Egyptian investment residency
Migration Program Details & Application
Program Overview
Project Description
Egypt's "investment residency" is not a single "golden visa," but rather a package of policies based on the March 2023 decree and subsequent amendments. Foreign investors can obtain a renewable residency permit for up to five years through eligible investments (real estate or bank deposits).
Currently, the main approaches fall into two categories:
Minimum investment amount, core logic, identity nature
🏠 Purchase a government-approved, compliant property for long-term residency starting from US$250,000 (renewable).
🏦 Long-term residency with a deposit of at least US$300,000 in a designated bank (renewable).
⚠️ Important Note:
Please do not confuse "residence" with "citizenship." The $250,000 property purchase threshold applies to residency permits. Egypt's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program requires a $500,000 property purchase, which must be held for five years and cannot be sold. Information circulating about "Citizenship by Investment of $300,000" is largely outdated or misleading.
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Egypt's "investment residency" is not a single "golden visa," but rather a package of policies based on the March 2023 decree and subsequent amendments. Foreign investors can obtain a renewable residency permit for up to five years through eligible investments (real estate or bank deposits).
Currently, the main approaches fall into two categories:
Minimum investment amount, core logic, identity nature
🏠 Purchase a government-approved, compliant property for long-term residency starting from US$250,000 (renewable).
🏦 Long-term residency with a deposit of at least US$300,000 in a designated bank (renewable).
⚠️ Important Note:
Please do not confuse "residence" with "citizenship." The $250,000 property purchase threshold applies to residency permits. Egypt's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program requires a $500,000 property purchase, which must be held for five years and cannot be sold. Information circulating about "Citizenship by Investment of $300,000" is largely outdated or misleading.
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Eligibility & Requirements
Application requirements
Regardless of the method chosen, the principal applicant must meet the following core conditions:
1. Basic Qualifications:
• Age and character: Must be 18 years of age or older, have no criminal record, and have no history of bad immigration to Egypt or other countries.
• Health status: Must pass a medical examination (including infectious disease screening) at a designated medical institution in Egypt.
2. Assets and Compliance:
• Source of funds: Bank statements, pay slips or asset certificates are required to prove the legal source of investment funds.
• Funding Path: Investment funds must be transferred from outside Egypt through formal bank channels.
3. Accompanying family members:
The main applicant may bring their spouse and minor children (under 18 years old). Notarized and double-authenticated copies of the marriage certificate and birth certificate are required.
Application requirements: Residence permit upon purchase of real estate (US$250,000); Residence permit upon deposit of real estate (US$300,000).
Investment threshold: Property value of at least US$250,000; Fixed deposit of at least US$300,000
Mandatory taxes/miscellaneous fees are approximately 31%-51% of the total property price (stamp duty, registration fee, legal fees, etc.). A small amount of account opening and transfer fees are also included.
Asset disposal is restricted; the property cannot be sold. If the property is sold, residency status will be void and funds cannot be withdrawn. If the principal is withdrawn early, residency status will be void.
The principal can only be withdrawn after a long holding period (if you want to retain your status). It usually takes 3-5 years to withdraw the principal (you need to confirm the policy at that time).
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Regardless of the method chosen, the principal applicant must meet the following core conditions:
1. Basic Qualifications:
• Age and character: Must be 18 years of age or older, have no criminal record, and have no history of bad immigration to Egypt or other countries.
• Health status: Must pass a medical examination (including infectious disease screening) at a designated medical institution in Egypt.
2. Assets and Compliance:
• Source of funds: Bank statements, pay slips or asset certificates are required to prove the legal source of investment funds.
• Funding Path: Investment funds must be transferred from outside Egypt through formal bank channels.
3. Accompanying family members:
The main applicant may bring their spouse and minor children (under 18 years old). Notarized and double-authenticated copies of the marriage certificate and birth certificate are required.
Application requirements: Residence permit upon purchase of real estate (US$250,000); Residence permit upon deposit of real estate (US$300,000).
Investment threshold: Property value of at least US$250,000; Fixed deposit of at least US$300,000
Mandatory taxes/miscellaneous fees are approximately 31%-51% of the total property price (stamp duty, registration fee, legal fees, etc.). A small amount of account opening and transfer fees are also included.
Asset disposal is restricted; the property cannot be sold. If the property is sold, residency status will be void and funds cannot be withdrawn. If the principal is withdrawn early, residency status will be void.
The principal can only be withdrawn after a long holding period (if you want to retain your status). It usually takes 3-5 years to withdraw the principal (you need to confirm the policy at that time).
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Application Process & Advice
suggestion
Based on your specific needs, the following suggestions are offered:
• 1. If the core objectives are "identity protection" and "financial flexibility":
• Preferred deposit plan (US$300,000).
