Australians visiting Cairo in 2026 need a visa to enter Egypt, but the process is straightforward — Australians can obtain a visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport, purchase an e-Visa online before departure (the recommended approach for convenience and speed), or obtain a visa through the Egyptian embassy in Canberra. Egypt's e-Visa system has made pre-travel authorisation simple and Australians are eligible.
Egypt requires a visa for Australian passport holders, but the visa is easy to obtain through three different pathways: on arrival at Cairo airport, online before travel via the Egyptian e-Visa system, or through the Egyptian embassy in Australia. Here is what Australian travellers need to know about entry requirements for Cairo and Egypt in 2026.
Australian passport holders can obtain a single-entry visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport (CAI). The cost is approximately USD 25 for a single-entry visa or USD 60 for a multiple-entry visa (prices may be revised — verify current fees with DFAT Smartraveller or the Egyptian Embassy). Visa on arrival payment is typically accepted in USD or EUR cash; credit card availability varies. The visa on arrival is valid for stays of up to 30 days. The queue at Cairo Airport's visa on arrival counters can be long at peak times — factoring this into your arrival logistics is sensible.
Egypt offers an e-Visa system (visa2egypt.gov.eg) that allows Australians to apply online before departure and receive their visa approval electronically. The e-Visa: is the same price or marginally more expensive than the airport visa (approximately USD 25 for single entry, USD 60 for multiple entry); allows you to skip the visa-on-arrival queue at Cairo Airport; provides confirmed entry documentation before you board your flight from Australia; is valid for use within 3 months of issue; and covers stays of up to 30 days per entry. Australians planning a Cairo visit are recommended to use the e-Visa system — it eliminates the uncertainty of the airport queue and gives confirmed documentation to show your airline.
Australians can also obtain an Egyptian tourist visa in advance through the Egyptian Embassy in Canberra (or Egyptian Consulate in other Australian cities). This approach is slower than the e-Visa but may be preferred by those wanting a physical visa stamp in their passport before departure. Contact the embassy for current fees and processing times.
Your Australian passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned date of arrival in Egypt. Egyptian immigration at Cairo Airport is strict about this requirement. Ensure you have at least one blank page in your passport for the Egyptian visa stamp or entry mark.
On arrival at Cairo International Airport you will need: your valid Australian passport; your visa on arrival receipt or e-Visa approval printout (or phone screenshot); a completed arrival card (distributed on the flight or available at the airport); and your flight return or onward travel booking may be requested.
Travellers entering Egypt specifically to visit the Sinai Peninsula (Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Taba) by ferry from Jordan or by the Taba land crossing can sometimes obtain a free Sinai-only entry stamp valid for 15 days covering specific Sinai resort areas, without requiring a full Egyptian visa. This arrangement does not allow travel to Cairo or the Nile Valley. Australians flying directly to Cairo need the standard tourist visa regardless.
This article was compiled by AI and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.
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