EgyptResidence

Egypt residency by property purchase

Residence for owners of real estate (one, three or five years by property value)

In short

Egypt grants renewable residence to foreigners who own real estate registered with the Egyptian notary public, with the length set by the value of the property: at least USD 100,000 for a one-year permit, USD 200,000 for three years and USD 400,000 for five years. The one-year permit also covers the owner’s wife and children, and the purchase price must have been transferred through an Egyptian bank.

Apply on Ministry of Interior — residence permit appointments checked 23 October 2026

Key facts

Validity
One, three or five years depending on property value; renewable while the property is held.
Fee
EGP 533.10One-year permit EGP 533.10; three-year permit EGP 1,593.10; five-year permit EGP 2,653.10 (Ministry of Interior).
Funds required
US$100,000Minimum property value for the one-year permit (purchases after 11 May 2017, paid through an Egyptian bank; USD 50,000 for earlier purchases). USD 200,000 qualifies for three years and USD 400,000 for five years.
Work
No. The permit is for residence; employment needs a work permit.
Family
The one-year property permit covers the owner’s wife and children; five-year permit holders’ wives and children also qualify for five years.
Path to permanent residence
No permanent residence is attached; the permits are renewed for the same period while ownership continues.
Where to apply
In Egypt, at the Passports, Emigration & Nationality Administration, after the title is registered.

Who qualifies

A foreigner holding real estate under an ownership contract registered with the Egyptian notary public. The Ministry of Interior links the permit length to the property value: at least USD 100,000 (or its equivalent) for the one-year non-tourism permit, USD 200,000 for the three-year permit and USD 400,000 for the five-year permit. Ownership alone is not a residence; the owner must apply for the permit.

Value and payment rules

For the one-year permit the Ministry applies two thresholds by purchase date: USD 50,000 for property bought before 11 May 2017, and USD 100,000 for later purchases, where the price exchanged into Egyptian pounds must have been transferred through an Egyptian bank. Keep the bank transfer records with the registered contract, as they are the evidence of the qualifying amount.

Fees

Residence fees published by the Ministry of Interior are EGP 533.10 for one year, EGP 1,593.10 for the three-year permit and EGP 2,653.10 for the five-year permit. Notary, registration and transaction costs of the purchase are separate.

How to apply

Complete the purchase and register the ownership contract with the notary public. Then book a residence appointment through the Ministry of Interior system and present the passport, the registered contract and proof of the bank transfer at the Passports, Emigration & Nationality Administration. The officer issues the permit length matching the documented value.

  1. Choose a property and check that its value meets the tier you want: USD 100,000, 200,000 or 400,000.
  2. Pay the price through an Egyptian bank and keep the transfer records.
  3. Register the ownership contract with the Egyptian notary public.
  4. Book a residence appointment through the Ministry of Interior system.
  5. Submit passport, registered contract, bank proof, photos and fee at the passport office.
  6. Add your wife and children, and renew before expiry while you keep the property.

Renewal and travel

Renew before expiry with proof that you still own the property. As a non-tourism resident you can travel abroad for up to 6 months within the permit’s validity without a re-entry visa.

Family members

The one-year property permit extends to the owner’s wife and children. For five-year permits the Ministry lists wives and children of five-year residents as a separate qualifying group.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

  • Passport photos

Travel

  • Valid passport

Money

  • Ownership contract registered with the Egyptian notary public
  • Proof that the price was transferred through an Egyptian bank (purchases after 11 May 2017)
  • Residence fee for the relevant period

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Family

  • Marriage and birth certificates for wife and children

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum property price for residence in Egypt?

USD 100,000 for a one-year permit for purchases after 11 May 2017, paid through an Egyptian bank. Properties bought earlier qualify from USD 50,000.

How do I get a five-year residence through property?

Own real estate worth USD 400,000. USD 200,000 gives a three-year permit.

Does the property residence let me work?

No. It is a residence permit only; work needs a Ministry of Labour work permit.

Is property residence the same as citizenship by investment?

No. This page covers residence permits issued by the Ministry of Interior. Nationality is a separate procedure.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Egypt

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Processing time: Set by each mission. The Egyptian consulate in Washington allows at least 10 business days, and 6 to 8 weeks for nationalities needing prior security approval.

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Processing time: Set by each mission; the Washington consulate allows at least 10 business days, longer where security approval is required.
  • Investor visa Validity: Five years, renewable. During company set-up: one year, renewable for six months or a year through GAFI.

Study and training

  • Student visa Validity: One year, renewed each year of study.

Work

  • Work visa Validity: Residence permit for work: one year, renewable together with the work permit.

Family

  • Family reunification visa Validity: Follows the sponsor’s permit: one, three or five years.
  • Spouse and partner visa Validity: Wives and widows of Egyptians: five years. Foreign husbands of Egyptian women: three years, or one year under the wife’s sponsorship. All renewable.

Residence

  • Residence permit Maximum stay: Tourist residence: up to one year per permit, renewable.

Online travel permits

  • Visa on arrival Maximum stay: South Sinai permit: 15 days, limited to the designated areas. For the port-of-entry visa the stay is set at entry; the Ministry page does not publish a fixed number of days.
  • e-Visa Processing time: No fixed time is published; the portal asks you to apply at least 7 days before departure and emails you when a decision is made.

Protection

  • Asylum and international protection Validity: UNHCR white certificate: 6 months; yellow asylum-seeker card: 18 months; blue refugee card: 3 years. UNHCR-registered refugees are listed for the three-year residence permit.

Egypt visa guide