TORONTO — Egypt is set to modernize its visa-on-arrival process with the launch of a new digital entry system, beginning with a pilot program at Cairo International Airport on Aug. 1, 2026.

Announced by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities, the new Digital Visa-on-Arrival System is designed to streamline the arrival process by replacing the traditional paper visa sticker with a QR code.

The pilot will operate across all arrival terminals at Cairo International Airport before expanding to additional airports across the country in phases.

Travellers will be able to obtain their Visa QR Code through the official online portal, a dedicated mobile app or self-service kiosks located in Cairo International Airport’s arrival halls. The online portal will go live 48 hours before the pilot begins.

The QR code can be generated before departure, during a flight or after landing, by either the traveller or a travel agency. At immigration, border officers will scan the QR code alongside the traveller’s passport. The code can be presented electronically or in printed form and remains valid for 48 hours from the time it is issued.

The total cost of the digital visa will be US$36, including the current US$30 visa fee and a US$6 issuing fee.

During the pilot phase, the digital system will operate alongside the existing paper visa-on-arrival process. Once testing is complete, the paper visa sticker will be phased out and replaced entirely by the QR code system.

Following the Cairo rollout, the Ministry plans to introduce the digital visa-on-arrival process at additional Egyptian airports, with implementation dates to be announced in advance.

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Lead image caption: Cairo, Egypt