Visas & Documents
9 questions from travelers about Visas & Documents in Cairo, Egypt.
Questions
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Can I leave Sharm El Sheikh on the 15th day with a Sinai-only entry stamp without overstaying?
Travelers report that departing in the evening of the 15th calendar day on a Sinai-only stamp is generally accepted, as officers tend to count days rather than exact hours. Departure on day 16, including after a flight delay, may create an overstay risk.
2 sources · 35 days ago
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How can travelers without an accepted foreign bank card obtain and pay for the Egypt entry-visa QR code when arriving in Cairo?
According to travelers in August 2026, the visa could not be prepaid with a Russian-issued card, so these passengers went through everything at Cairo Airport: a queue to register the QR code, another to pay for it, and then passport control. Some travelers arrived with a ready QR code, valid for 7 days, but even then, they said, getting out took an hour and a half to two hours. Allow extra time after landing.
2 sources · 50 days ago
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Do I need an e-visa or full Egypt visa to visit Cairo, or is the free Sinai entry stamp enough?
Electronic migration cards are being piloted only at Cairo airport and the system is unreliable — it's not guaranteed to work. Illegal workarounds to reach Cairo without a proper visa (e.g. arranging it through a local guide) are risky — some travelers end up stuck with only the free Sinai stamp and no way into Cairo.
3 sources · 55 days ago
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How to get an Egypt visa on arrival in Cairo in 2026 (new digital QR visa system)?
Since August 1, 2026, Cairo airport issues a digital visa (QR code) instead of a sticker for $30 (some sources say $36), card payment only. Hurghada still uses the old system, and Sharm el-Sheikh stays visa-free for up to 15 days with the Sinai stamp.
2 sources · 34 days ago
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How to pay an overstay visa fine at Cairo airport when leaving Egypt?
You can pay the overstay fine directly at Cairo airport before departure — often a reduced amount or nothing at all; document copies aren't always required, but with a serious overstay you may be held until you buy a ticket.
1 source · 74 days ago
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Can Kazakhstan citizens get an e-visa or extend a tourist visa in Egypt?
According to travelers in summer 2026, Egypt's e-visa is not available to citizens of Kazakhstan: it briefly worked in autumn 2025, but as of July 2026 Kazakhstan was not on the eligible list, and the fee is lost if the application is refused. Extensions are also difficult: a Kazakh citizen who owns apartments in Hurghada was refused and told only a 30-day visa applies. Rules change, so check with an Egyptian consulate before you travel.
1 source · 6 days ago
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Does staying 31 days on a standard Egypt tourist visa count as an overstay, and can you be fined when departing from Cairo?
Recent traveler reports suggest Egypt’s standard tourist visa is now being enforced as exactly 30 days, and if immigration sees you stayed longer, you may be asked to pay an overstay fine when departing from Cairo. The old 30 nights/31 days workaround that sometimes passed before is now considered risky.
3 sources · 21 days ago
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What overstay fee is charged at Cairo airport if your Egypt visa has expired, and are there exemptions for children or travelers over 60?
Travelers report that Cairo airport is usually more lenient than Red Sea resorts: the residency/tourist overstay tax is generally not charged there, and children under 16 plus travelers over 60 are exempt. In resort airports such as Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, people mention fees around USD 150, while Cairo reports mention a much smaller charge of about USD 30.
1 source · 95 days ago
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Do I need a visa for transit through Cairo to Sharm el-Sheikh?
Yes, a visa is required. Cairo is not part of the Sinai free zone, so you cannot board a connecting flight to Sharm el-Sheikh without one. On-arrival purchase is restricted — get it in advance or via a tour operator guarantee letter.
2 sources · 12 days ago