Egypt to raise single-entry visa fee to $33 from 2027 as Russians account for about 6% of arrivals

Egypt will increase the cost of a single-entry visa by $3, from $30 to $33, starting Jan. 1, 2027, according to a circular from the Egyptian Chamber of Tourism Companies and Travel Agencies.  The increase follows a decision by the Egyptian government to raise the visa fee. It is the second hike within a year: on March 1, 2026, the visa-on-arrival fee rose from $25 to $30.  

The chamber said the $33 visa fee will carry an additional $6 charge for service, processing and bank commissions. Currently, that extra $6 applies only to the digital visa with a QR code at Cairo Airport, where travelers pay $30 for the visa plus $6 for digital processing. At Hurghada and other airports that use paper visa stamps, the visa costs $30 with no additional fee.

Tourists arriving at Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport for stays of up to 15 days can receive a free “Sinai stamp” if they do not plan to leave South Sinai. However, a regular Egyptian visa is required for an excursion to Cairo or a trip to Hurghada, as well as when entering through the international airports of Hurghada, Alexandria and El Alamein. A paper sticker is placed in the passport.

Russians without a foreign bank card can pay for the digital visa in cash in U.S. dollars at a bank branch in Cairo’s arrivals area, the Russian Embassy in Egypt has said. To pay independently via the website, mobile app or self-service kiosk, travelers need a Visa or Mastercard issued outside Russia.  

According to ATOR, Russians made 1.17 million trips to Egypt in January–June 2026, up 24.3% from the same period a year earlier. They account for roughly 5.9% of Egypt’s projected foreign tourist arrivals for 2026, based on the country’s full-year forecast and the half-year Russian figure.

Photo by Daria Matlakh for Russian Travel Digest