Work Permits for Foreigners in Egypt: An Employer’s Guide

Bringing international talent to your team in Egypt opens exciting possibilities, but navigating the country's labor laws is critical if you want to succeed. Particularly, getting and managing work permits for foreigners in Egypt.

Ensuring your employees have the correct work permits and visas is not just a matter of compliance. It’s fundamental if you want to avoid significant fines and legal complications. 

In this quick guide, we’ll walk you through the essential requirements for obtaining work permits in Egypt. Especially if you’re an employer who wants to hire new employees or digital nomads in Egypt or relocate existing employees to Egypt.

About work permits in Egypt

The rise of global remote work has seen many individuals embrace the opportunity to work from anywhere, often entering countries on tourist visas. 

However, engaging in employment while on a tourist visa is illegal. Including in countries like Egypt, which has not yet introduced a digital nomad visa. 

However, it is possible to obtain a work permit if you wish to hire a foreigner in Egypt or relocate a non-Egyptian citizen to work for you in Egypt.

Accordingly, any foreign national intending to work in Egypt, regardless of their employment status – whether a traditional employee, a contractor, or a remote worker employed by an overseas company – must obtain the appropriate work visa and permit to work legally in the country. 

Failure to secure the correct authorization can result in significant penalties for both the employer and their employee. 

Why hire and relocate teams to Egypt

Hiring or relocating team members to Egypt can offer various benefits and opportunities both for your company and employees. Here are few things to consider:

• Lower cost of living for foreign nationals
• Opportunity to grow your team through local recruitment in Egypt
• Skilled talents in various fields including software engineering, marketing, customer service and call centers
• Low-cost of recruitment
• Creating culturally diverse teams

Understanding the different types of work permits and visas in Egypt

Before we get into the key requirements for filing and submitting a work permit for a foreign employee in Egypt, there are several types of permits to be aware of.

1) Work permit: 

This is the core requirement for any legal employment in the country. It’s what we are focusing on in this article.

2) Entry visa: 

This is usually a tourist visa for initial entry into the country. It does not constitute a work permit. A tourist visa can be later turned into a work visa.

3) Residence permit: 

This is linked to the work permit and is often required for long-term stay for work. For example, if you need a foreign national to work in Egypt for 3 or more years.

4) Business visa: 

This is another type of work permit. However, it is for short-term work assignments. It’s best to consult with an HR agency or an employer of record about which work permit is needed for your specific needs, and to ensure you meet all the requirements.

Key requirements for work permits in Egypt

To get a work permit for one or more for your foreign employees in Egypt, you’ll need to start the work permit application process and submit papers to relevant bodies. 

You can do so yourself, which is a long, multi-faceted process, or work with an HR agency or Employer of Record service provider like Tawzef.

For the work permit application, you’ll need the following documents:

• A filled work permit application
• Valid employee passport
• Passport photos for the employee you want to relocate to Egypt
• The employee’s academic certificates, degrees, and professional license (if applicable or needed)
• Employee justification, as in why they need to work in Egypt or what they will be doing there
• A health check including a negative HIV test for the employee
• Your company’s incorporation contract
• Proof of authorization for the company representative to apply for the employee's work permit
• Quota restrictions, which means your company is aware of the number of foreign workers it can employees in Egypt

The employer's role in the work permit process

Besides gathering the above documentation and filling the necessary work permit application form, as an employer there are a few more steps to follow.

You will need to submit an initial application with Egypt’s Ministry of Manpower and Immigration. You’ll need to provide company documentation including your commercial registration, tax card, and other information.

You may need to demonstrate your local recruitment efforts to show that you have attempted to seek local candidates but were not successful. This is similar to the employee justification. 

As an employer, you’ll need to provide a formal document noting your sponsorship of the employee and your commitment to them.

You will also arrange and provide for the employee’s health checks in Egypt, including the initial medical check and later checks. 

As an employer, you will need to obtain security clearance for your team member(s) and manage permit renewals on their behalf.

Simplifying work permits with an Employer of Record 

As mentioned, there is a lot of hassle when creating a work permit for hiring a foreigner in Egypt. As a business, this can take longer than expected. 

Your choice to hire one or more foreigners to lead your team in Egypt is often critical with set targets and milestones. 

Luckily, work permits and work visa applications fall under an employer of record’s services. 

Working with an EOR provider, like Tawzef, can save you days and effort as these companies are well-versed in supporting businesses with work permits in Egypt.

EOR companies can manage other aspects for the employee on behalf of your company like payroll, compensation and benefits packages with local providers, travel documents and preparation, needed recruitment services, among others.

Get work permits for your team in Egypt 

Understanding work and hiring regulations ensures your business is compliant with local labor laws, taxes, and requirements. 

Working with an employer of record like Tawzef ensures smooth work permits and work visa application process for your company and team members.

It supports your plans to build a global team and expand your reach in a country like Egypt where the cost of living is much lower than in the United States or Europe. 

It also allows you to hire confidently and enhance your business operations. 

If you need help securing work permits and work visa for one or more team members in Egypt, get in touch with Tawzef.