A screen shot from the video.
Egypt is to begin the pilot operation of a new digital Visa-on-Arrival system at Cairo International Airport on August 1, marking a major step in the country’s broader digital transformation strategy and efforts to improve the travel experience for international visitors.
The new automated system will be introduced across all arrival halls at Cairo International Airport. It is designed to simplify and accelerate visa issuance procedures, reduce waiting time and congestion, and provide travellers with a smoother arrival process.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy said the initiative forms part of the government’s vision to enhance the visitor experience from the moment tourists arrive in Egypt until their departure.
“Simplifying entry procedures is one of the key pillars of improving the quality of services offered to visitors and strengthening the competitiveness of the Egyptian tourism destination,” Fathy said.
He added that the pilot phase will allow authorities to evaluate the system’s operational performance before expanding it to other airports and ports of entry across the country, in line with Egypt’s digital transformation agenda and international best practices.
Ahmed Nabil, Associate Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Aviation, explained that the new system enables travellers to obtain a digital QR code, replacing the current paper visa sticker, through one of three channels: a dedicated mobile application accessible worldwide (https://apps.visaonarrival.gov.eg/en/home.html), self-service kiosks located at Cairo International Airport, or the official online portal (https://visaonarrival.gov.eg/home/landing).
The QR code remains valid for seven days from the date and time of issuance, allowing visitors to complete the process before arriving in Egypt. The system also includes a feature enabling accredited travel companies to issue QR codes for organized tourist groups, facilitating the arrival of tour delegations.
On his part, Mohamed Shaaban, Associate Minister for Digital Services, explained that travelers can obtain the QR code before departure, during their flight, or immediately upon arrival at Cairo International Airport. Once the digital visa process is completed, visitors can proceed directly to passport control without purchasing the traditional paper visa sticker.
The automated service will be subject to a processing fee in addition to the standard visa-on-arrival fee.
During the pilot phase, the digital platform will operate alongside the existing paper visa system for a limited transitional period to ensure a gradual and seamless shift to the new digital process.
The initiative reflects Egypt’s continued investment in digital government services and its commitment to enhancing the country’s competitiveness as a leading global tourism destination by streamlining entry procedures for international travellers.
Short link: