Work Permits And Residency For Foreign Employees In Egypt

Hiring a foreign employee in Egypt involves more than signing an employment contract and obtaining a residence card. As a general rule, a foreign national cannot work in Egypt unless the Ministry of Labour has authorized the work and the individual holds an immigration status that permits entry and residence for employment purposes. The employer cannot legally employ the foreign national before the required authorization exists.

This distinction matters because a work permit and a residence permit solve two different legal questions. One authorizes the employment activity. The other authorizes the foreign national’s stay in Egypt. In most employment cases, the two files need to remain aligned throughout the employment relationship.