Egyptian Citizenship

Egyptian citizenship is available to all foreigners who meet the basic criteria of the immigration program. The main advantages of Egyptian residency include the right to visa-free travel to 50+ countries, access to public medicine and education, the opportunity to do business on favorable terms and the absence of restrictions on the purchase of real estate.

Egyptian residency can be beneficial for businessmen, investors, young families, as well as IT specialists planning relocation. Unlike other countries, Egypt offers unique conditions, including low tax rates and an affordable real estate market. As of 2024, special programs are in place, such as investment citizenship when buying real estate or making a contribution to the national fund.

Ways to obtain citizenship

The Citizenship Law No. 26 of 1975 states that foreigners can obtain an Egyptian passport if certain conditions are met, such as long-term residence in the country, investment in the economy or having Egyptian roots.

The provisions of the law define the main ways to obtain residency, providing various options for applicants depending on their personal circumstances and goals. The main ways are the following ways.

By right of birth and origin

Citizenship can be obtained by right of birth if one of the parents is a citizen and the child was born on the territory of the country. The status can also be assigned to persons who are able to prove Egyptian roots through one of their parents or even grandparents.

Through marriage

Foreigners who have entered into an official family relationship with an Egyptian can apply for citizenship after 2 years of living together in Egypt. An important condition is the confirmation of stable family relations and the absence of criminal violations.

Investments and business activities

A passport can be obtained for significant investments in the country's economy. The investment residency program includes various investment options, starting from $250,000. This is especially beneficial for businessmen interested in expanding their activities.

Through naturalization

Foreign citizens who have lived in Egypt for at least 10 years can apply for citizenship through naturalization. At the same time, you need to prove a stable income, knowledge of the Arabic language and the absence of violations of the law.

For special services to the state

Permanent residency is also awarded for significant achievements and services to the country, including scientific, sports, and cultural achievements. This method is rare and requires a special decision by the president.

Advantages of Egyptian citizenship

Obtaining Egyptian citizenship provides a number of advantages that make it attractive to various categories of foreigners, including businessmen, students and IT professionals. The main advantages are related to global mobility, the possibility of profitable investment, the absence of strict requirements for accommodation and tax benefits. In addition, you can highlight:

• Visa-free and simplified visa regime. Egyptian citizens can visit more than 50 countries without a visa or with a visa on arrival, including Asian, African and Latin American states. It is also possible to obtain a simplified E-2 business visa in the USA.
• Favorable business conditions. Egypt offers a preferential tax system and convenient conditions for starting a business for foreign investors.
• Real estate and investments. Foreign citizens can purchase real estate and enjoy tax benefits for investments in the country's economy.
• Benefits for students. The opportunity to study at Egyptian universities and colleges with benefits.
• Low tax rates. The absence of a tax on global income and the ability to optimize tax expenditures.
• Transfer of citizenship to children. Citizenship is automatically transferred to children, which simplifies the issue of obtaining legal status for the whole family.
• There are no mandatory requirements for accommodation. There is no need to stay in Egypt all the time.
• Confidentiality and data protection. Egyptian laws protect the personal data of citizens, ensuring a high level of confidentiality.

Important

Citizenship exams are not included in the general requirements for applicants. For most candidates, the process is based on the provision of documents and verification of trustworthiness.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is allowed in Egypt, but the country's legislation imposes certain conditions and restrictions. Citizens with multiple passports are required to notify the Egyptian authorities of this fact in order to avoid possible legal consequences. The main provisions for granting dual citizenship are regulated by Law No. 26 of 1975.

Basic conditions:

• Notification of the authorities. Persons who obtain a second citizenship must notify the Egyptian Ministry of the Interior within one year from the date of obtaining foreign residency.
• The preservation of Egyptian citizenship. Citizens wishing to retain their status must submit an appropriate application. Otherwise, it may be cancelled.
• Restrictions on holding positions. People with dual citizenship cannot hold certain government and military positions, as well as take part in political activities without obtaining the appropriate permission.
• Military duty. Citizens with dual citizenship are required to perform military duty in Egypt if their age falls under the criteria of conscription.

If you have dual citizenship, you must perform the following actions:

• Registration. Register both nationalities at the Egyptian Embassy or consulate in order to officially confirm your status and avoid possible problems with the law.
• Documents and visas. When entering and leaving Egypt, citizens must use an Egyptian passport, even if they have another one.
• Rights and obligations. Dual citizenship does not exempt from fulfilling obligations to the state, including taxes and compliance with laws.

