Planning to see the Pyramids of Giza, cruise the Nile, explore Luxor or relax beside the Red Sea? Indian passport holders generally need a visa before entering Egypt. Fortunately, India now appears on Egypt's official e-Visa eligibility list, which means many Indian tourists can complete the application online instead of submitting their passport at a visa centre.
The correct visa route depends on why you are travelling. Tourists can consider the official e-Visa or a traditional sticker visa. Travellers visiting for business, employment, family reunions, conferences or other non-tourism purposes may need a category-specific visa through Egypt's diplomatic mission or its application partner in India. Visa on arrival is available only in specified circumstances and should not be treated as a guaranteed option for every Indian traveller.
This guide explains the Egypt visa types, fees, documents, application process, processing times and entry precautions Indian citizens should know in 2026.
Important: Visa rules, fees and border procedures can change without notice. Confirm the latest requirements on the official Egypt e-Visa portal or with BLS Egypt in India before paying for non-refundable flights or accommodation. A visa does not guarantee admission; the final entry decision rests with Egyptian border authorities.
Yes. Indian citizens ordinarily require a valid visa to visit Egypt. The suitable option depends on the purpose and circumstances of the trip:
Tourism e-Visa: India is listed among the nationalities that may apply on Egypt's official electronic visa portal.
Sticker visa: Tourist and other visa categories can be submitted through the designated Egyptian visa application process in India.
Visa on arrival: Available only when the traveller meets applicable conditions. BLS currently mentions qualifying Gulf residents and Indian tourist groups whose trip is organised by an Egyptian tour operator.
Business, entry or work visa: Usually requires additional supporting documents and may need prior approval from the relevant Egyptian authority.
For an ordinary independent holiday, obtaining an e-Visa or sticker visa before departure is the safer approach.
| Question | Current guidance for Indian travellers |
|---|---|
| Is a visa required? | Yes, in most cases |
| Can Indians apply for an e-Visa? | Yes, India is on the official eligibility list |
| Official tourist e-Visa fee | US$30 single entry; US$65 multiple entry |
| When should an e-Visa application be created? | At least seven days before departure |
| Passport validity | At least six months from the intended arrival date |
| Sticker-visa processing time in India | BLS states three to five working days, although extra time may be required |
| Is visa on arrival guaranteed for all Indians? | No; eligibility is conditional and should be confirmed before travel |
| Recommended application window | Ideally three to four weeks before departure, especially for a sticker visa |
The tourist e-Visa is normally the most convenient option for eligible Indian passport holders taking a holiday in Egypt. The application, document upload and payment are completed online. Once approved, the applicant downloads and prints the electronic visa to carry during the journey.
Egypt's official portal offers single-entry and multiple-entry tourist e-Visas. Choose a multiple-entry option only when your itinerary requires leaving Egypt and returning during the permitted validity period. Always follow the exact validity and maximum-stay dates printed on the issued e-Visa rather than relying on a general online summary.
The official portal says applicants should create their application at least seven days before departure. Applying earlier gives you time to correct mistakes or provide additional information if requested.
A traditional tourist visa is placed in the passport after an application is submitted through the designated process in India. This route may suit travellers who cannot or do not want to use the e-Visa system, need guidance with their documents, or have been advised to obtain a visa from the embassy or consulate.
BLS India's tourist checklist currently asks for a detailed tour programme carrying the contact details, authorised signature and stamp of an Egyptian travel agent, in addition to flight, hotel and financial documents. Check the live checklist before applying because documentation requirements can change.
The business visa is intended for activities such as business meetings, trade exhibitions and training courses. It does not automatically authorise paid employment in Egypt.
According to the BLS checklist, business applicants should provide an invitation letter from an Egypt-based entity containing the host's full address and contact details. A request letter, confirmed return itinerary and six months of bank statements are also among the listed documents.
BLS describes the entry-visa category as suitable for purposes such as joining family or attending a conference, workshop, internship or festival. Supporting evidence normally includes an invitation from the host, proof of the relationship when applicable and the host's residence permit if the host is a foreign national living in Egypt.
This category is not the same as a tourist visa. Applicants should clearly match their purpose and evidence to the appropriate category.
Travellers going to Egypt for employment need the appropriate work authorisation. BLS states that the visa is issued after the relevant Egyptian authorities provide the work permit. The checklist also includes an invitation letter from the Egypt-based entity and a confirmed air ticket.
Do not enter as a tourist with the intention of starting employment. The employer in Egypt should explain the work-permit and residence formalities before the employee travels.
A transit visa may be required when a traveller must enter Egypt during a connection rather than remaining airside. The answer depends on the passport, route, airport, connection time and whether baggage must be collected and checked in again.
Ask the airline and BLS or the Egyptian mission to confirm the rule for your exact itinerary. Do not assume that holding an onward ticket automatically removes the transit-visa requirement.
