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Changes at Egyptian airports in 2026 will also affect Lithuanian travelers

Egypt is completely abandoning paper landing cards and moving to a digital platform from the end of January 2026. The e-visa becomes the preferred method of entry into the country.

keliones draudimas i egipta

The Arab Republic of Egypt, long a popular tourist destination for Lithuanian travelers, is entering a new, technology-driven stage of development in 2026. The country, whose economy is inextricably linked to tourism flows, is initiating an unprecedented reform of migration control, visa issuance and airport management. According to statements by the Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh El-Hefny and official government documents, 2026 will be the year when the traditional, often bureaucratic and paperwork-based entry system into the country will be replaced by a fully integrated digital ecosystem.

Geopolitical and economic context

To understand the scale and significance of the changes that will come into effect in 2026, it is necessary to consider the regional context. Egypt faces increasing competition from neighboring countries, especially Saudi Arabia, which is aggressively investing in the tourism sector through its Vision 2030 program, and Turkey, which maintains its leading position in the Mediterranean region. To remain competitive, Cairo has had to address long-standing problems: long lines at airports, an outdated passenger data processing system, and inefficient baggage management. The decision to completely abandon paper landing cards in January 2026 and move to a digital platform is not just a technical upgrade; it is a strategic move designed to improve the country’s image and ensure security through the use of modern biometric technologies.

For Lithuanian tourists, who make up a significant portion of those arriving in Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh during the winter season, these changes represent a significant change in the arrival experience. If earlier the start of the trip was associated with chaotic filling out of paper forms on the plane or at passport control, then from 2026 the process should become “invisible”, integrated into the digital space even before the passenger leaves Lithuania.

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) factor

One of the key catalysts accelerating the digital transformation is the full opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). This monumental project, located near the Giza Pyramids, is expected to attract millions of new visitors who will combine leisure tourism with cultural exploration. The government understands that the old airport infrastructure and paper bureaucracy would not be able to cope with such a flow without critical disruptions. Therefore, the digital visa and entry system, which will be launched in 2026, is directly linked to the goal of ensuring the smooth functioning of the “gateway to Egypt”. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has directly indicated that all airports in the country must be fully prepared to process tourist flows through the e-visa and express visa systems by 2026 to avoid reputational damage when GEM opens.

Digital migration reform: from paper cards to digital data

A major change that Lithuanian travelers will experience from the end of January 2026 is the complete abolition of paper entry and exit cards. This measure, announced by Minister Sameh El-Hefny, marks the end of a decades-old system where every foreigner was required to manually fill in statistical and migration data on physical media.

Architecture of the new digital platform

In place of physical cards, Egypt is implementing a centralized digital platform that integrates passenger data from multiple sources. Although often referred to in the public sphere as simply a “digital arrival card,” technically it is a complex fusion of Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR).

The system will operate on the following principles:

  1. Pre-registration: Passengers are likely to have to fill in their details on a special government platform or mobile app while still in Lithuania. This will include passport details, flight number, hotel address and destination.
  2. Integration with e-visa: One of the main innovations is the linking of the entry form to the e-visa portal (visa2egypt.gov.eg). If a traveler applies for a visa online, he will no longer need to fill out a separate entry declaration – the data will be automatically transferred to the migration system.
  3. Self-service kiosks: For those who have not checked in online, self-service kiosks will be installed at airports. Here, passengers will be able to scan their passport and enter missing details, thereby generating a digital record on the spot.

Proceso optimizavimas ir laiko taupymas

The main goal of this reform is to speed up passenger flow through the terminals, especially during peak hours. The old system required a border officer to physically take the card, check the handwritten data (which was often illegible or incorrect), and manually enter it into the computer. This created long queues, especially for the arrival of large aircraft with a capacity of 200-400 passengers.

In the digital system, the officer, after scanning the passport, will immediately see on the screen all the information that the passenger has provided in advance. It is expected that this will reduce the screening time for one passenger from 2-3 minutes to 30-45 seconds. This is critically important for the airports of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, which operate at maximum capacity during the season.

Visa policy in Egypt in 2026: what Lithuanian citizens need to know

Despite the technological leap, the legal grounds for entry remain conservative – a visa is mandatory for Lithuanian citizens traveling to Egypt for tourist purposes (with one regional exception). However, in 2026, the methodology and availability of visas will fundamentally change.

E-visa (electronic visa): priority choice

The Egyptian government and the Ministry of Tourism are clearly signaling that the e-visa is becoming the preferred method of entry into the country. The system, which has previously been criticized for technical glitches, is being modernized and integrated with the new entry control in 2026.

Conditions for Lithuanian citizens:

  • Platform: Applications are submitted only through the official portal visa2egypt.gov.eg. Analysts note that there are a lot of third-party intermediaries on the Internet, imitating the official website and charging several times higher fees. Travelers must be extremely careful.
  • Price: Single-entry visa costs $25, multiple-entry visa costs $60. Although there was information at the end of 2025 about a possible price increase to $45-85, the Ministry of Tourism officially denied these rumors, confirming that the $25 fee remains in force in order to maintain competitiveness.
  • Deadlines: It is recommended to submit the application at least 7 days before travel, although the system often generates the visa within 24-48 hours.
  • Documentation: A passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival is required. This is a critical requirement – even one day less validity may result in automatic rejection or denial of boarding in Vilnius.

