Do I need an e-visa or full Egypt visa to visit Cairo, or is the free Sinai entry stamp enough?

The e-migration card is currently only in Cairo, but it's expected (no timeline yet) to eventually expand to resort areas like Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh too, similar to how the older paper migration cards spread nationwide.

The electronic migration card system is currently being tested only at Cairo airport, and it's unclear if it will ever become a nationwide requirement — locals say it could be years away, if it happens at all.

Trying to reach Cairo illegally without a proper visa (for example, by arranging something informally with a local guide) is unreliable — there's no guarantee, and some travelers who tried ended up stuck with only the Sinai entry stamp and no Cairo visit.

Even in Cairo itself, where the system is being rolled out first, electronic migration cards haven't been working reliably yet — some travelers couldn't get them processed even at the airport.