Egypt to launch new e-visa system in August to hit 30 million tourism target

Egypt is set to unveil a sophisticated electronic visa system in August, a move designed to enhance its tourism industry's competitiveness and support its ambitious goal of attracting 30 million visitors by 2030. Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy announced the transition from paper visas to dynamic QR codes during a television interview, confirming the launch follows final technical preparations.

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The upgraded framework will transition from traditional visa stickers to dynamic QR codes.

Under the new framework, tourists from 118 nationalities, who currently obtain visas on arrival, will be able to generate digital entry passes via an official online platform, foreign travel agencies, or local Egyptian operators up to 48 hours before their flight. Upon arrival, passengers can complete the process using electronic payments or self-service kiosks, significantly reducing wait times at ports of entry.

Minister Fathy indicated that the system differentiates between on-arrival and pre-issued e-visas. The process of adding new eligible nationalities involves rigorous security, tourism, and diplomatic evaluations. Currently, between 170 and 180 nationalities benefit from various entry accommodations into Egypt.

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The official launch is slated for August following the completion of final technical preparations.

To accommodate the projected influx of tourists, Egypt is also expanding its hospitality infrastructure. With approximately 235,000 hotel rooms available, the country aims to reach 500,000 rooms to comfortably host its target of 30 million annual visitors by 2030. These efforts are central to the government's plan to revitalize tourism, a key source of foreign currency and economic growth.

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The system distinguishes between visa-on-arrival and pre-issued e-visas, enabling visitors to complete most paperwork before stepping onto a plane and significantly cutting down waiting times at Egyptian ports of entry.