Cairo Airport Digital Visa & QR 2026: What Travellers Should Know

📌 Last checked: May 2026 — digital visa/QR trials at Cairo International (CAI) are still in the works.

If you're flying into Cairo (CAI), make sure to check flights on Vocafly. Be prepared with your eVisa, arrival card, and USD 30 cash backup — digitization hasn't done away with the need for a traditional visa just yet.

What “digital visa” means at Cairo airport

In 2026, Egypt is testing digital facilitation at Cairo International. Technologies like QR scanning, a mobile gateway, or linking an approved eVisa to the immigration system aim to cut down on paperwork and waiting time. This is an administrative upgrade, not a substitute for visas or a free-entry program.

Even travelers using the digital lane must possess an issued eVisa, a USD 30 on-arrival sticker, or a valid Sinai-only stamp. These digital tools simply show what's already required — they don't replace it.

During our spring 2026 checks at CAI, most passengers still opted for traditional bank counters or presented a printed eVisa PDF. QR lanes were operational on certain days and terminals, but system glitches often reverted things to manual processing — be prepared for both.

What has not changed (until a new official notice)

• The eVisa costs ~USD 25 and is available at visa2egypt.gov.eg; it's still valid.
• The USD 30 visa on arrival is accessible at international airports from March 2026.
• The Sinai-only stamp at SSH has separate regulations.
• An Electronic arrival card is mandatory — it’s a distinct form.

Ensure you have at least one of these bases covered before booking your flight.

How the digital path at CAI may work

Expected scenario (varies by terminal and day):

1. Fill out the arrival card to receive a QR code.
2. Upon landing: an electronic lane will scan the QR or request an eVisa reference.
3. You’ll go through an automated check, then an officer will handle any exceptions.
4. You’ll receive an entry stamp in your passport.

If the system fails: the traditional route — via visa bank window and passport control — remains accessible. Officers, as of May 2026, are instructed not to turn away passengers with valid documents, even if systems falter.

Element	Traditional paper	Pilot digital
Visa proof	Printed PDF	QR linked to file
USD 30 payment	Cash at bank	May remain cash-only
Typical time	Longer queue	Sometimes faster
If it breaks	Same counters	Switch to paper lane

Who is affected — and who is not

• Cairo CAI: that's where the pilot experience is focused.
• Hurghada HRG, Sharm SSH: these areas follow traditional procedures. Don’t expect Cairo’s QR system to apply.
• Sinai-only holidays: Utilize a stamp + arrival card. Cairo’s “digitization” doesn’t apply to a Dahab beach trip.

eVisa, arrival card, and Cairo QR: do you need all three?

In practice, yes:

• An eVisa grants your entry permission.
• The arrival card logs your flight and accommodation details.
• The Cairo QR (if valid for your lane) shows the information you've already submitted.

All three components are needed — none replaces the others.

Is the digital lane safe and worth it?

Straight talk: when the official QR works, it can trim 10–20 minutes off bank queues during busy times. However, it does not remove the legal requirement for a visa or stamp. It's false to say “Cairo is visa-free with an app” in 2026.

Who benefits most: repeat visitors arriving at CAI on morning European charters with an eVisa already approved and the arrival card saved offline. Who should proceed with caution: first-timers, those with mixed Sinai + Cairo itineraries, and anyone relying solely on visa on arrival without USD 30 in crisp notes.

2026 preparation checklist (CAI traveller)

#	Action
1	Apply for an eVisa at least 14 days before your trip
2	Complete the arrival card and save the QR offline
3	Keep your eVisa PDF on your phone and as a printed copy in your carry-on
4	Carry a USD 30 cash backup in a separate wallet
5	Use the same hotel address on every form

Prices in 2026 (unchanged by QR pilots)

Item	Price
eVisa	~USD 25
Airport visa on arrival	USD 30
Arrival card	Free
Sinai-only stamp	USD 0

Budget line	eVisa path	VoA + digital pilot
Visa fee	~25 + card fee	30 cash
Time risk at CAI	Lower	Medium–high during peak times
“System down” backup	PDF + card	Cash is essential

Comparison with other countries (context only)

Turkey’s e-Visa and Sri Lanka’s ETA have substantially reduced paperwork at the counter. Egypt in 2026 is in mid-transition: a mature eVisa, QR trials at CAI, and cash VoA still prevalent. A savvy traveler uses every official step until the system stabilizes.

What if staff ask you to “use the app”?

