Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia are three of North Africa's most visited countries, and each takes a different approach to entry: one largely visa-free for Western passport holders, one built around a straightforward visa on arrival, and one that varies significantly by nationality. Here's how each works.
Morocco
Morocco has one of the more open entry policies in the region. Holders of passports from the European Union, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and a long list of other countries can enter visa-free for tourism, typically for stays of up to 90 days. This covers the large majority of leisure travellers visiting Marrakesh, Fez, the Atlas Mountains or the desert routes toward Merzouga.
If your nationality is not on Morocco's visa-exempt list, a visa must be arranged in advance through a Moroccan embassy or consulate — there is no visa on arrival for these nationalities. Whichever category you fall into:
- Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay, and having at least six months' validity remaining is the safer standard to work to.
- Entry stamps are given at the border; keep track of your entry date if you're near the 90-day limit, as overstaying is taken seriously.
- Land border crossings with Algeria have been closed for an extended period — check current status before planning any overland route in that direction.
Egypt
Most visitors to Egypt need a visa, but for a long list of nationalities — including the EU, UK, US, Canada and Australia — this is straightforward: either a visa on arrival, purchased for a set fee in cash (typically US dollars or euros) at the airport before immigration, or an e-visa applied for online in advance, which most travellers now prefer since it avoids the arrival queue.
Practical points for Egypt's visa:
- The e-visa is generally the smoother option — apply through the official portal a few days to a couple of weeks before travel, rather than at the last minute.
- Standard tourist visas are usually valid for a single entry of up to 30 days; multiple-entry versions are available for a higher fee if you plan to leave and re-enter (for example, a side trip to Jordan or Israel).
- Sinai-only entry stamps exist for travellers visiting specific Red Sea resort areas (such as Sharm el-Sheikh) without a full Egypt visa, but these restrict you to a defined area — not suitable if you also plan to visit Cairo, Luxor or the Nile Valley.
- Your passport should have at least six months' validity and blank pages remaining.
Tunisia
Tunisia's entry rules vary more by nationality than Morocco or Egypt's. Many European nationalities — including EU member states, the UK and Switzerland — can enter visa-free for tourism, typically for stays of up to 90 days. Other nationalities, including some outside Europe, may need to apply for a visa in advance through a Tunisian embassy or consulate; there is limited visa-on-arrival provision, so check your specific nationality's requirement well before travel rather than assuming visa-free entry applies.
As with its neighbours, Tunisia expects a passport with reasonable validity remaining beyond your stay, and border officials may ask for proof of onward travel or accommodation, particularly for nationalities requiring closer scrutiny.
Checking the current rules for your nationality
All three countries adjust visa-exempt lists and fees periodically, and Egypt in particular has changed its e-visa fee and process more than once in recent years. The safest approach for any of the three:
- Check the relevant country's official immigration or foreign ministry website, or the nearest embassy/consulate, for your specific nationality.
- Cross-check with your own government's travel advice, which is usually kept current and written with your passport in mind.
- Apply for e-visas (where offered) a comfortable margin ahead of travel — a few days to a couple of weeks — rather than relying on last-minute processing or arrival-only options.
Combining the three countries
There is no shared regional visa across Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia — each is entirely separate, unlike the East Africa Tourist Visa that links Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda further south (see our East Africa entry requirements guide for that comparison). If your trip spans more than one North African country, budget time and, where relevant, fees for each visa or e-visa independently, and don't assume that being cleared for one covers entry to another.
Health and other entry practicalities
None of the three countries impose a blanket vaccination requirement for most travellers arriving directly from Europe or North America, though requirements can apply depending on your recent travel history — for example, if you've transited a country with yellow fever risk before arriving in Egypt. See our guide to travel health and vaccinations for how to plan around this. It's also worth carrying proof of accommodation and a rough itinerary for all three countries, since border officials do sometimes ask, especially for e-visa or visa-on-arrival applicants.
Currency declaration rules are also worth a glance if you're carrying significant cash: Egypt and Tunisia both restrict how much local currency can be brought in or taken out, and Tunisian dinars in particular are difficult to obtain or exchange outside the country. Budget to withdraw or exchange money after arrival rather than trying to source local currency in advance, and keep exchange receipts if you plan to convert money back before leaving — some countries in the region ask for these at departure.
Airport and land border differences
All three countries have multiple entry points, and the experience can differ noticeably between a major international airport and a smaller land or sea border. Morocco's land borders with Ceuta and Melilla (Spanish territories) and its ferry ports from Spain see different volumes and procedures than Marrakesh or Casablanca airport. Egypt's land border with Israel at Taba, and Tunisia's land border with Libya, carry their own security considerations distinct from arriving by air — check current advice specifically for any land crossing you're planning, since these are more exposed to short-notice closures than international airports.
Frequently asked questions
Do UK and US passport holders need a visa for Morocco?
No — both can enter visa-free for tourism, typically for stays of up to 90 days, along with EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders among others.
Is Egypt's visa on arrival still available?
Yes, for many nationalities, though the e-visa applied for online in advance is generally quicker and more convenient, and increasingly the preferred route for most travellers.
Can I use one visa to visit both Morocco and Tunisia?
No. There is no shared visa between the two — each requires its own separate application or visa-free entry check based on your nationality.
Do these visas allow entry to more than one North African country?
No, each country's visa or visa-free entry only covers that country. Plan and apply for each leg of a multi-country North Africa trip separately.
Sources and further reading:
- Morocco Ministry of Foreign Affairs — visa-exempt nationalities and entry rules.
- Egypt's official e-visa portal — visa on arrival and e-visa application.
- Tunisia Ministry of Foreign Affairs — visa requirements by nationality.
- Your government's travel advice for Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia (check before departure).