Reasons: The deposit process is simple, requiring no property inspection or high taxes. Although the locked-in amount is relatively high, the funds are held in a bank, making the risk relatively controllable, and usually earning a small amount of interest. If you may leave Egypt in the future, retrieving your funds is easier than selling your property.
2. If you value "asset allocation" and "long-term residence":
• Preferred home purchase option (US$250,000).
Reasons: The entry threshold is low at $50,000, and $250,000 can buy a relatively high-quality property in Cairo and other areas. Egyptian property prices are currently in an upward cycle (annual increase of approximately 31 T/3 - 61 T/3), and rental yields are also good (approximately 51 T/3 - 71 T/3). If you plan to do business or live in Egypt long-term, buying property can save you on rent.
• Risk warning: Make sure the property has been registered with the Egyptian Real Estate Registry to avoid buying a "white title" property that cannot be used for immigration purposes.
• 3. Special reminders regarding naturalization (passport):
If your ultimate goal is to obtain an Egyptian passport, do not pursue the $250,000 real estate investment residency route. Instead, consider the $500,000 real estate investment citizenship program. This is a separate, fast-track process, with approval authority at the Presidential Palace, and the processing time typically takes 6-12 months.
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Egyptian Real Estate Purchase/Investment Residency Application Process
The overall cycle is approximately 6-8 months.
Phase 1: Preliminary Preparations and Investment Implementation (1-3 months)
• Home purchase process: Select a property → Sign the purchase contract → Pay the purchase price → Complete property registration and obtain the property ownership certificate.
• Deposit route: Open an account at a designated bank in Egypt → Transfer US$300,000 → Obtain a fixed deposit certificate.
Phase Two: Material Collection and Verification (1-2 months)
• Prepare your passport, photos, criminal record check, and marriage/birth certificate.
• Key step: Submit the above documents to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or the local foreign affairs office) and the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate in China for double authentication, and translate them into Arabic.
Phase 3: Submission and Review (2-3 months)
• Egyptian lawyers assist in preparing documents and submitting them to the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones or the Immigration Department of Egypt.
• Official background checks and document reviews are conducted.
Phase 4: Approval and Launch (1 month)
• Receive preliminary approval letter → Enter Egypt with the letter (apply for entry visa) → Complete medical examination and biometric information entry in Egypt → Receive long-term residence card.
Consulting fee: $500
Based on your specific needs, the following suggestions are offered:
• 1. If the core objectives are "identity protection" and "financial flexibility":
• Preferred deposit plan (US$300,000).
Reasons: The deposit process is simple, requiring no property inspection or high taxes. Although the locked-in amount is relatively high, the funds are held in a bank, making the risk relatively controllable, and usually earning a small amount of interest. If you may leave Egypt in the future, retrieving your funds is easier than selling your property.
2. If you value "asset allocation" and "long-term residence":
• Preferred home purchase option (US$250,000).
Reasons: The entry threshold is low at $50,000, and $250,000 can buy a relatively high-quality property in Cairo and other areas. Egyptian property prices are currently in an upward cycle (annual increase of approximately 31 T/3 - 61 T/3), and rental yields are also good (approximately 51 T/3 - 71 T/3). If you plan to do business or live in Egypt long-term, buying property can save you on rent.
• Risk warning: Make sure the property has been registered with the Egyptian Real Estate Registry to avoid buying a "white title" property that cannot be used for immigration purposes.
• 3. Special reminders regarding naturalization (passport):
If your ultimate goal is to obtain an Egyptian passport, do not pursue the $250,000 real estate investment residency route. Instead, consider the $500,000 real estate investment citizenship program. This is a separate, fast-track process, with approval authority at the Presidential Palace, and the processing time typically takes 6-12 months.
---
Egyptian Real Estate Purchase/Investment Residency Application Process
The overall cycle is approximately 6-8 months.
Phase 1: Preliminary Preparations and Investment Implementation (1-3 months)
• Home purchase process: Select a property → Sign the purchase contract → Pay the purchase price → Complete property registration and obtain the property ownership certificate.
• Deposit route: Open an account at a designated bank in Egypt → Transfer US$300,000 → Obtain a fixed deposit certificate.
Phase Two: Material Collection and Verification (1-2 months)
• Prepare your passport, photos, criminal record check, and marriage/birth certificate.
• Key step: Submit the above documents to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or the local foreign affairs office) and the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate in China for double authentication, and translate them into Arabic.
Phase 3: Submission and Review (2-3 months)
• Egyptian lawyers assist in preparing documents and submitting them to the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones or the Immigration Department of Egypt.
• Official background checks and document reviews are conducted.
Phase 4: Approval and Launch (1 month)
• Receive preliminary approval letter → Enter Egypt with the letter (apply for entry visa) → Complete medical examination and biometric information entry in Egypt → Receive long-term residence card.
Consulting fee: $500