Yes. Canadian citizens need a visa to enter Egypt. You can apply for an e-Visa online before you travel or buy a 30-day visa on arrival at the airport. Canada is on Egypt's official list of countries eligible for the e-Visa, and the Government of Canada's own Egypt travel advice confirms that both options exist.

A single-entry tourist visa costs $30 USD either way, and it allows a stay of up to 30 days. A multiple-entry e-Visa costs $65. Plan to carry US dollars in cash if you're buying at the airport.



Can Canadians Get an Egypt Visa Online or on Arrival?

Yes to both. Some older or unreliable web pages have claimed that Canadians can no longer use the e-Visa or visa on arrival and must apply at an embassy. That doesn't match the official sources. Egypt's e-Visa portal lists Canada among eligible countries, and the Government of Canada's travel advice for Egypt says Canadian passport holders can obtain an electronic visa before travel or a 30-day tourist visa on arrival, paid in cash in US dollars.

Rules can change, so confirm on the official portal before you book.

Your Options as a Canadian Traveller

Option 1: The e-Visa (recommended)

The e-Visa is issued through the Egyptian government's official portal at visa2egypt.gov.eg. It is the only official e-Visa site, so avoid look-alike websites that charge extra.

• Cost: $30 for a single entry, $65 for multiple entries. Payment is by credit or debit card, in US dollars, so check whether your card charges a foreign transaction fee. A small service or banking charge may also apply.
• Validity: A single-entry e-Visa is valid for 90 days from issue, and you can stay up to 30 days once you enter. A multiple-entry e-Visa is valid for 180 days, with up to 30 days per visit.
• Timing: Apply at least seven days before you fly.
• What you need: a passport valid for at least six months, a scan of the photo page, an email address, your itinerary and hotel details, and a payment card.
• At the airport: Bring a printed copy. Immigration may ask to see your passport, the e-Visa, your itinerary and your hotel booking.
• Same passport, one visa each. The e-Visa is linked to the passport number you applied with, and every traveller, including children, needs their own.
• The fee is non-refundable, even if the application is rejected.

Option 2: Visa on arrival

Canadians can buy a single-entry, 30-day visa at Egyptian airports. Go to the bank counter in the arrivals hall before passport control, pay and have the sticker placed in your passport.

• Cost: $30 since March 1, 2026, up from $25.
• Payment: cash in US dollars. The Government of Canada specifically notes that visas issued on arrival must be paid in cash in US dollars. Bring small bills or exact change, since counters can't always make change.
• Best for: last-minute trips.
• Not available: multiple entry. For that you'll need an e-Visa.

The digital visa on arrival at Cairo Airport

Since August 1, 2026, Cairo International Airport has been piloting a digital visa on arrival that replaces the sticker with a QR code. It costs $36: the $30 visa fee plus a $6 charge for issuing the QR code. You can generate the code through the official portal, a mobile app or an arrivals-hall kiosk, and it expires 48 hours after generation. Paper stickers are still available during the pilot, and other airports such as Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Luxor still use the paper sticker.

What About the Free Sinai Stamp?

Egypt offers a free entry stamp for short stays in the South Sinai resorts (Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba), but the sources you'll find describe it as being for EU, UK and US citizens arriving at Sinai airports. The Government of Canada's advice mentions a 14-day visa-free stamp for Canadians entering by the Taba land crossing if they stay within the Sinai Peninsula.

If you plan to fly into Sharm El Sheikh, don't assume you'll get the stamp. Confirm with an Egyptian embassy or consulate before you go, or simply get the e-Visa. It costs $30 and covers all of Egypt, so it also gives you the freedom to add Cairo or Luxor later.

e-Visa or Visa on Arrival: Which Should You Choose?

Since both cost $30, the real difference is convenience and certainty.

• Choose the e-Visa if you can plan a week ahead, you're travelling with family, or you're arriving in peak season. It's confirmed before you fly, and you skip the visa counter.
• Choose visa on arrival if you booked at the last minute or prefer not to deal with online forms. Bring US dollars in cash.
• Choose the multiple-entry e-Visa if you plan to leave and re-enter Egypt within six months, for example a side trip to Jordan.

Passport Rules for Canadians

The Government of Canada says a regular Canadian passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date you expect to leave Egypt. Egypt's official e-Visa portal states six months from your arrival date. The safest approach is to meet the stricter standard: make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after you plan to leave. Also check your airline's rules, which can be stricter than the country's.

Other points from the Canadian government's advice:

• Entry and exit stamps. You must show proof of an entry stamp in your passport when you leave Egypt. If you can't, you can't get an exit stamp and will be denied exit.
• New passport in Egypt. If you enter on one Canadian passport and get a new one while in Egypt, the Egyptian Immigration Authority must transfer the entry stamp to the new passport. The same applies to newborns and dual citizens.
• Passport with an "X" gender identifier. The Government of Canada says it cannot guarantee entry or transit through other countries and advises checking with the Egyptian representative before you go.
• Gender expression. Canada also notes you may be denied entry or subject to invasive search and screening if your gender expression or appearance doesn't match your passport's gender identifier or photo.
• Diplomatic and special passports. Holders must have a visa before arrival.

Other Entry Rules Canadians Should Know

Medication. Egyptian authorities treat some prescription and over-the-counter medicines as controlled substances and will seize all narcotic and psychotropic medications, even with the original prescription. For other medications, carry the original prescription, keep them in the original packaging, and don't bring more than a three-month supply.

