The short answer
Indian passport holders do need a visa for Egypt. The easiest route is the tourist e-Visa, applied for online on Egypt's official portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg. It allows a stay of up to 30 days and usually comes through in 5–7 working days.
The single-entry fee is US$30 today. It's reported to rise to US$33 from 1 January 2027, and up to about US$6 in service and bank charges can be added on top. Visa on arrival isn't available to ordinary Indian tourists flying direct from India, so sort the e-Visa before you fly.
Egypt is busier than it's been in years. It had a record of roughly 19 million visitors in 2025, and arrivals were up another 7% in the first four months of 2026, helped by the Grand Egyptian Museum next to the Giza pyramids.
What it costs
Until 31 December 2026
US$30 single entry (roughly ₹2,900) or US$65 multiple entry, as listed on the official portal.
From 1 January 2027
US$33 single entry (roughly ₹3,200), reported but not yet shown on the official portal. No new multiple-entry figure has been published.
The rise comes from a circular issued by the Egyptian Travel Agents Association, which cites a Cabinet decision of 13 August 2026 approving a US$3 increase in entry visa fees. It applies to all foreign visitors, not just Indians. Whichever fee is live on the day you pay is the one you'll be charged.
Single entry is all you need for a normal group trip. Flying into Cairo and out of Sharm El Sheikh is still one entry, because the flight between them is domestic.
What you need before you start
- A passport valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive in Egypt.
- A clear scan of your passport's photo page.
- Your travel dates, flight details and the address of your first hotel in Cairo.
- A credit or debit card enabled for international online payments. Domestic-only cards are a common reason payment fails.
- If you're travelling with us, the supporting letter we arrange through our local Egyptian partner once your booking is confirmed.
How to apply, step by step
1. Use the official portal only
Apply on visa2egypt.gov.eg. Plenty of lookalike sites charge far more than the government fee for the same visa, so check the address before you pay.
2. Create an account and pick the visa
Register with your email, choose India as your nationality, and select the single-entry tourist visa.
3. Fill in your details exactly
Enter your name, date of birth and passport number exactly as they appear on your passport, then upload your documents. A small mismatch is enough to get an application rejected.
4. Pay and keep your reference
Pay online and save the application reference. The portal emails you as the status changes.
5. Print it and carry it
Once approved, download the e-Visa, check every detail against your passport, and carry a printed copy plus one on your phone. You'll show it at check-in in India and at immigration in Cairo.
When to apply for a 2027 Egypt trip
Party Passport's Egypt trip runs 6 nights and 7 days through Cairo, Giza and Sharm El Sheikh, with two 2027 departures. The portal asks for at least 7 days. We suggest 3–4 weeks ahead so there's room for a second attempt.
- 24–30 January 2027: apply in the first week of January, and no later than about 10 January. If the increase goes ahead, you'll most likely pay US$33.
- 21–27 March 2027: apply in late February, and no later than about 7 March.
- Before you fly: have the approved e-Visa printed and on your phone, and check that your passport has at least 6 months left from arrival.
What about visa on arrival?
This is where most of the confusion comes from. Visa on arrival in Egypt isn't open to ordinary Indian passport holders flying direct from India. You may be eligible if you have:
- A valid, used visa or residence permit from the US, UK, Schengen Area, Japan, Canada, Australia or New Zealand.
- A GCC residence permit with at least 6 months' validity.
- A place in an organised tour group of 10 or more, with confirmed bookings and a signed guarantee letter from an approved travel agency.
Since 1 August 2026, Cairo airport has also been piloting a digital visa on arrival that uses a QR code in place of the old sticker. It costs more than the e-Visa (about US$36 now, reportedly US$39 in 2027) and doesn't change who's eligible. For almost everyone travelling from India, the e-Visa is still the simpler and cheaper option.
Fees and rules are correct as of October 2026, based on Egypt's official e-Visa portal and reporting of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association's circular on the 2027 fee change. The US$33 fee hadn't been officially published at the time of writing, so check visa2egypt.gov.eg before you pay.
FAQ
Do Indians need a visa for Egypt?
Yes. Indian passport holders aren't visa-exempt for Egypt. Most travellers apply for the tourist e-Visa online on Egypt's official portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg, before they fly. It allows a stay of up to 30 days.
How much does the Egypt e-Visa cost for Indians?
The official portal lists US$30 for a single-entry tourist e-Visa and US$65 for multiple entry. Service, issuance and bank charges of up to about US$6 can be added on top. From 1 January 2027 the single-entry fee is reported to rise to US$33 (roughly ₹3,200), but that hadn't appeared on the official portal as of October 2026.
Is the Egypt visa fee really going up in 2027?
It's reported but not yet official. An Egyptian Travel Agents Association circular cites a Cabinet decision of 13 August 2026 approving a US$3 rise in entry visa fees, taking single entry from US$30 to US$33 from 1 January 2027. Until the portal updates, treat US$33 as the likely fee for anyone paying in 2027.
How long does the Egypt e-Visa take?
Usually 5–7 working days. The portal asks you to apply at least 7 days before departure, but we recommend 3–4 weeks ahead so there's time to fix a rejected document and reapply.
Can Indians get a visa on arrival in Egypt?
Not as ordinary tourists flying direct from India. Visa on arrival is open to Indians who hold a valid, used visa or residence permit from the US, UK, Schengen Area, Japan, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, or a GCC residence permit valid for 6+ months. Organised tour groups of 10 or more with confirmed bookings and a guarantee letter from an approved agency may also qualify. Unless you're sure one of these applies to you, get the e-Visa before you fly.
Does Party Passport apply for my Egypt visa?
Each traveller applies for and pays for their own e-Visa, since it's tied to your passport and card. Once you've paid the booking amount for our Egypt trip, we coordinate the supporting letter from our local Egyptian partner and help on WhatsApp while you fill in the form.
Pyramids and the Red Sea in 2027?
See the full Cairo, Giza and Sharm El Sheikh itinerary, what's included, and the January and March departures.