Egypt may change its visa fee but no changes yet
Ah, Egypt — land of pyramids, pharaohs, and visa rumours that spread faster than a camel spotting a tourist with snacks. If you’ve heard whispers that Egypt has suddenly hiked its visa fees, don’t panic, don’t cancel your trip, and definitely don’t start calculating the price of your holiday in tears.
For now, absolutely nothing has changed.
Yes, a new presidential law was indeed published on November 30, 2025. Yes, it mentioned a shiny new tax of up to USD 20. And yes, everyone immediately lost their minds. But in the real world — you know, the place where travellers queue at passport control clutching crumpled dollars — the visa fee is still a perfectly normal:
- USD 25 for a single-entry visa
- USD 60 for a multiple-entry visa
- And zero evidence of any fee increase actually happening
You can still get your visa on arrival, apply at an embassy, or use the e-Visa system, and the price has not budged an inch.
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So What Did Egypt Actually Announce?
On paper, the law says the government may impose a tax “not exceeding USD 20” on every entry or transit visa or consular document processed at embassies abroad. That’s it.
No fine print.
No new amounts.
No “effective immediately please hand us your wallet.”
The law came into effect on December 1, 2025, but so far, it’s more of a theoretical possibility — like me saying I might run a marathon one day. Technically allowed, absolutely not happening.
Even more amusing, several media outlets confidently reported that Egypt had already raised the visa cost to USD 45. Meanwhile, travellers landing in Cairo were like, “Really? Because I just paid the usual $25 at a window plastered with FOUR signs that say $25.”
Why the Confusion?
Because the law is… let’s say… vague enough to make the Sphinx proud.
It never says the USD 20 would be added to the current fee. It doesn’t explain whether it’s a new tax, a possible future increase, or simply a legal cap for optional charges the government may or may not ever use.
It’s basically the legislative equivalent of:
“We could raise it. Maybe. Possibly. But also maybe not. We’ll see. Stay tuned!”
Tourism Industry: “Please Don’t Do It.”
Before the law even went public, the Egyptian Parliament approved a draft version, and the tourism industry immediately went into full-on panic mode.
On November 11, the Egyptian Federation of Tourism Chambers sent a worried letter to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Tourism, politely saying:
“Um… higher visa fees?
Right now?
Are you sure?”
Their concern: bumping up the visa cost could make Egypt less competitive, scare away price-sensitive tourists, and hit the industry just as it’s recovering.
In a country where tourism is a major economic engine, this is not a small debate — which is why, for now, everything is on pause.
Bottom Line for Travellers
✔ Visa fee remains USD 25 (single entry)
✔ USD 60 for multiple-entry
✔ No new charges introduced
✔ No confirmed timeline for any changes
Until Egypt officially announces something concrete — with real numbers, real dates, and ideally less mystery — travellers should just keep checking official updates and ignore the rumours.
