Home Arrow FAQs Arrow Do I need a transit visa for a 4-hour layover in Cairo?

Do I need a transit visa for a 4-hour layover in Cairo?

Key rule for short layovers

For a layover of about 4 hours at Cairo Airport:

  • A transit visa is not a requirement to passengers who stay in the international transit zone (airside) during a short layover - as long as you remain airside and do not pass Egyptian immigration, regardless of the layover length.
  • This is only exempt to bookings on a single ticket when your baggage is checked to the destination point and you do not cross the immigration, or switch-in other terminals.
  • You may need a tourist visa (visa on arrival or e-Visa) if you plan to leave the transit area or pass immigration.

Why 4 hours typically fine

Egypt usually permits passengers to pass visa-free during a limit of 6 hours provided they are not on landside and do not clear immigration.

As such, when you have a lay-over of about 4 hours, then normally you are within this rule, as long as your nationality is not limited and you have a confirmed onward ticket.

There should be no trouble when you have again onward onboarding pass confirmed and you are not leaving the airport, formally, you are just staying there.

Important caveats & things to check

  • Issue of nationality: The visa-free transit policy is not applicable throughout Egypt. Certain nationalities are required to acquire transit visas even on short airside journeys. Nationality generally only matters if you need to enter Egypt. Most passengers of all nationalities can transit airside at Cairo Airport without a visa, provided they do not pass immigration.
  • 96-hour free transit program: Egypt also offers a 96-hour short-stay entry program for certain eligible nationalities, allowing temporary entry into the country. This is optional and not required for passengers who remain airside during a short layover.
  • Check with airline and airport: Although it may say in the rule that you can transit visa-free airlines will need to clear your documents prior to boarding-so you will want to ensure that you are connected with an airline.

Your checklist for the 4-hour layover

Confirm your onward flight ticket is booked and you have a boarding pass.

  • Ensure your onward flight is confirmed on the same booking and your baggage is checked through.
  • Stay within the international transit zone if you do not have a visa.
  • Verify your passport’s eligibility for visa-free transit.
  • Ask your airline or travel agent to confirm that your connection does not require passing through immigration.
  • If anything changes (e.g., you want to leave the airport, the layover extends, you need to switch airports), apply for the appropriate visa in advance.

In conclusion

To the majority of passengers, a 4-hour layover in Cairo International Airport does not require a visa, as long as they remain in the international transit area and do not enter Egypt as long as you are in the airside of the airport on a single-ticket flight. Nevertheless, these restrictions and procedures differ by country and by airline, which is why you should always make sure that you are eligible to fly in order to transfer without any issues.

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