🇪🇬 Egypt visa for Brazilians

US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens can get a 30-day visa on arrival for around $25 USD. Most other nationalities need to apply beforehand.

Who gets a visa stamp and who doesn't?

For many Westerners, Egypt is easy. US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders can grab a 30-day, single-entry visa right at the airport in Cairo, Luxor, or Hurghada. It’s a quick process, usually just a few minutes after you clear immigration. Just follow the signs for "Visa on Arrival." The fee is $25 USD or equivalent, payable in cash (USD, EUR, or GBP are usually accepted, but have smaller denominations ready).

If your passport isn't from one of those big blocs, you'll likely fall into the "visa required in advance" category. This means lining up at an Egyptian embassy or consulate in your home country or a third country before you even think about booking flights. Don't leave this to chance. Some nationalities can get a visa on arrival too, but it's crucial to check the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs list or contact your local Egyptian consulate. Trying to wing it without a pre-arranged visa when one is required can lead to being denied boarding or immediate deportation.

How long can you actually stay? And what happens if you don't leave?

That 30-day visa on arrival sounds straightforward, but Egypt has some quirks. It's a single-entry visa. If you leave Egypt and want to come back, you'll need a new visa. This catches people out who plan multi-country trips where they might pop back into Egypt briefly. Plan your itinerary accordingly.

Overstaying your visa is where things get sticky. While enforcement can sometimes feel lax, the official penalties are steep. For a short overstay, expect a fine. For longer periods, you could face detention and deportation. Fines are often calculated per day, and while exact amounts can fluctuate, a common figure cited is around 50 EGP (roughly $1.60 USD) per day for the first month, increasing significantly thereafter. More importantly, an overstay can make it difficult to get future visas for Egypt, or even enter other countries. Always respect your visa expiry date. Keep an eye on your entry stamp; that's your official clock.

Can you actually work remotely on a tourist visa?

Here’s the grey area. Officially, a tourist visa is for tourism. Working remotely while on a tourist stamp isn't explicitly legal, but it's also not something the average remote worker gets hassled for. Egyptian authorities are generally more concerned with formal employment or business activities that don't pay local taxes. Most digital nomads I know, and indeed myself, have worked from cafes, co-working spaces, and hotel rooms on a tourist visa without issue.

The key is to keep a low profile. Don't set up a permanent office, don't conduct formal business meetings that look like local operations, and certainly don't try to solicit business within Egypt. If questioned, you're a tourist exploring the country who happens to do some online work. The system isn't set up to actively police remote workers, and the focus is usually on larger immigration or security concerns. For longer stays, however, you'd ideally want to explore official remote work visa options if they become available.

What's new with Egypt's visas recently?

Egypt has been moving towards digitizing its visa process. The eVisa system has been expanding, offering a more convenient way to apply for a visa online before you travel for eligible nationalities. This can save you time at the airport and offers a more predictable application process. The fee for the eVisa is also $25 USD for a 30-day single-entry visa, mirroring the on-arrival option.

However, eligibility for the eVisa changes. It's always best to check the official Egyptian eVisa portal (evisa.gov.eg) for the most up-to-date list of countries and current fees. There was also a period where the visa on arrival was temporarily suspended for certain nationalities during peak COVID-19 periods, but it has since been reinstated for most. Keep an eye on official government announcements for any further changes, especially regarding fee adjustments or new entry requirements, as these can shift with little notice.