We've gathered Egypt's visa rules, length of stay, South Sinai requirements, currency declaration and route planning in one page, plus a pre-departure checklist.
What do you need to know before traveling to Egypt? The most important thing is the visa: Turkish citizens holding a maroon (ordinary) passport can obtain their visa at Egypt's entry points and may stay for up to 30 days. The rest of the list is short: additional requirements if you're going to Sinai, currency declaration, route planning and document checks. You'll find the details below in order.
In brief
- With a maroon passport, the visa is obtained at Egypt's entry points; the permitted stay is 30 days.
- The single-entry visa on arrival has been 30 USD since March 1, 2026; the e-visa amount conflicts across sources, so check the portal.
- South Sinai alone has separate requirements: a ticket, a confirmed hotel and at least 2,000 USD.
- Declare foreign currency over 10,000 USD on entry and over 5,000 USD on exit.
The core rule: visa on arrival, 30-day stay
Turkish citizens holding an ordinary (maroon) passport are subject to an Egyptian visa requirement. In official sources, the visa status is listed as visa on arrival, with a permitted stay of 30 days. According to TÜRSAB, the visa can be obtained at any of Egypt's entry points; so don't assume this is limited to the airport only.
Holders of diplomatic, service and special passports may travel visa-free for up to 90 days. If you're traveling with a maroon passport, this exception does not apply to you.
As things currently stand, here's what you need to know:
- The visa can be obtained on arrival; you don't necessarily need to apply in advance.
- The security clearance requirement for Turkish citizens aged 18-45 who are not of Egyptian origin was lifted on April 15, 2023.
- The stay must not exceed 30 days; if your plan is longer, get confirmation from the relevant authorities before arrival.
Check the current requirement for your passport's validity period and blank page condition on the Egypt visa page. We don't give a figure here; writing this without seeing it on a verified source could mislead you. Your airline will also check documents according to its own rules at check-in, so keep your documents ready.
Visa fee and the e-visa option
The single-entry tourist visa given on arrival is 30 USD as of March 1, 2026. The previous amount was 25 USD; the visa-on-arrival at that fee began on April 15, 2023. So, if you see 25 USD in sources dated between April 15, 2023 and March 1, 2026, know that the information is outdated. The 30 USD figure is based on a news site report; check again on our Egypt visa page before you travel.
Sources conflict on the e-visa fee. One record lists 25 USD for the e-visa. However, in a news report regarding the official e-visa portal, the single-entry tourist e-visa is listed at 30 USD and the multiple-entry tourist e-visa at 65 USD. We cannot confirm which is valid from this page. See the amount on the portal yourself before applying.
The difference between the two options is as follows:
- Visa on arrival: Obtained on arrival, paid there. Confirm the payment method and accepted currency with border authorities or your airline.
- E-visa: You apply online in advance. It's up to you to verify the amount on the portal.
A note on the 2027 fee
Decree No. 2553, published in Egypt's Official Gazette on August 20, 2026, imposes a fee of 15 USD for 2027 on entry and transit visas issued at borders. The decree does not specify a new final tourist visa fee. So don't calculate the total amount for 2027 as of today.
Sharm El Sheikh and South Sinai: separate rules
Not all of Egypt falls under the same visa scope. If you'll only be staying in South Sinai, a different permit may apply.
Sharm El Sheikh
According to an announcement on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs page, since April 1, 2022, citizens arriving at Sharm El Sheikh Airport and ports are issued a 15-day tourism visa allowing stays in Dahab, Nuweiba, Sharm El Sheikh, Saint Catherine and Taba. This announcement is old; you need to verify its currency separately.
The following requirements apply for the South Sinai visa:
- Round-trip plane ticket
- Confirmed hotel reservation
- At least 2,000 USD in cash or credit card
Which route should you choose?
If you'll only be vacationing on the Sinai coast, this regional permit may be enough for you. If you'll also be visiting Cairo, Luxor or Alexandria, base your plan on the standard 30-day tourist visa; the Sinai permit only covers stays in the listed places. If you're considering entering via Sharm El Sheikh and then moving on to Cairo, clarify this before the airport procedure; changing plans at passport control is difficult. Finalize your flight and hotel plan before deciding.
Money, currency and customs rules
There are currency limits on entry and exit. If you don't comply with these, you'll run into problems at customs.
- On entry: You must declare to customs officials any foreign currency over 10,000 USD or its equivalent.
- On exit: You may take out at most 5,000 Egyptian Pounds and 10,000 USD. If the currency taken out exceeds 5,000 USD, declaration is required.
Don't forget that the South Sinai visa also requires showing at least 2,000 USD. You need to be able to demonstrate this amount in cash or by credit card.
A practical note
You'll need Egyptian Pounds for local spending. Since exchange rates and commission rates change frequently, learn the current conditions from your bank shortly before departure. Not relying on a single payment method, and considering both cash and card together, provides flexibility against possible disruptions.
