviv) and Djibouti. The visa application process can take several weeks.

Visa Extensions

An extension to a visa can be obtained from the police, although Egyptian bureaucracy can be slow and extensions are not guaranteed.

In Port Ghalib, visa extensions can only be done in Hurghada, three hours drive away, and at a cost of $100+ each. The minimum time to process a visa extension is 10 days from application date.

The Egyptian Navy now requires that your visa be within it's official operating dates before they will grant you permission to leave the country. If your visa has expired you will have to get an extension before you will be allowed to leave.

If planning to visit Israel and return to Egypt, it is possible to buy a re-entry permit, which expires one day before the original visa expires.

Last updated:  August 2025