Drones and electronics. Drones are strictly prohibited, and unauthorized import or use can lead to lengthy jail terms and deportation. Officials may also confiscate certain electronics on entry if you don't have prior approval, including satellite phones, radios, large video cameras and binoculars.

Cash. Canada's advice says a maximum of E£5,000 can be brought into or taken out of Egypt, and any amount equivalent to US$10,000 or more must be declared.

Photography. Photographing bridges, canals (including the Suez Canal), government, police and embassy buildings, and military personnel and sites is prohibited.

Antiquities. Exporting any antiquity or item older than 100 years without a licence is prohibited.

Social media. Posting content that could be perceived as critical of Egyptian society, government or security forces may be illegal, and the Government of Canada warns of a high risk of arrest.

Onward travel to other Arab countries. Canadians have been denied entry elsewhere because their passports bore an Israeli visa or border stamp, or an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp from an office bordering Israel.

If You're an Egyptian-Canadian Dual Citizen

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Egypt, but the Egyptian government considers Canadians who also hold Egyptian citizenship to be Egyptian while in Egypt. That has practical effects:

• The Government of Canada's ability to offer consular services may be limited.
• You may face different entry and exit requirements.
• You may be considered Egyptian if you were born to an Egyptian father, regardless of birthplace.
• Egyptian-Canadian men may be subject to military service. To be exempt, dual citizens must present several documents before leaving, including a discharge document, and getting it can be lengthy and affect your departure date.

If this applies to you, contact the Egyptian embassy or consulate in Canada well before you book.

Extending Your Stay and Overstaying

To extend your stay, contact the Immigration Authority of Egypt before your visa expires. The Government of Canada warns you may be fined at departure if you overstay your 30-day period without authorization. Amounts are set in Egyptian pounds and change, so check locally. See our guide to Egypt visa costs for more.

The January 2027 Fee Change

Prime Ministerial Decree No. 2553 of 2026 raises a fixed fee built into every entry visa from $12 to $15 starting January 1, 2027. The Egyptian Travel Agents Association indicates this could take the single-entry visa to about $33, but the official portal hadn't published new prices as of late September 2026. Check the portal for the price on the day you apply.

Safety: What the Government of Canada Advises

Canada's current advisory for Egypt is "Exercise a high degree of caution" because of regional tensions, the unpredictable security situation and the threat of terrorism. It advises avoiding all travel to:

• northern Sinai, and
• the Western Desert west of the Giza-Luxor-Aswan-Abu Simbel road, and areas within 50 km of the Libyan border, with some exceptions along specific roads.

It also advises avoiding non-essential travel to the northern part of South Sinai, with exceptions for the Dahab-Nuweiba-Taba road and the towns of Nuweiba and Taba, where a high degree of caution is advised.

For the Red Sea resorts (such as Hurghada, Marsa Alam and El Gouna) and the Upper Egypt cities of Aswan and Luxor, Canada advises a high degree of caution, noting that beach resort areas are generally considered safe. The advice also recommends travelling in large groups and by organized transportation in rural areas, using vehicles and drivers from reputable travel agencies, and buying travel insurance that includes medical evacuation and hospital stays, since medical facilities are below Canadian standards. Advisories change, so check the current version before you fly.

Common Mistakes Canadian Travellers Make

1. Believing Canadians can't use the e-Visa or visa on arrival. They can.
2. Using an unofficial website for the e-Visa. Use only visa2egypt.gov.eg.
3. Passport validity. Aim for six months beyond your departure date.
4. Arriving without US dollars for a paper visa on arrival.
5. Assuming the Sinai stamp applies to you if you're flying to Sharm El Sheikh. Confirm first.
6. Losing track of your entry stamp or getting a new passport without transferring it.
7. Skipping insurance. Make sure it covers medical evacuation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Canadians need a visa for Egypt?
Yes. Canadian citizens need a visa, which can be an e-Visa or a visa on arrival.

How much is an Egypt visa for Canadians?
$30 USD for a single entry, whether you use the e-Visa or the paper visa on arrival. A multiple-entry e-Visa is $65, and the Cairo digital visa is $36.

Can I pay for the visa on arrival by card or in Canadian dollars?
The Government of Canada says visas issued on arrival must be paid in cash, in US dollars only.

How long can I stay?
Up to 30 days per entry on the standard tourist visa.

How early should I apply for the e-Visa?
At least seven days before departure.

Do my children need their own visa?
Yes. Each traveller, including children, needs their own passport and visa.

Is Canada eligible for the Egyptian e-Visa?
Yes. Canada appears on the official e-Visa portal's list of eligible countries.

Is it safe for Canadians to travel to Egypt?
The Government of Canada advises a high degree of caution and lists specific areas to avoid. Major tourist destinations are generally considered accessible, but check the current advisory and buy travel insurance.

Sources

• Government of Canada, Egypt travel advice and advisories: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/egypt
• Egypt e-Visa Portal, Ministry of Interior: https://visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/FAQ
• Wego, Egypt e-Visa guide: https://blog.wego.com/egypt-evisa/
• Wego, digital visa on arrival: https://blog.wego.com/egypts-visa-on-arrival-digital/
• Wego, 2027 fee change: https://blog.wego.com/egypt-visa-fee/
• VisasNews, visa-on-arrival fee increase: https://visasnews.com/en/egypt-visa-on-arrival-fee-has-officially-increased/
• Wikipedia, Visa policy of Egypt: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Egypt

This guide is general information based on sources available at the time of writing. Visa rules, fees and travel advice change, so always confirm current requirements with the official e-Visa portal, the Embassy of Egypt in Ottawa or the Government of Canada before you travel.

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