Egyptian citizenship grants the right to live in the land of the pyramids, the desert, the pharaohs, the Sphinx, and fascinating mythology. It also offers new opportunities for business development, opening bank accounts, travel, and migration.
You can obtain Egyptian citizenship by birth or descent, marriage, or naturalization. Naturalization requires living in the country for at least 10 years and learning Arabic.
Furthermore, since 2020, Egyptian citizenship now includes an investment option. This applies to those who invest in real estate or a business, make a deposit, or support the local treasury. The minimum investment is USD 250,000. This program allows you to obtain citizenship without learning Arabic or relocating to Egypt.
What does Egyptian citizenship offer?
First and foremost, citizenship is the key to a free life in Egypt. You won’t need to apply for or maintain a residence permit for a long-term stay. Since you won’t have to renounce your previous passport, Egyptian citizenship can be your “Plan B”.
With an Egyptian passport, you can start a business without facing the restrictions that apply to foreigners. According to the local Company Law, a foreigner’s shareholding in a company cannot exceed 49%, whereas a citizen can own the entire company. This means you can easily invest in any sector that promises profit, such as tourism, technology, or industry. Furthermore, Egypt has free economic zones that offer certain benefits. For example, there are no customs duties or taxes on imports or exports.
Additional advantages include:
- Visa-free travel to 66 countries;
- The opportunity to obtain an E-2 investment visa to the US (available only to citizens of certain countries);
- Access to free healthcare and education from primary school to university;
- Life in a politically and economically stable country with a good level of security and developed infrastructure;
- Citizenship status that can be passed on by inheritance, meaning your newborn children will automatically become Egyptian citizens;
- Full access to real estate, banking services, the labor market, and political activities.
Egyptian citizenship by birth or descent
Egyptian citizenship is granted to a child immediately in one of the following cases:
- The father and/or mother are Egyptian citizens;
- The child was born or found in Egypt, but their parents are unknown.
The law also provides for cases in which citizenship is granted by the Minister of the Interior upon application. Citizenship may be granted if the person:
- Is an adult who was born in Egypt and permanently resides here, and their father or mother is of Egyptian descent;
- Is of Egyptian descent, has lived in Egypt for at least five years, and has reached the age of 18;
- Was born in Egypt, lives in the country at the time of reaching adulthood, has no criminal record, earns a living, and has learned Arabic;
- Was born in Egypt and their native language is Arabic (or they are Muslim) and their father or mother is a foreigner who was also born in Egypt.
In the last two cases, Egyptian citizenship can only be obtained between the ages of 18 and 19.
Egyptian citizenship by marriage
A foreign woman married to an Egyptian citizen can apply for a passport. However, citizenship is not granted automatically; an application must be submitted. The husband must also complete a form expressing his desire for his wife to be granted Egyptian citizenship. It is important that the marriage not be dissolved within two years from the date of application, except in the case of the death of the spouse. Within these 24 months, the Minister of the Interior can revoke the wife’s citizenship if deemed necessary.
Once the two years have passed, the woman’s Egyptian passport is hers to keep, even if the marriage ends. The only way she can potentially lose it is by marrying a foreigner and acquiring his citizenship.
Egyptian citizenship by naturalization
The process of obtaining Egyptian citizenship by naturalization can be lengthy. You must reside in the country for at least ten years. You must also learn Arabic, prove your source of income, demonstrate good health, and maintain a positive reputation. Additionally, an application fee of USD 10,000 is required.
There are countries around the world where you can much more quickly and affordably, so Egyptian naturalization is not in high demand.
Applicants have the right to keep their application confidential. Your minor children can also become Egyptian citizens. Your spouse can apply to the Minister of the Interior for a passport, provided that you have been married for at least two years.
Egyptian citizenship by investment
The program has been in effect since 2020. Foreigners are offered 4 investment options. The application process generally takes approximately 6 months. Knowledge of Arabic and residence in Egypt are not required. Any investor, regardless of citizenship, is eligible.
You can purchase real estate worth at least USD 300,000. There are no restrictions on the type of property; it can be residential or commercial. However, if you wish to sell the property within five years without losing your citizenship, you will need to pay USD 250,000 to the Central Bank of Egypt. This amount is non-refundable and can be paid in installments over 12 months.
