Egypt Work Permit

In Egypt, there is no short-term work permit. All foreign nationals intending to work in the country must apply for a long-term Work Permit, regardless of the duration of their assignment. This permit is issued by the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration and is the only authorisation that allows lawful employment in Egypt.

The application process follows a two-stage structure. First, the applicant must obtain a Work Visa, which serves as the legal entry document. This application is submitted in Egypt on the applicant’s behalf, with processing typically taking 7 to 14 working days. Once approved, the applicant enters Egypt and the visa is endorsed at the port of entry. For nationals of non-exempt countries, this endorsement must be finalised at the Egyptian Embassy in the country of origin or residence. The Work Visa is valid for one month and cannot be renewed. The right to reside and work is only granted once the Work Permit is in process.

The second stage is the Work Permit application itself. This must be filed directly with the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration after the applicant undergoes an HIV/AIDS test at the Central Laboratory of the Ministry of Health. Tests conducted outside Egypt are not accepted. The applicant’s presence is required for this step, although representation with a power of attorney is possible. Upon submission, the Ministry issues a receipt, which functions as interim authorisation and allows the applicant to commence work immediately while awaiting the final permit. The Work Permit is valid for one year and can be renewed for additional one-year periods.

Employers should note that the proportion of foreign employees may not exceed 10% of the total workforce, unless an exemption is granted. This restriction is actively monitored by the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration and underscores the importance of accurate company reporting when sponsoring foreign staff.

Last updated: 27/08/2025

Applicants and their sponsoring employers must submit a comprehensive set of documents when applying for an Egypt Work Permit. Requirements cover both the foreign national’s personal records and the Egyptian entity’s corporate compliance documents. All foreign-issued documents must be legalised in the applicant’s home or departure country and, where necessary, translated into Arabic by accredited translators.

• Valid passport: At least six months’ validity with multiple blank pages.
• Completed application forms: Official work permit and residency application forms issued by the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration.
• Recent photographs: Seven passport-sized photographs meeting official specifications.
• Employment contract: A signed contract with the Egyptian employer, duly legalised.
• Academic and professional qualifications: Original diplomas, degrees, or professional certificates, translated into Arabic and authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Egyptian embassy, and the Ministry of Manpower.
• Certificates of experience: Employer references confirming relevant work experience, translated and legalised as above.
• Police clearance certificates: Issued by every country where the applicant has resided for more than 12 months in the past five years, confirming the absence of a criminal record.
• Medical certificates: Proof of good health, including mandatory HIV/AIDS test results conducted at the Central Laboratory of the Egyptian Ministry of Health.
• Proof of residence in Egypt: Lease agreement, utility bill, or hotel booking.
• Social security registration: Evidence of the applicant’s registration with Egypt’s social security system, provided by the employer.
• Company documentation from employer:
  • Commercial Register (issued within the last three months)
  • Tax card showing valid tax registration
  • Printout from the Social Insurance Authority showing workforce composition
  • Social Insurance Form N.2
  • List of all foreign employees currently employed
  • Articles of Incorporation of the mother company
  • Formal request letter from the employer addressed to the Ministry of Manpower
• Power of Attorney (if applicable): Allowing a representative to act on behalf of the applicant or the employer, authenticated by the Egyptian embassy.

Additional documents may be requested depending on the applicant’s nationality or the specific role being undertaken. Ensuring that all certificates are properly legalised and translated before arrival in Egypt is critical, as incomplete documentation is one of the most common reasons for delays.

The timeline for obtaining an Egypt Work Permit varies depending on the stage of the application. While the final permit requires several months to process, applicants may begin working once the submission receipt has been issued.

• Work Visa application: Submitted in Egypt on behalf of the applicant before entry. Processing typically takes 7 to 14 working days. The Work Visa is valid for one month from entry and is not renewable.
• Work Permit submission receipt: Issued immediately upon filing the application with the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration. This receipt serves as interim authorisation and allows the applicant to commence work legally.
• Final Work Permit: Average processing time is 8 to 10 months. The final permit is valid for one year and can be renewed for additional one-year periods.
• Residence permit linked to the work permit: The initial residence is processed within about 30 days based on the submission receipt and is issued for six months, renewable until the final Work Permit is granted.

