Which authority issues an employment permit in Egypt?

An employment permit in Egypt can be issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Manpower.

The Ministry of Labor of Foreigners in Egypt issued a decree no. 146/2019, which provides for new rules regarding foreigners working in Egypt. The new order states that foreigners can only work in Egypt if:

1. A foreigner has a legal right to stay in Egypt for the purpose of work;
2. Has an employment permit obtained from the Ministry of Personnel or its branches.

According to the new decree, foreigners are required to obtain employment permits from the competent ministry and its related personnel administrations or from institutions established by the ministry for this purpose in other entities.

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How long can a foreigner work in Egypt?

An employment permit in Egypt is usually issued for one year. However, it’s validity can be extended for a maximum of 5 years. It is important to note that working in Egypt does not mean obtaining a permanent residence permit.

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When does the government issue an employment permit to foreigners?

Before the authority issues an employment permit to foreigners, a labor market test must confirm that there are no local residents who meet the requirements for the position. When the work permit is finally granted, the applicant must train at least two local Egyptians to be able to work in the same position.

How long does it take to obtain an employment permit?

The application process for a work permit in Egypt usually takes 1 to 3 months before the applicant can enter Egypt. It may take another 2-4 months to complete the process

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What are the types of work visas in Egypt?

Egypt offers several types of visas, including:

1. Work visa: Once a foreign national receives a work permit, their visa, such as a temporary/tourist visa, will be converted to a work visa.
2. Temporary/tourist visa. This option is a single-entry 30-day tourist visa that can be renewed on arrival at Egyptian airports. It is also a visa that people get for work.
3. Regular visa: The regular visa is valid for three to five years and allows the employee's spouse to have a residence permit for the period specified in their work permit.
4. Special visa: The special visa is for expats who were born in Egypt before May 26, 1952, or who have lived in Egypt for more than 20 years from that date. It is valid for 10 years and can be extended.

Visa issuance conditions:

• A foreigner must have at least 3 months of experience;
• An employment permit granted in accordance to the current legislate;
• Lack of competition between the country's need for foreign labor and national labor;
• The employer's actual need for foreign workers;
• An employer who hires foreign technical workers must appoint at least two Egyptians to work as his assistants;
• The renewal of a foreigner's work permit is conditioned on the training of Egyptian workers and the preparation of reports on their work;
• Preference is given to foreigners who were born and permanently reside in Egypt.

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Duties of the company:

1. Notify the relevant authority in the case of employment of foreigners exempted from obtaining an employment permit within seven days from the start of such work and after its termination;
2. Keep a register that contains all information about its foreign employees;
3. Submit to the relevant body during the first week of January and July of each year a statement containing the names of foreign workers;
4. The total number of foreign workforce in the company must not exceed 10% of the Egyptian workforce employed and insured in the company.
5. Duties of foreigners:
6. Foreigners who work for only one or more days are required to pay a contribution of 10% of their wages (not less than eight thousand pounds sterling and not more than fifty thousand pounds sterling according to the law);
7. The foreign worker must obtain a work permit in the country of origin, if such a permit is required under the laws and regulations of their country.

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Foreigners who are exempt from obtaining an employment permit:

• Foreigners are released in accordance with international conventions to which Egypt is a party;
• Foreign employees who work in embassies as a result of the decisions of the relevant authorities in their countries;
• Foreign correspondents;
• Foreign priests;
• Foreign workers on Egyptian ships outside territorial waters;
• Foreign workers in the International Commission on Commonwealth War Graves;
• Foreign specialists engaged in architectural research and ancient Egyptian monuments;
• Foreign investors who received "investor establishment" in accordance with the relevant provisions of the investment legislation.

You can find answers to other questions on the website.

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To obtain a work visa in Egypt, you should provide these documents, namely (but not exclusively):

• Passport;
• Application form;
• 4 photo cards
• Original and copy of permission documents for future work;
• Invitation from the employer or a letter from the employer about the job;
• Data on the vacancy, income, as well as on the savings that the applicant has

Requirements and documents for obtaining an employment permit in Egypt:

• Completed application form.
• Valid foreign passport.
• Seven passport size color photos.
• Copies of educational institution graduation diplomas and certificates confirming qualification.
• An official letter from the employer with a detailed list of reasons and justifications for hiring a foreigner.
• Medical examination, in particular, HIV tests.
• Permit issued by the State Security Department of Egypt.
• Payment of state tax.
• The list of documents from the Egyptian company (certificate of registration, tax and financial statements).

Documents that a self-employed person must provide to obtain a work visa to Egypt:

1. Copy of the most recent income tax or relevant bank statements or documents
2. Proof of activity such as bank statements, invoices or receipts

It should be noted that when entering Egypt with a visa in the passport document, a tourist visa is not obtained at the airport.

The owner of a multiple-entry visa for entry into Egypt, issued at a foreign diplomatic institution of Egypt, valid for up to 6 months, which can be extended by the Migration Service of Egypt, after receiving an employment permit from the Ministry of Labor, will receive a temporary permit from the ARE Migration Service accommodation for non-tourist purposes, in which it will be indicated that the owner has the right to employment. The validity period of such a permit is from 3 months to 1 year.