Citizenship by Investment Program

Egypt provides an opportunity for foreigners to become citizens of the country in exchange for a significant contribution to the economy. This program was officially approved and regulated by Law No. 190 of 2019, as well as subsequent changes that made it one of the most accessible in the world. Basic conditions:

• Non–refundable contribution to the state budget - the minimum amount is $250,000.
• Purchase of real estate – investments must be at least $300,000.
• Investing in a commercial project requires an investment of $350,000, of which $100,000 is transferred to the government.
• Bank deposit – the amount of investments is $ 500,000, with the condition of freezing for three years without interest accrual.

Additional features

According to the latest changes, the government plans to make the procedure even more accessible, reducing the time for reviewing applications and expanding the opportunities for investors. This applies to the amount of a non-refundable contribution to speed up the process of obtaining citizenship, which will make this program even more attractive to foreign investors.

Recent reforms of the citizenship program

In March 2020, the Egyptian government published a new version of the law on citizenship by investment. The update introduced a number of significant changes aimed at improving the effectiveness and attractiveness of the program for foreign investors.

The updated version of the law provides for simpler and more transparent procedures for applying for citizenship. The amendments include optimizing the list of required documents and reducing processing time.

At the same time, a new government agency responsible for the process of obtaining citizenship through investment was created – the General Directorate of Investments and Free Zones (GAFI). The Agency coordinates the actions of various government agencies and ensures more effective interaction with investors.

In addition, the criteria for evaluating the reliability of investors have been clarified, including deeper checks of the financial condition and history, which is aimed at improving the security of the program.

Important

The updated law provides a wider range of investment options, including the possibility of contributing to new sectors of the economy such as technology, medicine and sustainable development.

Step-by-step application process

Foreign citizens who meet certain criteria have the right to citizenship. It is important to note that the application can include family members of the applicant, including spouses and children under the age of 18 (if the conditions of the program are met).

The procedure for obtaining Egyptian citizenship is as follows. When launching a program that does not involve investments, items related to making and verifying financial investments are excluded.

Collecting documents and submitting an application

Depending on the candidate's personal situations, the procedure may vary, but the standard procedure looks like this:

• The choice of the base.
• Submission of documents and obtaining a temporary residence permit.
• Preparation of the applicant's dossier.
• Registration of the application.
• Waiting for a decision on the application.
• Assignment of the status of a citizen.

List of documents

To obtain citizenship, it is necessary to prepare certain personal documentation, the checklist of which may vary depending on the basis. In general, applicants will need:

• A valid international passport.
• Evidence of the availability of financial resources.
• Medical certificate.
• Marriage and child birth certificates (if applicable).
• Documents confirming the investment (if necessary).
• Photos that meet the requirements for a passport.
• Confirmation of payment of duties and fees.

When submitting an application, you must pay a state fee of $10,000. Payment can be made either independently or through an immigration broker. The process can be in-person or in absentia, depending on the preferences of the applicant.

Consideration and decision

After the application is submitted, the review process begins, which usually takes from 3 to 6 months. The one-time mandatory fee is $10,000. During the first 3 months, the initial verification of the applicant's data and his reliability is carried out.

If the application is pre-approved, the applicant receives a temporary residence permit for up to 6 months, during which he must complete all financial transactions, including making the remaining amount of investments or donations. After that, deeper checks are carried out and the security services recommend the application to the Prime Minister, who makes the final decision.

If the application is granted, the candidate receives a certificate of citizenship, information about which is published in the official gazette. After successful completion of all residency procedures, the applicant receives a passport.

Disadvantages of Egyptian citizenship

Some foreigners may face bureaucratic difficulties and delays in the processing of applications. In addition, the presence of an Egyptian passport implies the imposition of appropriate tax obligations of the country. If your current citizenship does not allow you to exclude double taxation, then you will have to go through the procedures for choosing a tax residence.

Depending on changes in the political and economic situation in the country, citizens may face risks associated with changes in legislation or deterioration of living conditions.

Women in Egypt may also face certain restrictions in their rights and opportunities. It is worth noting that adaptation to life in an Arab country is often quite difficult for foreigners, especially due to the language barrier, cultural differences and climatic conditions.