Egypt visa options for Switzerland passport holders

Visa types & longer-stay routes for Egypt

Rules are written primarily for non-Arab/non-GCC foreign nationals (e.g. US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia); GCC citizens enter visa-free and some nationalities require pre-approved embassy visas, so always verify by passport.

• Most nomadsTourist

  Tourist e-Visa / Visa on Arrival

  30 days per entry, extendable once by ~30 days at an Egyptian passport office; multiple-entry e-visa valid 180 days from issue with up to 30 days per visit

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required for entry. Strongly recommended: private travel/medical insurance, as Egypt provides no reciprocal public healthcare for tourists and care is paid up front.

  Good for

  Leisure travellers and short-stay visitors from ~180 eligible nationalities (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and more).

  Requirement

  Passport valid 6+ months, onward ticket and accommodation. Apply via the official visa2egypt.gov.eg e-visa portal (at least 7 days before departure) or get a visa on arrival at major airports. Fees: e-visa US$25; visa on arrival single-entry US$30 (raised from US$25 on 1 March 2026), multiple-entry ~US$60 — pay in USD/EUR; verify.

• Tourist

  Sinai-Only Free Entry Stamp

  Up to ~14 days (some sources cite 15), South Sinai resort area only — no travel to Cairo, Luxor or the mainland, and cannot be extended

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required for entry. Recommended: travel/medical insurance covering diving and resort activities.

  Good for

  Visitors flying into South Sinai resorts (Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba) who stay only within that zone.

  Requirement

  Free entry-permission stamp issued automatically on arrival at South Sinai airports/borders for most nationalities. A full 30-day tourist visa is needed to leave the Sinai resort zone, visit St Catherine's Monastery, or stay longer. Verify current rules for your passport.

• Business

  Business Visa (tourist e-Visa with business letter, or embassy visa)

  Up to 30 days per entry; single-entry e-visa must be used within 90 days of issue, multiple-entry valid 180 days with 30 days per stay — verify

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required for entry. Recommended: business travel medical insurance.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals attending meetings, conferences, negotiations or short business visits (not local employment).

  Requirement

  Egypt issues e-visas as Tourism type only; for business you travel on the tourist e-visa plus an invitation/cover letter from an Egyptian company (and often your own employer) stating purpose, dates and who covers costs, with passport and travel/accommodation proof. Longer or formal business stays may need an embassy visa.

• Most nomadsWork

  Work Permit + Work Residence

  Work permit generally issued for 1–3 years, renewable; requires both a Ministry of Labour (Manpower) work permit and a matching work-purpose residence permit — both mandatory

  Insurance

  Recommended/verify: employees are typically enrolled in Egyptian social insurance via the employer; private health cover is advisable. Confirm current medical/insurance rules with the employer and Ministry.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals taking up employment with an Egypt-registered employer; family can be sponsored.

  Requirement

  Employer-sponsored only (no self-sponsorship or job-seeking entry): signed job contract, qualifications and certified experience, plus employer/business documents; governed by Labour Law No. 14 of 2025 and Resolution No. 279 of 2025. A foreign-worker quota (~10% of staff) applies, and a medical exam at an approved facility is commonly required — verify.

• Most nomadsStudy

  Student Residence Permit (Iqama)

  Issued for the academic year, renewed annually while enrolled; usually applied for after arrival (within ~30 days of entry)

  Insurance

  Required/verify: a medical certificate is required for the permit but health insurance is not stated as mandatory; several universities expect students to hold health cover. Confirm with the specific institution.

  Good for

  Foreign students enrolled at an accredited Egyptian university or institute.

  Requirement

  Acceptance letter from a Ministry-recognised Egyptian institution, valid passport, certified academic credentials (Arabic-translated), police clearance and a medical certificate; many enter on a tourist/entry visa then convert to the study residence permit (iqama). Verify the current procedure with the institution.

• Residence

  Real Estate / Investor Residency

  Renewable residence tied to investment level under Decision 977/2023: property worth ~US$50,000 → 1-year, ~US$100,000 → 3-year, ~US$200,000 → 5-year permit; bank-deposit and company-ownership routes also qualify — verify current decree values

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required for the permit per sources found. Recommended: private health insurance, as residents may use public or (more commonly) private healthcare.

  Good for

  Foreign property buyers and investors seeking renewable residency; can sponsor spouse and children.

  Requirement

  Qualifying investment: property purchase at the tier above (often a 25% minimum down payment), a USD bank deposit, or establishing/owning an Egyptian company, plus source-of-funds proof and security clearance. Exact minimums change — confirm current decree values before relying on them.

• Transit

  Transit Visa

  Short transit period, varies by itinerary — verify

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required. Recommended: travel insurance covering the trip.

  Good for

  Travellers passing through Egypt en route to another destination.

  Requirement

  Onward ticket and any onward-destination visa; some nationalities may transit without a visa while others need a transit/entry visa. Confirm requirements for your passport and airport.

Indicative guidance only — visa rules, fees and thresholds change; verify with the official visa2egypt.gov.eg portal or an Egyptian embassy before you travel. Last checked: 2026-06.

Last verified June 2026

Switzerland → Egypt: frequently asked

Do Switzerland passport holders need a visa to visit Egypt?

Visa on arrival. Get the visa at the border on entry. Always confirm with the official source before booking.

Can a Switzerland passport holder live or work long-term in Egypt?

Yes, via a long-stay visa. Egypt has 7 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.

Do I need travel insurance for Egypt?

Entry to Egypt never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Several Egypt visas also require proof of insurance before they're granted.