Benefits in 2026: The e-visa will now be directly linked to the digital arrival card. This means that e-visa holders will not need to fill in additional data upon arrival, and border crossing will take place through separate, faster flows (e-gates), where technically possible.

Emergency Visa and self-service kiosks

One of the biggest innovations, introduced in mid-2025 and fully operational in 2026, is the Emergency Visa system, which replaces the old Visa on Arrival procedure.

What is changing?
Previously, the Visa on Arrival process looked like this: a tourist stands in line at a bank counter, pays $25 in cash, receives a sticker, sticks it on, and goes to the next line for passport control.

From 2026 This process is being digitized by installing Self-Service Kiosks in arrivals halls.

New procedure:

  1. A passenger approaches the kiosk.
  2. Scans his passport.
  3. Pays the visa fee with a bank card (or cash, depending on the kiosk configuration).
  4. The kiosk prints the visa or generates a digital confirmation (QR code) that is sent directly to the immigration officer’s system.

This system is called the “Emergency Visa” because it is intended for those who did not have time or were unable to obtain an e-visa. It is not an “emergency” visa in the true sense of the word (i.e. only in case of an emergency), but rather an urgent visa issued on the spot. Its price remains the same – 25 USD.

Risks: Although the system is modern, technological glitches are not uncommon in Egypt. Therefore, Lithuanian travelers are strongly advised to carry $25 in cash (in small bills) as a backup option in case kiosks are out of order or do not accept Lithuanian bank cards.

The Sinai Only stamp: the exception to the rule

Lithuanian tourists traveling directly to Sharm el-Sheikh (as well as Taba, Nuweiba or Dahab) and not planning to leave the region still have the opportunity to use the free “Sinai Only” stamp.

Conditions in 2026:

  • Price: free.
  • Duration: up to 15 days (14 nights).
  • Geography: Valid only in the South Sinai resort area.
  • Restrictions: With this stamp, it is strictly forbidden to travel to Cairo (even with an organized tour by plane or bus), Luxor, Hurghada, or to dive in certain protected areas (e.g., Ras Mohammed National Park by boat; the rules here sometimes change, so it is necessary to check locally).

The impact of digitalization: Even with the free Sinai press, travelers will likely need to use a digital arrival registration system (kiosk or app) to declare their arrival and whereabouts, even though they won’t have to pay for a visa. This is an important nuance – “free” does not mean “without registration.”

Practical guide for Lithuanian travelers to Egypt in 2026.

Summarizing all the information, we present a detailed step-by-step plan for Lithuanian citizens planning a vacation in Egypt in 2026.

Before the trip (in Lithuania)

  • Passport validity: This is a critical point. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the end of your intended trip. An identity card (IDC) is not suitable for travel to Egypt.
  • E-Visa: We recommend purchasing an e-Visa ($25) via visa2egypt.gov.eg at least 7 days before your flight. Print out the confirmation and keep it on your phone. This will protect you from system glitches at the airport.
  • App: Check (through your tour operator or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) for the new Egypt Arrival Registration App (scheduled for release in January 2026). If possible, register and fill in your details in advance.
  • Cash: Bring small US dollars or euros (for a visa, if you need to buy one locally, and for tips).
  • Insurance: Egypt is a specific country. Food poisoning or minor injuries during entertainment are common here. Check whether your medical insurance is valid in Egypt and what its amounts are. You can compare and purchase travel insurance to Egypt on the “Man ramu” insurance platform.

Atvykus į Egiptą (oro uoste)

  • Paperless: Don’t expect to receive a paper card on the plane. Go straight to passport control or the self-service kiosks.
  • Kiosks: If you don’t have an e-visa, look for signs saying “Emergency Visa” or “Visa on Arrival Kiosks.” Scan your passport, pay $25.
  • Sinai Only: If you are in Sharm el-Sheikh and are not planning any excursions far away, clearly state “Sinai Only” at passport control and do not pay for a visa.
  • Internet: Wi-Fi connection at airports can be unstable, so it is important to have all documents (hotel reservations, tickets) saved on your phone in offline mode.

During your trip to Egypt

  • If you have a Sinai Only stamp but decide to go to Cairo, you will need to go to the airport and obtain a full visa through the local immigration office (Gawazat). This is a complicated procedure, so it is better to decide in advance.
  • Always carry a copy of your passport (photo on your phone) with you.
  • If you have experienced an incident – become ill or injured, first of all, immediately contact the insurance company specified in your policy. The sooner you report the incident, the sooner you can receive assistance and avoid potential problems.

Future prospects

The year 2026 marks a turning point for Egyptian tourism. The shift from paper bureaucracy to digital solutions, self-service kiosks and integrated e-visa systems demonstrates the country’s ambition to become a modern state, serving 30 million tourists per year.

For Lithuanian travelers, these changes mean less stress, shorter lines and a smoother start to the trip in the long term. While the transition period (first half of 2026) may be accompanied by temporary technical glitches while adjusting the new systems, the overall direction is clear – Egypt is becoming more flexible and technologically advanced.

From an economic perspective, maintaining the visa price at $25 (despite rumors of an increase) shows Egypt’s desire to maintain a price advantage over its competitors in the region. This is good news for Lithuanian tourists looking for a quality vacation at an affordable price. The most important thing is to be informed, ready for digital processes, and have valid documents.

This information is based on information available as of January 2026 and official announcements from the Egyptian government. Travelers are advised to check the latest information on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania (MFA) immediately before their trip.

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