Egypt will from next month roll out a digital visa-on-arrival system at Cairo International Airport, replacing the traditional visa sticker with a QR code that travelers can obtain before departure, during their flight or upon arrival.
Tourists visit the Sphinx at the Giza Pyramids scenic spot in Giza, Egypt, on Jan. 2, 2025. (File photo: Xinhua)
The digital visa, which will cost $36, is expected to reduce waiting times, simplify entry procedures and enhance the travel experience for millions of visitors to the North African country.
The initiative that forms part of Egypt's broader strategy to boost tourism by making travel more convenient and positioning the country to attract significantly more international visitors comes as the tourism sector continues to rebound strongly, with visitor arrivals rising 16 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of this year despite regional geopolitical tensions.
Sherif Fathy, minister of tourism and antiquities, said citizens of 118 countries are eligible to obtain visas on arrival at Egyptian airports.
"The new system allows travelers to purchase the visa up to 48 hours before arrival," he said in an interview with Egyptian media last week.
The digital visa pilot will initially operate at Cairo International Airport before being expanded to other airports in the country.
Under agreements signed in May, eligible travelers will be able to submit their details through self-service airport kiosks, a website, or a mobile application, pay visa and service fees electronically and receive a QR code to be scanned by passport officers upon arrival.
Fathy noted that tour operators may complete the procedures on behalf of their clients in order to reduce queues and congestion at Egyptian airports.
Government data showed that Cairo airport continued to achieve positive growth rates in travel movement during the first quarter of this year, both in passenger numbers and flights, compared with the same period last year.
The data showed that the number of flights rose by 10 percent to 59,400, compared with 54,000, while passenger numbers increased by 9.5 percent to 8.1 million, compared with 7.4 million.
During a meeting with World Travel and Tourism Council Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre on May 6, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to developing the tourism sector to attract 30 million visitors annually, underscoring tourism's role as a key pillar of the country's economic growth strategy.
Alongside easier entry, Cairo is boosting accommodation capacity through a landmark agreement with Marriott International.
The deal will see the development and operation of 11 new hotels and resorts across Egypt, adding thousands of rooms to the country's hospitality sector and strengthening its ability to cater to growing demand from leisure and business travelers.
The new properties will span several Marriott brands and are expected to enhance Egypt's tourism offerings in both established destinations and emerging resort areas.
Tourism remains a pillar of Egypt's economy, generating foreign exchange earnings and supporting millions of jobs.