An Egypt visa depends on your nationality and the airport you arrive at. GCC citizens enter visa-free. Turkish citizens get a visa on arrival only as tourists on a direct flight to Sharm El-Sheikh or Saint Catherine (up to 15 days); for Cairo they need a consular visa. Holders of a valid, used Schengen, US or UK visa get a 30-day visa on arrival, except nationalities including Syrian, Sudanese and Palestinian. Syrians and others need a consular visa with security approval that can take weeks.
Egypt is the closest major Arab destination from Istanbul: two hours to Cairo, direct flights to Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada in season, and relatives for many Arab communities in Türkiye. But its entry rules are among the most complex in the region: nationality, passport type, airport and even the visas you hold from other countries all change the answer. This guide sets them out as they stand at the date of this update.
Before you start: four travellers from Istanbul
Illustrative examples built from cases we see often, not specific clients.
They want a week in Sharm El-Sheikh. Solution: a direct flight from Istanbul to Sharm with a hotel, and a visa on arrival under its conditions. Adding Cairo would need a consular visa in advance.
His visa is valid and used, so he gets a month's visa on arrival with a hotel booking and return ticket.
A consular visa with security approval. We applied two months ahead and tickets were booked only after issuance.
Enters visa-free under passport-type conditions; we check the passport before booking.
Which route fits your nationality?
| Nationality or status | Route | Note |
|---|---|---|
| The six GCC states | Visa-free | Up to 6 months |
| Jordan | Visa-free with conditions | Tied to passport type; we check it |
| Türkiye (ordinary passport) | Visa on arrival at Sharm El-Sheikh and Saint Catherine on a direct flight, otherwise consular | 15 days for tourism, with return ticket, hotel and funds |
| Europe, UK, US and others | E-visa or on arrival | Up to 30 days |
| Any non-excluded nationality with a valid, used Schengen/US/UK visa or GCC residence | Visa on arrival | Up to 30 days with conditions |
| Iraq | On arrival with a used multiple visa from listed countries, otherwise consular | Up to a month |
| Yemen | On arrival with a used multiple visa from the GCC, Schengen or US, otherwise consular | Exemptions for some age groups |
| Syria, Sudan, Palestine | Consular with security approval | Not covered by visa on arrival even with Schengen |
| Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya | Depends on age group and case | Limited exemptions; we check for you |
Ordinary Turkish passport holders aren't on the e-visa list, and visa on arrival is available to them only as tourists on a direct flight to Sharm El-Sheikh or Saint Catherine, for up to 15 days. Arriving in Cairo without an advance visa can mean being sent back. Turkish passport holders born in Egypt get visa on arrival only at those two airports.
Consular visas and security approval
Anyone not covered by exemptions or visa on arrival applies to the Egyptian consulate. For some nationalities, including Syrian, Sudanese and Palestinian, the application goes through security approval whose length can't be predicted precisely: two weeks to two months or more. That's why we don't book unchangeable tickets before issuance.
Consular application documents
- A passport valid at least six months with two blank pages
- A recent photo on a white background
- A valid regular Turkish permit for non-Turks
- A return flight booking (changeable)
- A hotel booking or host address in Egypt
- Proof of purpose: relative's invitation, employer letter, conference registration
- Translated family documents for family visits
What delays it
- A Turkish permit expiring soon
- Details not matching the passport
- No proof of purpose or host
- Non-refundable tickets before issuance
- Applying through unknown middlemen
Visa on arrival for holders of Western visas and GCC residence
If you hold a valid, used visa from Schengen states, the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan or New Zealand, or a GCC residence permit valid at least six months, you may get a visa on arrival for up to 30 days, with a confirmed return ticket and enough funds. This route excludes nationalities including Syrian, Sudanese and Palestinian, and domestic workers. Iraqis and Yemenis have specific used-multiple-visa rules as in the table.
South Sinai entry: Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab and Taba
There's an entry format of up to 15 days limited to South Sinai resorts, without travelling on to Cairo or elsewhere. It covers certain nationalities and excludes many, including Türkiye, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia — but Turks arriving on direct flights to Sharm El-Sheikh or Saint Catherine have their own visa on arrival described above. It's the ideal option for Red Sea holidays from Istanbul.
