In March 2020, the Egyptian government passed a new citizenship law. It allows wealthy people to get a country's passport for an investment of 250,000 dollars or more.
The Citizenship by Investment program formally began operating in Egypt on March 14, 2020. This is the date of publication of Parliamentary Law No. 190, which defines the conditions and procedure for issuing a passport for a contribution to the country's economy.
By April 2021, the Egyptian government has created a special department that will receive and consider investor applications. By the summer, the department plans to launch the program's official website.
The program is not limited by time or number of passports. The terms of the program and the procedure for obtaining a passport are established by the program department.
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Dual citizenship is allowed in Egypt. But the intention to obtain a second citizenship must be reported to the authorities, in case of obtaining it, it is prohibited to undergo military service, be elected to parliament and study at police academies
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What are the ways to obtain citizenship in Egypt?
1. Investment of funds:
- Purchase of real estate in the amount of 300,000 dollars or more. This amount can include the purchase of several objects. Moreover, the deal can be paid in installments for a year. It is allowed to buy housing, commercial real estate and land plots. Real estate may be already commissioned or under construction. To participate in the program, only agreements regarding state-owned objects are accepted.
- Investments in business from $350,000. An investor opens a new company in Egypt or invests in an existing local business. According to the terms of the program, the investor must also own at least 40% of the shares of the company in which he invests.
- Charitable donation in the amount of $250,000, which the investor transfers to the account of the program department at the Central Bank of Egypt. A non-refundable donation to the Egyptian treasury can be made in installments over the course of a year.
- Bank deposit. To obtain citizenship of the country, the investor opens an interest-free deposit to the Central Bank. Individuals can deposit USD 500,000 and return the interest-free deposit after three years. The minimum deposit amount is set in US dollars, but the money must be transferred to Egyptian pounds before being credited to the bank.
- In addition, there are other fees. In particular, the investor also pays a state fee of $10,000 regardless of the chosen investment option. The fee must be paid before the application is submitted.
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How to pay for participation in the program by choosing one of the specified investment methods?
By law, the investor must pay for the investment from abroad: the department will not accept transfers made from Egyptian bank accounts. The sponsor can be the wife or friend of the investor. Transfers are accepted from the personal account of the investor or sponsor, or from the account of the company he owns. The investment condition must be fulfilled only after the department approves the investor's application.
The investment tenure is 5 years. If the investor sells real estate, declares the company bankrupt or closes the deposit earlier than the specified period, he can be deprived of citizenship. But there is an opportunity to keep the country's passport: for this, the investor needs to pay a charitable contribution of 250,000 dollars.
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Who can get Egyptian citizenship by investment?
An adult investor with a legal source of income, good health and no criminal record can apply to participate in the investment program and obtain Egyptian citizenship. At the same time, the investor will not have to renounce his citizenship in order to obtain Egyptian citizenship.
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How long is the period of obtaining Egyptian citizenship by investment?
It is possible to obtain citizenship by investment, in general, for a period of 6 to 9 months.
Which family members can the investor include in the citizenship application?
The investor is allowed to include in the application:
- a spouse or several spouses who are officially married to the investor;
- children under 21 who are not married.
Children receive citizenship at the same time as the investor, the wife two years after the investor.
Egyptian citizenship obtained under the investment program is inherited by the investor's children. This means that newborn babies will become Egyptian citizens automatically by birthright.
Egyptian citizens have the right to live, work, do business and study in the country without restrictions. They can also obtain an E2 business visa to the US and travel visa-free to 90 countries around the world, including Iran, Jordan and Hong Kong.
2. “The right of blood".
A child born to an Egyptian man or an Egyptian woman and found to be abandoned or orphaned children whose parents are unknown can become a citizen of Egypt.
In the case of a male citizen of Egypt, his children can automatically obtain citizenship, even if born in any other country. Children of Egyptian mothers receive citizenship only if the father's nationality is not established or he is absent.
3. Naturalization.
This method is suitable for most people who want to move to Egypt and stay there on a PMP, especially from those countries where dual citizenship is allowed.
In order to become a full-fledged citizen, it is necessary to legally spend 10 years in the country. Or have Arabic as your native language, and Islam as your professed religion.
Naturalization may be granted to individuals who have resided in Egypt for a sufficient period of time to demonstrate that they understand the Arabic language, the customs and traditions of the society. The general provisions are that applicants are of good character and conduct; do not have a criminal record; have good mental and physical health; can be economically self-sufficient.
