Egypt announces a significant extension of its free transit visanow open until the end of April 2026. This initiative enables travellers stopping over at Egypt's international airports to benefit from a discover the country without additional costs or complex formalities. With the aim of boosting tourism and to reinforce Egypt's strategic position as an air crossroads, this measure offers a unique opportunity to explore emblematic sites such as Cairo, Luxor and the Red Sea.
Egypt extends its free transit visa programme until 2026
Recently, Egypt announced the extension of its free transit visa of 96 hours until the end of April 2026. The decision follows an official meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr Mostafa Madbouly. The aim of the programme, which was introduced in June 2023, is to stimulate the tourism and reinforce Egypt's position as a preferred transit destination. Passengers in transit through Egyptian airports will now be able to explore the country without additional charges or complex formalities during their stopovers.
A measure to boost tourism
The extension of this measure is designed to encourage tourist flows by allowing travellers to leave the airports to discover emblematic sites such as Le Havre, Le Havre, Le Havre, Le Havre, Le Havre, Le Havre, Le Havre, Le Havre, Le Havre and Le Havre. CairoLuxor or the Red Sea. Thanks to this initiative, stopovers of between 8 and 96 hours offer the opportunity to enjoy an enriching Egyptian experience free of charge. The Egyptian government hopes that this initiative will help to attract more international visitors and establish the country as a crossroads between Europe, Africa and Asia.
Conditions governing eligibility for a transit visa
To take advantage of the free transit visaCertain conditions must be met. Firstly, the duration of the stopover must be between 8 hours and 96 hours. In addition, travellers must transit through one of the following international airports: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh or Borg El Arab. It is also necessary to travel with a Egyptian airlinesuch as EgyptAir, Air Cairo and Nile Air.
The traveller's nationality must allow them access to a visa on arrival. European, American, Canadian, Australian and British nationals can therefore take advantage of this initiative and visit the country without hindrance. There is one final condition: the passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of entry into Egypt.
How do I obtain a transit visa?
The process for obtaining the transit visa is quick and easy. On arrival, travellers should go to the transit visas from their airline. All they have to do is present their passport and flight ticket, then fill in a short form. On arrival, the visa is issued free of charge for a maximum period of 96 hours. This simplified procedure is designed to maximise Egypt's appeal and encourage tourist spending during stopovers.
The importance of e-visa
To facilitate entry to the country, nationals eligible for a visa on arrival can also apply for a electronic visa or e-Visa. This online procedure, to be completed around seven days before arrival in Egypt, optimises the time spent at immigration and minimises waiting time at the airport. Travellers can choose an e-Visa for single or multiple entries, valid for 90 days.
It is important to note that the maximum stay authorised in Egypt for a tourist trip is 30 days. For further information on the necessary procedures, travellers can consult dedicated resources such as those available at this link.
An impact on the Egyptian economy
This free transit visa is not just about making it easier for international travellers to visit; it is also a key strategy for strengthening the local economy. By encouraging transit passengers to explore the country, Egypt hopes to generate significant economic benefits for the service sector, hotels and tourist attractions.
In short, the extension of this measure until April 2026 is a major initiative aimed at reinforcing Egypt's image as a world-class tourist destination. attractive destination and accessible. By making the admission process less complex and more attractive, Egypt is strengthening its appeal to travellers from all over the world, while promoting its economic development.
Comparison of transit options in Egypt
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Validity of the transit visa | Extended until the end of April 2026 |
| Maximum duration | 96 hours |
| Minimum stopover time | 8 hours |
| Eligible airports | Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Borg El Arab |
| Airline companies | Egyptian carriers only (EgyptAir, Air Cairo, Nile Air) |
| Visa eligibility | Nationals of certain countries (Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, UK) |
| Valid passport | Must be valid for at least 6 months after entry |
| How to apply | Form to be completed on arrival, passport and ticket required |
| Electronic visa | Available for eligible nationalities, online application recommended |
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