Leaving Egypt in 2026, Exit Rules and Overstay Fines for Foreigners

What changed for departing foreigners in 2026

Several changes this year matter to anyone who leaves Egypt and plans to come back.

• A single exit fee. Law No. 148 of 2026, in force since late July, sets a fee of 100 Egyptian pounds for leaving the country.
• A pricier visa on arrival. For those who can get one, it has cost 30 dollars instead of 25 since 1 March 2026. From 1 January 2027 the government introduces a 15 dollar fee on entry and transit visas, and explanations of how it will affect the final price still differ.
• New entry rules for citizens of Uzbekistan from 1 November 2026. The visa will have to be obtained in advance, details below.
• Stricter checks on documents. In May 2026 the authorities warned that state institutions will serve only foreigners with a valid iqama or exemption card, and urged all residents to get the new smart residence card.

Check your visa or iqama before you buy a ticket

At passport control officers check whether you are in the country legally on the day you fly. So first open your passport and check until when your visa or residence permit (iqama) is valid.

If it is about to expire, extend it in advance. In Cairo this is handled by the General Administration of Passports, Immigration and Nationality in Abbassia, and other cities such as Hurghada have their own passport offices. Extending on time is easier and cheaper than dealing with a fine on the day you fly.

Do not buy a ticket while your passport is at the passport office for an iqama renewal. First find out when you will get it back.

What happens if your visa or iqama has expired

Official travel advice warns that if your visa has expired by more than 14 days, you may be fined when you leave. Many people treat these two weeks as a guaranteed grace period, but relying on them is risky.

The fine grows with the length of the overstay. There is no clear official table of amounts available to the public, and the figures in chats differ, so ask the passport office for the exact amount. It is paid in Egyptian pounds.

It is also better to find out in advance where to pay. Sometimes the fine is accepted right at the airport, but sometimes people are sent to a passport office and miss their flight. It is safer to pay at the passport office a few days before you fly and keep the receipt.

A long overstay can lead to detention, deportation and problems entering Egypt later. For people living in Egypt without legal status, the government gave one more year to regularise in September 2026 (Prime Minister decision No. 2807 of 2026). Under the rules of this programme adopted in 2023, you need an Egyptian host and an administrative fee equal to 1000 dollars.

The 100 pound exit fee and who pays it

Law No. 148 of 2026 amended the law on the state financial resources development fee. It was published in the Official Gazette on 28 July 2026 and took effect the next day.

The Tax Authority explained that the fee applies to foreigners and is not new: the amounts used to differ between airports, and now they are the same. According to Egyptian media, the fee is included in the ticket price. If in doubt, check with your airline or travel agent.

Leaving and returning on an iqama

With a valid iqama, for example a student or family one, you can usually leave and return on it while it is still valid. But the rules depend on the type of residence: some, such as tourist residence, may need a multiple entry endorsement. Before you leave, ask the passport office whether you can return on your iqama.

If your iqama expires while you are abroad, you cannot return on it and will need a new visa. Keep an eye on your passport too: the iqama is placed in your passport, so the passport must stay valid.

Citizens of Uzbekistan, what matters from 1 November

Citing diplomatic channels, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Cairo announced that the entry procedure for citizens of Uzbekistan changes on 1 November 2026. The visa must be obtained in advance at Egyptian diplomatic missions, including for Sharm El Sheikh and Sinai. Tourist trips are arranged through authorised tour operators, and a tourist visa cannot be changed to another type inside the country.

For those leaving, this means you cannot come back without a visa arranged in advance. The announcements say nothing about students or iqama holders, and the official Egyptian text has not been published yet. Before travelling, check the rules with the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Cairo or the Embassy of Egypt in Tashkent.

What is checked at the airport when you leave

Besides passport control, there is a security check and customs on departure. Prepare in advance.

• Documents. Your passport with a valid visa or iqama, plus receipts for a paid fine or renewal if you have them.
• Money. Foreign cash worth more than 10,000 dollars must be declared, and according to official travel advice you can take out no more than 5,000 Egyptian pounds. The rules change, so check them on the website of Egyptian Customs.
• Time. Arrive early, especially if you need to pay a fine.
• Luggage. Do not carry packages for other people that you have not checked yourself. To send things safely, read our article on parcels from Egypt.

How Tullab can help before you leave

Before leaving, many people sell furniture, appliances and other things. Post a free ad, and buyers will contact you by phone or on Telegram.

A driver from the transfers and taxis section can take you to the airport. If you need help with translations and paperwork, look at documents, visas, translations, but always check the provider before paying. Always confirm the current rules with the General Administration of Passports, Immigration and Nationality of the Ministry of Interior of Egypt.