Lawrence Yu

Citizens of only 9 countries can travel to Egypt visa-free — these are Bahrain, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macao, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Malaysia. For the rest (except Iran), have to apply for visa if transit/layover is more than 48 hours. If layover is less than 48 hrs, no visa?

I was making travel plans for a 2 weeks trip to Egypt-Jordan-Israel with the family next year with 6 days in Egypt. However with the changes, I am thinking of just doing an 8 to 11 hrs layover in Cairo just to see the pyramids. Based on what I see on this website https://www.visasegypt.com/articles/transit-visa, I can still transit in Egypt without needing a visa as long as my wait is less than 48 hours. I hope this rule was not affected by the changes. Perhaps the same rule applies to cruise passenger just transiting in Egypt? Can you leave the airport without a transit visa for Egypt? Passengers with between 6 and 48 hours to wait between flights can leave the airport and explore the area without a visa. A valid onward flight ticket is required. Passengers with fewer than 6 hours until their departing flight must stay in the airport. Most travelers can, however, leave the transit area. This does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine, and the Philippines who must stay in the airport transit area.