Egypt has extended its free 96-hour transit visa, allowing travellers to visit Cairo, Luxor and Aswan visa-free for up to four days while transiting through these airports.
Summary: Egypt has extended its free 96-hour transit visa until April 2027, letting passengers on Egyptian airlines stay visa-free for up to four days while transiting through Cairo, Luxor or Aswan. The government has also renewed a free emergency entry visa for arrivals at Luxor and Aswan during the peak summers of 2026 and 2027.
Egypt has announced an extension of its complimentary 96-hour transit visa, a move designed to make short visits to the country’s principal tourist hubs simpler for international travellers. The extension runs until April 2027 and permits passengers flying with Egyptian airlines to exit the airport and stay in Cairo, Luxor or Aswan for up to four days without needing a standard tourist visa.
Extension Details
Under the extended policy, eligible travellers transiting through Cairo, Luxor or Aswan on Egyptian airline flights can spend up to 96 hours in the country without applying for the usual tourist visa. The measure is explicitly time-limited, covering travel through April 2027, and aims to simplify short stays for visitors with layovers or brief stopovers.
What to See During a 96-Hour Stopover
A short, visa-free visit allows travellers to sample some of Egypt’s most famous attractions. From Cairo’s nearby Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum and Khan El Khalili Bazaar to Luxor’s Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Luxor Temple, and Aswan’s Philae Temple and Abu Simbel, a four-day stopover can cover several headline sites without the paperwork of a full tourist visa.
Renewed Emergency Entry for Luxor and Aswan
In addition to the transit visa extension, Egypt has renewed its free emergency entry visa specifically for passengers arriving at Luxor and Aswan airports during the peak summer seasons of 2026 and 2027. This policy targets increased demand for southern destinations and offers greater flexibility for visitors heading directly to these regions.
- Duration: Up to 96 hours (four days) visa-free
- Applies to: Passengers transiting on Egyptian airlines through Cairo, Luxor or Aswan
- Extension valid until: April 2027
- Emergency entry: Free renewals for Luxor and Aswan during summer 2026 and 2027
Why the Government Is Expanding the Scheme
Officials view the visa changes as part of a broader effort to revive and grow tourism by removing administrative hurdles for short-stay visitors. By encouraging layover tourism and easier access to southern sites, the policy is expected to channel more spending into local hotels, restaurants and tour services while supporting jobs and destination recovery.
Practical Tips for Travellers
Travellers planning to use the 96-hour transit allowance should ensure they are flying on an eligible Egyptian airline and confirm that their itinerary routes them through one of the qualifying airports. It is also advisable to verify any entry conditions or documentation required on arrival, and to plan transport and visits in advance to make the most of a short stay.
In short, the extended 96-hour transit visa and the renewed emergency entry for Luxor and Aswan give travellers more options to experience Egypt’s highlights during a layover or brief visit, while supporting the country’s ongoing tourism recovery.
What This Means for You
So what? For travellers, the policy reduces visa-related friction for short stays and opens opportunities to add Egypt to itineraries without a full visa application. For the travel industry, increased layover tourism can boost bookings and create demand for short excursions, city tours and regional transfers.
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