As Egypt’s capital city and the location of many of its most famous landmarks, Cairo is the country’s most popular destination for international visitors.
It is important to have the correct documents to travel to the city. One question that many passengers have is: “Do you need a visa for Cairo?”
This quick guide outlines the requirements for traveling to Cairo. Learn more about the visas needed below.
Do I Need a Visa for Cairo?
Most international visitors must have a valid visa to travel to Cairo. The exact visa requirements depend on the traveler’s nationality.
Citizens of various countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Russia, Japan, and most European nations, are eligible to apply for an Egypt visa online, which will allow them to visit Cairo. This is called an electronic visa (eVisa).
This digital system is widely considered the quickest and easiest way to get a Cairo visa. Travelers can obtain their travel permits using a computer or device connected to the internet. They must simply enter their details in a short Egypt visa application form. After this is submitted, the eVisa will be delivered by email.
The visitor must then print a copy. The eVisa must be presented on paper to clear immigration at Cairo International Airport (CAI).
Access to Egypt eVisa Application Form
Can I get a visa on arrival at Cairo Airport?
Nationals of certain countries can apply for a visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport. However, there are certain drawbacks to this.
Travelers will have to stand in line to fill out their forms and will spend a lot of unnecessary time waiting before being allowed to enter Egypt.
If anything is missing (or there is any other problem processing their visa on arrival application), they may be denied entry to Cairo. In this situation, they may have to return home.
For these reasons, it is highly recommended that individuals who meet the Egypt eVisa requirements apply online in advance. This will allow them to avoid unnecessary waits at border control and provides time to resolve any unlikely issues with the application.
Do you need a transit visa for connecting flights in Cairo?
Most travelers will not need a visa for a short layover in CAI. The maximum time allowed in transit without a visa is 48 hours.
To spend longer than this time in transit in Cairo, passengers must either have an Egypt transit visa or a valid tourist visa, such as the eVisa.
However, nationals of certain countries will require a transit visa regardless of the length of the layover.
Is It Safe to Travel to Cairo?
In general, Cairo is a fairly safe city to visit. It is generally regarded as one of the safest parts of Egypt to travel to.
As when visiting any city around the world, visitors should stay alert and keep an eye on their belongings. Opportunists exist in all destinations, including Egypt. Most crimes targeting foreigners in Cairo are thefts, since pickpockets are fairly common. By keeping personal items close and using common sense, it is possible to avoid such problems.
That said, most visitors to the city have no negative experiences and enjoy their stays.
Road traffic in Cairo can be hazardous. It is a very busy city and visitors should be careful when crossing the road. If renting a car to get around Egypt, take care while driving.
It is also worth noting that protests and demonstrations cannot be held without a permit. It is wise to avoid any sort of protest or civil disobedience, as it may draw unwanted attention from Cairo’s police and security forces.
Requirements to Visit Cairo
The documents required to travel to Cairo include the following:
- Valid passport
- Visa
Passports must continue to be valid for at least 6 months after the trip to Cairo. If a traveler’s passport is set to expire in less than 6 months, they are strongly advised to renew it before applying for a visa.
The passport must also have at least one blank page.
Nationals of most countries must have a visa to go to Cairo. The type of visa must correspond to the length of time and purpose of the trip. Most visitors will need an Egyptian tourist visa, such as the online eVisa.
If a traveler is coming to Cairo for work or business, however, they will need a different type of visa to cover these activities.
Why Travel to Cairo?
Cairo is worth visiting for a number of reasons.
The city and the surrounding metropolitan area are the largest in Egypt and the Arab world, with a population of over 22 million, making it the country’s main hub of culture, commerce, and cuisine.
The area is steeped in history, having been a focal point of Ancient Egypt. The ruins of the city of Memphis are found close to Cairo, while the largest and most famous pyramids of the ancient kingdom are in Giza, within the Greater Cairo Area. The Old City is home to Roman, Islamic, and Coptic architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Nile flows through the city, with many visitors taking the opportunity to take a cruise up the river from Cairo to include Luxor and Aswan on their trip.
The main landmarks and things to see in Cairo and the surrounding area include:
- The Giza Necropolis
- The Great Pyramid of Giza (Pyramid of Khufu/Pyramid of Cheops)
- The Pyramid of Khafre
- The Pyramid of Menkaure
- The Sphinx
- Old Cairo
- Roman fortress of Babylon
- Amr ibn al-'As Mosque
- The Hanging Church
- The Greek Orthodox Church of St. George
- Tahrir Square
- Cairo Tower
- The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities (Egyptian Museum)
- Citadel of Cairo
- Khan el-Khalili bazaar
Transiting Through Cairo
Although the Egyptian transit visa usually comes with no geographic limitations, it is no surprise that most travelers obtain a transit visa for Cairo. In fact, long-distance flight routes in Africa and the Middle East are very likely to stop in Cairo for a layover.
Since its inauguration in the 1940s, Cairo International Airport has become one of the busiest airports in the world. Its 3 terminals welcome 40 million passengers every year and Cairo International Airport is now considered the second most trafficked airport in the African continent — the first being OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Many international travelers decide to make the best of their transit visa and explore Egypt’s capital city. Cairo International Airport is a mere 15 km from the city center.
You can find buses leaving from Terminal 1 for Cairo’s central business district as well as plenty of taxis. Some travelers also choose to hire a car.
Spending Transit Time inside Cairo International Airport
Should travelers not have time to leave the airport, they are able to enjoy a number of facilities, from luxury hotels to restaurants and cafés. Those who choose to work on the go can find a business center equipped with computers and fax services inside terminal 1 and free Wi-Fi is available across all terminals.
All terminals offer several lounges with food, TV, magazines, work stations, and more.
Should travelers need assistance, the airport staff is available to support them with formalities and luggage claiming at the following meet & assist locations:
- Arrival and departure areas in Terminal 1
- Departure area in Terminal 3
Several pharmacies and medical service centers are also available throughout the airport.