Keep the Egyptian Pounds you have left on exit under the limit. The amounts in this section are based on official announcements. Since rules may change, check again shortly before your trip.
Route planning: how many days, which cities
Egypt is not a single city; distances are long and there's a lot to see. Decide your route in advance.
Cairo
Allow at least 2 days for the pyramids, museums and the old city. If you're looking for a short getaway, 4-day packages work: the Egypt & Cairo Tour Route in the Shadow of the Pyramids is a 4-day program with its first departure on October 7, 2026. Those looking for more extensive content can check out the Full Egypt & Cairo Tour Route in the Shadow of the Pyramids option.
Luxor and Aswan
For ancient temples, you need to go south of Cairo. If you're considering adding this route, you'll find details in our Egypt attractions guide.
Sharm El Sheikh and the coast
If you want to combine the sea with Cairo, the Cairo, Sharm and Alexandria tour departing from Ankara departs on October 4, 2026. To see all options, check the Egypt tours page.
The more cities you spread your route across, the more time you'll spend in transit. Allow enough days for each city.
Common mistakes and exceptions
The things that cause problems on a trip to Egypt are mostly situations that could have been known in advance.
- Relying on the old fee: The 25 USD information appears in sources dated between April 15, 2023 and March 1, 2026. The current amount on arrival is 30 USD.
- Assuming the e-visa amount: Sources give different amounts for the e-visa. Check the portal before applying.
- Thinking the Sinai permit covers the whole country: The South Sinai permit only covers stays in the listed places.
- Not carrying reservation documents: A confirmed hotel and round-trip ticket are required for South Sinai. Make sure you can access documents offline too.
- Not declaring currency: Declaration is required for amounts over 10,000 USD on entry and over 5,000 USD on exit.
- Assuming the baggage rule: Cabin and checked baggage allowance varies by airline; check your airline's current rules.
Current warnings
Before traveling, read the current warnings on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' country page. Entry requirements and regional restrictions may change over time. The information on this page is based on the sources in our fact list; confirm with official sources before making a final decision.
Step-by-step preparation and departure checklist
First determine your route and length of stay, then choose your visa. The order should be as follows:
- Write down your route: just Sharm El Sheikh, or does it include Cairo too?
- Choose your visa type: visa on arrival, e-visa or South Sinai permit. Check the current amount on the Egypt visa page.
- Check your passport's validity and number of blank pages.
- Confirm your flight and hotel; print a copy for South Sinai.
- Set aside your local spending budget and payment methods.
- Complete your check-in before departure according to the how to do online check-in guide.
Departure checklist:
- Passport and visa or e-visa printout
- Round-trip ticket and hotel reservation printout
- Confirmation of payment method for the visa fee
- At least 2,000 USD in cash or card for South Sinai
- Declaration preparation if carrying over 10,000 USD
- Confirmation of baggage allowance from the airline
- Insurance and emergency contact numbers
If you want to tie your plan to a tour, all options are on the international tours page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to go to Egypt?
Yes, a visa is required for Turkish citizens with a maroon passport, but it can be obtained on arrival at entry points. The stay is 30 days. Holders of diplomatic, service and special passports can travel visa-free for up to 90 days.
How much does an Egypt visa cost?
The single-entry tourist visa given on arrival is 30 USD as of March 1, 2026. Since sources give different amounts for the e-visa, 25 USD and 30 USD, check the official portal before applying. Confirm the payment method on arrival or with your airline.
Do I need a separate visa to go to Sharm El Sheikh?
If you'll only be staying in South Sinai, a limited tourism visa may apply; according to an old announcement, it's valid for 15 days, and its currency needs to be verified separately. The requirements are showing a round-trip ticket, a confirmed hotel and at least 2,000 USD.
How much currency can be brought into Egypt?
You must declare to customs any foreign currency over 10,000 USD or its equivalent on entry. On exit, at most 5,000 Egyptian Pounds and 10,000 USD may be taken out; currency exceeding 5,000 USD must be declared.
How many days should you stay in Egypt?
The permitted stay with the standard tourist visa is 30 days. It's recommended to allow at least 2 days for Cairo; if you add Luxor and Aswan, extend the duration accordingly.
Is security clearance required for an Egypt visa?
No. The security clearance requirement for the 18-45 age group was lifted on April 15, 2023. Turkish citizens not of Egyptian origin can obtain a visa at any of Egypt's entry points.
Sources
- Visa Practices Applicable to Turkish Citizens / Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs — mfa.gov.tr
- Announcement on the Transition to Visa on Arrival Across All of Egypt for Turkish Citizens Without Age Limit — tursab.org.tr
- Egypt: Could visa fees rise by $15 starting in 2027? - VisasNews — visasnews.com
- Egypt raises tourist e-Visa fees - VisasNews — visasnews.com
- Attention Turkish Citizens Traveling to Egypt / Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs — mfa.gov.tr
My Travel Team
Travel Editor
The My Travel team prepares up-to-date travel, visa and tourism information and guides.