In addition to foreigners who meet the above criteria, other individuals who may be naturalized include:
- The legal wife of an Egyptian citizen after two years of marriage and after submitting an application to the Minister of the Interior about the desire to obtain Egyptian citizenship;
- Individuals born in Egypt, who have the citizenship of a Muslim country or a country where the majority of people speak Arabic, and who have lived in Egypt for one year;
- Foreigners born in Egypt who were permanent residents of Egypt at the time of coming of age may naturalize with a waiver of the residency period if they apply within one year of coming of age;
- Individuals born in Egypt, whose father was also born in Egypt and has Arab or Muslim roots after five years of residence;
- Minor children can be automatically naturalized when their parents acquire citizenship;
- Individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the nation, including as the head of a religious organization, may be naturalized without other requirements;
- Individuals who have invested certain funds for the development of the nation can become naturalized after five years of residence in Egypt.
At the same time, it is not possible to obtain a residence permit in Egypt at the Egyptian embassy or consulate. You should first obtain a long-term visa and then apply for a residence permit upon arrival in Egypt.
How to get a residence permit in Egypt for women?
For women, emigration to an Arab country is most often associated with marriage. Moreover, in order to obtain a residence permit, it is necessary to go through several stages.
First, register not just an official marriage with a citizen, but one that will be recognized in Egypt. To do this, a document called the ORFI-contract is usually drawn up first - it is a preliminary marriage contract that confirms the couple's intentions.
It also provides grounds for obtaining a six-month bride visa, which is necessary to collect and submit all the necessary documents.
Secondly, after registering the marriage, you can apply for a two-year visa. If the marriage is not dissolved during these two years, then in the future it will be possible to obtain a residence visa for five years. The death of a husband does not deprive a woman of the right to obtain such a visa, and then citizenship.
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Egypt has approved the launch of a new "Residence Permit for Investment" program, which provides for renewable residence permits valid for one to five years with an investment of USD 50,000 or more.
Thus, foreign nationals can now apply for a residence permit in Egypt under the following conditions:
Real estate investment
- Acquisition of one or more real estate properties in Egypt with a total value of at least USD 200,000 (5-year residence permit);
- Acquisition of one or more properties in Egypt with a total value of at least USD 100,000 (3-year residence permit);
- Acquisition of one or more properties in Egypt with a total value of at least USD 50,000 (1-year permit).
Bank deposit
- A deposit of USD 100,000 or more in an Egyptian state-owned bank (residence permit valid for 3 years);
- A deposit of USD 50,000 or more in an Egyptian state-owned bank (1-year residence permit).
In each case, residence permits can be extended indefinitely as long as the investment is maintained. This program does not impose any physical presence requirements in Egypt.
Only properties registered in the country's real estate registry are eligible for the program, and deposits must be made in one of Egypt's state-owned banks. The deposit does not have to be in US dollars, but can be made in another recognized foreign currency.
A family reunification visa is issued for foreign citizens to obtain a long-term residence permit in Egypt as family members of Egyptian citizens.
Necessary documents for a family reunification visa to Egypt:
1. Application form
Fully completed in English and signed and dated by the applicant himself (signed by both parents in case of minors under 18 years of age)
2. Passport
- Valid for at least six months after the date of your departure from Egypt.
- Signed for bearer
- Passport issued within the last 10 years
- At least one or two blank "visa pages"
- Undamaged photos attached to the passport
3. Two photos
- Front view covering the face 70-80% (32-26 mm) of the photo.
- Uniform and white background.
- Clear features of the face and eyes - not covered by hair or glasses
- Size 3x4
4. Copy of the identity card
The validity period is at least two months after the date of departure from Egypt.
5. Residence permit/Copy of visa (if the country of residence and citizenship are different)
The validity period is at least two months after the date of departure from Egypt.
6. Photocopies
A copy of the front page of your passport
Copies of previous visas / residence permit in Egypt
7. Spouse data
Copy of passport
Spouses of foreign nationals must submit a copy of their partner's residence permit in Egypt.
Certificate of residence of a man living in Egypt
8. Marriage certificate
- Egyptian marriage certificate together with certified copies.
- Certificate of foreign marriage:
Foreign documents or certificates are often recognized by state authorities only if their authenticity and probative value are determined by a special procedure.