Another option is to create an investment project worth at least USD 350,000. You may also choose to become a partner in an existing business rather than creating a new one. You must contribute an additional USD 100,000 to the treasury, which is non-refundable. If the project is liquidated or the investor withdraws within five years, an additional USD 250,000 must be paid to prevent the revocation of citizenship.
The third option is a cash deposit with the Central Bank. You must deposit USD 500,000 into a special account. After three years, this money will be returned to you in local currency at the current exchange rate, interest-free.
The final option is a direct deposit into the government treasury. The USD 250,000 payment is non-refundable but can be made in installments throughout the year. If your citizenship application is rejected, the money will be returned to you in Egyptian pounds.
To make it easier for you to compare the available options, we’ve compiled them in a table:
| Criteria | Investment amount, $ | Investment allocation | Return on investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real estate | 300 000 | Residential/commercial real estate | Sale in 5 years |
| Investment project | 350 000 + a deposit of 100 000 | New/existing business | Project sale in 5 years |
| Deposit | 500 000 | Deposit at the Central Bank | Interest free after 3 years |
| Direct deposit | 250 000 | Direct deposit to the Treasury | No return |
How to apply for citizenship
The process and document requirements will differ slightly depending on the citizenship method you choose. Here, we will focus on obtaining Egyptian citizenship by investment, as it is the best option offered by the country.
You must submit your application in person to the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones in Cairo, Egypt. Online submission is not available. Alternatively, you can contact an immigration broker.
Applicants must fill out an application and attach the following documents:
- A copy of their passport;
- An original birth certificate;
- 6 recent passport-sized photographs;
- Information about their spouse and children, including copies of their passports or other identification documents;
- An original certificate from their country of origin confirming an absence of serious criminal records;
- Results of a medical examination from a public hospital in Egypt.
A fee of USD 10,000 is payable upon application. Payment can be made in foreign currency, but it must be a transfer from abroad.
The Registration Department processes applications within 3 business days, confirms that all required documents are in order, and notifies applicants if anything is missing.
The complete application package is submitted to the Application Review Department of the Prime Minister’s Office. At this stage, consultations with security agencies are held. Within 3-6 months, the Prime Minister will issue preliminary approval and the investor will be issued a 6-month residence permit. During this period, you must make deposits according to the chosen program. Once these deposits are complete, the authorities will continue processing the application, and a final decision will be made within 3 months.
To ensure the process goes smoothly and without any delays or risks, it’s important to enlist the help of experienced lawyers. are ready to answer all your questions regarding Egyptian citizenship by investment and provide full support.
Pitfalls
The first thing an investor must do is prepare their dossier. This includes medical certificates from local clinics and certified criminal records. It’s important not to miss anything. Although you will be given time to submit missing documents, it will delay the process.
Another important step is due diligence. The responsible department at the Chancellery closely analyzes investors’ backgrounds, criminal records, and the source of their funds. To eliminate risks, it’s wise to consult lawyers beforehand. They will evaluate your chances of success and offer advice if needed.
Regarding investments, the funds must be transferred from abroad, not from an Egyptian bank account. The property or business project must be officially registered. A miscalculation or bureaucratic error could result in the loss of your money and rejection of your application.
Dual citizenship is not possible in Egypt because the country has not signed the relevant treaties with other countries. However, second citizenship is permitted. This means that you won’t have to give up your original passport; each country will consider you a citizen of that country. You will have a set of rights and responsibilities in each country.
Alternatives: if Egypt isn’t your top pick
If Egypt isn’t your choice for some reason, there are alternatives. Several countries grant citizenship without requiring prior residency or language proficiency. Citizenship can provide new opportunities, freedom of movement, tax breaks, and a backup plan for unforeseen situations.
Consider the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, for example. An investment of at least USD 130,000 will grant you a second passport, partly refundable after five years. The citizenship-by-investment program extends to your family members as well, allowing everyone to enjoy the benefits of your new status.
Vanuatu is a tax haven: There are no taxes on income, wealth, inheritance, gifts, or capital gains. With a Vanuatu passport, you can travel visa-free to 96 countries for leisure or business. Furthermore, Vanuatu citizens can easily obtain a five-year B-1/B-2 visa for tourism, medical treatment, or business meetings in the United States.
Discover the benefits of Vanuatu citizenship:
- Additional residency jurisdiction;
- Tax-free zone;
- Investment returns of at least 5% per year;
- Simplified visa processing to the U.S. and Canada.
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