Egypt · Work Visa
Work permit categories, eligibility, sponsorship, application steps, and processing times.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Foreign workers need a work permit from the Ministry of Labour, sponsored by an Egyptian employer; the company must respect a ratio of Egyptian to foreign staff. A work-purpose residence permit follows security and medical approval.
Foreign nationals need a work permit, with investor and employee facilitation provided through GAFI for companies; entry and residence are handled by the immigration authorities.
- Employers obtain work permits for foreign staff, subject to quotas in some sectors.
- GAFI facilitates residence and work matters for company investors.
- A residence permit is required for stays beyond the visa period.
- 1
Secure a sponsored job
Secure a job with an Egyptian employer who will sponsor your work permit; foreign staff are capped as a percentage of the workforce.
- 2
Employer applies for the work permit
The employer applies for the work permit at the Ministry of Labour with your qualifications and the labour-market justification.
- 3
Complete security and medical steps
Complete the security approval and medical tests, including the required screenings.
- 4
Obtain the entry visa
Obtain the appropriate visa to enter Egypt for work.
- 5
Get the work-purpose residence
Receive the work permit and a work-purpose residence permit for the permit’s duration.
- 6
Renew and comply
Renew the work permit and residence before expiry and keep to the sponsored role.
- Sponsored job with an Egyptian employer
- Foreign-staff ratio respected
- Work-permit application (Ministry of Labour)
- Security approval
- Medical tests
- Entry visa for work
- Work-purpose residence permit
- Renewals + compliance tracked
- General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI)
Investor services, including residence/work facilitation.
Frequently asked questions
Who issues the work permit?
The Ministry of Labour — formerly the Ministry of Manpower — issues work permits for foreign workers sponsored by an employer.
Is there a limit on foreign staff?
Yes — companies must generally keep foreign workers within a set percentage of their total workforce.
Can I self-apply?
No — the Egyptian employer sponsors and applies for the work permit; there is no general self-applied route.
Government portals
- Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA) — Income tax, VAT and e-invoicing registration for individuals and companies.
- General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) — Company registration, the investment one-stop shop, and free-zone licensing.
- Egyptian Customs Authority — Tariffs, import and export clearance, and the Nafeza single-window system.