Egypt is launching a new emergency visa-on-arrival system, with the pilot phase starting in mid-June at Cairo International Airport.
This initiative is being introduced to streamline the entry process by enabling eligible travelers to obtain e-visas quickly through self-service stations at arrival areas or a dedicated mobile application.
The details of this system were discussed at a high-level meeting with relevant ministries and authorities, and the company in charge of the technical development at the headquarters of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Sherif Fathy, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, headed the meeting under the directives of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on May 15, 2025.
The innovative system is set to reduce wait times at border control and make the entry process into Egypt a seamless experience for tourists from various countries. Minister Fathy shared that the emergency visa-on-arrival system will prevent overcrowding and enable the airports to facilitate a higher volume of tourist arrivals.
According to the statement released by the ministry, upon successful application, travelers will receive a unique QR code that authorities will scan, expediting the entry process. Visitors can also make payments electronically and upload relevant documents using a dedicated mobile application.
At the meeting, the ministers and other parties present talked about possible issues they may face with the system. They concluded to closely monitor the success of the system and gather operational feedback to fine-tune the system.
The digital visa-on-arrival system will eventually be implemented at other major airports, such as Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Luxor. Minister Fathy stressed that this initiative is a part of Egypt’s larger goal to modernize the tourism infrastructure and boost the country’s appeal as a tourist destination.