Last reviewed on April 26, 2024
Egypt citizenship by investment
Get a second passport as a backup plan and visa-free travels to 80+ countries
$250,000
Minimal investment
6+ months
Obtainment period
3 years
Investment return
In 2020, the government of Egypt launched a citizenship by investment program to attract foreign investments and stimulate the economy. The first citizenship applications under the program were accepted in 2021.
Foreigners pick one of four investment options to get Egyptian passports: make a non-refundable contribution, purchase property, invest in a business, or open a deposit in the Central Bank of Egypt.
The minimal required investment is $250,000. It takes 6 to 12 months to obtain citizenship. Investors do not have to take exams on Arabic or Egypt history. In addition, there are no requirements to reside within the country to keep the passport.
Close family members can obtain citizenship along with the investor. The rule applies to spouses and children under 21.
Benefits of Egypt citizenship by investment
1
Creating a safe haven
An investor and their family members gain the right to live in Egypt and enter the country anytime. The second passport will come in handy in case of unexpected events in the investor’s country of origin.
An investor and their family members gain the right to live in Egypt and enter the country anytime. The second passport will come in handy in case of unexpected events in the investor’s country of origin.
2
Е-2 business visa to the USA
Egyptian citizens can get E-2 visas to the US, allowing them to live and work there. To obtain such a visa, an investor starts or buys a business in the US. There’s no official minimum threshold, but an investment of at least $100,000 is typically enough to apply for an E-2 visa successfully.
Egyptian citizens can get E-2 visas to the US, allowing them to live and work there. To obtain such a visa, an investor starts or buys a business in the US. There’s no official minimum threshold, but an investment of at least $100,000 is typically enough to apply for an E-2 visa successfully.
3
Bank account in Egypt
Investors with Egyptian passports can take advantage of the services of the local banks without any restrictions. Both national banks and branches of international banks operate in Egypt. For instance, there is a local branch of Deutsche Bank AG, the largest financial conglomerate in Germany.
Citizens can open bank accounts in dollars, euros and other world currencies. Savings can be stored in the accounts at interest or used for international payments.
Investors with Egyptian passports can take advantage of the services of the local banks without any restrictions. Both national banks and branches of international banks operate in Egypt. For instance, there is a local branch of Deutsche Bank AG, the largest financial conglomerate in Germany.
Citizens can open bank accounts in dollars, euros and other world currencies. Savings can be stored in the accounts at interest or used for international payments.
4
Tax burden reduce
In Egypt, there are nine public free zones where entrepreneurs from all over the world can start their businesses. One of the benefits of the free zones is tax incentives: companies located there don’t pay corporate tax.
In Egypt, there are nine public free zones where entrepreneurs from all over the world can start their businesses. One of the benefits of the free zones is tax incentives: companies located there don’t pay corporate tax.
5
Visa-free travels
The Egypt passport allows free entry to 82 countries. Among them, some states allow Egyptian citizens to obtain a visa on arrival, while Singapore issues electronic travel authorisations.
The Egypt passport allows free entry to 82 countries. Among them, some states allow Egyptian citizens to obtain a visa on arrival, while Singapore issues electronic travel authorisations.
6
Fast track to second citizenship
Investors are not required to reside in the country or take language exams. The processing of investors’ applications typically takes around 6 months.
Investors are not required to reside in the country or take language exams. The processing of investors’ applications typically takes around 6 months.
7
Second citizenship for family members
The investor can include their spouse and children under 21 in their citizenship application. Children acquire citizenship at the same time as the investor, while the spouse gets their passport two years later.
The investor can include their spouse and children under 21 in their citizenship application. Children acquire citizenship at the same time as the investor, while the spouse gets their passport two years later.
