EgyptFamily
Egypt spouse residence for partners of Egyptian citizens
Residence for spouses and relatives of Egyptian citizens
In short
Foreign spouses of Egyptian citizens receive residence in Egypt, with the length depending on the case: wives and widows of Egyptian men qualify for the five-year permit, while foreign husbands of Egyptian women receive a three-year permit or a one-year permit under the wife’s sponsorship. Divorced mothers and guardians of Egyptian children, and second-degree relatives of Egyptians, have one-year permits.
Apply on Ministry of Interior — residence permit appointments checked 23 October 2026
Key facts
- 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.
- Fee
- EGP 2,653.10Five-year permit; three-year permit EGP 1,593.10; one-year permit EGP 533.10 (Ministry of Interior).
- Work
- Not included; a work permit is needed for employment.
- Family
- Children born to an Egyptian mother qualify for five-year residence; second-degree relatives of Egyptians for a one-year permit.
- Path to permanent residence
- The Ministry of Interior handles applications by a foreign wife of an Egyptian husband to acquire Egyptian nationality, and grants citizenship to children of an Egyptian mother married to a foreigner.
- Where to apply
- In Egypt, at the Passports, Emigration & Nationality Administration.
Which permit applies to you
Wives and widows of Egyptian nationals are listed among the groups eligible for the five-year residence. Foreign husbands of Egyptian women are listed for the three-year residence and, alternatively, for a one-year residence under the custody of the Egyptian wife. Widows holding an inheritance notification and wives of Egyptians may also hold a one-year non-tourism permit.
Women divorced from Egyptian nationals and guardians of Egyptian children receive a one-year permit, and second-degree relatives of Egyptian nationals can be granted a one-year non-tourism residence under the relative’s sponsorship.
Documents
The core evidence is the marriage certificate registered in Egypt or, for a marriage abroad, legalised and recognised there, together with the Egyptian spouse’s national ID. Widows present the inheritance notification statement; parents of Egyptian children present the children’s birth certificates.
Required documents
Identity
- Passport photos
Travel
- Valid passport with entry visa
Money
- Residence fee for the relevant period
Family
- Marriage certificate registered in Egypt or legalised for use there
- Egyptian spouse’s national ID card copy
Supporting documents (where they apply)
Family
- Inheritance notification statement (widows) or children’s birth certificates (parents)
Fees
Ministry of Interior fees: EGP 2,653.10 for the five-year permit, EGP 1,593.10 for the three-year permit and EGP 533.10 for a one-year permit.
How to apply
Enter Egypt on a visa, register or legalise the marriage, book a residence appointment and attend the Passports, Emigration & Nationality Administration with your Egyptian spouse’s documents. If your nationality needs an advance visa, apply at an Egyptian mission and show the marriage certificate there.
- Register the marriage in Egypt or legalise a foreign marriage certificate for use there.
- Enter Egypt on a visa; if your nationality needs one in advance, apply at an Egyptian embassy or consulate.
- Book a residence appointment through the Ministry of Interior system.
- Attend with your spouse’s ID, the marriage certificate, photos and fee.
- Collect the permit and renew it before it expires.
Children and nationality
Children born to an Egyptian mother are listed for the five-year residence. The Ministry of Interior also runs procedures for granting Egyptian citizenship to children of an Egyptian mother married to a non-Egyptian, and for a foreign wife of an Egyptian husband to apply for Egyptian nationality.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the residence for a foreign wife of an Egyptian?
Five years, renewable. Widows of Egyptian nationals are in the same group.
What residence does a foreign husband of an Egyptian woman get?
A three-year permit, or alternatively a one-year permit under his Egyptian wife’s sponsorship.
Can I stay after a divorce if I have Egyptian children?
Women divorced from Egyptians and guardians of Egyptian children can hold a one-year non-tourism residence.
Can a foreign wife become an Egyptian citizen?
The Ministry of Interior has a procedure for a foreign wife of an Egyptian husband to apply for Egyptian nationality. Ask the Passports, Emigration & Nationality Administration for its conditions.
Official sources
- Ministry of Interior, Passports, Emigration & Nationality Administration — Five-year residence permit
- Ministry of Interior, Passports, Emigration & Nationality Administration — Three-year residence permit
- Ministry of Interior, Passports, Emigration & Nationality Administration — Temporary residence for non-tourism purposes (one-year permit categories and fees)
- Ministry of Interior, Passports, Emigration & Nationality Administration — Application of a foreign wife of an Egyptian husband for Egyptian nationality
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.
Residence
- Residence permit Maximum stay: Tourist residence: up to one year per permit, renewable.
- Golden visa and residence by investment Validity: One, three or five years depending on property value; renewable while the property is held.
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.