Egypt Revolutionizes Travel with Digital Visa-on-Arrival System at Cairo Airport
Egypt is poised to transform entry procedures for international travelers. Starting August 1, 2026, a Digital Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) system will be launched at Cairo International Airport. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced this pilot program, which will replace traditional paper visa stickers with a scannable QR code across all arrival terminals at one of Africa’s busiest aviation gateways.
Eligible travelers — from approximately 46 nationalities currently authorized for visa-on-arrival — can generate their digital visa QR code before departure, during their flight, or after landing. This can be done via an official online portal, a dedicated mobile app, or self-service kiosks in the airport’s arrival halls. The total cost is $36, comprising the existing $30 visa fee and a new $6 digital issuance charge. Importantly, each QR code expires 48 hours after generation, so travelers are advised to create theirs close to their arrival date.
During the pilot phase, the traditional paper sticker visa will remain available as a fallback option. Once the trial period concludes, QR codes will become the sole method of obtaining a visa on arrival, with a rollout to other Egyptian airports to follow in phases. The system was implemented by Cy Shield Technology, with banking services provided by the National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr.
This modernization move is part of Egypt’s broader strategy to streamline tourism and manage the airport’s 30.9 million annual passengers more efficiently. It signals a significant step forward for one of the world’s most visited destinations.
Source: TravelersToday.com – Egypt Visa on Arrival Goes Digital at Cairo Airport