Egypt to Scrap Paperwork for Tourists in Airport Overhaul

Egypt is set to remove a long-standing checkpoint for travelers: the paper immigration card. The country's Minister of Civil Aviation, Sameh El-Hefny, confirmed the forms will be eliminated in all Egyptian airports by the end of January.

Speaking to the Sada El-Balad TV channel, El-Hefny stated the move is designed to streamline entry and exit procedures, saving passengers valuable time. The change signals a broader push toward modernizing airport operations through digital systems.

This step follows a government announcement last May outlining plans for a new electronic visa system. That initiative, expected by 2025, aims to allow tourists to obtain visas upon arrival via electronic kiosks, a mobile application, or dedicated self-service counters. The removal of the physical card is seen as a precursor to this fully digital transition.

For tourists, the immediate benefit will be one less document to fill out mid-journey, potentially speeding up the often tedious arrival process. Egyptian authorities are betting that easing these formalities will enhance the visitor experience from the very first moment.