Egypt's QR-Code Visa on Arrival Goes Live at Cairo Airport

Egypt's digital visa-on-arrival system starts operating on 1 August at Cairo International Airport, Masrawy reported, replacing the paper visa sticker with a QR code that border officers scan at passport control.

The fee is $36 in total: the existing $30 visa charge plus a $6 issuing fee, according to Masrawy. The code stays valid for 48 hours from the moment it is issued.

Travellers can generate it through the official online portal, an official smartphone app, or self-service kiosks in the arrival halls at Cairo airport, Masrawy reported — before flying, during the flight or after landing, either themselves or through their travel agency. Egyptian Streets reported that passport control officers scan the code to verify its validity.

Both systems run side by side during the pilot. Masrawy reported that the paper sticker will be phased out gradually once testing is judged successful, with the QR code becoming the main way arrival visas are issued.

Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy said the switch from stickers to dynamic QR codes is meant to sharpen the competitiveness of Egypt's tourism sector and support the target of 30 million visitors a year by 2030, Egypt Independent reported. Travellers from 118 nationalities currently qualify for a visa on arrival, and Fathy put the number benefiting from various entry arrangements at between 170 and 180.

For Red Sea arrivals nothing changes yet. The first phase covers Cairo's arrival halls only, and both Masrawy and Egyptian Streets report a phased extension to other Egyptian airports afterwards, so passengers landing at Hurghada or Marsa Alam should expect the current process until that stage is announced.

Egypt Independent reported the country has around 235,000 hotel rooms, against industry projections that 500,000 will be needed to support 30 million visitors a year.