After completing the application for an Egyptian visa, you must wait for it to be processed. Applicants are often unsure how long it takes to get a visa for Egypt.
The Egypt e-Visa processing time is generally short, allowing you to obtain your travel permit quickly. This is one of the main reasons why the online system was introduced.
The process of getting an Egypt visa for short stays for tourism or business previously involved long waiting times to obtain an Egypt visa on arrival at border entry points. However, since December 2017, citizens of around 70 eligible countries have been able to get an Egypt visa online for stays of up to 30 days for the same purposes.
This electronic visa is available as either a single-entry or multiple-entry visa through a simple application. It only takes minutes to complete.
How many days does it take for an Egypt eVisa to be approved?
The online system has made the Egypt tourist visa processing time much faster than traditional in-person applications.
Egypt e-Visa applications are usually processed within 72 hours. Travellers are advised to apply at least 3 days in advance of the intended departure to Egypt, in the rare case of delays.
In many cases, you’ll receive your e-Visa for Egypt much sooner — with 24 hours.
How long does it take to process an Egypt visa on arrival?
Nationals of some countries who do not meet the requirements to obtain an Egypt visa online can apply for a visa on arrival in Egypt. These applications are completed and processed at the Egyptian border.
However, those applying for a visa on arrival often have to wait in line to apply, which can take some time if there are many people in the queue.
As long as the paperwork is in order, it should not take long to process the visa on arrival application. However, if any supporting documents are missing, you could be denied entry to Egypt.
While the visa on arrival service may be useful for last-minute trips, it is not recommended if the option exists to apply in advance. The e-Visa system allows you to get your visa approved quickly before the trip, and is widely considered the most convenient and safest option for a problem-free journey to Egypt.
When should I apply for an Egyptian visa?
Passengers are recommended to complete and submit their online visa application for Egypt at least 3 days before the trip.
Although the standard Egypt visa processing time is 72 hours, there can be delays in rare cases. This may be due to an abnormally high volume of applications, or because of errors or inconsistencies in the information provided by the applicant.
For this reason, it is very important to take care while filling out the online form. It is advisable to double-check all the details entered before submitting the e-Visa application.
Common errors that can delay the Egypt visa
Normally, delays are caused by the following things:
- High volume of applications
- Small mistakes in the data sent by the applicant
- Inconsistencies in the information provided
To prevent any delays in receiving the visa within the normal processing time, it is essential to try to avoid some common mistakes in the application process for the Egypt visa.
Before starting the application, eligible citizens should make sure their travel document meets the passport requirements to travel to Egypt. You’re required to have:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from the entry date to Egypt
- Scanned copy of the passport information page (this can be submitted at a later date and does not need to be uploaded at the moment of application)
All of the personal and passport details entered must match the information as it appears on the travel document used to apply. Applicants with dual nationality should take care to use the same passport to travel as the one with which they applied for the Egypt e-Visa.
You should also ensure the correct indented date of entry is provided on the form, as an incorrect date can affect how long it takes to get the Egypt visa. Finally, you should carefully review the email address provided, in order to ensure that the e-Visa for Egypt arrives in the correct inbox.
The most common errors that can cause the visa to be delayed are usually made when filling out the application. It is important to double-check all the information provided is correct before submitting the form.
How long does it take to renew a visa for Egypt?
It takes the same amount of time to renew the e-Visa for Egypt as the initial application process and requires completing the online form again.
Visitors who still have a valid Egyptian e-Visa, but whose passport has expired or been misplaced, stolen, or damaged, must also reapply for a new visa online.
Once the new application has been submitted, it is normally processed within 72 hours.