Home Arrow FAQs Arrow Is it risky to fly to Egypt without an e-Visa as a Canadian citizen?

Is it risky to fly to Egypt without an e-Visa as a Canadian citizen?

Egypt’s visa options for Canadian travelers

Canada is among the nationalities eligible for two common entry methods:

  • Egypt e-Visa, applied online before travel
  • Visa on Arrival, purchased at the airport for 25 USD

The Egypt e-Visa for Canadian citizens is typically valid for 90 days (single-entry) or 180 days (multiple-entry), allowing a maximum stay of 30 days per visit. It is attractive to many travelers since they are not faced with delays when they arrive at the destination and also no one is denied the chance to be documented before boarding.

Nevertheless, a Visa on Arrival to Canadians is still available to Egypt when they arrive at major airports like Cairo (CAI), Hurghada (HRG), Sharm El Sheikh (SSH), and Luxor (LXR). This enables one to arrive without an e-Visa, although not always optimal.

It is important to note that Canadian citizens arriving directly in Sharm El Sheikh may be granted a free 15-day Sinai-only entry stamp. This entry permission is limited strictly to the Sinai Peninsula and does not allow travel to mainland Egypt (such as Cairo, Luxor, or Hurghada). Travelers planning to move beyond Sinai must obtain a regular e-Visa or Visa on Arrival.

What happens if you rely on a visa on arrival?

Visa on Arrival is usually a simple process:

  1. Pay 25 USD in cash at the visa counter.
  2. Receive a visa sticker.
  3. Proceed to immigration for the passport stamp.

Many travelers report the process as easy, with minimal waiting time depending on airport traffic. For them, arriving without an e-Visa was not an issue.

However, relying on Visa on Arrival still has risks:

  • Long lines during peak hours can delay your entry.
  • Cash-only requirements may cause issues if you arrive without USD.
  • Policy changes can occur without warning; what was allowed last month may not be the same today.
  • Inconsistent enforcement may result in some travelers being questioned or denied boarding by airlines if documentation seems incomplete.

Airlines, in particular, tend to be conservative—if a staff member is unsure whether a Canadian can board without an e-Visa, they may deny boarding to avoid airline liability.

Situations where flying without an e-Visa becomes riskier

There are specific scenarios where entering Egypt without an e-Visa is more uncertain:

  • If your onward or return travel itinerary is unclear or involves multiple transit points, immigration officers or airline staff may ask additional questions.
  • Visa on Arrival is reliably available at Egypt’s major international airports, but travelers should avoid routing through non-international entry points.
  • In case travel warnings are raised, the immigration officers can have a more restrictive screening.
  • A pre-approved e- Visa is highly recommended in case you have some prior visa problems or travel to risky areas.

Although Canadians are generally permitted to receive a visa at the airport of arrival, there is always an element of uncertainty due to unforeseen circumstances; this could be due to a shortage of staff, change in policies or even decisions made by the airlines.

Why getting an e-Visa first is the safest choice

From a risk-management and travel-smoothness perspective, the e-Visa is the safest and most predictable option.
Having the e-Visa ensures:

  • You have official approval before boarding.
  • You avoid queues and reduce airport stress.
  • You minimize the risk of entry refusal tied to discretionary decisions.
  • You travel with complete, proper documentation—especially important for regions with heightened security advisories.

For Canadian citizens, the single-entry e-Visa costs the same as the Visa on Arrival (USD 25), while the multiple-entry e-Visa is more expensive.

Conclusion

Is it possible for a Canadian citizen to fly to Egypt without an e-Visa? Yes. Is it the safest option? Not always.

Visa on arrival is normally accessible and widespread, yet unpredictable enforcement, boarding of planes by airlines, and dynamic travelling circumstances have the potential to bring avoidable danger. To enter with the least possible hassles and with maximum safety, Canadian travelers are advised to obtain the e-Visa Egypt prior to travelling.

Related Articles

View more Arrow
COOKIE SETTINGS