Visa for Egypt from UK: what do you need to know

Egypt is the land of Pharaohs, huge dunes of fine sand, the pyramids of Gizeh, spectacular beaches, the Nile, the Tomb of Tutankhamen and wonderful cities like Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada.

If you are a British national planning your trip to Egypt, here is a full Egypt travel guide. In this article, you will find all the information on visa, embassies, currency and security. Everything you need to visit Egypt and enjoy multiple activities confidently and securely.

Do you need a visa for Egypt from UK?

Yes, you need a visa for Egypt if you are British. You can get it in person at an embassy or consulate, on arrival to the country or online. If you are travelling for tourism, we recommend you getting an Egypt visa online using the e-visa system.

It is the best method of getting the visa because it is faster, quicker and will give you the security of having the vital documents before arriving in the country. You will not find nasty surprises once you get to Egypt.

You will only need to fill in a form that will take you less than 5 minutes, upload any required documents and in a matter of hours or few days you will get the visa in your email.

You can choose from a single entry Egypt tourist visa valid for 90 days and which allows you to visit Egypt for stays up to 30 days or the multiple entry eVisa valid for 180 days and which allows you to stay up to 30 days in the country.

If you prefer to get a visa on arrival, you can do so at approved bank kiosks within airport arrival halls, before reaching immigration counters. In many cases you can find that the immigration agent will charge more than US$25 for a visa, which is the set price of the visa. If you choose this option, you can face long waiting queues, there can be errors difficult to fix in a foreign country (and sometimes in a foreign language) and you can risk not having on you all the necessary documents and getting your visa denied.

There are different types of visas that adjust to your specific situation. Make sure you check out all the requirements these visas have.

Visa requirements for Egypt for UK citizens

If you are travelling to Egypt for tourism, in addition to the visa, you will need to have these Egypt entry requirements:

• A passport that should be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive.
• Two recent coloured passport-sized photographs.
• A digital copy of the information page of the UK’s passport.
• The application form.
• Email address to receive the resolution of the visa process.
• A credit or debit card to pay the fees.

Can I travel without an Egypt visa for UK citizens?

Generally speaking, no, you must get an Egypt tourist visa to visit Egypt. There are only two scenarios where you won’t need a visa.

You won’t need a visa if you are transiting and stopping in Egypt to reach another destination. A transit visa won’t be needed if your layover in Egypt will be for less than 48 hours (you must show your next ticket flight). However, you’ll have to apply for a transit visa if you want to explore your surroundings between flights.

The second scenario is if you’re travelling to Sharm el Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba resorts for up to 15 days. If you don’t leave the resorts and stay for less than 15 days, you won’t need a visa. You will receive a free entry permission stamp upon arrival.

How do I apply for a visa for Egypt from UK?

To apply for the Egypt visa is very simple.

First you will need to check if your nationality allows you to get an online visa. If it does, you will have to choose what type of visa you want and fill in the application form with your personal information exactly as it appears in your passport.

Then you must review and check if all the information provided is true and correct. After that, you will pay the fees and wait for the visa to be sent to your email in just some days (less than a week). We recommend you print a copy of the visa and present it with your passport on arrival.

Should you require help using the application form or at any of the steps of this process, you can contact Visagov.com. Our experts will be delighted to help you at any given time.

How long does it take to get an Egypt visa for UK citizens?

The Egypt tourist Visa will take less than 7 days to be processed and for the resolution to arrive in your email.

How much does the visa for Egypt cost?

The visa fee is payable in euros and with a debit or credit card on our website:

• Single entry eVisa: 25 euros
• Multiple entry eVisa: 60 euros.

Are vaccines part of the Egypt entry requirements for UK citizens?

There is no need to provide proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status for entering Egypt. Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for travellers visiting Egypt from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends  travellers to be up to date on these vaccines: 

• Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
• Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• Polio
• The flu
• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Rabies

Where is the Egyptian embassy in the UK?  

Address: 26 South Street, Mayfair, W1K 1DW, London, United Kingdom.

Phone: +44-20-7499-3304

Where is the UK's embassy in Egypt? 

Address: 7 Ahmed Ragheb Street Garden, Cairo city, Egypt.

Phone: +20 2 27916000

What is the time difference between Egypt and the UK? 

There is a time difference of two hours. Egypt is two hours ahead of the UK. For example, if it is 10:47 in Egypt, it is 8:47 in the UK.

What is the currency in Egypt and the exchange rate to pounds?

Egypt’s currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). The Egyptian pound is divided into 100 piastres. You can find banknotes of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 pounds; plus 5, 10, 25 and 50 piastres and coins of 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 piastres and 1 pound.

You can exchange currency at the airport, banks, hotels and exchange offices. Keep in mind that 1 British pound is around 37.87 Egyptian pounds. This fluctuates, so make sure you check it before exchanging your money.

Is Egypt safe for tourists? 

Is Egypt safe to visit? Yes. However, as with most places, you should take some security measures to make sure your trip flows as smoothly as possible:

• You should not leave tourist routes.
• Avoid demonstrations and very busy events.
• Keep your belongings close to you and do not have all your money on you.
• Be careful when crossing. Egypt has chaotic traffic and accidents can happen if you are not careful.
• Women are advised to cover shoulders and knees at the very least.