Egyptian Citizenship by Investment: The Complete Guide for Investors

Egypt has launched a formal Citizenship-by-Investment program allowing foreign nationals to acquire Egyptian nationality through significant economic contributions. Under Legislation No. 190 of 2019 (with Prime Minister’s Decree No. 3099/2019), the government created four investment pathways – donation, real estate, business, or bank deposit – to attract foreign capital. Successful applicants (and eligible family) receive an Egyptian passport in roughly 6–12 months. This program gives investors a fast track to Egyptian citizenship without any residency requirement or language test.

Investors do not need to renounce their original nationality: Egypt permits dual citizenship and the U.S. also allows it, so you can have US and Egyptian citizenship simultaneously. Egyptian passports are permanent (heritable by descendants), and no annual residency or language exam is required to keep citizenship. In short, the process to buy Egyptian citizenship by investment is straightforward: make one of the qualifying investments, meet the legal criteria, and submit an application.

Eligibility and Requirements

• Who can apply: Any foreigner (of any nationality) over 18 may participate. Applicants must pass a standard due diligence check, including a medical exam and police clearance. The program specifically requires proof of legal income and confirmation that investment funds come from abroad and are routed through the Central Bank of Egypt.

• Family members: The investor can include a spouse and minor children under 21 years old. Dependent children (under 21) receive citizenship along with the main applicant. Spouses become eligible for a passport 2 years after the main applicant obtains citizenship. (In practice, the family’s inclusion must be declared at application.)

• Documentation: Key documents include a valid passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if any), police clearance certificates (from your country and from Egyptian authorities) and a medical report. These must be notarized and, where required, certified by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All investment contracts, bank deposit confirmations, and receipt of the $10,000 government fee must be submitted.

• Dual citizenship: Both U.S. and Egyptian laws permit holding dual nationality. The U.S. State Department confirms “you can hold dual citizenship in the United States”, and Egyptian law explicitly allows Egyptians to keep their original passports. (The only caveat: some countries require you to enter on your own passport, so U.S. citizens must use their U.S. passport to enter/exit the U.S. as per U.S. rules.)

Investment Pathways and Financial Thresholds

The Egyptian program has four clear investment options. Each requires transferring funds from abroad in U.S. dollars and paying the $10,000 application fee. In summary:

• Government Donation (Non-refundable): Contribute at least USD $250,000 in cash to Egypt’s treasury. This one-time donation (via the special Central Bank account) is the simplest option. Investors often may pay this sum in installments over one year. Once paid and the application approved, citizenship follows.

• Real Estate Investment: Purchase at least USD $300,000 worth of real estate from approved government projects. Qualifying properties include residential, commercial or industrial units on the government’s approved list. The property must be retained for a minimum of five years. (If the property is sold earlier, the investor must make the $250,000 donation to preserve citizenship.) Note that Sinai Peninsula property is excluded. In many cases, buyers can pay over one year; any remaining balance beyond $300,000 may be financed by installment with the project developer.

• Business Investment: Invest at least USD $350,000 in a new or existing Egyptian company. In addition, the investor must donate USD $100,000 to the state. The full $350,000 is deposited as capital in the business’s Egyptian bank account and must remain there for at least five years. There is no requirement to take on an Egyptian partner, but you must open a local business bank account for the funds. If the company is later dissolved or fails within five years, the investor may convert to the donation route by making the $250,000 payment to keep the citizenship.

• Bank Deposit (Refundable): Place USD $500,000 (or more) in an interest-free term deposit at a national Egyptian bank for three years. This deposit is fully refundable in Egyptian pounds after three years, based on the prevailing exchange rate. Funds cannot be withdrawn early or used as collateral without jeopardizing the citizenship. If the investor withdraws before three years, they must pay a $250,000 donation to retain the passport. (After three years, the full deposit is returned and citizenship is confirmed.)

• Government Fee: In all cases, a USD $10,000 government processing fee must be paid up front. This nonrefundable fee is required before submitting the formal application, regardless of which investment route is chosen.

The combined costs, therefore, are the above investment plus the $10,000 fee. In return, the investor gains an Egyptian passport and full citizen rights.

Application Process and Timeline

The step-by-step process is well-defined and typically takes 6–12 months. Key steps include:

1. Prepare Documentation: Gather all required documents (passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearances, medical exam, etc.). Engage a qualified immigration attorney or consultant (such as Bylaw Law Firm’s Citizenship Services) to help verify that paperwork meets Egyptian standards.

2. Make the Investment & Pay Fee: Transfer the chosen investment funds from abroad and deposit them into the appropriate Egyptian account (Central Bank or approved project bank). Also wire the $10,000 state fee to the program’s official account. All transfers must be traceable and certified by banks.

3. Submit the Application: File the application in person. Applications (with all documents and evidence of investment) are submitted to the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) in Cairo, or via authorized immigration brokers. (Bylaw Law Firm can handle submission and liaise with GAFI on your behalf.)

4. Government Review: Egyptian authorities conduct due diligence and review the application. An initial decision (approval or rejection) is usually issued within about 3 months. If approved, the applicant is notified and must then finalize any pending investment details.

5. Finalize Investments: Approved applicants are often granted a short-term residence visa (up to 6 months) to complete any remaining investment transfers and comply with all requirements. For example, ensuring all funds remain invested for the required term.