80+ visa-free countries with an Egyptian passport
Asia
Malaysia
Singapore
Vietnam
+ 12 countries
Africa
Benin
Guinea
South Africa
+ 36 countries
Middle East
Bahrain
Iran
Jordan
+ 7 countries
Oceania
Australia
Micronesia
Palau
+ 4 countries
North America
Bahamas
Dominica
Haiti
+ 4 countries
South America
Columbia
Ecuador
Surinam
+ 2 countries
Guide to obtaining Egypt citizenship
Step by step procedure
Requirements for applicants
Required documents
Answers to frequently asked questions
Who can obtain Egypt citizenship
Investor’s expenses
Investors have four investment options to choose from, with a threshold of $250,000. Aside from the contribution, participants pay a state fee of $10,000 for the whole family.
A citizenship program participant transfers the investment from their foreign personal account, their sponsor’s account or a corporate account if they own a company.
1 option
Non-refundable contribution — $250,000+
Investors contribute to the State’s public treasury. This investment option does not imply profit or return; the contribution is non-refundable. It is possible to transfer the sum in parts within one year.
2 option
Real estate purchase — $300,000+
Investors can purchase a property licensed by the Government or listed on the real estate register, including residential and commercial properties and land plots. The property may already be put into operation or under construction.
This option allows a return on investment: participants can sell the property five years after obtaining citizenship.
3 option
Business investment — $350,000+
An investor can start their own business in Egypt or buy a local company. Investments in a business project can be used at the participant’s discretion 25 days after the money is transferred. This option allows a return on investment 5 years after obtaining citizenship.
Aside from the business investment, applicants also make a non-refundable contribution of $100,000 to the State’s public treasury.
4 option
Bank deposit — $500,000+
Investors open an interest-free deposit at the Central Bank of Egypt. This option requires the biggest investment sum, but the return on the investment will be available 3 years after obtaining citizenship.
Expenses for an investor and their family
The investment sum and other expenses do not depend on the number of people in the family.
Individual cost calculation for obtaining Egypt citizenship by investment
Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees
Real estate in Egypt to participate in the citizenship by investment program
Egypt, El Gouna
178 m² — 234 m²
3—4 
3 
Step-by-step procedure for obtaining Egypt citizenship
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
Immigrant Invest conducts a preliminary background check on the investor to prepare for the main Due Diligence to obtain Egypt citizenship.
Certified Compliance Anti Money Laundering Officers carry out the inspection. Preliminary Due Diligence helps reduce the risk of application rejection to 1%. The process is entirely confidential; the investor must provide only a passport copy.
Take a quick test and find out the obstacles in obtaining second citizenship
2+ weeks
Document preparation and application
Immigrant Invest lawyers provide the investor with a list of documents required for application:
passport copies of all family members applying for citizenship;
birth certificates of all family members;
four passport photos;
a receipt of payment of the $10,000 government fee;
a certificate of no criminal record from the country of residence, attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt;
a certificate of no criminal record from Egyptian authorities if the investor has visited Egypt before;
a medical examination report from a hospital in Egypt;
an official certificate of the applicant’s movements during the past 5 years, issued by their country of origin and attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt.
The investor provides the originals for the Immigrant Invest lawyers to translate, notarise them, and then apply on the participant’s behalf on the program’s website.
State fee payment
The investor pays a $10,000 state fee or equivalent in another currency. The transaction must be done from abroad to the Egyptian Cabinet account at the Central Bank of Egypt.
6+ months
First Due Diligence
Investor’s documents are reviewed in two stages. During the first 6 months, the applicant is being checked against the databases of the Egyptian security authorities.
Investors can obtain citizenship faster and skip some of the next steps if they transfer the full investment amount before the background check.
Getting a temporary residence permit
After the first Due Diligence, the applicant receives a 6-month residence permit. During that time, the participant is expected to travel to Egypt and make the investment.
Up to 6 months
Second Due Diligence
After fulfilling the investment condition, the program’s department resumes Due Diligence. If the candidate is approved, the department recommends the investor to the Prime Minister of Egypt, who signs the naturalisation documents.
Citizenship obtainment
The investor receives the naturalisation certificate and their passport.
