Egypt Transit Visa

Almost all international travelers need an Egyptian visa in order to enter the country. Travelers who intend to stay on Egyptian soil for a very limited time while en route to a different destination may need an Egypt transit visa.

Travelers should check if they can transit through Egypt visa-free or if they need an Egyptian transit visa before departure. This will allow them to avoid any problems on arrival in Egypt.

This page includes important information regarding the Egyptian transit visa including eligible nationalities and exemptions, transit visa requirements for Egypt, and whether or not travelers need a Cairo transit visa.

The Egypt e-Visa for Transit

Passengers who meet Egypt’s online visa requirements can simply get an e-Visa and use this for transit. The electronic visa can be used for tourist visits or to stop in Egypt to change flights.

Many tourists intending to transit through Egypt choose to apply for an Egypt electronic visa prior to departure, since this saves the hassle of applying for a transit visa at an embassy and dealing with the paperwork in person.

What Is an Egypt Transit Visa?

An Egypt transit visa is a specific visa that lets a person travel through the country. The transit visa allows limited time in the country so travelers can change flights or other means of transportation and continue their journey to their final destination.

If the traveler is planning to change flights (or other means of transportation) in Egypt as they travel to a different destination, they may need to obtain an Egypt transit visa to leave the airport and transit through Egypt lawfully.

Do I Need a Transit Visa for Egypt?

Whether a traveler needs a transit visa for Egypt depends on several factors, including their nationality and the intended duration of their transit.

For example, Iranian citizens must apply for a transit visa regardless of the transit time between their flights.

Visa-required nationals without an Egypt transit visa are likely to be penalized. Therefore, it is important to have the correct documentation.

What Nationalities Can Transit through Egypt without a Visa?

Exemptions apply to the transit visa for Egypt. Citizens of the following 9 countries are allowed entry to Egypt visa-free:

Other exemptions apply. That’s the case for holders of diplomatic, official, service, and special passports issued by certain countries.

Do I Need a Visa for a Layover in the Main Airports of Egypt?

Many travelers can spend a limited time in the main airports of Egypt visa-free between flights. This includes Cairo Airport.

If the traveler’s transit time amounts to less than 6 hours, they are required to stay in the airport as they wait for their flight if they do not have a Cairo transit visa.

While most travelers will be able to leave the transit area and enjoy the airport’s facilities, some must remain in the transit area. This applies to nationals of Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine, and the Philippines.

What Is the Maximum Time You Can Stay in an Egyptian Airport without a Visa?

Even if the country that issued the traveler’s passport has not signed a visa exemption agreement with Egypt, many foreign nationals may be able to transit through airports in Egypt visa-free for up to 48 hours.

Eligible nationals are usually allowed to leave an Egyptian airport and visit the surrounding areas if the time between their flights is expected to be between 6 and 48 hours.

However, if they have a lengthy layover, or wish to leave the Egyptian airport for more than 48 hours, then a transit visa is required.

How to Apply for a Transit Visa for Egypt

The most convenient way to apply for a transit visa for Egypt or Cairo transit visa is through the simplified eVisa application.

That’s because the eVisa allows travelers to avoid visiting the Egyptian embassy or consulate in person and can be obtained online from anywhere in the world.

Other visa options are available to international tourists, including the Egypt visa on arrival, but it comes with its own downsides — most notably, the need to wait in queues at the border in order to apply and the fact that it is single-entry only.

Transit Visa Egypt: Requirements

To obtain a transit visa for Egypt online, the traveler only needs to have a couple of relevant documents. The following are the Egypt transit visa requirements:

Once approved, the traveler should print a copy of their transit visa. They can then show this document to authorities at Egyptian border entry points, alongside their passport and onward ticket, to gain access to the country.

How Many Days Will it Take to Get an Egyptian Transit Visa?

Getting an e-Visa for transit is much faster than getting a transit visa at an Egyptian embassy.

It takes just a few minutes to apply online and up to 3 days to receive the approved visa.

Transit visa applications made an an embassy mean first making the journey to the embassy, then spending considerable time filing the paperwork, and it can take a week or longer to receive the visa.