Egypt uses separate fee schedules for the online e-Visa and applications submitted in India. This is why travellers may see different figures on different websites.
| Tourist e-Visa type | Government fee |
|---|---|
| Single entry | US$30 |
| Multiple entry | US$65 |
These amounts appear on Egypt's Ministry of Interior e-Visa portal as of 1 September 2026. Payment is made online using an accepted credit or debit card. Your bank may add currency-conversion or international-transaction charges. The fee should not be confused with the price charged by a commercial visa agent.
| Process | Listed consular fee |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa, single entry | ₹4,000 |
| Tourist visa, multiple entry | ₹8,000 |
| Transit visa, single entry | ₹8,000 |
| Transit visa, multiple entry | ₹10,500 |
| Entry visa, single entry | ₹8,000 |
| Entry visa, multiple entry | ₹10,500 |
BLS separately lists a ₹500 service fee. Optional services such as courier delivery, photographs, photocopying or SMS updates may cost extra. Its current general instructions say visa fees for the submission route are paid in cash. Confirm the accepted payment method and final total before visiting the centre.
The BLS business and work pages display the general consular price list but do not show a clearly labelled India-specific business- or work-visa row. Applicants in these categories should confirm the payable amount directly instead of assuming the tourist fee applies.
The exact documents depend on whether you apply online or submit a sticker-visa application.
Indian passport valid for at least six months from arrival
Clear digital copy of the passport information page
Proposed arrival and departure dates
Travel itinerary
Hotel booking or accommodation details
Supporting or invitation letter when relevant
Valid email address
Accepted credit or debit card for online payment
At the border, carry the printed e-Visa, passport, itinerary and accommodation details. The official portal also mentions a supporting letter for business or family visits.
BLS India currently lists:
Original passport valid for at least six months.
Photocopies of the passport's first and last pages.
Completed visa application form.
Two passport-size colour photographs on a white background, with the face covering about 60% of the image.
Applicant's request or covering letter explaining the purpose of the trip and giving passport details.
Detailed tour programme on the Egyptian travel agent's letterhead, including contact details, authorised signature and stamp.
Confirmed return ticket covering the complete route.
Confirmed hotel booking or accommodation voucher.
Personal bank statements for the last six months, carrying the bank's original signature and stamp.
The consular officer can ask for additional evidence. Ensure names, passport numbers and travel dates match across the application form, tickets, hotel bookings, letters and bank records.
Go to visa2egypt.gov.eg. Look-alike commercial sites may charge additional service fees and are not Egypt's government portal.
Register using an email address you check regularly and complete the account-confirmation step.
Choose the correct nationality, passport type and tourist-visa option. Select single or multiple entry according to your real itinerary.
Copy your full name, date of birth, passport number, issue date and expiry date exactly as they appear in the passport. A transposed digit or spelling mismatch can cause delay or make the approved visa unusable.
Upload a clear, uncropped scan or photograph of the passport information page in the specified format and size. Avoid glare, shadows, blurred text and covered corners.
Complete payment with an accepted card. Save the confirmation and application reference.
Check your account and email for the decision or any request for further information. The official portal advises creating the application at least seven days before departure; this is a minimum, not a guarantee of approval within seven days.
Print a clear copy and carry it with the passport used for the application. It is sensible to keep an offline copy on your phone as a backup, but do not rely only on the phone.
Identify the visa category that matches the purpose of travel.
Download the current form and checklist from BLS Egypt in India.
Prepare the originals, copies, photographs, letters, itinerary and financial evidence.
Check whether an appointment is required for your selected application centre.
Submit the application and passport personally or through a permitted travel agent.
Pay the prescribed fees using the currently accepted method and keep the receipt.
Track the application online.
Collect the passport or use an available courier service.
After receiving it, check your name, passport number, visa type, number of entries and validity dates immediately.
BLS currently lists visa application centres in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. Submission and collection times can differ from general office hours, so check the official contact page before visiting.
BLS states that visa issuance through the submission route normally takes three to five working days. However, the actual time can be longer if the embassy requests extra documents, prior approval is required, there are public holidays, demand is high or the case needs additional checks.
For an e-Visa, Egypt instructs applicants to create the application at least seven days before departure. A cautious traveller should apply earlier rather than treating seven days as a promised turnaround.
For either route, aim to apply three to four weeks before travel where possible. Avoid purchasing non-refundable arrangements solely on the assumption that the visa will arrive by a particular date.
Visa on arrival should be approached carefully. The current BLS tourist page says:
Indian nationals holding a valid resident visa in a Gulf country for at least six months can obtain a visa on arrival at an Egyptian port of entry.
Indian tourist groups can obtain a visa on arrival when an Egyptian tour operator organises the trip.
BLS's FAQ also says Indians may obtain a visa on arrival if they meet the requirements. These statements do not mean every independent Indian tourist can simply fly to Egypt without prior authorisation.
