Transit Visa for Egypt

An Egyptian transit Visa is mandatory for anyone with a layover in Egypt that is longer than 6 hours, or if the traveller intends to leave the transit area. 

The duration of stay offered by the transit Visa is only up to 48 hours. 

Note: A transit visa cannot be issued upon arrival at the airport and must be applied for in advance at an Egyptian embassy or consulate in your country.

Overstaying beyond the allowed time may lead to fines or entry issues. To avoid complications, it’s recommended to apply for Egypt eVisa or the appropriate transit visa ahead of your journey.

Countries that are eligible to apply for a Transit Visa for Egypt

Information about a Transit Visa for Egypt

Please be informed that a Transit Visa is very different from an Egyptian regular visa and an Egypt e-Visa, and you should apply for the transit Visa after understanding the points below:

• You must be a resident of a country eligible to apply for a Transit Visa to Egypt.
• The transit Visa takes up to 7 working days to get issued.
• Travellers with a layover in Egypt of more than 48hours are required to obtain a regular tourist visa or an eVisa.
• The transit visa allows you to stay in Egypt for a maximum of 48 hours.
• If Layovers are under 6 hours, transitvisas are not required; in such cases, most nationalities are permitted to remain in the airport's transit area. Certain nationalities may be permitted to exit the transit area and utilise the airport facilities.
• If layovers are between 6 and 48 hours, you require a Transit Visa. With that, eligible passengers can leave the airport for a nearby hotel, subject to the approval of immigration authorities and the airline's discretion. Your passport may be held by the airline until your next flight. 

Confirm with your airline first. For nationals of ineligible countries, obtain the correct visit visa before exiting the transit zone.

Requirements for a Transit Visa for Egypt

• A copy of your passport. The photocopy should include the front and back of your passport.
• Recent passport-size photo (as per Egypt visa photo size requirement)
• You need to submit a duly filled form for a Transit Visa. You should double-check the information you have provided to avoid spelling errors. 
• Contact details. 
• Transit Visa Fee. 
• Flight tickets confirmed (outbound).
• Information about your guardian and their signature is also required if you are under 18 and applying for a Transit Visa.
• Visa for the next destination (if needed)

The difference between an Egypt Transit Visa, an e-Visa, and a Regular Visa

Egypt offers visas with various durations. Select the appropriate category and apply. Some nations can visit Egypt visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an e-Visa. 

Other countries require visas to be obtained from Egyptian embassies or consulates.

Check out the lists of countries that are Eligible Countries for Egypt eVisa. 

• Egypt eVisa: An Egypt e-Visa is an electronic visa that you receive online. The whole application, payment, and receipt process for an e-Visa is completed online. An e-Visa is valid for either 90 or 180 days and is granted exclusively for travel purposes. It is possible to extend the e-Visa before your stay ends.
• Egypt Regular Visa: Egypt also offers visas with durations ranging from 1 month to 5 years. The regular Visa process is conducted through an embassy or consulate and requires numerous documents to be completed and submitted.
• Egypt Transit Visa: As previously mentioned, a transit visa permits you to enter Egypt between your layovers for a stay of up to 48 hours. It cannot be issued at the airport in Egypt upon arrival.

Frequently asked questions