If your company is expanding to Egypt, you’ll need a team of talented employees to run your new location. However, if you are relocating current team members or hiring international talent, the work permit application process can be arduous. Here are a few key considerations to streamline the application process.
Types of work visas in Egypt
Egypt offers several types of visas, including the following:
- Temporary/tourist visa: This option is a renewable single-entry 30-day tourist visa that individuals can get when arriving at Egyptian airports. It’s also the visa individuals obtain for a job.
- Work visa: Once an international worker gets a work permit, their visa, such as a temporary/tourist visa, will get converted into a work visa.
- Business visa: This visa is needed to enter Egypt for conferences, seminars, or courses.
- Transit visa: This is required for travelers who intend to stay on Egyptian soil for a very limited time while en route to a different destination.
- Ordinary residence permit: An ordinary visa is valid for 3 to 5 years and allows an employee’s spouse to have a resident permit for the amount of time identified on their work permit.
- Special residence permit: The special visa is for expats born in Egypt before May 26, 1952 or individuals who have lived in Egypt for more than 20 years from that date. It’s valid for 10 years and can be renewed.
In order to work in Egypt, international employees require an entry visa, a residence permit, and a work permit.
Requirements to obtain Egypt work visas
Employers in Egypt are encouraged to give jobs to locals rather than employing international workers. Egypt also has a quota system, so limits on work permits could impact your workers. For example, non-Egyptian workers in any company should not exceed 10% of the total workforce and 20% of your total payroll.
If no Egyptian nationals are qualified for a certain position, international employees can apply for a work permit that’s valid for up to 1 year. They can then renew it for up to 3 years.
In order to legally work in Egypt, the first step is to obtain an entry visa which can be applied for at the Egyptian diplomatic mission or the Egyptian authorities at the port of entry, depending on the nationality of the employee. It is then necessary to obtain approval from the Ministry of Manpower and apply for a work permit. Some of the required documents include:
- A copy of the approval obtained from the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration granting a work permit to the international employee
- A valid passport
- A certified copy of the employee’s qualifications and expertise
- 2 completed work permit application forms
- Passport size photos (6×4)
- Clean health record and negative HIV test
- Certified copy of the employer’s commercial register and tax card
- Approval from Egypt’s State Security indicating that the employee is not a threat to national security or public safety
- Social insurance form
Application process
After the work permit request gets approved by the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration, they’ll notify the closest Egyptian consulate to authorize an entry visa. Then, the employee can enter Egypt and has 4 to 6 weeks to secure a work permit. They can work during this time as long as they hand in all the applicable documents for a work permit.
Other important considerations
All employees must register with the Egyptian police after arriving in the country. The government recommends asking the tourist police for assistance. Employees can also take care of this task as soon as they get to their accommodation.
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At this moment, G-P does not offer support processing work visas or permits in this particular location.
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