Saudi Arabia Joins Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman And More Countries In Middle East In Facing Tough Challenges As Egypt Plans To Revise E-Visa Fee To USD 25

Published on December 8, 2025

Saudi Arabia joins Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and more Middle Eastern countries in facing tough challenges as Egypt plans to revise its e-Visa fee to USD 25, a move that could impact travel to Egypt. This fee increase, which comes after the publication of a presidential decree in late November 2025, has left travelers from the Middle East uncertain about the costs they will incur. With Egypt being a popular destination for both tourism and religious pilgrimages, this change could significantly affect travel plans and disrupt the tourism and business sectors in the region.

The announcement of Egypt’s planned changes to its visa fee structure has left travelers from various Middle Eastern countries facing potential challenges. The recent publication of a decree to amend consular service taxes, including a potential increase in visa fees, has sparked uncertainty among countries whose nationals require a visa to enter Egypt. Despite the law coming into effect on December 1, 2025, there have been no visible changes at the ground level. Travelers from the Middle East, especially those dependent on Egypt for tourism and business, are left wondering how these revisions will impact them.

Overview of Egypt’s Visa Fee Revision

Egypt has long been a popular destination for tourists, business travelers, and pilgrims, particularly for those visiting the historic cities of Cairo, Luxor, and the Red Sea coast. On November 30, 2025, the Egyptian presidency published a decree amending the consular service taxes applied to visa issuance. The new law, signed by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, stated that the changes would take effect on December 1, 2025.

However, the ambiguity of the decree, especially regarding the application of a “tax of up to USD 20” on visa fees, has left travelers in limbo. Despite reports of media outlets claiming the visa fee has increased to USD 45, no official adjustments have yet been implemented at Egypt’s border entry points, embassies, or e-Visa portal.

The Law’s Ambiguity and Its Impact on Middle Eastern Travelers

The law mentions a fee “up to USD 20,” but it is unclear whether this amount would be added to the existing USD 25 single-entry fee or if it will constitute a separate charge. This lack of clarity only adds to the confusion surrounding Egypt’s visa policy, leaving travelers from the Middle East uncertain about the precise costs they may face.

One significant concern is whether the fee increase, once enforced, will affect travelers from the Middle East, whose nationals rely heavily on Egypt for both tourism and religious pilgrimages. Several key Middle Eastern nations are particularly impacted by these visa changes, including Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman.

Middle Eastern Countries Affected by Egypt’s Visa Fee Revision

The revised visa fees will likely affect citizens from several Middle Eastern countries whose nationals need a visa to enter Egypt, either through the e-Visa system, visa-on-arrival, or consular processing. Below is a table listing the Middle Eastern countries that will be impacted by Egypt’s potential visa fee changes:

The Key Concerns for Middle Eastern Travelers

Middle Eastern travelers have expressed concerns that any increase in Egypt’s visa fees could negatively impact the region’s tourism, especially since Egypt is a popular destination for both leisure and pilgrimage. A significant number of visitors from the Middle East come to Egypt for religious reasons, particularly for pilgrimages to the holy city of Cairo and religious sites in Alexandria. These visits are vital to Egypt’s tourism economy.

Potential Disruption for Religious Pilgrims

One of the most significant impacts will be on religious pilgrims from countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain, who often visit Egypt for religious tourism. If the visa fees increase, it could lead to reduced numbers of visitors, making it more challenging for them to visit religious sites in Egypt. Pilgrims from the Middle East have always considered Egypt a spiritual hub, and any disruptions caused by financial constraints could lead them to consider alternative destinations.

Economic Impact on Middle Eastern Tourism Agencies

The increase in Egypt’s visa fees is also expected to put a strain on travel agencies that specialize in Middle Eastern tours to Egypt. The tourism industry in the Middle East has already faced several challenges due to geopolitical instability, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic uncertainty. The planned visa fee increase could further disrupt these travel agencies’ business plans and financial stability, potentially leading to fewer Egypt-bound tourists.

Competition with Other Regional Destinations

The UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are strong competitors to Egypt in the tourism market. Countries like the UAE, with its high-end tourism infrastructure, luxurious resorts, and world-class attractions, already offer strong alternatives to Egypt’s historic sites. Any visa fee increase could prompt potential tourists to choose other destinations in the region that offer easier visa processes or lower costs.

How Will Egypt’s Visa Fee Changes Affect Business and Tourism?

While tourism plays a crucial role in Egypt’s economy, the visa fee increase may also have repercussions on the business and diplomatic relations between Egypt and the Middle East. Several Middle Eastern countries are significant investors in Egypt’s tourism, construction, and real estate sectors. An increase in visa fees could strain these relations, especially as business executives and investors from these countries travel frequently to Egypt for meetings and conferences.

Economic Considerations

For businesses that rely on travel to Egypt, the increase in visa fees could result in additional financial burdens. This could lead to fewer business trips, thus hindering the free flow of commerce and ideas. Similarly, regional collaboration in sectors such as energy, construction, and education may be affected by the additional cost of travel.

Future Prospects: Will Egypt Adjust the Law?

Given the sensitive nature of the tourism sector in Egypt and the concerns raised by regional tourism bodies, it is possible that the Egyptian government will reconsider or adjust the implementation of this visa fee increase. Reports suggest that Egypt’s tourism officials, particularly the Egyptian Federation of Tourism Chambers, have voiced concerns over the potential harm this could cause to Egypt’s tourism recovery.

While no official announcements have been made, it is clear that the Egyptian government must carefully navigate this issue to avoid undermining its recovery efforts, particularly after the challenges posed by the pandemic and other regional issues.

Egypt’s planned visa fee revision poses significant challenges for travelers from the Middle East, particularly those who rely on Egypt for both leisure and business. As of now, no immediate changes have been observed in the visa fee structure, but the ambiguity surrounding the law leaves many in doubt about what the future holds.

Saudi Arabia joins Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and more Middle Eastern countries in facing challenges as Egypt plans to revise its e-Visa fee to USD 25. This increase, following a presidential decree, could impact travel to Egypt, especially for tourism and business travelers from the region.

For Middle Eastern travelers, the potential visa fee increase is a cause for concern, and many will be closely monitoring developments in the coming months. As Egypt’s tourism sector continues to recover, it will be important for the government to balance its need for increased revenue with the need to maintain a competitive and attractive destination for Middle Eastern travelers.