Because airlines check travel documents before boarding and the final decision belongs to immigration authorities, confirm your eligibility directly with the airline and the Egyptian mission or BLS before departure. Carry written confirmation and all supporting evidence. If there is any doubt, obtain an e-Visa or sticker visa in advance.
As of 1 August 2026, Cairo International Airport also offers a digital visa-on-arrival channel for eligible travellers, priced at US$36 including a US$6 digital service fee. This changes the processing method, not the underlying eligibility rules; an Indian passenger must still qualify for visa on arrival.
Even with an approved visa, keep the following in your cabin baggage:
Passport valid for at least six months from arrival
Printed e-Visa or passport containing the visa sticker
Return or onward flight ticket
Confirmed accommodation details
Travel itinerary
Invitation or business letter where applicable
Proof of sufficient funds
Travel insurance documents
Contact details for your tour operator or host
Any vaccination certificate required by your route
BLS warns that travellers arriving through or coming from certain yellow-fever-risk countries may need a yellow fever vaccination certificate, and some routes can also trigger polio-certificate requirements. This can matter during connections through countries such as Ethiopia. Check the current requirement for every country in your itinerary, including transit points.
Passport has less than the required validity.
Passport scan or photograph is blurred, cropped or unreadable.
Applicant's name or passport number differs between documents.
Travel dates are inconsistent across the form, flights and hotel booking.
Bank statements are incomplete or not stamped when the checklist requires stamping.
Covering letter does not clearly explain the purpose of travel.
Business or family invitation lacks host details.
Applicant selects tourism although the intended activity is work or another regulated purpose.
Application is submitted too close to departure.
Traveller relies on visa on arrival without satisfying or documenting the applicable conditions.
A complete application does not guarantee approval, but accurate and consistent evidence reduces avoidable problems.
Apply using the passport you will carry to Egypt. If the passport changes, ask whether a new visa is required.
Type the information directly from the passport rather than from memory.
Do not use a shortened name if the passport shows the full name.
Keep screenshots or PDFs of the submitted form, payment and confirmation.
Check the spam folder for messages about the application.
Verify the visa immediately after issue and report an error before travelling.
Carry paper copies even when documents are saved digitally.
Do not overstay. Follow the dates and permitted stay printed on the visa.
Use the correct visa for the real purpose of travel.
Recheck fees and health requirements shortly before departure.
No. Indian passport holders normally need an appropriate visa. India is, however, included in the official list of nationalities eligible to apply for an Egypt tourist e-Visa.
The official online tourist e-Visa currently costs US$30 for single entry or US$65 for multiple entry. For applications in India, BLS lists ₹4,000 for a single-entry tourist visa and ₹8,000 for multiple entry, plus a ₹500 BLS service fee. Optional service and bank charges can increase the total.
BLS lists three to five working days for visa issuance, but applicants should allow additional time. The e-Visa portal requires the application to be created at least seven days before departure. Neither period should be treated as an approval guarantee.
The BLS tourist, business and entry checklists ask for personal bank statements covering the previous six months, with the bank's original signature and stamp. The e-Visa portal focuses on online application information, but border officials can still ask for evidence that you can support your visit.
Yes. India is listed on the official e-Visa portal. Online applications are intended for tourism. Travellers going for work or another specialised purpose should use the appropriate category and process.
Do not assume so. Published BLS guidance refers to qualifying Gulf residents and Indian tour groups organised by an Egyptian operator. Confirm your precise eligibility before flying; otherwise, arrange an e-Visa or sticker visa in advance.
Each child travelling on an individual passport should have the required visa or e-Visa. Parents may need to provide birth certificates, consent documents or other supporting papers depending on the circumstances. Confirm the current minor-applicant procedure before applying.
No. A tourist visa does not authorise employment. The Egyptian employer and competent authorities must arrange the appropriate work authorisation.
The official e-Visa FAQ does not list travel insurance among its basic arrival documents, but insurance is strongly recommended because medical treatment, cancellation, delay and baggage loss can be expensive. Check whether your airline, tour operator or visa category has an additional requirement.
Review the reason if one is provided, correct any missing or inconsistent documents and contact BLS or the Egyptian mission for guidance on whether a fresh application is permitted. Visa and service fees may be non-refundable.
For most Indian holidaymakers, the official Egypt e-Visa is the simplest route in 2026: India is eligible, the application is online and the published fee is US$30 for single entry or US$65 for multiple entry. A sticker visa remains available for tourists and is the relevant route for several non-tourism categories. Visa on arrival is conditional, so it should be used only after confirming eligibility for the traveller's exact situation.
Prepare consistent documents, apply early and recheck the official rules shortly before departure. With the paperwork settled, you can focus on the unforgettable part of the journey—from Cairo and Giza to Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea.