Egypt entry requirements for Australian passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Visa (Smartraveller): Read the official visa text below
Passport validity (Smartraveller): No country-specific rule: general advice only
Official source: Smartraveller (Australian Government) – Egypt travel advice, section “Travel” · page updated 14 September 2026, still current at 17 October 2026 (Australian time) · checked on 17 October 2026 · Content from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website - www.smartraveller.gov.au, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (copyright notice). Changes: we quote excerpts unchanged and leave out some general notes; the short summaries are ours.
Whether Australians need a visa for Egypt and how long an Australian passport must be valid, as published by Smartraveller, the Australian Government's travel advice service, quoted word for word with the date of the official page.
Other passports: British passport · Canadian passport
Do Australians need a visa for Egypt?
We quote the official text word for word and do not summarise it. The first official sentence does not match a wording we summarise.
Official text, “Visas and border measures”:
Each country or territory decides its own entry and exit rules, including health border screening measures. To find out what you need to enter a destination, ask their embassy, consulate or immigration office.
Visas
Australians travelling to Egypt may need to obtain an online eVisa. Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Egypt for the latest details. To pay for a tourist visa on entry, you must have a non-Egyptian credit card or US dollars in cash. Bring the required amount, as ATMs may not disperse USD or other foreign currency.
More information:
- Egypt Online E-Visa Portal
Children
Children of Egyptian fathers must have their father's approval to leave Egypt. Authorities may ask for proof of this approval before allowing the children to leave.
Ebola disease
Egypt has increased health screening measures at airports and other ports of entry in response to the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa.
If you’re travelling from an Ebola affected country, you may need to do additional screening.
Yellow fever vaccination
You need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Egypt if you arrive from a country where yellow fever is widespread. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave.
Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever.
More information:
Countries where yellow fever is a risk
Yellow fever | Australian Centre for Disease Control
Also in the official “Travel” section:
Land borders
Land borders
Egypt's borders are under military control.
The military restricts and, in some cases, bans the movement of civilians and vehicles.
You need permission to cross borders on the main sealed roads, including at the borders with Libya, Sudan, Israel, Palestine and parts of the Sinai. Get permission from the Travel Permits Department of the Egyptian Ministry of the Interior.
Borders can open or close, and entry and exit requirements may change without notice, especially during a conflict. Confirm requirements with local authorities.
Check the latest information from local authorities on entry requirements and border arrangements. Plan for possible delays at border crossings. Make sure you have all documentation, and enough food, water, cash and medication.
Border with Israel
The Taba border crossing (Menachem Begin Crossing) between Israel and Egypt is open. The crossing may close or have restricted hours at short notice. If you're departing Israel to Egypt, check the latest public information from local authorities in both Israel and Egypt to determine if border crossings are open before travel.
You must pay for a tourist visa and a land border entry fee to enter Egypt.
To avoid long wait times at the border, pay the Israeli crossing fee online official website (accessible in Israel only) before you arrive. Your purchase is only valid for the date you paid for and can't be changed or refunded.
Plan for possible delays and make sure you have a supply of food, water and medication.
If you're planning to travel onward from Taba or Sharm El-Sheikh to Cairo, you'll need to pay an additional fee.
Payments must be made in US dollars cash. Card payments aren't accepted.
Travellers should obtain USD before arriving at the crossing. There are ATMs at the border, but they are not always operating.
Border with Gaza (Palestine)
If, despite our advice, you plan to cross from Egypt into Gaza (Palestine):
- read our advice on Israel and Palestine
- check border crossing requirements with your nearest Egyptian embassy or the Ministry of the Interior in Cairo
You must get permission from Egyptian authorities to enter and exit Gaza using the Rafah border crossing.
If you enter Gaza through this border, you must leave the same way.
You may be delayed in Gaza for a long time. You'll need approval to return into Egypt. Approval to return is not guaranteed.
The Australian Government can't influence the granting of approval or when the crossing will open. Our ability to provide consular help in Gaza is extremely limited.
Other borders
Road travel to Abu Simbel, 40km north of the Sudanese border, can be dangerous. If you do go, only travel with an organised tour guarded by police escorts.
There's a high threat of terrorist attacks within 40km of Egypt's border with Libya. Deadly attacks have occurred in the area.
Other formalities
Journalist accreditation
Foreign journalists must get accreditation from the Egyptian Press Centre before arrival. You need this if your visit is for work purposes. The Press Centre is part of the Egyptian State Information Service.
Punishments are severe for journalists working without accreditation.
Communications equipment and drones
You need approval to bring satellite phones and radio communications equipment into Egypt.
Apply to Egypt's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology well in advance of your trip. Authorities are likely to confiscate equipment brought in without clearance.
The use of drones, for any purpose, is illegal. Authorities will confiscate drones on arrival.
Pest control
If you arrive by road, officials may check your car for pests. Follow the advice of local authorities.
Official source: Smartraveller (Australian Government) – Egypt travel advice, section “Visas and border measures” · page updated 14 September 2026, still current at 17 October 2026 (Australian time) · checked on 17 October 2026 · Content from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website - www.smartraveller.gov.au, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (copyright notice). Changes: we quote excerpts unchanged and leave out some general notes; the short summaries are ours.
How long must my Australian passport be valid for Egypt?
In its “Travel” section, Smartraveller gives no passport validity period specific to Egypt.
The official “Passport” text below is Smartraveller's general advice, the same on every destination page. Check the rule with the embassy of the country and with your airline before you travel.
Official text, “Passport”:
Validity
Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months before entering or departing. This includes for transit.
If your passport expires too soon, you might not be able to travel.
The Australian Government doesn’t make these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you go. If you’re not sure, it’s a good idea to get a new passport.
The same section also has Smartraveller's general notes (“Lost or stolen passport”, “Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier”), the same on every destination page: read them on the official page.
Official source: Smartraveller (Australian Government) – Egypt travel advice, section “Passport” · page updated 14 September 2026, still current at 17 October 2026 (Australian time) · checked on 17 October 2026 · Content from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website - www.smartraveller.gov.au, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (copyright notice). Changes: we quote excerpts unchanged and leave out some general notes; the short summaries are ours.
For Australian passport holders. These rules are published by Smartraveller, the Australian Government's travel advice service (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade), for Australian citizens. Before You Fly is an independent site: it is not an Australian Government site and is not endorsed by DFAT. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice. British passport? See the UK (FCDO) rules.
Read the full official travel advice for Egypt (safety, health, local laws) before you travel.
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