Guide to Egypt's Citizenship by Investment Program

Egypt's Citizenship by Investment Program, unique in the Arabic world along with Jordan, offers a strategic pathway to citizenship since its inception in 2021.

Investment Options

The program provides four investment routes, each designed to cater to different investor needs:

1. Donation: Commit a $250,000 non-refundable contribution to Egypt’s public treasury for direct citizenship.
2. Real Estate Investment: Invest a minimum of $300,000 in real estate projects, including land plots, residential, and commercial properties. The investment must be maintained for five years.
3. Business Investment: Inject $350,000 into a new or existing Egyptian business plus a $100,000 donation to the state's treasury. Investors must hold at least a 40% stake and maintain the investment for five years.
4. Bank Deposit: Deposit $500,000 in the Central Bank of Egypt, refundable after three years without interest, reimbursed in Egyptian pounds at the most favorable exchange rate.

Investments can be spread over one year and must be transferred from abroad.

Advantages for Investors and Families

• Global Mobility: Enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 72 countries, including Hong Kong, Macau, and more. Egypt is the only country with citizenship by investment that offers visa-on-arrival access to Nigeria.
• US E-2 Visa Eligibility: Egyptian nationals can apply for the US E-2 (treaty investor) visa.
• Family Inclusion: Include spouses, children under 21, and multiple wives in case of polygamy. Spouses are eligible for citizenship after two years.
• Dual Citizenship: Retain your original nationality with no obligation to renounce it. Note that dual nationals are exempt from military service and cannot be elected to Parliament or register in military and police academies.
• No Residency or Language Requirements: A single visit to Egypt for an interview simplifies the application process.
• Economic Opportunities: Gain rights to own businesses, access education, healthcare benefits, and freely purchase real estate, including in the Sinai peninsula.
• Hereditary Citizenship: Pass citizenship onto future generations.
  
  

Detailed Application Process

The application process is straightforward and inclusive, generally taking 6 to 9 months, with initial decisions often made within 3 months:

1. Application Submission: Complete and submit the application form with all required documents to the Naturalization Application Screening Unit, available in-person or online.
2. Initial Payment and File Number: Transfer $10,000 to the Egyptian Central Bank account of the Egyptian Nationality Unit to secure a unique file number.
3. Preliminary Review: Undergo a thorough review, including security checks, to receive preliminary approval within 3 months.
4. Temporary Residence: After preliminary approval, obtain a 6-month temporary residence to finalize documentation and investment evidence.
5. Final Assessment: Meet all criteria and submit documents for the final recommendation to the Egyptian Prime Minister for citizenship approval within 3 months.
   
   

Required Documentation

Ensure the inclusion of the following documents with your application:

• Original Application Form with additional information for citizenship.
• Payment Verification for the $10,000 filing fee to the CBE.
• Passport Copies to verify nationalities.
• Birth Certificate, original or certified copy.
• Three recent passport-sized Identity Photos.
• Nationality Acknowledgment for any additional nationalities held.
• Spouse’s Passport Copies and Marriage Certificate.
• Children’s Documents for any minor children.
• Criminal Record from Egyptian authorities.
• Movement Certificate for the past five years.
• No Criminal Conviction Certificate, attested by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Investor’s Asset Documentation if owning shares in a company.
• Medical Examination Report and Investment Proof to be submitted during residency.
  
  

Special Considerations and Additional Fees

• Military Service: Exemption for sons of the main applicant.
• Revocation of Citizenship: Possible for those found engaging in illegal activities.
• Investment Payment and Refunds: Payable in installments within a year. Total payment refunded, excluding a $10,000 government fee, in case of refusal.
• Administrative Fee: A non-refundable $10,000 fee applicable to all options.
• Document Translation and Notarization: Costs may exceed $1,000.
• Legal Fees: Range between $5,000 and $10,000 based on application complexity.
• Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 21 years old, have a clean criminal record, undergo a medical examination, and provide proof of source of funds.