Cairo is a three-and-a-half-hour flight from Dubai, and the pyramids, Luxor and the Red Sea resorts make Egypt one of the most popular short trips for UAE residents. Egypt is also one of the clearest examples of the rule “your passport decides”: an Indian resident of Dubai can apply online in minutes, while a Pakistani resident of the same building may wait weeks for embassy approval. Your UAE residence visa does not move you into an easier category.
Checked on 20 October 2026 against Egypt’s official e-visa portal and published Egyptian consular guidance. Sources at the end.
On this page
- The short answer by passport
- The Egypt e-visa
- Visa on arrival
- The free Sinai-only stamp
- If you need embassy approval
- Mistakes to avoid
- Questions people ask
The short answer by passport
| Passport | Route to an Egypt tourist visa |
|---|---|
| UAE (and other GCC) | e-visa online; GCC citizens commonly enter on arrival |
| India | e-visa online (US$30 single entry) |
| UK, US, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea | e-visa or visa on arrival (US$25) |
| Pakistan | Visa from an Egyptian mission with prior security clearance — allow 2 to 6 weeks |
| Philippines, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria | Check the e-visa portal’s nationality list; if not listed, apply at the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate in the UAE |
The Egypt e-visa
| Official portal | visa2egypt.gov.eg |
| Single entry | US$30 |
| Multiple entry | US$65 (granted at the authorities’ discretion) |
| Payment | Debit or credit card only |
| Stay | Usually up to 30 days per entry; your entry stamp is final |
| Apply | At least 7 days before travel |
- On the portal, choose the country that issued your passport — not the UAE. The system decides eligibility by nationality.
- Enter your passport details and travel dates, and upload a passport scan and photo.
- Pay by card.
- Print the approved e-visa and carry it with your passport.
Your passport needs at least 6 months’ validity and a blank page. Your UAE residence must stay valid until you return — airlines in the UAE check this at check-in.
Visa on arrival
Egypt’s US$25 visa on arrival is for a specific list of nationalities — mainly the UK, US, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and a few others. Your UAE residence does not add you to the list. The fee is paid at the bank counters before passport control, in US dollars cash or Egyptian pounds. Cards are not always accepted, so carry cash.
Some guides say Indian passport holders with a valid US, UK or Schengen visa can also get a visa on arrival. Because practice varies, Indian residents of the UAE should use the e-visa — it is cheap, quick and removes any doubt at the airport.
The free Sinai-only stamp
Travellers of certain nationalities (including UK, EU and US) flying straight into Sharm El Sheikh can get a free entry stamp valid for about 14 days, covering only the South Sinai resorts: Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba. It does not allow travel to Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria or Hurghada. If your trip goes beyond South Sinai, get a full visa.
If you need embassy approval
Pakistani passport holders — and others not on the e-visa or arrival lists — apply in advance at the Embassy of Egypt in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General in Dubai. The application is sent to Cairo for security clearance, which commonly takes 2 to 6 weeks. Typical documents:
- Passport valid 6 months, and copies.
- UAE residence visa and Emirates ID.
- Application form and photos.
- Return flight reservation and hotel booking.
- Employer letter or NOC and bank statement.
Get written confirmation of approval before you buy non-refundable flights.
Mistakes to avoid
- Selecting “UAE” as your nationality on the e-visa portal because you live here.
- Using a Sinai stamp for a Cairo or Luxor trip. You will be stopped.
- Paying an agency website that looks official. Only visa2egypt.gov.eg is the government portal.
- Arriving with no US dollar cash for a visa on arrival.
- Booking flights before security clearance on a Pakistani passport.
Questions people ask
Do Indian residents of the UAE need a visa for Egypt?
Yes. Apply for the e-visa at visa2egypt.gov.eg: US$30 single entry, at least 7 days before travel.
Can Pakistani residents of the UAE get an Egypt visa on arrival?
No. Pakistani passport holders apply through an Egyptian mission, with security clearance from Cairo.
Does my UAE residence help me get an Egypt visa?
It lets you apply at the Egyptian missions in the UAE, but it does not change which route your passport needs.
How long can I stay?
Usually up to 30 days on a tourist visa. The stamp in your passport is what counts.
Related guides
- Jordan visa for UAE residents
- Türkiye visa from Dubai
- Saudi Arabia visa for UAE residents
- UAE bank statement for visa applications
Sources
- Arab Republic of Egypt — official e-visa portal: visa2egypt.gov.eg
- Boarding Gate — Egypt visa for UAE residents, checked 17 July 2026
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 20 October 2026. Rechecked quarterly. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com — it gets fixed and logged.