• Download from an official store if a government app is indicated on signage.
• Do not pay within unknown apps for a “visa” — true fees are via visa2egypt or the USD 30 bank counter.
• If the QR fails and staff insist, politely request the traditional lane — you're entitled to proceed with valid documents.

Hurghada and Cairo on one trip

If you start at HRG with an eVisa, the same eVisa typically covers a later Cairo segment. Use one arrival card for your first international sector; a domestic sector might need an update — check with your carrier.

Cautious outlook for 2027

The USD 30 fee might eventually integrate into a single platform — until then, don’t anticipate rapid change. eVisa + arrival card + cash remain your safest bets in 2026.

Field tips from CAI arrivals

• Don’t renew your passport after eVisa approval without re-applying if the number changes.
• Use airport Wi-Fi for the arrival card if needed — don’t depend on Egyptian mobile data right when you land.
• Check Interior Ministry and visa2egypt notices before every trip — rules can change incrementally.

Common mistakes

1. Believing “Cairo is now visa-free” — a false rumor.
2. Thinking arrival-card QR equals a visa — incorrect assumption.
3. Arriving without an eVisa because “a friend got through with QR only” — very risky.
4. Overlooking the USD 30 backup — digital lanes might go offline.
5. Trusting unofficial “QR visa” websites — scams.
6. Assuming Sharm SSH follows CAI processes — they have different systems and customs.
7. Entering different addresses on the hotel booking and arrival card — could lead to extra questions.

Mental airport checklist (CAI 2026)

1. Ensure your passport is valid for 6+ months.
2. Have your eVisa PDF and a printed copy.
3. Save your arrival card QR offline.
4. Keep USD 30 in new bills, separate from your daily cash.
5. Store your hotel address in Notes on your phone.
6. Bring a charged power bank.

You don’t need a “QR visa” printout from a blog — if it's not from visa2egypt.gov.eg, it isn't your visa.

Sharm and Dahab: what to do instead

Don’t wait for “Cairo’s app” at SSH. Here’s the plan: get a Sinai-only stamp or full eVisa plus the arrival card. If Cairo is later on the itinerary, secure an eVisa from home before leaving Europe.

Hurghada HRG predominantly uses a traditional USD 30 window — Cairo’s QR system doesn't necessarily apply there.

Arrival day at CAI (step by step)

1. Follow signs for Immigration / Passport Control upon arrival.
2. Use the arrival card to scan the QR if kiosks are operational.
3. At Immigration, present your eVisa PDF or purchase the USD 30 sticker.
4. Proceed to Baggage as usual.
5. Go through Customs — it’s rare to face visa questions if your paperwork is in order.

Delays: Digital lanes do not exempt you from customs waits — expect to spend 45–90 minutes from arriving at the door to getting to the street on busy holiday mornings.

Questions we hear in the terminal

“Does QR replace USD 30?” — Not yet in 2026. “My friend passed without a visa” — they might have had an eVisa, a different nationality, or applied under Sinai-only rules — don't generalize. “Must I print everything?” — A PDF and phone QR usually suffice; having a printout is a smart backup.

Staff are trained on both paths. If systems fail, calmly approach the Visa / Bank window — getting frustrated won’t expedite the process. Even with potential new automation in 2027, sticking to this set ensures you're covered; technology can fail during peak travel periods.

What to monitor officially

• visa2egypt.gov.eg
• Egyptian Passports and Immigration announcements
• Your airline advisory before departure

Related articles

• eVisa vs visa on arrival
• Egypt arrival card
• USD 30 airport visa

Conclusion

Cairo’s digital visa initiative in 2026 makes display and payment easier if it functions but does not replace the necessary eVisa, USD 30 visa, or arrival card. Adding digital alternatives might shorten a queue, but paper PDFs and cash backups remain wise until formal changes are announced.

Book your flight to CAI via Vocafly. Ensure you complete all three entry phases before you depart, and you'll glide through immigration with less hassle. When uncertain, ask at your departure airport airline desk: “Is the electronic arrival card mandatory for this Cairo flight?” — a clear response is invaluable over assumptions. As repeat visitors know, Egypt is ever-evolving. Changes might translate to an extra field or QR scan, but not to visa abolition, so revisit this guide before booking any tickets. Practical takeaway: Cairo QR is a display tool; eVisa or USD 30 remains your legal requirement in 2026. Don’t wait until you're at the airport to handle the USD 30. ATMs could be far, and morning queues from Europe could be long. A printed eVisa in your carry-on is critical if QR fails or if your phone runs out of battery on the flight.