Length, stay and extension
| Route | Common length | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival (general) | Up to 30 days | With conditions |
| Visa on arrival for Turks at Sharm and Saint Catherine | Up to 15 days | Tourism |
| South Sinai entry | Up to 15 days | Resorts only |
| Consular | As granted | Usually single entry |
| GCC exemption | Up to 6 months | Visa-free |
Overstaying means a fine on departure, and extensions are done inside Egypt at the passport office under conditions. Respect the stated period.
A realistic timeline
| Your case | When to start | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival (Sharm for Turks, or Schengen holders) | With the flight and hotel booking | Check conditions before booking |
| E-visa for eligible nationalities | Two weeks before travel | Usually issued in days |
| Consular without security approval | 3–4 weeks before travel | Depends on the consulate |
| Consular with security approval | Two months before travel | No guaranteed date |
Special cases we handle often
A Turkish father and a Syrian mother? Each may need a different route, so we align dates and start with the slowest (security approval).
Some family cases have facilitations; we prepare translated family documents.
A direct flight from Istanbul with a hotel, and visa on arrival for Turks and eligible nationalities.
A consular business visa with the Egyptian host's invitation.
Renew it before the consular application; it may need to be valid beyond the trip.
Visa on arrival applies only at Sharm El-Sheikh and Saint Catherine.
How we help
- 1The right route
Send your passport, permit and any other visas you hold; we tell you straight away whether you enter visa-free, on arrival or need a consular visa with security approval.
- 2Preparing the file
We arrange documents, translations and changeable bookings.
- 3Application and follow-up
We apply and follow the security approval until issuance.
- 4The trip
Flights from Istanbul to Cairo, Sharm El-Sheikh or Hurghada, hotels and transfers.
Rules checked against what Egyptian embassies and airline entry rules publish, to the date of this update. Rules change, so we check your case on the day you apply.
Ask about an Egypt visa on WhatsAppMore visa guides: Dubai visa from Türkiye · Saudi visa from Türkiye · Visa types explained · International visa service
Frequently asked questions
Do Turkish citizens need a visa for Egypt?
Usually yes. Ordinary Turkish passport holders aren't on the e-visa list and get a visa on arrival only as tourists on a direct flight to Sharm El-Sheikh or Saint Catherine, for up to 15 days, with a return ticket, hotel booking and enough funds. To visit Cairo or elsewhere they need a visa in advance from the Egyptian consulate.
Do Syrians need a visa for Egypt?
Yes, an advance visa from the Egyptian consulate after security approval; visa on arrival and the e-visa aren't available to them even with a Schengen or US visa. Limited exceptions exist for some family cases under the instructions.
Can Iraqis get an Egypt visa on arrival?
Yes if they hold a valid, used multiple-entry visa from countries such as Schengen states, the US or the UK, for up to a month, with a return ticket, hotel booking and enough funds. Otherwise they need an advance visa.
Who enters Egypt visa-free?
Citizens of the six GCC states for up to six months, Jordanians under conditions tied to passport type, and some age groups of other Arab nationalities in specific cases.
What's the visa on arrival for Schengen, US and UK visa holders?
Holders of a valid, used visa from Schengen, the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan or New Zealand, or a GCC residence permit valid six months, get a visa on arrival for up to 30 days under conditions, unless their nationality is excluded, such as Syria, Sudan and Palestine.
Does a Turkish residence permit help?
It doesn't give a visa on arrival, but it's attached to the consular application to prove legal residence in Türkiye, and it's needed to apply at the Egyptian consulate in Istanbul.
How long does security approval take?
From two weeks to two months or more depending on nationality and demand, with no exact date possible. Don't buy a non-refundable ticket before issuance.
What is the Sinai (Sharm El-Sheikh) entry?
Entry for up to 15 days limited to South Sinai resorts such as Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba for certain nationalities, without leaving the area. It excludes many nationalities including Türkiye, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia, except Turks on direct flights under their own conditions.
How long is the Egyptian tourist visa?
Visa on arrival and e-visa usually up to 30 days; consular visas as granted. Overstaying means a fine on departure.
Do you get Egypt visas from Istanbul?
Yes. We prepare the consular file and security approval for nationalities that need it, and arrange direct Sharm El-Sheikh flights with hotels for Turks and eligible nationalities.
