Expats wanting to travel to Egypt will need a valid passport and possibly a tourist visa, depending on their nationality. Many nationals need only purchase a visa on arrival at an airport in Egypt.

Expats travelling to Egypt to work or study will need to obtain a residence permit, as these activities are not permitted on a tourist visa.

Tourist visas for Egypt

The tourist visa for Egypt is valid for up to 90 days with a maximum stay of 30 days during this period. While nationals of some countries do not require a tourist visa when travelling to Egypt, other nationalities will need to get a tourist visa upon arrival at an airport in Egypt. These options don't apply to all countries, however, and nationals of some other countries will need to apply for a tourist visa in advance of travelling to Egypt. It may be possible to do this online, via Egypt's eVisa system, which can be accessed here. 

Expats should check with their local Egyptian embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information on nationality requirements regarding tourist visas for Egypt.

Residence permits for Egypt

Expats planning to stay in Egypt for work or study purposes will need to acquire a residence permit and, if in employment, a work permit. Residence is generally granted for one, three or five years.

Work permit applications are made separately from applications for residence permits. The process is a long and arduous one and expats must have secured employment before they can apply for their work permit. Extensive documentation is required for a work permit application, so it's important to do thorough research beforehand on all that's required.

*Visa regulations and requirements for work permits are subject to change at short notice and expats should contact their respective embassy or consulate for the latest details.