Which Egypt Visa Should Indians Apply For?

The details below are as published on the official sources, checked on 2026-10-15: the Egypt e-Visa Portal and the VFS Global Egypt pages for India. Our Egypt visa page for Indian passport holders covers the full document list.

Which Egypt visa matches your purpose?

Start with why you are going. Egypt offers Indians two channels: an online e-Visa issued by the Ministry of Interior, and sticker visas lodged at VFS Global and decided by the Embassy of Egypt in New Delhi.

Every VFS fee above includes the Embassy processing fee of INR 500 and is non-refundable. VFS adds a logistic fee of INR 800 (inclusive of taxes) for all locations, paid in cash, card or UPI at submission, with no exemption.

e-Visa or VFS sticker visa: which is better for a holiday?

For most holidaymakers the e-Visa is simpler. You apply and pay online by credit or debit card, there is no visit to a centre, and the fee is in dollars rather than rupees. Apply at least 7 days before departure.

Know its limits before you rely on it:

• Only ordinary passports can use it. Diplomatic, service, official and other special passports must apply at an embassy or consulate.
• Each traveller applies in their own account, though parents can apply for their children from the parent's account.
• You must print the e-Visa and show it at the port of entry. The portal states that holding an e-Visa is not the final authority to enter, and port authorities may refuse entry.
• The portal publishes no processing time, and it does not state the validity or permitted stay for its tourism e-Visas.
• The processing fee is non-refundable, and incomplete applications are rejected.

The VFS tourist visa suits travellers on a package arranged by an Egyptian travel agent. VFS asks for a detailed tour programme on the Egyptian agent's letterhead, with contact details, signature and stamp, plus a copy of the agent's National ID. It also asks for a confirmed return air ticket, a confirmed hotel booking and your last 6 months of bank statements, signed and stamped by the bank. Without a local agent, that letter is hard to produce.

What do business and entry visas need?

Both need a host in Egypt. For a Business Visa, VFS asks for an invitation letter from an Egypt-based entity with its full address and contact details, an ID copy, and a confirmed return air ticket.

The Entry Visa covers joining family, conferences, workshops, internships and festivals. It needs an invitation from the Egypt-based host with proof of your relationship. If the host is a foreigner, include their residence permit for work with at least 6 months' validity.

The e-Visa portal lists only tourism types. Its own arrival checklist mentions a supporting letter for business or family visits, so read the portal's terms against your purpose before choosing it. The portal is explicit on one point: any business or employment without the required permit is an offence.

Can Indians work or study in Egypt on these visas?

Work needs the VFS Work Visa. VFS states it is issued only after the work permit is received from the Egyptian competent authorities, so your employer's permit comes first. Bring the employer's invitation letter and a confirmed air ticket. The time taken to get the work permit is not published; VFS processing then follows the usual timeline.

For study, VFS India lists only Tourist, Business, Entry and Work visas. We found no official India-specific student visa procedure, so contact your Egyptian institution for its instructions rather than applying on a tourist visa.

How long does each option take?

VFS timelines are at the discretion of the Embassy of Egypt in New Delhi. VFS says no appointment is needed: you drop off the application during opening hours.

Is there a visa on arrival for Indians?

We found no official Egyptian government, embassy or VFS page confirming a visa on arrival for Indian passport holders. The e-Visa Portal states that a visa is required before entry into Egypt. Plan on the e-Visa or a VFS visa before you fly.

Mistakes that slow down an Egypt application

• Using photos older than 1 month. VFS wants 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm colour photos on a white background, with teeth not visible; scans and colour photocopies are not accepted.
• Arriving with a passport valid for less than 6 months.
• Leaving out the request letter stating your purpose of visit and passport details.
• Applying for the e-Visa two days before the flight instead of at least 7 days ahead.
• Choosing a tourist visa for paid work.

Questions about a VFS application go to the VFS Egypt helpline for India on 022-62018471 (08:00-17:00, Monday to Friday) or info.egyptindia@vfsglobal.com.

For the itinerary, hotel booking and cover letter that a visa file needs, Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram can help. Packages start at INR 1,000 for a flight reservation and go up to INR 3,000 for a reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter. Check whether your Egypt visa type asks for a confirmed ticket before you book anything. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

How do I pay for the Egypt e-Visa from India?

Online by credit or debit card on the Egypt e-Visa Portal (visa2egypt.gov.eg). The fee is USD 30 for a single-entry tourism e-Visa or USD 65 for multiple entries, and it is non-refundable.

Do I need an appointment at VFS for an Egypt visa?

No. VFS Global states that no appointment is needed for Egypt: you submit the completed form and documents in person during opening hours and pay the fees at the centre by cash, card or UPI.

Can parents apply for a child's Egypt e-Visa?

Yes. Each visitor must apply in their own account, but the portal allows parents to apply for their children from the parent's account.

Which passport validity does Egypt require?

VFS asks for an original passport valid for at least 6 months. For the e-Visa, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date.