About

Egypt introduced a legal framework allowing foreign nationals to obtain citizenship through investment, with amendments  to make the programme more attractive.

The programme is managed through a special Citizenship by Investment Unit, operating under the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), with oversight at high government level.

It is aimed at investors who are willing to make a significant financial contribution, or purchase real estate, or invest in business, or make a bank deposit, in order to obtain Egyptian citizenship. It offers a way to obtain a passport and full citizen rights without (in most cases) residence / language requirements.

Who Can Apply

Here are the main eligibility requirements:

• Age: Must be an adult (usually over 18 years old) to apply.
  
  
• Nationality: Any foreign national of any nationality can apply. There is no official exclusion of certain countries, though all applicants are subject to due diligence.
  
  
• Health and Character: Applicants must have a clean criminal record, provide police clearance from home country (and sometimes from Egypt), and generally be of good health.
  
  
• Source of funds: Must show legal origin of investment funds and that they are transferred from abroad.
  
  
• Documents: Passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), medical report, police clearance, and properly notarized / translated materials where needed.
  
  

There is no mandatory requirement for Arabic language skills or minimum residency as part of the citizenship requirement.

Family members (spouse, dependent children) can be included under certain rules

Investment Options / Costs

Applicants must select one of several investment paths, each with its threshold and conditions. Here are the main routes (with latest figures as of 2025 after the 2023 amendments):

Also:

There is a government processing / application fee of USD 10,000.

Some options allow for installment payments in certain investment categories (e.g. the donation or real estate) over a maximum period (often up to one year) under the recent decree changes.

Benefits

For those who qualify, here are key advantages:

• Full citizenship that is permanent and heritable (can pass to children) under Egyptian law.
  
  
• No requirement to reside in Egypt, or to learn Arabic, in order to maintain citizenship.
  
  
• Ability to include spouse and minor children; children under a threshold age (often under 21) become citizens at the same time. Spouse may have to wait a period in some cases.
  
  
• Use the citizenship for easier travel, business, access to trade zones, possibly visa-easier or visa-free entry to certain countries.
  
  

Dual citizenship allowed (i.e. you can keep your original nationality, subject to your home country’s rules).

Real Life Examples

Here are some realistic-style examples to illustrate how people might use this programme:

• A family from Southeast Asia interested in expanding business operations in Africa and Middle East. They choose the business investment route, contribute USD 350,000 in capital to an Egyptian company, plus the USD 100,000 extra donation. They also include their spouse and two children under 21. After due diligence and completing the investment, they obtain citizenship in about 8 months. They gain visa-friendly travel in some neighbouring countries, access to Egyptian markets, ability to live/study in Egypt if desired.
  
  
• An individual with high net worth from Europe who desires a second passport and stronger regional presence. They opt for the non-refundable contribution of USD 250,000 to the state treasury. Because this route is simplest (no property management, business risks), lower complexity. They satisfy all health/character checks, make the payment (possibly in installments as allowed), and receive citizenship in roughly 6-9 months.
  
  
• A couple who prefer real assets: purchase property worth USD 300,000 in a development project in Egypt, hold it for the required period (5 years). Meanwhile they enjoy benefits of citizenship, though property management, maintenance, etc., become part of their concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions