Egypt Visa Guide for Sharm El Sheikh (2026)

Do you need a visa to visit Sharm El Sheikh? For most travellers the answer is simple, and often cheaper than expected. Here is the 2026 breakdown so you arrive without any surprises.

Two options at a glance

• Free Sinai-only entry stamp – for holidays spent in the Sharm / South Sinai resort area.
• Full tourist visa (US$30) – an e-Visa online or a visa on arrival, needed if you travel to mainland Egypt.

The free Sinai-only stamp

If you fly straight into Sharm El Sheikh (or Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba) and stay up to 15 days within the South Sinai resort area, you can be given a free entry permit instead of a paid visa. It is perfect if your trip is Sharm-based – beaches, snorkeling and desert safaris around the resort. It does not cover mainland Egypt (Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada) or longer stays.

The full tourist visa (US$30)

Choose the full visa if you plan to visit Cairo, Luxor, St Catherine / Mount Sinai, or if you are staying longer than 15 days. You have two easy ways to get it:

• e-Visa (recommended): apply online at the official portal (visa2egypt.gov.eg), pay US$30 for a single-entry 30-day visa (about $65 for multiple entry), and print the approval to show on arrival.
• Visa on arrival: buy it for US$30 in cash US dollars at the bank desk at Sharm airport before passport control.

Note: Egypt increased the visa fee to US$30 in 2026, so bring a little extra just in case.

What you need

• A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date.
• A return or onward ticket.
• Cash US dollars if you are paying on arrival.

Our simple advice

If your holiday is all about Sharm – the reef, the desert and the beach – the free Sinai stamp is usually all you need. If there is any chance you will head to Cairo or Luxor, get the US$30 e-Visa before you fly and travel worry-free.

Once you are here, we will take care of the fun part: browse our tours and excursions or message us on WhatsApp.