Egypt Visa Requirements from Dubai: Documents Needed

Egypt has three main visa options for Dubai residents — visa on arrival, e-Visa, and embassy visa. Each has different document requirements. The most important first step is identifying which visa type applies to your nationality.

The Egypt visa on arrival is the simplest entry option — requiring minimal documentation. However, you must carry supporting documents in case the immigration officer requests them.

Mandatory Documents for Visa on Arrival

1. 1Valid passport — must have at least 6 months validity from your travel date. Your passport must also have at least one blank page for the visa sticker.
2. 2USD 25 in cash — this is the standard single-entry Egypt visa on arrival fee. Banque Misr and National Bank of Egypt kiosks at Cairo Airport accept USD, EUR, GBP, and AED. USD is most commonly accepted without issue.

Recommended Supporting Documents to Carry

• Return or onward flight ticket — immigration officers at Cairo Airport frequently ask for proof of onward travel
• Hotel booking confirmation — especially for solo travellers, this helps demonstrate your purpose of visit
• UAE residence visa copy — showing legal residence in the UAE reassures immigration
• Emirates ID — carried as a form of identification
• Sufficient funds — while not formally required, having a bank card or cash for your stay is advisable

Applying for the Egypt e-Visa online is straightforward and requires just a few digital documents. The key is ensuring each item meets the exact specifications required by the Egypt e-Visa portal.

Required Documents for Egypt e-Visa

1. 1Valid passport — must have at least 6 months of validity from your planned date of entry into Egypt. Scan the bio-data page (the page with your photo and personal details) in colour, ensuring all text is clearly legible. Save as PDF or high-resolution JPEG.
2. 2Digital passport photograph — recent (taken within the last 6 months), white background, full face visible, no glasses, no head covering (unless for religious reasons). Minimum resolution: 400 x 514 pixels. Maximum file size: 5 MB in JPEG format.
3. 3Valid email address — your approved e-Visa will be sent to this address. Double-check it carefully before submitting.
4. 4Credit or debit card — Visa or Mastercard is accepted. The fee is USD 25 for single entry or USD 60 for multiple entry.

e-Visa Photo Specifications

Nationalities that are not eligible for the Egypt visa on arrival or e-Visa must apply through the Egyptian Consulate General in Dubai. This requires a comprehensive document set. Submitting an incomplete or incorrect application is the primary reason for delays, so preparation is key.

Complete Document Checklist for Egypt Embassy Visa

1. 1Original passport — valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned return date, with at least two blank pages. Must be in good physical condition.
2. 2Completed Egypt visa application form — signed and dated. Available from the Egyptian Consulate in Dubai or through OraVisa.
3. 3Two recent passport-sized photographs — biometric quality, white background, taken within the last 6 months. Size: 3.5 x 4.5 cm.
4. 4UAE residence visa — coloured photocopy. Your UAE residence visa must be valid for the duration of your Egypt trip.
5. 5Emirates ID — coloured photocopy of both front and back. Must be valid.
6. 6Bank statements — from your UAE bank account, covering the last 3 months, showing your account number, name, and transaction history. Statements must be stamped by the bank or printed on bank letterhead. Minimum balance of AED 5,000 is recommended.
7. 7Employment letter — on company letterhead, signed by HR or a senior manager. Must confirm your position, monthly salary, length of employment, and approval of leave for your specified travel dates.
8. 8Confirmed return flight booking — round-trip ticket showing your departure from and return to Dubai, with your name matching your passport exactly.
9. 9Hotel booking confirmation — for every night of your stay in Egypt. If staying with friends or family, a letter of invitation from the host (with a copy of their Egyptian ID or passport) is required.
10. 10Travel insurance certificate — covering your full stay in Egypt. Policy must show your name, coverage dates, and medical coverage of at least USD 30,000.

For Self-Employed Applicants

• Valid trade licence (copy)
• Company bank statements for the last 3-6 months
• Personal bank statements for the last 3 months
• Proof of business activity (contracts, invoices, or client letters)

For Students and Dependants

• Enrolment letter or student ID from your institution in the UAE
• Sponsor's bank statements and employment letter (if a family member is sponsoring)
• Visa copy and Emirates ID of sponsor
• Proof of relationship to sponsor (marriage certificate for spouses, birth certificate for children)

Certain situations require additional documentation or special consideration when applying for an Egypt visa from Dubai.

Minors Travelling to Egypt

• Children under 18 must have their own passport — they cannot travel on a parent's passport
• If a minor is travelling with only one parent, a notarised letter of consent from the absent parent is required
• If a minor is travelling without both parents, a notarised letter from both parents or legal guardian is needed, along with proof of the accompanying adult's relationship
• Birth certificate (translated into English or Arabic if in another language) may be requested

Previous Egypt Visa Refusals

If you have previously had an Egypt visa refused, you are not automatically barred from applying again. However, you should address the specific reason for refusal in your new application. OraVisa specialises in helping applicants who have had previous refusals — contact us for a personalised strategy before reapplying.

Based on thousands of visa applications handled by OraVisa, the following are the most common document-related mistakes that delay or cause problems with Egypt visa applications from Dubai.

• Passport with less than 6 months validity — even one day short can result in denied boarding
• Bank statements that are not bank-stamped or are generated from online banking without a bank stamp — the Egyptian Consulate requires official stamped statements
• Employment letter that does not mention the specific leave period or travel dates
• Hotel bookings for only part of the stay — every night must be covered
• Photographs that are not biometric quality — selfies or low-resolution photos are rejected
• UAE residence visa that expires during the Egypt trip — your UAE visa must be valid for the entire duration
• Missing original documents — photocopies only are not accepted for documents that require originals