Egypt at a glance
| Visit with an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | No: a visitor visa is needed |
| E-1 treaty trader visa | Not available |
| E-2 treaty investor visa | Available |
| Own line in the Visa Bulletin | No: worldwide line |
| Green card lottery (last published list, DV-2026) | Eligible |
| Entry restrictions | No travel ban; affected by the 2026 immigrant visa pause (set aside by a court, under appeal) |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | Not designated |
| Where visas are processed | U.S. Embassy Cairo processes immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. |
Green card lottery: registration for DV-2027 had not opened as of mid-October 2026. A federal court ordered the State Department to open it, and that order may be appealed.
What is specific to Egypt right now
- Egypt was on the State Department's pause on immigrant visa issuance for 75 countries that started January 21, 2026. A federal court set the pause aside in August 2026; the government's appeal was still pending in October 2026.
- Egypt has an E-2 investor treaty with the United States, but no E-1 treaty.
- Egypt was eligible for the DV-2026 green card lottery.
Common U.S. immigration paths for people from Egypt
Family petitionSponsor children, adult sons and daughters, or siblingsGreen card lottery (DV)Yearly random drawing for green cards from lower-immigration countriesE-2 investor visaTreaty investor visa to run a business you invest inF-1 student visaStudy at a U.S. college, university or language schoolH-1B visaWork visa for specialty jobs, sponsored by a U.S. employerAsylumProtection for people who fear persecution in their home country
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can people from Egypt visit the U.S. with an ESTA?
No. Egypt is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a visitor visa (B-1/B-2) from a U.S. embassy or consulate is usually needed.
Can people from Egypt get an E-2 investor visa?
Yes. Egypt has an E-2 treaty with the United States, so its nationals can qualify for the E-2 treaty investor visa by making a substantial investment in a U.S. business they will run.
Can people from Egypt enter the green card lottery?
Egypt was eligible in the last published program (DV-2026). Eligibility is set again every year, so check the official instructions when registration opens.
Where do people from Egypt have their visa interview?
U.S. Embassy Cairo processes immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.
Can I work with a U.S. attorney while I am still in Egypt?
Yes. MyUSVisa works online: you tell your story from anywhere, licensed U.S. immigration attorneys review it and send proposals, and you choose. This works before you travel or once you are already in the United States.
More countries in Africa
Last checked by the MyUSVisa team and counsel in October 2026. Country rules change often, especially entry restrictions, TPS and parole programs. Always verify on travel.state.gov and uscis.gov, or ask your attorney.
MyUSVisa is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.