Egypt Revolutionizes Travel with QR Code Visa System Launch at Cairo Airport
Egypt is set to revolutionize the travel experience for millions of international visitors. The country is launching a groundbreaking Digital Visa-on-Arrival System at Cairo International Airport, starting August 1, 2026. This innovative initiative, announced by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on July 23, replaces the traditional paper visa sticker with a scannable QR code. This change aims to streamline the arrival process for travelers from approximately 46 eligible countries.
The new digital visa is priced at $36 USD. This cost includes the existing $30 visa fee and a $6 issuance charge. Travelers can obtain their visas through an official online portal, a dedicated mobile app, or self-service kiosks located in the airport’s arrival halls. Each generated QR code remains valid for 48 hours from the time of issuance. During the pilot phase, paper visa stickers will still be available. However, once testing concludes, the QR code system is expected to become the sole method of obtaining a visa on arrival.
The pilot program covers all arrival terminals at Cairo International Airport. This airport is one of Africa’s busiest aviation hubs, handling approximately 30.9 million passengers annually. The Egyptian government plans to extend this service to other airports across the country in subsequent phases. Travelers planning early August arrivals should monitor the Egyptian Tourism Authority’s official website at experienceegypt.eg for the online portal link once it goes live.
Source: TravelersToday – Egypt Visa on Arrival Goes Digital at Cairo Airport