Although the full process is lengthy, the interim authorisation provided by the submission receipt ensures that work can begin without delay. Applicants should nevertheless allow ample time for document collection, legalisation, and security clearances, which can add several weeks or months before submission.

The cost of obtaining an Egypt Work Permit includes government fees, medical testing charges, and expenses for document preparation. Fees may vary depending on the applicant’s nationality, the processing office, and the legalisation requirements in the country of origin.

• Work Permit application fee: Approximately 1,000 EGP (around USD 50), payable to the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration.
• Work Visa fee: Varies by nationality. As a guide, a single-entry visa is about USD 25, while a multiple-entry visa is around USD 60.
• Medical testing fee: Mandatory HIV/AIDS test at the Central Laboratory of the Ministry of Health, approximately 285 EGP (around USD 15).
• Document legalisation fees: Charges apply for authenticating documents (such as academic qualifications, employer references, and police clearance certificates) through the Egyptian embassy or consulate. For example, the Egyptian Consulate in Washington, D.C. charges USD 47 per personal document.
• Document translation fees: Costs depend on the length and complexity of documents that must be translated into Arabic by accredited translators.
• Social security registration costs: Employers are responsible for registering foreign employees with the Egyptian social security system. Associated costs vary and are typically covered by the employer.
• Additional administrative expenses: Passport photographs, photocopying, notarisation, and courier services can add to the total cost.

Applicants should confirm the exact payable amounts with the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate in their country of origin and with the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration in Egypt, as fees may change periodically.

The process of obtaining an Egypt Work Permit involves several sequential steps. Applicants and their sponsoring employers must ensure that all documents are legalised and prepared in advance, as incomplete files are a common cause of delay.

Step 1: Document Preparation and Legalisation

Gather all required documents, including the employment contract, academic qualifications, police clearance certificates, and proof of experience. Foreign-issued documents must be legalised by the Egyptian embassy or consulate in the country of origin and translated into Arabic where required.

Step 2: Obtain a Work Visa

The employer in Egypt submits an application for entry authorisation on the applicant’s behalf. Processing usually takes 7 to 14 working days. Once approved, the applicant travels to Egypt and has the Work Visa endorsed at the port of entry. Nationals of non-exempt countries must complete this step at the Egyptian Embassy in their country of origin or residence. The Work Visa is valid for one month only and is not renewable.

Step 3: Complete Medical Examination

Before the Work Permit application can be filed, the applicant must undergo an HIV/AIDS blood test at the Central Laboratory of the Ministry of Health in Egypt. Tests from outside the country are not accepted. Personal appearance is required, although a power of attorney may allow representation for certain parts of the process.

Step 4: Submit the Work Permit Application

The full application is submitted to the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration. Upon submission, the applicant receives a receipt, which serves as interim authorisation to work while the final permit is being processed.

Step 5: Await Final Approval

The processing time for the final Work Permit is typically 8 to 10 months. During this period, the submission receipt allows the applicant to continue working lawfully. Once issued, the Work Permit is valid for one year and may be renewed for additional one-year terms.

Step 6: Apply for Residence Authorisation

Following the submission of the Work Permit application, the applicant must apply for a residence permit at the Ministry of Interior. The initial residence is granted for six months, renewable for another six months if the final Work Permit is still pending. Once endorsed, the residence permit allows the holder to exit and re-enter Egypt freely during its validity.

The Egypt Work Permit sets out the conditions under which a foreign national may live and work in the country. These conditions cover the validity and renewal of the permit, the rights and restrictions it carries, and how dependants can be included in the process.

Validity and Renewal

The Work Permit is granted for a period of one year and can be renewed annually as long as the employment relationship continues. Renewals follow the same process as the initial application and require updated supporting documentation from both the employer and the employee. It is important to begin the renewal process before the current permit expires to avoid gaps in lawful status.

