Egypt is set to roll out a state-of-the-art electronic visa system, a strategic move aimed at sharpening the competitiveness of its tourism sector and accelerating national plans to welcome 30 million tourists by 2030.
Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy announced that the upgraded framework will transition from traditional visa stickers to dynamic QR codes. Speaking in a television interview, Fathy confirmed that the official launch is slated for August following the completion of final technical preparations.
Currently, travelers from 118 nationalities can obtain visas on arrival. The revamped system, however, will allow tourists to generate their digital entry passes up to 48 hours before departure—either via the official online platform, foreign travel agencies, or local host operators in Egypt.
Upon arrival, passengers will be able to finalize entry using electronic payment methods or self-service kiosks at Egyptian airports, RT Arabic reported.
Fathy clarified that the system distinguishes between visa-on-arrival and pre-issued e-visas, enabling visitors to complete most paperwork before stepping onto a plane and significantly cutting down waiting times at Egyptian ports of entry.
As part of broader efforts to expand visa flexibilities, the minister noted that adding new eligible nationalities involves careful evaluation across security, tourism metrics, and diplomatic reciprocity in coordination with relevant state authorities. He highlighted that between 170 and 180 nationalities currently benefit from various entry accommodations into Egypt.
To keep pace with anticipated growth, Egypt is aggressively expanding its hospitality footprint. The country’s current capacity stands at approximately 235,000 hotel rooms, with tens of thousands more in the pipeline. Industry projections suggest Egypt will need to reach 500,000 rooms to comfortably support its target of 30 million annual visitors by 2030.
These initiatives form a cornerstone of a sweeping government effort to revitalize tourism—a primary engine of foreign currency earnings and economic growth for the nation.
