Visa Types — Egypt

Major Visa Categories for Immigrating to Egypt

*Note: Egyptian immigration rules, fees, and processing times change periodically. Figures below are estimates based on recent available data (2023–2024). Always verify current requirements with the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an Egyptian consulate/embassy, or the General Authority for Investment (GAFI) before making plans.*

Tourist Visa

Who it's for: Travelers visiting Egypt for tourism, short visits, or leisure who may later convert status while in-country (though tourist visas are not immigration visas per se, they're often the entry point before other permits).

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
• Return/onward ticket
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Completed visa application (online e-visa or on-arrival)

Processing Time:

• E-visa: 3–7 business days
• Visa on arrival: Immediate (at major airports)

Cost:

• Single entry: approx. 25 USD (~770–800 EGP)
• Multiple entry: approx. 60 USD (~1,850–1,900 EGP)

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Ordinary/Ordinary Ordinary Residence Visa (Temporary Residence Permit)

Who it's for: Foreign nationals who wish to stay in Egypt longer-term for reasons such as retirement, property ownership, marriage to an Egyptian citizen, or general residence without work authorization.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Valid passport with existing entry visa
• Proof of financial means (bank statements)
• Proof of accommodation (lease or property ownership deed)
• Medical certificate (sometimes required)
• Criminal background clearance (in some cases)
• For marriage-based residence: marriage certificate registered in Egypt

Processing Time:

• 2–4 weeks (can vary by governorate/Mogamma office)

Cost:

• Approx. 100–2,000 EGP depending on duration (1, 3, 5-year permits) and nationality
• Roughly 3–65 USD (varies significantly; some nationalities pay reciprocal higher fees)

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Work Visa / Work Permit-Linked Residence Visa

Who it's for: Foreign employees hired by Egyptian companies, NGOs, or multinational firms operating in Egypt.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Signed employment contract with an Egyptian entity
• Work permit approval from the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration
• Employer must demonstrate the position cannot be filled by an Egyptian national (labor market test)
• Medical certificate and clean criminal record
• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Employer sponsorship required

Processing Time:

• Work permit: 4–8 weeks
• Residence visa (linked to permit): additional 2–3 weeks

Cost:

• Work permit fees: approx. 1,000–3,500 EGP (~32–115 USD), varies by sector and nationality
• Residence visa: approx. 100–500 EGP (~3–16 USD) depending on duration

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Investor Visa / Investment Residence Permit

Who it's for: Foreign nationals investing in Egyptian businesses, real estate, or establishing companies under Egypt's investment law.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum investment threshold (varies by sector; real estate investment often requires minimum USD 100,000–200,000 property purchase for extended residence eligibility)
• Company registration with GAFI (General Authority for Investment and Free Zones)
• Proof of capital injection/business plan
• Tax registration
• Clean criminal record

Processing Time:

• Business/investment approval: 4–12 weeks (varies by complexity)
• Residence permit issuance: 2–4 weeks after investment approval

Cost:

• GAFI registration/incorporation fees: approx. 2,000–10,000 EGP (~65–325 USD) depending on company type
• Investor residence permit: approx. 500–3,000 EGP (~16–100 USD)
• (Note: actual investment capital required is separate from administrative fees and can range widely, e.g., real estate residence route often cited at USD 100,000+ property value)

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Student Visa / Study Residence Permit

Who it's for: Foreign students enrolled in Egyptian universities, Al-Azhar institutions, or accredited language/education programs.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Acceptance letter from a recognized Egyptian educational institution
• Proof of tuition payment
• Valid passport
• Medical certificate/health insurance
• Proof of accommodation

Processing Time:

• 2–4 weeks after university acceptance

Cost:

• Approx. 100–400 EGP (~3–13 USD) for the residence permit
• Additional visa/administrative fees may apply depending on nationality (sometimes 200–600 EGP)

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Family Reunification / Dependent Residence Visa

Who it's for: Spouses, children, and dependents of Egyptian citizens or foreign residents already holding valid Egyptian residence permits.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate)
• Sponsor's valid residence permit or Egyptian citizenship documentation
• Proof of sponsor's financial capacity to support dependents
• Passport and standard visa documentation

Processing Time:

• 2–4 weeks

Cost:

• Approx. 100–1,500 EGP (~3–50 USD) depending on duration and relationship type

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Retirement Visa (Ordinary Residence for Retirees)

Who it's for: Foreign retirees, often from countries with bilateral agreements or those who can prove sufficient passive income/pension.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Proof of retirement/pension income (bank statements showing regular income, often minimum USD 400–1,000/month depending on interpretation by local authorities)
• Property ownership or long-term lease in Egypt (often recommended, not always mandatory)
• Medical insurance
• Age documentation (typically 60+, though not strictly enforced in all cases)

Processing Time:

• 3–6 weeks

Cost:

• Approx. 500–2,000 EGP (~16–65 USD) for multi-year permits

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Egyptian Origin/Foreign Husband/Wife of Egyptian National Visa

Who it's for: Individuals of Egyptian descent living abroad who want to reclaim residence/citizenship pathways, or foreign spouses (especially wives) of Egyptian men, which historically has a simplified pathway.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Proof of Egyptian descent (birth certificates, parents' Egyptian nationality documents) OR
• Valid marriage certificate to an Egyptian national (registered with Egyptian authorities)
• Passport and standard documentation
• Some pathways allow eventual naturalization after 2 years of marriage residence (varies by gender and specific circumstances under Egyptian Nationality Law)

Processing Time:

• Residence visa: 2–4 weeks
• Naturalization (if pursued): can take 1–5+ years depending on category

Cost:

• Residence permit: approx. 100–500 EGP (~3–16 USD)
• Naturalization application fees: variable, often several thousand EGP depending on case complexity

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Key Recommendations

• Verify current fees: Egyptian visa fees are subject to change and sometimes vary by nationality due to reciprocity agreements (some Western nationals pay significantly more or less than others).
• Currency conversion: EGP-to-USD rates fluctuate significantly given Egypt's currency volatility in recent years; convert using current exchange rates (as of 2024, roughly 1 USD = 30–48 EGP depending on official vs. parallel market rates).
• Official sources to check:
• Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mfa.gov.eg)
• Ministry of Interior – Passports, Immigration and Nationality Administration
• General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) for investor visas
• Nearest Egyptian embassy/consulate for nationality-specific requirements
• Legal counsel: For investment, work, or citizenship-linked visas, consulting an Egyptian immigration lawyer or licensed facilitator is strongly recommended given the complexity and frequent regulatory updates.

More about immigrating to Egypt