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🇪🇬 Egypt

Visa & Residency

Egypt has no dedicated digital nomad visa, but the tourist e-visa system is among the most accessible in the Middle East — $25 online, processed in 3–5 days, and extendable at Cairo's Mugamma for stays up to 6 months. For longer stays, a residence permit via the Passports & Immigration Administration is available but requires an in-person application process..

$25

Tourist e-Visa (single)

Online at visa2egypt.gov.eg; 3–5 day processing

$60

Tourist e-Visa (multiple)

Multiple entries; 30-day stay per visit

30 days

Visa duration

Extendable at Mugamma Cairo; up to 6 months

Available

Visa on arrival

For many nationalities; $25 at major airports

None

Digital nomad visa

No dedicated DN visa — tourist or residence permit used instead

~$700 (announced)

5-yr multi-entry visa

Long-term multiple-entry visa announced; release date TBC

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Overview

Egypt has no dedicated digital nomad visa, but the tourist e-visa system is among the most accessible in the Middle East — $25 online, processed in 3–5 days, and extendable at Cairo's Mugamma for stays up to 6 months. For longer stays, a residence permit via the Passports & Immigration Administration is available but requires an in-person application process.

Key Takeaways

  • Single-entry e-Visa: $25 — valid for one entry, 30-day stay
  • Location: Mugamma Building, Tahrir Square, Cairo (Al-Sadat Metro station)
  • Primary office: Abbasiya, Cairo (General Administration of Passports, Immigration & Nationality) — open Sat–Thu, 8 AM–2 PM
  • Company formation via GAFI can take 2–4 weeks; minimum capital requirements vary by business type
  • Book accommodation before applying for e-Visa — you'll need a hotel name or rental address
1

Egypt Tourist e-Visa — The Most Common Entry for Expats

The Egypt e-Visa is the standard entry route for most Western expats and digital nomads. Apply online at visa2egypt.gov.eg, receive approval in 3–5 business days, and enter within 90 days of issue. The visa permits a 30-day stay from date of entry.

  • Single-entry e-Visa: $25 — valid for one entry, 30-day stay
  • Multiple-entry e-Visa: $60 — multiple entries within 30-day total stay window
  • Apply online at visa2egypt.gov.eg — requires passport scan, photo, and card payment
  • Processing time: 3–5 business days; often faster
  • Visa on arrival also available at Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh airports for many nationalities at $25
  • Always carry a printed copy of e-Visa approval alongside your passport
  • Citizens of some countries (Jordan, Malaysia, some Arab states) may have different rules — verify before travel
  • Sinai Only entry (separate, free stamp) covers Sinai peninsula day trips for Red Sea ferry arrivals
2

Extending Your Stay — The Mugamma Process

If you want to stay beyond 30 days without leaving Egypt, you can extend your visa at Cairo's Mugamma administrative building on Tahrir Square. Extensions can take your total stay up to 6 months. The process is bureaucratic but manageable.

  • Location: Mugamma Building, Tahrir Square, Cairo (Al-Sadat Metro station)
  • Hours: Saturday–Thursday, 8:00 AM–3:30 PM; arrive before 9:30 AM to beat queues
  • Bring: Original passport + photocopies of photo page and current visa, passport photos, rental contract or hotel letter, and cash payment (fees in EGP)
  • Extension fee: Approximately EGP 500–1,000 ($10–$20) for a standard extension
  • Extensions can be granted for 1–6 months depending on circumstances
  • Many expats hire a facilitator (local fixer) for ~EGP 500–1,000 extra to navigate the process — recommended for first-timers
  • Overstay penalties were tightened in 2025 — do not overstay without extension; fines and possible bans apply
  • Outside Cairo, visa extensions can also be done at local passport offices in Hurghada and Alexandria
3

Residence Permits — Long-Term Legal Stay

For stays exceeding 6 months or for expats who want formal legal residency, Egypt's residence permit system is the route forward. Permits are issued by the General Administration of Passports, Immigration and Nationality and can be renewed annually.

  • Primary office: Abbasiya, Cairo (General Administration of Passports, Immigration & Nationality) — open Sat–Thu, 8 AM–2 PM
  • Required documents: Valid passport, current visa, rental contract, passport photos, proof of income/financial means, criminal record certificate from home country, medical certificate
  • Residence permits are initially issued for 1 year and can be renewed
  • Government approval valid for 4 years; residence card renewed annually
  • Employer-sponsored residence permits available for those working for Egyptian companies
  • Property owners can obtain a renewable 5-year residence permit by purchasing property over a threshold value (currently ~$100,000 USD equivalent)
  • Tourist e-Visas cannot be converted to residence permits inside Egypt — you must go through official immigration channels
  • Consult an Egyptian immigration lawyer or licensed facilitator for complex cases; fees $150–$500 for assistance
4

Investor & Business Residency

Egypt offers investor and business residency routes for expats starting or investing in Egyptian businesses. The General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) oversees these processes.

  • Company formation via GAFI can take 2–4 weeks; minimum capital requirements vary by business type
  • Company directors and registered investors can obtain renewable residency tied to the business
  • Free zones (including media production cities and industrial zones) offer streamlined investor residency
  • The New Administrative Capital and various special economic zones offer incentives for foreign investors
  • Investment thresholds and permit types change periodically — consult GAFI directly at gafi.gov.eg
  • Egypt has Double Taxation Treaties with 50+ countries including the US, UK, Germany, and France
5

Visa Practical Tips for 2026

Navigating Egyptian immigration is manageable with preparation. These practical tips from the expat community will save time and frustration.

  • Book accommodation before applying for e-Visa — you'll need a hotel name or rental address
  • The official e-Visa portal (visa2egypt.gov.eg) is the only authorised site — avoid third-party 'visa services' charging inflated fees
  • Egypt is transitioning to digital arrival cards at major airports — paper cards are being phased out at Cairo and Hurghada international airports
  • Keep your entry stamp paperwork — you'll need it for any visa renewal or extension
  • The 'visa run' to Cyprus or Greece (2–3 hour flights) is a common nomad workaround for those who prefer not to do Mugamma extensions
  • Dual-nationality issues: Egypt does not officially recognise dual nationality for Egyptian citizens; foreign nationals with no Egyptian heritage generally have no issues
  • Registration: Officially, foreigners must register with local authorities within 7 days of arrival (hotels do this automatically; if renting privately, your landlord should assist)
FAQs

Common Questions — Visa & Residency in Egypt

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