🇪🇬 Egypt

Egypt offers annual renewable tourist and residence visas, with the main long-term options being the work visa tied to employment, investor residency for property buyers, and a 3-year renewable residency for those purchasing property worth USD 100,000+. The process can be slow and bureaucratic, but Egypt is generally welcoming to foreign residents. Egypt launched a golden residency program in 2022 for investors and property buyers.

Foreign nationals need a work permit from the Ministry of Manpower, sponsored by their Egyptian employer. The employer must demonstrate the role cannot be filled locally. Work permit quotas restrict the number of foreigners a company can employ (typically 10% of workforce). Regional offices vary in processing speed, with Cairo and Alexandria being the most efficient.

Spouses and children of work permit holders can obtain dependent residence visas. The sponsor must prove valid residency, a stable income, and accommodation. Dependent children over 18 may need to pursue independent visa pathways unless enrolled in education.

Egypt taxes residents on worldwide income, though enforcement for foreign-source income is limited in practice. Progressive income tax rates range from 0% to 27.5%. Egypt imposes a corporate tax of 22.5%. VAT is 14%. Egypt has tax treaties with approximately 60 countries, including many Arab states and European partners.