Visa for the United Kingdom from Egypt: price, documents and processing time 2026

Yes. An Egyptian citizen holding an ordinary passport must have a Standard Visitor visa to enter the UK, valid for up to six months. No exemption scheme or online authorisation lets Egyptian travellers skip this visa for a visitor stay.

• Government fee135 GBP
• Application centre feeVariable, set by the operator
• Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
• ExtrasVariable

Gather a valid passport, bank statements showing sufficient means, proof of accommodation, your travel plan and, if applicable, an invitation letter from the UK. Documents in Arabic usually need a certified English translation. The Standard Visitor fee is set by the Home Office and changes regularly, so refer to GOV.UK for the current amount, which we do not quote here.

The application begins on GOV.UK, where you create your profile, complete the questionnaire and pay the fee before booking an appointment. In Egypt the UK Visa Application Centres are operated by TLScontact, with locations in Cairo and Alexandria, where your fingerprints and photograph are collected. Arrive on time with your passport and appointment confirmation.

Then the application goes to the post accredited for Egypt, often in a neighbouring capital, or to a state acting on its behalf. Confirm which post is competent with the official source before travelling to a third country to apply, a rejected file at the wrong counter costs the trip and the fee.

The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in Egypt but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.

Standard processing usually takes a few weeks, with a paid priority service sometimes available depending on capacity at the Cairo or Alexandria centre; check the official times on GOV.UK before committing to travel costs. Submit your application well before your intended date, especially during peak seasons. A neat, consistent file lowers the risk of a request for further evidence.

The most common pitfall is neglecting proof of your ties to Egypt (stable employment, family, studies or assets) which show your intention to return. Never provide false statements or forged documents: a refusal for deception can bring a ban of several years. Finally, remember that being granted the visa does not remove the check on arrival by UK Border Force.