Egypt to launch digital visa-on-arrival pilot at Cairo airport in August

Egypt is taking a step toward modernizing its tourism infrastructure with the launch of a new Digital Visa-on-Arrival System, replacing the traditional paper visa sticker with a QR code-based process.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities on Thursday (July 23) announced that the pilot program will begin on Aug. 1, 2026, at Cairo International Airport, covering all arrival terminals.

The initiative marks the first phase of a nationwide rollout that will eventually expand to airports across the country.

The new system is designed to streamline the arrival experience by allowing eligible international travellers to obtain a Visa QR Code instead of purchasing and affixing a paper visa sticker.

Travellers will be able to generate the QR code through the government's official online portal, a dedicated mobile app or self-service kiosks located in Cairo Airport's arrival halls.

The online portal is expected to go live 48 hours before the pilot launches.

The QR code can be obtained before departure, during a flight or after landing, either by the traveller or through a travel advisor. At the border, immigration officers will scan the QR code alongside the traveller's passport. The code can be presented digitally by email or in printed form and remains valid for 48 hours from the time it is issued.

The total cost of the digital visa will be US$36 (roughly CAD$50.70), consisting of the existing US$30 visa fee plus a US$6 issuance fee.

During the pilot phase, the digital system will operate alongside the current paper visa-on-arrival process. Once the trial concludes, the paper visa sticker will be phased out, making the QR code the sole visa-on-arrival option.

Following the Cairo pilot, Egypt plans to expand the Digital Visa-on-Arrival System to additional airports in stages, with rollout dates to be announced in advance.

The initiative is part of the country's broader efforts to modernize border procedures and deliver a faster, more seamless entry experience for international visitors.

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