Visas & Documents

Where can I get an Egyptian visa in Sharm el-Sheikh, and do I need to pay again when flying via Cairo?

In October 2026, buying a visa on arrival at Sharm el-Sheikh airport was recommended as the simplest option; reports about paying again when flying via Cairo differ: an August report described two payments, while an October reply said an existing visa was sufficient. Rules change — confirm with an official source before you travel.

2 sources · 2 days ago

Where should I buy an Egypt visa, and how much does it cost?

In September 2026, a traveler recommended buying the visa at windows displaying a USD 30 price rather than from tour operator representatives, who charged USD 32–34. Rules change—confirm with an official source before you travel.

3 sources · 8 days ago

How do I buy an Egyptian tourist visa on arrival at Sharm El Sheikh Airport?

At Sharm El Sheikh Airport, buy the visa sticker at the bank counter after leaving the aircraft, then take it with your completed arrival card to passport control. Travelers reported a price of US$30 per person; make sure the sticker is placed in your passport and stamped.

2 sources · 21 days ago

Do you need a hotel guide’s permit to take excursions from Sharm el-Sheikh with a Sinai-only entry stamp?

No: travelers report that a hotel representative does not issue a compulsory permit for excursions around Sinai. If a guide says you cannot leave Sharm el-Sheikh or that insurance is invalid unless you buy their tour, check your own policy and confirm requirements with the excursion operator.

1 source · 22 days ago

Can travelers leave Egypt for Russia or Turkey on a charter flight after an extended stay in Sharm El Sheikh?

Travelers recommend booking a scheduled flight after a longer stay in Egypt, as boarding on a charter may be refused. Egypt–Turkey flights are generally scheduled services, while options to Russia mentioned include Nesma, Red Sea, Al Masria, EgyptAir and Aeroflot.

3 sources · 22 days ago

How do I make sure my passport receives an exit stamp at Sharm El Sheikh Airport?

Check your passport for an exit stamp immediately after immigration. Travelers report that it can occasionally be missed, and there is a further stamp check after passport control.

1 source · 25 days ago

Can Kyrgyz passport holders get an Egypt visa on arrival in Sharm El Sheikh and travel beyond the Sinai Peninsula?

Kyrgyz passport holders generally cannot buy a standard Egypt visa on arrival at Sharm El Sheikh Airport. Without prior arrangements, they may only receive the free Sinai-only entry stamp, which restricts travel to the Sinai Peninsula.

1 source · 29 days ago

Do I need to buy an Egyptian visa on arrival if I am staying only in Sharm El Sheikh?

Travelers report that a paid Egyptian visa is not needed when staying only in Sharm El Sheikh without leaving Sinai. Hotels normally copy passports at check-in, but travelers with an expired immigration status should confirm their situation with the hotel and immigration authorities in advance.

3 sources · 32 days ago

Where to get an arrival card and clear passport control at Sharm El Sheikh Airport

Arrival cards can be requested from the tour-guide desks after leaving the plane; fill one in before joining passport control. Queues can be very long at busy times, while the far-right counter may occasionally be faster.

1 source · 33 days ago

Where to buy an Egypt visa extension stamp in Sharm El Sheikh, and is it available on Friday?

Travelers report that the visa extension stamp in Sharm El Sheikh is sold at Bank Misr in Nabq. The bank is closed on Friday, so plan to buy the stamp on another working day.

2 sources · 39 days ago

How to regularize or extend an Egypt visa in Sharm El Sheikh before traveling to Cairo

Based on travelers' experience in August 2026, visa extensions in Sharm El Sheikh are handled at the police office in the Old Market, where officers ask about your reasons and funds; one applicant was told a decision would take about 20 days. If you have already bought a visa, participants advise getting the stamp at the local police without waiting until day 28, or through a hotel guide for a fee. With an overstay, one participant says a new visa cannot be issued locally — you have to leave and pay the fine. Confirm the rules with the official authorities.

3 sources · 24 days ago

Can I pay cash for an Egypt tourist visa on arrival at Sharm El Sheikh Airport, and which US dollar notes are accepted?

An Egypt visa on arrival at Sharm El Sheikh Airport normally costs US$25 per person and is paid in cash at the airport bank counters. Bring the exact amount in clean, newer US dollar notes, as change for a US$100 bill may be unavailable or given in Egyptian pounds.

2 sources · 11 days ago

Do I need to buy an Egypt visa on arrival at Sharm El Sheikh Airport, and where do I get the visa sticker?

If you stay only in South Sinai, the free Sinai Only entry stamp is generally sufficient. To travel beyond Sinai, buy the Egyptian visa sticker from the airport bank counter before passport control; the reported price is US$25.

2 sources · 4 days ago

Do you still need to fill out a paper arrival/migration card when entering Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt?

Yes — you still need to fill out a paper migration card on the plane or at the airport; a pre-filled sample sent by your tour operator (e.g. Biblio Globus) is not accepted at the airport, it can only be used as a template to copy from.

2 sources · 57 days ago

What happens if you overstay the free Sinai-only entry stamp in Sharm el-Sheikh — fines and how to fly out?

On arrival in Sharm el-Sheikh, travelers get a free Sinai-only entry stamp — no need to pay the $30 visa fee. But if you overstay it even by a few days, you'll likely have to pay a fine on exit, and charter flights may refuse to let you board — you might need to fly out on a regular flight, sometimes only from Cairo.

3 sources · 8 days ago

Do I need to complete an arrival form when landing at Sharm El Sheikh Airport, and where do I get it?

If an arrival form is required for your flight or entry type, it is completed after landing at Sharm El Sheikh Airport. You do not need to look for the form in town before arrival.

2 sources · 5 days ago

Where to buy a visa on arrival at Sharm el Sheikh airport?

Visa can usually be bought on arrival at the airport, but not everyone is let through to the counter — a more reliable option is Banque Misr near the Rixos hotel in Naama Bay.

1 source · 73 days ago

Do you still need to fill out a paper immigration/arrival card when entering Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt?

Yes, as of late July 2026 travelers still fill out a paper arrival/immigration card on landing in Sharm El Sheikh, despite talk about switching to an electronic version.

2 sources · 75 days ago

Do I need to register my Egypt tourist visa at the immigration office (Mugamma) within 7 days of arriving in Sharm El Sheikh?

It depends on your passport stamp: if immigration adds an extra stamp saying registration is required within 7 days, you must visit the Mugamma (immigration office); if there's no such stamp, no registration is needed.

1 source · 10 days ago

Do I need a visa for Sharm El Sheikh if I stay only within the Sinai Peninsula?

Russian citizens don't need a visa if staying within Sinai (Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, etc.); leaving Sinai for mainland Egypt (Cairo, Luxor) requires a visa. Rules differ for other nationalities, including some Central Asian countries.

2 sources · 39 days ago

Do you need a separate visa for excursions outside the Sinai zone when staying in Sharm el-Sheikh (e.g. Petra, Cairo)?

The free Sinai-only entry stamp you get in Sharm el-Sheikh covers just the Sinai peninsula; trips outside it (Cairo, Luxor, Petra in Jordan) require a full Egypt visa, which local travel agencies can arrange for you on-site.

2 sources · 29 days ago

How many days can you stay in Egypt visa-free before you need a visa?

Visa-free entry to Sharm El Sheikh and other resort zones covers up to 15 full days (day counted 00:00–23:59); starting day 16 you need a visa. This rule doesn't apply if you already got a 28-day visa on arrival.

2 sources · 9 days ago

Do you need a visa for Sharm El Sheikh, and what about visas for children with their own passports?

No advance visa is needed for Sharm El Sheikh — just a valid passport, as the entry stamp/visa is issued free on arrival. Kids traveling on their own passport get the same on-arrival stamp, with a blank/dash where extra info isn't required.

2 sources · 16 days ago

Do I need a visa for Sharm El Sheikh if I stay only in Sinai, and what happens if I cross to Israel or Jordan?

If you stay only within Sinai (Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba) for up to 15 days, you get a free Sinai entry stamp with no visa required. If you plan to cross into Israel, Jordan, Turkey, or stay longer, you'll need a paid visa (around $25) arranged at the border or airport.

1 source · 8 days ago

Do you still need to fill out an immigration/landing card when entering Egypt, and what happens if you re-enter within 90 days?

Egypt has dropped the paper landing card — border officers scan your passport and pull up your data automatically. However, re-entering the country within 90 days of a previous visit can trigger a block (including on local SIM cards), sometimes even for long-term residents.

3 sources · 27 days ago

Can you enter Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt if your passport has less than 6 months validity left?

It’s not worth the risk: travelers report possible denial of boarding or entry to Egypt if your passport has less than 6 months validity left. Even if you transit via Turkey, Egypt’s 6-month rule may still apply for your final destination.

1 source · 26 days ago

Does your passport need 6 months validity to enter Egypt?

Yes, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months on the date of entry into Egypt. You can exit on the last day of validity.

1 source · 8 days ago

Can Kazakhstan citizens get a visa on arrival in Sharm el-Sheikh without buying through a tour operator?

Kazakhstan citizens need a guarantee letter from a local tour company to get an Egyptian visa — this can be purchased at the arrival hall for around $30, plus $30 for the visa itself. Buying everything through your home tour operator is not required.

2 sources · 21 days ago

Do I need a visa for Sharm el-Sheikh and how much does it cost?

A migration card is mandatory and free. The $30 visa sticker is only needed if you plan to travel outside Sharm el-Sheikh (e.g. to Cairo or Luxor).

1 source · 14 days ago

How long does passport control and visa on arrival take at Sharm el-Sheikh airport?

In 2025–2026 there are virtually no queues — the entire process including visa on arrival is very fast, often finishing before luggage even arrives on the belt.

3 sources · 12 days ago

How much alcohol can you bring into Sharm el-Sheikh and does duty-free count toward the limit?

Egypt allows 1 liter of alcohol per person in luggage. Duty-free purchases from your departure airport count toward this limit.

2 sources · 116 days ago

Do I need a visa for Sharm el-Sheikh Egypt for a short stay?

No visa is needed for Sharm el-Sheikh and the Sinai Peninsula for stays up to 15 days. A visa is required if you plan to visit Cairo, travel outside Sinai (e.g. a day trip to Petra, Jordan), or stay longer than 15 days.

2 sources · 2 days ago

Do you need to fill out an arrival/departure card when entering Egypt?

As of mid-2026, the status of Egypt's arrival/departure cards is unclear — some tour operators provide pre-filled forms, while some travelers report they've been abolished. Check with your tour operator before departure.

2 sources · 29 days ago