Egypt is set to roll out a pilot phase of its new visa-on-arrival system at Cairo International Airport in mid-June, aiming to transform the arrival experience for international visitors.
Speaking during a meeting with key government ministries and the private company responsible for the implementation, Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Egypt, said the system would leverage digital technology to streamline entry processes. Designed to reduce congestion and boost convenience, the new visa-on-arrival programme offers travellers multiple options for obtaining emergency visas upon arrival.
Central to the system are self-service kiosks within airport terminals and a dedicated mobile application, enabling visitors to secure emergency visas using QR codes and digital payments. This eliminates the traditional paperwork and cash-based transactions that have long contributed to bottlenecks at the airport.
“This new system is a significant step forward in our efforts to modernise Egypt’s tourism sector. By leveraging digital technology, we aim to make the arrival experience smoother, faster, and more convenient for our guests from around the world,” Minister Fathy said.
The pilot programme will be monitored closely at Cairo International Airport, Egypt’s busiest gateway, to refine procedures before expanding to other airports nationwide. The move supports Egypt’s ambitious strategy to attract 30 million tourists annually by 2028.
The visa-on-arrival programme forms part of Egypt’s broader Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to position the country as a leading global destination. As part of this strategy, Egypt has also extended its free 96-hour transit visa programme for another year, with the new expiration date set for April 2026.