6. Naturalization: Once all conditions are verified (investment fulfilled, documents in order), the investor, spouse (if applicable), and children under 21 are granted Egyptian citizenship. Passports are then issued. In total, from initial application to passport collection usually takes 6–12 months. Note: Processing may be faster for individuals already residing in Egypt.

Throughout the process, Bylaw Law Firm’s experienced immigration attorneys can guide investors on each requirement, prepare forms, and communicate with the Citizenship Unit. Our Citizenship Services team helps minimize delays and ensures applications meet all legal criteria.

Family Inclusion and Dual Citizenship

Egypt’s program is family-friendly: dependent children under age 21 automatically become citizens with the main applicant. The spouse obtains citizenship two years after the main applicant (subject to continuing family ties). This means the entire family ultimately enjoys citizenship. Once citizenship is granted, the family has access to Egyptian public education and healthcare, just like any native citizen.

Importantly, Egypt permits dual citizenship. You and your family may retain your original nationality and passport. (For example, a U.S. citizen will keep the U.S. passport and enjoy U.S. rights, while also holding an Egyptian passport.) All citizens must follow Egyptian laws (e.g. taxation), but they face no special exit visas or restrictions because of dual status. Thus, an American investor can have both U.S. and Egyptian citizenship without conflict.

Benefits of Egyptian Citizenship for Investors

Obtaining an Egyptian passport confers a range of strategic benefits:

• Global Mobility: The Egyptian passport ranks around 88th worldwide, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to about 50–65 countries (e.g. Hong Kong, Malaysia, Jordan). This enhances business and leisure travel across Africa, Asia and beyond. Crucially, Egypt is a U.S. treaty country for the E-2 Investor Visa; Egyptian citizens can apply for the U.S. E-2 visa when they invest in a U.S. enterprise. No other Middle Eastern country offers that US-E2 advantage.

• Economic Access: Citizenship opens doors in Egypt’s economy. Investors can freely start businesses, own land and property, and tap into Egypt’s growing markets (tourism, manufacturing, technology, agriculture). Egypt’s strategic location links Africa, Asia, and Europe (Suez Canal, free trade zones), so citizens gain a foothold in a key regional hub.

• Real Estate Rights: As citizens, investors are no longer subject to the strict limits imposed on foreign property owners. (By law, foreign individuals may own only two properties up to 4,000 sqm each.) New citizens face the same rights as Egyptians: they can buy, sell or inherit property without those caps, subject only to general regulations (no tourist-area restrictions, etc.). In practice, this provides greater flexibility in Egypt’s real estate market.

• Access to Services: Egyptian citizenship entitles holders to public services. Education is free from elementary through university for all citizens, and healthcare is heavily subsidized or free. These benefits extend to investor families. In short, citizens enjoy the full social safety net of Egypt.

• Stability and Security: Citizenship is permanent and can be passed to future generations. There are no residency obligations or minimum stay requirements, so citizens can live abroad (or in Egypt) freely. Politically and economically, Egypt offers a long-term haven in a dynamic region.

• Family Advantages: The children of citizens are born Egyptian, and families have the right to work, reside, and attend schools in Egypt. Citizenship provides a new national identity and stability, with the option to sponsor relatives under Egyptian immigration rules if desired.

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Bylaw Law Firm’s Citizenship Services can fully explain these benefits and help each family leverage them. We walk clients through how Egyptian citizenship improves travel freedom, business prospects, and quality of life.

Citizenship vs. Residency by Investment

Egypt also offers Investor Residency options under its Investment Law (Law 72/2017), but residency is distinct from citizenship. For example, foreigners can secure a renewable residency permit (typically 1–5 years) by purchasing at least $200,000 in government-approved real estate and depositing $100,000. This “Egypt Golden Visa” allows living and doing business in Egypt, but does not grant citizenship or a passport. Residency holders must renew their permits and could lose status if they exit investment conditions.

In contrast, Citizenship-by-Investment is one-time and lifelong. It requires a larger contribution but delivers an Egyptian passport with permanent status. Citizens face no renewal and have all civic rights. For most high-net-worth investors, the trade-off—larger upfront investment for a second passport—is worthwhile. (That said, some clients initially obtain residency to test the market, then upgrade to citizenship. Bylaw Law Firm can advise on the best path given your goals.)

How to Apply and Get Started

In summary, to get Egyptian citizenship by investment you must: meet the eligibility criteria (age, health, clean record), make one of the qualifying investments (250k donation, 300k real estate, etc.), pay the government fee, and submit the application with required documents. The process is transparent, with clearly defined steps and oversight by the General Authority for Investment (GAFI). It typically takes under a year from start to finish.

Given the stakes, expert legal guidance is crucial. Bylaw Law Firm specializes in Egypt investment immigration. Our attorneys handle every aspect of the application – from structuring the investment to preparing contracts, coordinating fund transfers, verifying documentation, and liaising with Egyptian authorities. We ensure compliance with all requirements of Egyptian citizenship by investment and work to expedite approvals.

For personalized advice and next steps, please visit our Citizenship Services page. Our team is ready to explain how Egyptian citizenship can fit into your global plan. When you are ready, feel free to contact us to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you explore this opportunity.