Egypt Sinai-Only Stamp for US Travelers: Limits, Taba & When You Need a Full Visa
Short answer: U.S. citizens need a visa to enter Egypt. Travel.State.Gov describes a free 14-day visa on arrival that is valid only in the Sinai Peninsula, and a separate option for a 30-day tourist visa for approximately $30 USD in exact USD cash that allows travel throughout all of Egypt. The Sinai-only stamp is DIY informational — my-evisas.com does not arrange Sinai stamps. If your trip includes Cairo, Luxor, or other destinations outside Sinai, use a full-country path such as an Egypt e-Visa. Stand: 29 July 2026.
Navigation: ← Egypt hub · e-Visa guide · e-Visa vs VoA
What “Sinai-only” means
A Sinai-only entry authorization is geographically limited. Travel.State.Gov states that the free 14-day visa on arrival is valid only in the Sinai Peninsula. It is not a substitute for a full tourist visa if you plan to travel to Cairo, Luxor, the Nile Valley, or other parts of Egypt outside Sinai.
Taba border options (Travel.State.Gov)
In the Taba / Sinai entry context described by Travel.State.Gov, travelers without a visa can:
| Option | What State.gov says | Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Sinai-only stamp | Free 14-day visa on arrival · valid only in the Sinai Peninsula | Resort / Sinai-limited itinerary |
| Full tourist visa (cash) | About $30 USD in exact USD cash · 30-day · travel throughout all of Egypt | Leaving Sinai / mainland Egypt |
Keep these options distinct from Egypt e-Visa portal fees (online card payment before travel) — those are a different channel (see the e-Visa guide and e-Visa vs VoA).
Confirm current border practice on Travel.State.Gov — Egypt before you travel. Rules can change.
If your itinerary leaves the Sinai Peninsula
Plan a full-country path before you rely on a Sinai-only stamp:
- Egypt e-Visa before departure — e-Visa guide; for assisted electronic filing, start on my-evisas.com
- Visa on arrival at Egyptian airports (DIY cash) — compare in e-Visa vs VoA
- Decision overview — Egypt hub
FAQ
Do US citizens need a visa for the Sinai?
U.S. citizens need a visa to enter Egypt. A Sinai-only stamp is one limited entry option described by Travel.State.Gov — it is not “visa-free Egypt.”
Does a Sinai-only stamp cover Cairo or Luxor?
No. Travel.State.Gov states the free 14-day stamp is valid only in the Sinai Peninsula.
Can my-evisas.com arrange a Sinai-only stamp?
No. Sinai-only stamps and border cash visas are not offered on my-evisas.com. For a full-country e-Visa, start on my-evisas.com.
How my-evisas.com can help
- Not provided: Sinai-only stamps, Taba border processing, or mainland cash VoA handling
- Provided: Egypt e-Visa (electronic) application help when you need a full-country electronic path
→ Egypt hub · e-Visa guide · Start on my-evisas.com
Sources
Stand: 29 July 2026. The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. my-evisas.com is a private service provider and not a government authority, embassy, or consulate. Rules and fees can change; confirm details on Travel.State.Gov — Egypt before you travel.