9. Proof of residence in Egypt
A copy of the apartment rental certificate in Egypt or the property ownership certificate if the partner already resides in Egypt.
If the host provides accommodation - a document indicating the right of ownership/right of use (for example, a rental agreement) that clearly allows guests to be accommodated in this place.
10. Proof of a sufficient amount of means of living
A copy of the work certificate of a foreigner who intends to live in Egypt
Salary for the last two months if you live in Egypt.
In the case of self-financing: a personal bank statement showing your financial movements (at least for the last 3 months), credit card, cash, traveler's bills, pay slips, proof of employment, a document confirming the sponsor's willingness to cover the expenses during the stay, confirmation of advance payment for accommodation, a document on private accommodation, a certificate of advance payment for transport
In the case of sponsorship: a statement from the sponsor's current account for the last 3 months (indicating the name of the sponsor, the final balance and the date of issue), a sponsorship letter, a copy of the first page of the sponsor's passport with data.
*Additional documents may be requested at the embassy.
How long does it take to apply for a family reunification visa to Egypt?
The average time for issuing a long-term visa to Egypt is 3-20 calendar days. It depends on the country in which the visa is issued.
What is the fee for a family reunification visa to Egypt?
The cost of a long-term visa to Egypt is 60 American dollars (may vary depending on the country and nationality of the applicant). In addition, you may need to pay other administrative fees, such as visa center fees, courier fees, etc., depending on the country and place of application.
Where to apply for a family reunification visa to Egypt?
Documents for Egypt visa for family reunification are submitted to Egypt visa centers, embassies or consulates, depending on where visa applications are accepted in the country of residence. If they are not available in the immigrant's country, the latter must contact the nearest embassy or consulate at the place of residence.
The Egyptian multi-entry visa, also known as a multiple-entry visa, is a type of visa that allows eligible travelers to visit the country for 5 years. This visa allows multiple entries and exits, which means that there is no limit to the number of times a traveler can enter or exit Egypt using the same visa.
The advantage of a multi-entry visa is its extended validity and multiple entry capability, which eliminates the need for visitors to re-apply for a new visa each time they plan to visit Egypt during the 5-year period.
Eligibility for a 5-year Egyptian visa: Who can apply?
A total of 180 nationalities, including citizens of all EU countries, Canada, the UK, and the USA, are eligible to apply for a 5-year visa to Egypt, provided they meet the visa policy requirements. If the applicant does not meet all the requirements, he or she may need to consider obtaining another type of visa.
Additionally, there are certain criteria that other travelers may have to meet to be eligible for a 5-year visa, which will be explained below.
Requirements for obtaining an Egyptian 5-year visa
If you are a citizen of one of the 180 countries, you can apply for a long-term Egyptian visa. All you need is your passport and an appropriate method of payment for the visa fee.
However, if you are not from a visa-eligible country, don't worry. You can still apply for an Egyptian 5-year visa if you have a valid visa from one of the following countries:
- All Schengen member states
- Japan
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
In conclusion, applying for a long-stay Egyptian visa is quite easy if you meet the necessary requirements. So, get your documents ready and get ready to explore the rich history and culture of Egypt.
How to get a long-term visa to Egypt: Step-by-step instructions
For those who are interested in obtaining a multiple-entry 5-year visa to Egypt, it can be conveniently applied for upon arrival at all major Egyptian airports. The process is relatively simple, but may vary slightly depending on the port of entry.
- Queue at the immigration office: Upon arrival, you will need to get in line at the immigration office.
- Fill out the application form: Fill out the visa application form provided by the immigration officers.
- Submit the required documents: Be prepared to submit all the necessary documents to obtain your visa.
- Pay the visa fee: Once the documents are submitted, you will need to pay the visa fee.
- Wait for approval: After paying the fee, you need to wait for your visa application to be approved.
The application process for a 5-year Egyptian visa includes a fee of $700, which is paid upon arrival. This fee is required for individuals who need long-term access to the country. The cost of the visa is USD 700 (21,630 Egyptian pounds).
However, for those who do not need a 5-year visa, there are other cost-effective options, particularly if they come from countries that are eligible for an e-visa to Egypt. In this case, a multiple-entry e-Visa may be a better choice.
The multiple entry visa is mainly intended for investors and real estate owners.
