Egypt grants many different types of residence permits to foreigners to allow foreigners to reside on its territory for various reasons, The Director of General Administration of Passports, immigration, and nationality sets out the necessary requirements and documents for residence permits.

Types of residence of foreigners in Egypt:

1. Special residence.
2. Regular residence.
3. Temporary residence.
4. Ownership residence.
5. Investor’s residence.

Special Residence of Foreigners in Egypt:

special residence of foreigners in Egypt authorized to residence for 10 years renewed upon application. The following conditions are required for granting these types of residence to foreigners:

1. Foreigners born in Egypt before the date of publication of Decree-Law No. 74 of 1952 and whose residence has not been interrupted until the date of application of this law.
2. Foreigners whose residence in the Arab Republic of Egypt was 20 years before the date of publication of Decree-Law No. 74 of 1952, whose residence had not been interrupted until the date of application of this law, and who had entered the country by legitimate means.
3. Foreigners who have been residing in the Arab Republic of Egypt for more than five years and who have been regularly renewed until the date of application of this Act and who have entered the country legally, as well as foreigners who have been residing for more than five years on the same terms if in both cases they are engaged in useful work for the national economy or are performing scientific, cultural or artistic services to the country.
4. Scientists, literature, art, industry, economics, and others who perform outstanding services to the country in respect of which a decision is issued by the Minister of the Interior.

Regular Residence of Foreigners in Egypt:

Regular residence of foreigners in Egypt authorized to residence for 5 years may be renewed, this type of residence for foreigners who have been residing in the Arab Republic of Egypt for 15 years before the date of publication of Decree-Law No. 74 of 1952 have not ceased their residence until the date of application of this Law and have entered the country by legitimate means.

Temporary Residence:

They are those who do not meet the above conditions.

Members of this category are granted a residence permit for a renewable period of up to one year. However, by a decision of the Minister of the Interior, a residence permit may be granted for up to 5 years’ renewable by the conditions and circumstances under which a decision is issued.

Most importantly:

Foreigners’ tourism residence in Egypt:

Within one month of arrival, the person arriving in Egypt shall apply for a three-month stay (except for Syrians, which was six months) and shall apply for a renewal of residence thereafter.

Foreigners’ education residency in Egypt:

It is the easiest form of residence. Once enrolled in school or university, it is granted non-tourism residence for a renewable year, and this type of residence is given the right to travel and return but is not authorized to work.

Foreigners’ residency for work in Egypt:

A work permit may be issued to all foreigners for one year or less and may be issued for more than one year after the payment of the prescribed fee. A work permit is granted to those who have a work permit from the Labour Office and includes employees of companies and licensed factories in Egypt.

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a permit for temporary residence for five years may be renewed for foreigners in the following categories:

• Investors
• The Egyptian who lost Egyptian nationality as a result of being authorized to naturalize with a foreign nationality while not retaining Egyptian nationality, as well as his minor children who were covered by this authorization.
• Children of an Egyptian mother
• Children were granted Egyptian nationality by their parents.
• Children who have reached the age of majority shall be guaranteed by their mothers who are authorized to reside in private, regular, or five-year residence in their capacity in the event of the death of the father.
• Those over 60 years of age who have settled in the country for 10 years and have the means to live.
• Foreigners authorized to 5 years of residence under international conventions.
• Egyptian wives and widows.
• The wives of foreigners who are authorized to reside in normal residence.
• The wives and children of foreigners who are authorized to reside temporarily for 5 years in the previous cases.

Ownership/ bank deposit residence:

• For 5 years’ renewable for those who own one or more properties in Egypt for at least USD 200,000.
• For 3 years’ renewable for those who own one or more properties in Egypt for at least USD 100,000.
• For one-year renewable for those who own one or more properties in Egypt for at least USD 50,000.
• For 3 years under a bank deposit of USD 100,000 or its equivalent in other foreign currencies.
• For one year under a bank deposit of USD 50,000 or its equivalent in other foreign currencies.

Investor’s residence:

According to the Egyptian law and regulations applied by the Egyptian Passport and Immigration Department and the General Investment Authority, granting residency in Egypt to a foreign investor varies according to the law regulating the company (under the umbrella of Investment Law No. 72 of 2017, or Law No. 159 of 1981),

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