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Egypt Visa for South Africans

Tourist Visa
ℹ Visa on Arrival — Apply at the border or airport
1/5 Difficulty
0–0d Processing
ZAR 462 Total (~$25)

Quick Facts

Requirement Visa on Arrival
Visa Fee ZAR 462 (~$25)
Processing Time 0–0 working days
Appointment Wait ~ weeks
Stay Duration Up to 30 days
E-Visa Available online

Egypt is one of the most popular holiday destinations for South Africans — the Red Sea resorts of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, plus Cairo, Luxor, and the Nile. The visa process is among the easiest in the world: $25 e-visa online or $30 on arrival. The e-visa is recommended to save money and skip airport queues.

Key Warnings

  • The VOA fee increased to $30 USD effective 1 March 2026 (up from $25). Bring exact USD cash — the airport counters prefer it. The e-visa at visa2egypt.gov.eg remains $25.
  • Avoid third-party Egypt e-visa websites that charge $60–80 for the same $25 government service. Only use visa2egypt.gov.eg.
  • Egypt has strict laws on LGBTQ+ relationships and photography of government buildings, military installations, and airports. Research local laws before travel.

Insider Tips

  • Hurghada (HRG) and Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH) are direct flight destinations from Johannesburg — popular charter packages. Cairo is a connecting stop for those doing a Nile Valley itinerary.
  • The Red Sea is one of the world's top diving destinations — and very affordable for South Africans. Dive packages from Hurghada resorts include equipment and boat dives.
  • Book an all-inclusive resort in Hurghada for maximum value — everything from ZAR 4,000–8,000 per person for a 7-night package including flights from Johannesburg.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Choose: e-Visa (recommended) or VOA

    The e-visa ($25) is cheaper than VOA ($30) and lets you skip the airport visa queue. If you've already booked a flight and haven't applied, you can still get VOA at the airport — but arrive early.

  2. Apply for e-visa at visa2egypt.gov.eg

    Go to visa2egypt.gov.eg. Select South Africa as nationality. Fill in travel details and upload passport scan and photo.

  3. Pay $25 by card

    Pay the single-entry e-visa fee ($25 USD) by credit/debit card. You will receive a confirmation number.

  4. Receive e-visa in 3–5 days

    Your e-visa is emailed within 3–5 business days. Print it or save to your phone and present at Egyptian immigration.

  5. Alternatively: Visa on Arrival at airport

    If using VOA: join the visa-on-arrival queue at Cairo (CAI), Hurghada (HRG), Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH), or other international airports. Pay $30 USD in cash at the counter and proceed to immigration.

Required Documents

  • Valid South African passport Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond entry date.
  • USD 30 cash (for VOA option) Visa on arrival counter prefers exact USD. Some counters accept EUR but USD is recommended.
  • Return or onward flight ticket May be requested at immigration.
  • Hotel booking confirmation Egyptian immigration may ask for accommodation details.

Latest Updates

2026-03-01

Egypt raised its visa on arrival fee to USD 30 effective 1 March 2026, up from USD 25. The online e-visa at visa2egypt.gov.eg remains $25 for single entry.

2022-04-01

South Africa was added to Egypt's visa on arrival eligible nationalities in April 2022, significantly simplifying access for South African travellers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can South Africans get a visa on arrival in Egypt?
Yes. South African passport holders can get a visa on arrival at all major Egyptian airports — Cairo (CAI), Hurghada (HRG), Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH), Luxor, and Marsa Alam. The fee is $30 USD (ZAR 555, as of March 2026 — increased from $25). Bring exact USD cash. Alternatively, the online e-visa is $25 and lets you skip the queue.
Should South Africans use the e-visa or visa on arrival for Egypt?
The e-visa ($25 at visa2egypt.gov.eg) is recommended: it's $5 cheaper than VOA ($30), and you skip the airport visa queue. Apply 5+ days before travel. If you've left it too late, VOA is perfectly fine — just bring $30 USD in cash.
Is Hurghada a good holiday destination for South Africans?
Yes — Hurghada is one of the most popular package holiday destinations for South Africans. The Red Sea offers world-class snorkelling and diving, all-inclusive resorts are very affordable (from ZAR 4,000/person for 7 nights including flights), and the flight time from Johannesburg is approximately 9 hours.

Other popular destinations for South Africans

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