Egypt has announced an extension of its 96-hour free shipping visa program by the end of April 2026. This is an initiative that allows layover passengers to explore the country without fees or complicated documents.
The Egyptian government has announced an extension of the 96-hour free transportation visa initiative granted to passengers stopping at the country's international airport until the end of April 2026.
“The approval will be made as part of the Ministry of Tourism and Bone's ongoing efforts to expand facilities and attract more inbound tourists from various markets,” the official report of the Cabinet's weekly meeting states. “We expect to see an increase in tourist arrivals, an increase in hotel occupancy and longer overnight stays.”
The measure, originally introduced in June 2023, is part of an effort to boost the tourism sector and strengthen Egypt's position as an air transport hub between Africa, Asia and Europe.
Strategic moves to boost Egypt's tourism
The 96-hour free shipping visa, first deployed in June 2023, was introduced as the global tourism industry began to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Tourism has positioned it as a tool to promote short-term tourism and encourage more visitors to explore Egypt.
After early success, the government extended its policy once in 2024, and announced it would be extended until April 30, 2026.
Eligibility requirements and participating airlines
Travelers must meet certain criteria to access a free transport visa.
They must have passed through one of Egypt's international airports, including Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hagada, Sharm El Sheikh and Borg El Arab, and travel within 96 hours for at least 8 hours.
The main eligibility criteria are the airline used. This program is only available to passengers flying with Egyptian airlines, Egypt, its subsidiary Air Cairo, or Nilea Air. This means that travelers must arrive and depart in Egypt using one of these three airlines to qualify for a free transport visa.
This offer is only available to travelers in countries that are eligible for a visa upon arrival (or “emergency entry” visa). This includes citizens from most EU countries, the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia and more. Citizens who require a pre-arranged visa and do not qualify for a visa upon arrival will not qualify for a free transport visa.
Like all entries into Egypt, your passport, including e-visa, visa on arrival, consular visa, etc., must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry.
How to get a free shipping visa in Egypt
No prior application is required. Here's how the process works for eligible travelers:
Upon arrival: Do not leave the transport zone immediately when landing in Egypt. Instead, visit the airline's transit visa desk or talk to an on-site representative. Documents required: At the desk, you will fill out your personal information in a short form. Present your passport and air ticket or boarding pass. Our staff will verify your eligibility (based on nationality and connected flights within the 96-hour limit). Issued Visa: If approved, a free admission visa will be issued. With this visa, you can stay in Egypt for up to 96 hours (4 days) for free, rather than the usual $25 visa fee. You can then freely leave the airport and explore the country while you are on your layover.
We aim to increase tourism and foreign currency revenues
The goal of this policy is to seduce passengers on transit who could otherwise stay within the airport terminal and step into Egypt and experience it. Egypt aims to generate direct economic benefits from short-term tourism by providing simple and national access for a limited time.
The Ministry of Tourism also said the programme will help strengthen Egypt's image as an accessible destination and will help attract a wide range of visitors, including business travelers and visitors along the way between the continents.
