Yes. Indian citizens need a visa to enter Egypt. The simplest route is the e-Visa, which you apply for online before you travel. India is on the official e-Visa portal's list of eligible countries. A single-entry e-Visa costs $30 and allows a stay of up to 30 days, and a multiple-entry e-Visa costs $65.

Unlike passport holders from the US, UK, Canada or the EU, most Indian travellers cannot rely on buying a visa on arrival at the airport. If you can't use the e-Visa, the alternative is a sticker visa through the Egyptian Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai, with applications handled through BLS International centres.

Do Indians Need a Visa for Egypt?

Yes. There is no visa-free entry for Indian passport holders, and the free Sinai-only entry stamp is generally described as being for EU, UK and US citizens, so Indian travellers shouldn't count on it. You need a visa before you fly, whether you're heading to Cairo, Luxor, Aswan or the Red Sea resorts.

Your Options as an Indian 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 and agents who add their own markups. Egypt has offered e-Visas to Indian nationals in tour groups since 2021 and announced single and multiple-entry e-Visas for solo Indian travellers in 2023.

• Cost: $30 for a single entry, $65 for multiple entries. Payment is by credit or debit card, in US dollars. A small service or banking charge may apply on top.
• 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: The portal recommends applying at least seven days before departure. Since processing times vary, giving yourself extra buffer, such as two weeks, is a sensible precaution.
• What you need: a passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date, 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 of the approved e-Visa. 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.

A practical tip for Indian cardholders: Many Indian banks let you switch international transactions on or off in their app, and cards with international usage disabled can fail on foreign payment portals. Check this with your bank before you apply, and expect your bank's foreign currency conversion charges on the $30.

Option 2: Visa on arrival (limited)

Egypt's standard visa on arrival is available to a specific list of nationalities, and India is not among them. Several travel guides report exceptions for Indian passport holders in limited circumstances, such as holding a valid visa or residence permit from certain Western countries, holding a GCC residence permit, travelling in an organized group arranged by an Egyptian travel agency, or being the spouse or child of an Egyptian citizen. But these guides disagree with each other, and the conditions are described as conditional and not guaranteed.

The practical advice: don't book a trip assuming you'll get a visa on arrival. If you think you might qualify, confirm with the Egyptian Embassy in New Delhi before you fly, and apply for the e-Visa anyway if you can.

For reference, the paper visa on arrival for eligible travellers costs $30 in cash, and Cairo Airport has been piloting a $36 digital version since August 1, 2026.

Option 3: Embassy or consulate visa (sticker visa)

If the e-Visa doesn't work for you, you can apply for a traditional sticker visa through the Egyptian Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai. Applications are handled through BLS International's Egypt visa application centres, which the BLS website lists in New Delhi and Mumbai, with other centres reported in cities such as Chennai and Kolkata. BLS says the embassy or consulate makes the final decision on acceptance or rejection, and that decisions are final.

One third-party guide reports embassy visa processing of about 7 to 12 working days and fees of about ₹2,800 for single entry, but these figures come from a third-party guide, so confirm the current fee and timeline with BLS or the embassy before you plan around them.

e-Visa or Embassy Visa: Which Should You Choose?

• e-Visa: faster, cheaper, done from home, and confirmed by email. Best for most Indian tourists.
• Embassy visa through BLS: slower and requires in-person submission, but it's the fallback if the e-Visa isn't possible or your case is unusual, such as needing a non-tourist visa.
• Multiple entries: If you plan to leave and re-enter Egypt within six months, for example a side trip to Jordan, the $65 multiple-entry e-Visa is the one to get.

Passport and Entry Requirements

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date. Aim for six months beyond your departure date too, since some airlines apply stricter rules.
• Keep at least one blank page for the entry stamp. Some guides recommend two.
• Carry proof of accommodation and your return or onward ticket. Egypt's official requirements list an itinerary and hotel booking details.
• Egypt prohibits drones. If you carry prescription medication, keep it in its original packaging with your prescription, because some medicines that are routine in India are controlled in Egypt.
• Egyptian officials can refuse entry to a visa holder without giving a reason. This is rare, but it's one more reason to keep your documents in order.

Transit Through Egypt

Some guides mention a separate transit visa for Indian passengers transiting through Egypt. If you're only connecting through an Egyptian airport and staying airside, the rules are different from those for a tourist visit, so check with your airline and the Egyptian Embassy before you book a long layover.

Extending Your Stay

Tourists can usually extend their stay through a passport and immigration office in Egypt, and you should do it before your visa expires. Leaving after your visa has expired can result in a fine at the airport. Amounts are set in Egyptian pounds and change, so confirm them 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.

Common Mistakes Indian Travellers Make

1. Planning on a visa on arrival. For most Indian passport holders, it isn't a safe assumption.
2. Using an unofficial website or agent for the e-Visa. Use visa2egypt.gov.eg.
3. Applying too late. Give yourself at least a week, and preferably more.
4. Payment failures. Enable international transactions on your card before you apply.
5. Typing errors. Enter your name, passport number and dates exactly as they appear on your passport.
6. Assuming the Sinai stamp applies to you. It's described as being for EU, UK and US citizens.
7. Relying on old prices. Fees rose in 2026, and another small increase is expected in January 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Indians need a visa for Egypt?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a visa to enter Egypt.

Can Indians get an Egypt e-Visa?
Yes. India is on the official e-Visa portal's list of eligible countries.

How much is the Egypt e-Visa for Indians?
$30 for a single entry and $65 for multiple entries, charged in US dollars.

Can Indians get a visa on arrival in Egypt?
Not as a general rule. Some conditional exceptions are reported by travel guides, but they aren't guaranteed, so apply for the e-Visa or confirm with the embassy before you fly.

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

How early should I apply?
At least seven days before departure, and earlier if you can.

Where do I apply for an embassy visa in India?
Through the Egyptian Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai, with applications handled via BLS International centres.

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

Sources

• Egypt e-Visa Portal, Ministry of Interior: https://visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/FAQ
• BLS International, Egypt visa FAQs for India: https://www.blsinternational.com/egypt/india/faqs.php
• BLS International, Egypt visa application centres in India: https://www.blsinternational.com/egypt/india/contact_us.php
• Wikipedia, Visa requirements for Indian citizens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Indian_citizens
• Wikipedia, Visa policy of Egypt: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Egypt
• 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/

This guide is general information based on sources available at the time of writing. Visa rules, fees and eligibility change, so always confirm current requirements with the official e-Visa portal, the Egyptian Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai before you travel.

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