Egypt Digitizes Airport Immigration Procedures
Egypt will phase out paper arrival and departure cards at all international airports by February 2026. The transition to a fully digital entry system aims to reduce queue times and streamline border processing for all international travelers.
Egypt Digitizes Airport Immigration Procedures
Egypt has officially retired its paper landing cards in favor of a fully digital immigration system across all international airports. Following a successful pilot at Cairo International Airport, the transition became mandatory at the start of February 2026. Travelers no longer need to hunt for pens or fill out physical forms upon arrival or departure at Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, or Cairo.
The new system relies on Advanced Passenger Information (API) technology. It captures data from machine-readable passports before you even reach the immigration counter, linking your secure digital record to your travel document. This shift aligns Egypt's border controls with international standards used in the UK and the US, significantly cutting down on the manual workload for border officials.
Who is affected
This change applies to every international traveler entering or exiting the country. Whether you are a digital nomad arriving for a three-month stay, an expat returning home, or a tourist on a short holiday, the paperless process is now the standard. It covers everyone from those with pre-approved e-visas to travelers eligible for a visa-on-arrival.
What to expect at the airport
While the paperwork has vanished, the visa requirements remain the same. You still need a valid passport and the appropriate entry permit.
- Visa Fees: The standard tourist visa remains $25 USD for single entry and $60 USD for multiple entry.
- Digital Kiosks: Cairo International Airport is currently piloting self-service kiosks and a mobile app for those needing a visa-on-arrival. These use QR codes and electronic payments to issue emergency visas in minutes.
- Baggage Handling: Alongside the digital immigration shift, ground services have improved. The government reports that the first checked bags now typically reach the carousel within 20 minutes of landing.
To stay ahead of these nomad news updates, ensure your passport is machine-readable and consider applying for an e-visa in advance to bypass the kiosks entirely.
Read our full Egypt guide for the complete picture.