The Red Sea resort city of Sharm El Sheikh in the south of the Sinai Peninsula is one of Egypt’s most popular tourist destinations.
It is important to know what documents you will need to visit the city and its resorts — in particular whether you will need a visa for Sharm El Sheikh.
This page covers important information about Sharm El Sheikh visas and entry requirements.
Who Needs a Visa for Sharm El Sheikh?
Most foreign nationals need a visa to visit Sharm El Sheikh. Only citizens of a select few countries may enter Egypt to visit Shark El Sheikh visa-free.
Depending on your nationality, you may be eligible to get an Egyptian visa online to visit Sharm El Sheikh. This is considered the quickest and easiest way to authorize a trip to the city.
Which visa do I need to visit Sharm El Sheikh?
As Sharm El Sheikh’s resorts are in South Sinai, nationals of certain countries can enter visa-free with a special Sinai resort permission stamp, received at the airport on arrival.
This only allows you to stay in Sharm El Sheikh for up to 15 days.
To stay for longer, you will need the e-Visa, which permits up to 30 days.
Nationalities who are not eligible for the e-Visa must go to an Egyptian diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) to apply for a visa to visit Sharm El Sheikh in person.
How to Get an e-Visa for Sharm El Sheikh
Getting a Sharm El Sheikh electronic visa is as simple as entering your details and clicking a button.
Simply fill in the online Egypt e-Visa application form, click submit, and your visa request will be processed within just 2 days.
Check that you and your passport meet the visa requirements for Sharm El Sheikh before applying.
Once your visit to Sharm El Sheikh is approved, the e-Visa will be sent to the email address you specified in your application.
Can I use my Sharm El Sheikh visa to visit other parts of Egypt?
If you get the online e-Visa, you can use this to visit any part of Egypt as well as Sharm El Sheikh. The e-Visa grants access to the whole country.
However, if you only get the Sinai resort permission stamp, this only covers visits to Sharm El Sheikh and other nearby resorts in South Sinai.
If you are planning to visit anywhere else in Egypt during your trip, make sure you get the e-Visa.
Traveling to and from Sharm El Sheikh
The easiest way to get to Sharm El Sheikh is by air. This is the recommended method of travel for most tourists.
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) is the third-busiest airport in Egypt and can receive as many as 10 million tourists each year.
You can use the e-Visa to enter the country at SSH or, if eligible, get the Sinai resort permission stamp.
The e-Visa is a huge improvement over the older visa on arrival system, which involves queuing on arrival to apply.
Now, with the visa for Sharm El Sheikh approved in advance, through the convenience of an online application, visitors can clear border control at the airport much quicker than before.
Regulations for Travel to Sharm El Sheikh
Before jetting off to Sharm El Sheikh, it’s a good idea to know what you can and cannot bring into Egypt.
Check Egypt’s customs regulations to find out what products, materials, and substances can be brought into and taken out of the country and how much money you are permitted to carry.
Passport Requirements for Sharm El Sheikh
Travelers must be aware of passport requirements for Sharm El Sheikh prior to traveling. Failure to observe the regulations for passports could result in rejected entry at the border or expulsion from the country while staying in Egypt.
The main requirement for foreign passports in Egypt is that travelers’ passports must be valid for a period of at least 6 months on the day of arrival in Egypt. This requirement also forms part of the Sharm El Sheikh visa requirements.
Can you visit Sharm El Sheikh from Israel?
Yes, it is easy to visit Sharm El Sheikh from Israel by land or air. Many travelers arrive in Sharm El Sheikh by crossing the land border from Israel and driving down to South Sinai.
Unlike many other Middle Eastern countries, Israeli stamps in your passport present no complications when entering Egypt. This is also the same for visitors traveling with an Israeli passport.
Are Vaccinations Required in Sharm El Sheikh?
Some vaccinations are recommended when visiting Sharm El Sheikh, although none are actually mandatory.
Recommended vaccines for Sharm El Sheikh include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and rabies.
Learn more about the recommended vaccinations for visiting Egypt.