Rights and Restrictions

• The Work Permit grants the holder the right to work in Egypt, but only in the position specified in the approved employment contract.
• The proportion of foreign workers may not exceed 10% of the total workforce within a company, unless an exemption is granted by the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration.
• Work is restricted to the sponsoring employer. A new permit is required if the foreign employee changes employers.
• Work Permit holders must comply with Egyptian labour and immigration laws, including mandatory health testing and social security registration.

Dependants and Family Members

Spouses and minor children of Work Permit holders are eligible to apply for Residence Authorisation based on the main applicant’s status. They typically enter Egypt on tourist visas and then convert to residence permits once the principal applicant’s work permit process is underway.

• Spouses: Require a duly legalised marriage certificate.
• Children: Require legalised birth certificates. School-aged children may study in Egypt with their residence permit and do not need a separate study visa.
• Life partners: Not formally recognised in Egypt for immigration purposes.
• Same-sex couples: Not recognised under Egyptian law and face legal risks.

Dependants’ residence permits are generally issued for the same validity period as the principal applicant’s Work Permit and must be renewed in parallel.

In Egypt, work authorisation and residence authorisation are two separate but interlinked processes. Both are required for a foreign national to live and work legally in the country, and each is managed by a different authority.

• Work Authorisation: The Work Permit is issued by the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration. It grants the foreign national the legal right to take up employment with the sponsoring Egyptian employer in the position specified in the approved contract.
• Residence Authorisation: The Residence Permit is issued by the Ministry of Interior. It grants the foreign national the legal right to stay in Egypt for the duration of the work permit process and thereafter once the permit is finalised.

The sequence of applications is critical. After entering Egypt on a Work Visa, the applicant files for the Work Permit. Once the submission receipt for the work permit is issued, it is used to apply for the initial six-month Residence Permit. This residence may be renewed for another six months if the final Work Permit is still pending. When the final Work Permit is approved, the Residence Permit is extended for one year and can be renewed annually in line with the work authorisation.

In practice, this means that the Work Permit provides the right to work, while the Residence Permit provides the right to stay. Both must be maintained together to ensure full compliance with Egyptian immigration law.

Two primary authorities are responsible for regulating the employment and residence of foreign nationals in Egypt: the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration and the Ministry of Interior. Each authority manages a distinct part of the process, and both must be engaged to complete a compliant application.

• Ministry of Manpower and Immigration: This authority is responsible for issuing Work Permits and enforcing employment-related immigration regulations. It ensures that companies comply with the rule that foreign nationals may not exceed 10% of the total workforce, unless an exemption is granted. All Work Permit applications must be filed here, and applicants must undergo the mandatory HIV/AIDS blood test through the Ministry of Health’s Central Laboratory before submission. The Ministry issues the submission receipt, which allows the applicant to begin working immediately while the final permit is processed.
• Ministry of Interior: Once the Work Permit submission receipt has been issued, the applicant must apply for Residence Authorisation with the Ministry of Interior. This authority is responsible for granting lawful stay in Egypt, initially for six months, renewable if the final Work Permit is still pending. When endorsed, the Residence Permit also allows the holder to exit and re-enter Egypt freely during its validity.

The two ministries work in parallel: the Ministry of Manpower provides the right to work, while the Ministry of Interior provides the right to reside. Both steps are required for full compliance, and employers play a critical role in coordinating with these authorities to maintain their foreign employees’ legal status.

1. How to Apply for an Egyptian Work Permit: A Step-by-Step Guide
2. Essential Tips for Renewing Your Egyptian Work Permit
3. Understanding the Different Types of Egyptian Visas
4. Applying for Egyptian Residence: A Comprehensive Guide
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for an Egyptian Work Permit
6. How to Choose an Immigration Consultant for Your Egyptian Permit Application
7. Finding a job in Egypt – Top industries looking for foreigners