Quick Facts
Requirement
Visa on Arrival
Visa Fee
KES 3,875
(~$25)
VOA Fee
KES 3,875
(~$25)
Processing Time
– working days
Appointment Wait
~ weeks
Stay Duration
Up to 30 days
E-Visa
Available online
Egypt is one of the easiest destinations accessible to Kenyan passport holders. Visa on arrival available at Cairo, Sharm el-Sheikh, and Hurghada airports for just $25. Direct flights from Nairobi via EgyptAir and Kenya Airways make Egypt a highly accessible holiday destination. No yellow fever certificate required from Kenya.
Key Warnings
- For VOA, queue at the VISA counter BEFORE you reach the immigration counter. Do not join the immigration line first — you will be sent back. Look for 'Visa' signs immediately after exiting the jet bridge at Cairo.
- At Sharm el-Sheikh, the standard $25 VOA may only issue a Sinai-only entry stamp rather than a full Egypt entry. If you plan to travel beyond the Sinai Peninsula (e.g., to Cairo), clarify this at the visa counter and pay for a full Egyptian visa if needed.
- Carry USD cash for VOA — card machines at Egyptian airport visa counters frequently malfunction.
Insider Tips
- Egypt is easy for Kenyans — one of the most accessible long-haul destinations on a Kenyan passport. EgyptAir and Kenya Airways both operate direct Nairobi–Cairo routes with daily or near-daily frequency.
- Apply for the Egypt e-visa at visa2egypt.gov.eg before your trip — it costs the same $25 but skips the VOA queue entirely, which can save 30–60 minutes at Cairo airport during peak periods.
- Cairo is an excellent transit hub for onward connections to Europe and the Middle East. Egypt's geographic position makes it a natural layover destination for Kenyans.
- The 30-day visa is extendable once inside Egypt. Visit the Mogamma building on Tahrir Square in Cairo or any local passport office for an extension.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Choose VOA or E-visa
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Apply online (e-visa) or prepare USD cash (VOA)
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Fly to Egypt
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Get your visa at the airport (VOA) or show e-visa
-
Pass immigration and enter Egypt
Required Documents
-
Valid Kenyan passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date
-
Return flight ticket or onward travel ticket
-
Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address)
-
USD 25 in cash (for VOA)
Only required for visa on arrival. Card payment sometimes available but unreliable.
Recommended (Optional)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Egypt visa on arrival work for Kenyans?
At Cairo, Sharm el-Sheikh, or Hurghada airports, look for the 'Visa' counters immediately after disembarking — before you reach immigration. Pay $25 USD cash, receive a visa sticker in your passport, then proceed to the immigration counter. The whole process takes about 15 minutes. Carry USD cash — card machines are unreliable.
Should Kenyans get an Egypt e-visa or visa on arrival?
Both cost $25 and grant a 30-day stay. The e-visa (visa2egypt.gov.eg) is recommended as it skips the airport VOA queue. Apply 3–7 days before travel, pay online by card, and simply show the approval at immigration on arrival. VOA is fine if you prefer to pay cash on arrival or decide to travel last-minute.
Do Kenyans need a yellow fever certificate for Egypt?
No. Egypt does not require a yellow fever vaccination certificate for Kenyan passport holders. This makes Egypt noticeably easier to enter than Southern African destinations like South Africa or Zimbabwe, which do require the yellow card from Kenyans.
Are there direct flights from Nairobi to Egypt?
Yes. Both EgyptAir and Kenya Airways operate direct flights between Nairobi (NBO) and Cairo (CAI). Flight time is approximately 5 hours. This makes Egypt one of the most conveniently located non-African holiday destinations for Kenyans.