Egypt Visa & Work Permit Guide 2025: Policies, Step-by-Step Procedures, and Key Precautions

This practical guide summarizes the latest framework for visas and work permits in Egypt as of 2025, explains who is responsible for what, and gives clear operational steps and Notes (important precautions) for employers and foreign employees. Use this as an actionable checklist when planning relocation, hiring, or contract work in Egypt.

Overview: Visa categories and 2025 policy highlights

Egypt continues to operate a mix of electronic visas (e‑Visa), visa‑on‑arrival for certain nationalities, short‑term tourist visas, and work‑related visas that lead to a residence/work permit. The Ministry of Manpower (often referenced as the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration in official releases) manages employment approvals and work permits. Key 2025 highlights include stronger emphasis on compliance with labor market regulations, clearer documentation standards, and digital submission options becoming more common for certain stages of the process.

Who needs a work permit?

Any foreign national who will perform paid work in Egypt—whether full‑time employment, long‑term contract or some types of paid consultancy performed locally—generally needs a work permit and a corresponding residence permit. Short tourist stays with business meetings that do not involve local contracting or payment may not require a work permit, but this must be verified in advance with the Egyptian consulate or an immigration advisor.

Employer responsibilities

• Initiate the work permit application with the Ministry of Manpower.
• Demonstrate recruitment efforts for local candidates if required (labor market test) for some occupations.
• Provide the employment contract, company registration and tax documents.
• Register the foreign employee for social insurance and payroll tax once legally employed.

Step-by-step application process (practical workflow)

1. Preliminary check: Employer confirms the employee’s eligibility, required professional qualifications, and whether the role is restricted for foreigners.
2. Document preparation: Collect authenticated degrees, translated contracts, passport copies, and company papers (see table below).
3. Employer application to the Ministry of Manpower: The employer submits the work permit request and supporting documents; expect an initial review and requests for additional evidence.
4. Consular/work visa: Once the Ministry gives a provisional approval, the employee applies for a work visa at the Egyptian consulate abroad (or uses e‑visa where applicable).
5. Arrival processes: After entry, the employee completes a medical exam, criminal record check (if requested), and biometrics for the residence permit.
6. Residence permit and work card issuance: The Passport & Immigration authority issues the residence/work permit. Only after this can the employee legally start work in Egypt.
7. Registration: Employer registers the employee for social insurance and tax. Maintain records of payroll, contracts and permits for inspections.

Typical documents required

Processing times & fees (guidance)

Processing times vary depending on the employer, occupation, and completeness of documentation. Typical ranges in 2025:

• Initial Ministry review: 2–8 weeks.
• Consular visa issuance: 1–4 weeks (depends on consulate workload).
• Residence permit/biometrics after arrival: 2–6 weeks.

Fees also vary and are subject to periodic updates; budget for application fees, attestation/legalization charges, medical tests, and residence card fees. Confirm current rates with the consulate and the Ministry’s official portal prior to applying.

Renewals, transfers and contract changes

Work permits and residence cards are time‑limited and must be renewed before expiry. If an employee changes employer, the new employer must apply for a new work permit or request a transfer approval. Contracts that materially change salary, duties, or duration may require updated approvals. Maintain close attention to timelines to avoid fines or disruptions.

Common pitfalls and Notes (important precautions)

• Document authentication: Degrees, criminal records and key documents often require notarization and legalization (apostille or embassy legalization). Missing authentications cause major delays.
• Translations: Official documents not in Arabic or English should be translated by certified translators and notarized.
• Contract clarity: Contracts should include salary in local currency, working hours, end date or probation, and termination terms consistent with Egyptian labor law.
• Labor market test: For some roles, authorities expect evidence that local candidates were considered; prepare documented recruitment efforts.
• Start date: Do not allow a foreign national to start substantive work before the residence/work permit is in hand—doing so risks penalties for employer and employee.
• Tax, social insurance & payroll: Register the employee promptly. Failure to register may result in back payments and fines.
• Keep physical and digital copies of all permit-related correspondence and receipts for inspections.

Case examples

Case 1 — Software engineer hired by Cairo startup

A startup in Cairo hired a senior software engineer from India. The employer led the permit application and prepared: notarized degrees, employment contract, company tax records, and a recruitment summary. The Ministry returned minor clarification requests; total time to obtain the work visa and residence permit was 7 weeks. The employer registered the employee with tax and social insurance within two pay cycles. Lesson: startups must anticipate questions about salary benchmarks and retention clauses.

Case 2 — English teacher from the UK

An English teacher contracted by a private language school used an employer‑sponsored work permit. Because the school handles many foreign hires, they had a streamlined process and clear checklist; nonetheless the teacher’s teaching certificate required apostille and translation which added two weeks. Lesson: standardizing document lists accelerates approvals.

Quick checklist before submitting an application

1. Confirm the exact visa category with the Egyptian consulate.
2. Collect and legalize academic and criminal certificates.
3. Translate key documents into Arabic/English as needed.
4. Prepare company registration, tax records, and recruitment evidence.
5. Plan timeline: allow buffer for additional requests and legalizations.

Where to get help

For companies or individuals unfamiliar with Egypt’s procedures, working with local immigration lawyers or specialized relocation services can reduce errors. For out‑of‑sea human service assistance, consider SailGlobal, which offers relocation and immigration coordination for foreign workers and employers in Egypt.

Staying current

Egyptian immigration and labor policy can change. Always verify rules on official government sites—the Ministry of Manpower and the nearest Egyptian consulate—before submission. Maintaining a living checklist and centralized document folder will reduce administrative delays and keep your move compliant.

Need a tailored checklist or document review for a specific case (industry, nationality, or contract type)? Seek professional advice early to avoid costly delays and fines.