Work visas
Egyptian Work Visa and Work Permit
Employer-sponsored route for foreign nationals to work in Egypt, requiring both a work permit and a residence permit.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Under review — check current rules
Work-permit validity (commonly cited as 1 year, renewable annually) and any foreign-worker quota or payroll cap are not confirmed on an official government page reviewed here; verify current figures with the Egyptian labour authorities before publishing.
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Egypt government website before you apply.
- Official name
- Work Permit (Labour Law No. 12 of 2003) with entry visa and residence permit
- Route type
- Employer-sponsored work authorisation
- Governing bodies
- Labour authorities (work permit); Ministry of Interior (residence); MFA / consulates (visa endorsement)
- Validity
- Commonly issued for one year and renewable annually while employment continues
- One-year validity and annual renewal are widely reported but not confirmed on an official government page reviewed here.
- Passport validity
- At least 6 months beyond intended stay
Who it is for
- Foreign nationals with a job offer from an Egyptian employer willing to sponsor them
- Skilled workers, professionals and specialists filling roles where a suitably qualified Egyptian is not available
- Not for job-seekers: a signed contract with an employer is needed before applying
Requirements
- Valid passport with at least 6 months' validity
- Signed employment contract with the Egyptian employer
- Academic and professional qualifications translated into Arabic and authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant Egyptian mission
- Police clearance certificate from the applicant's home country
- Medical / fitness documentation as requested
- Passport-style photographs
What you can do
- Work lawfully in the specific role and for the specific employer named on the permit
- Obtain a residence permit for the period of the work permit
- Renew annually while the employment and eligibility conditions continue
How to apply
- Employer submits the work permit application to the labour authorities with the contract and supporting documents
- Have qualifications translated and authenticated by the MFA and Egyptian mission
- Obtain the appropriate entry visa for a purpose other than tourism
- On arrival, complete the residence permit procedure with the Ministry of Interior
- Renew the permit and residence before expiry
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.