Will I be able to work pending the processing of my permit?

Yes. With an application that has been submitted, you can tend to work legally awaiting the issuance of the final card, although you will be allowed to work legally after obtaining a receipt that indicates that your application has been received.

Does Egypt appreciate remote work?

Yes! The 2025 law is the first time to formally acknowledge non-traditional employment, remote and flexible work arrangements.

What will become of me in the event of a change of occupation?

Your permit is employer specific. To switch jobs, you have to get a new Ministry of Labour Approval and change your sponsorship.

Egypt Skilled Job Visa Application Steps

Do you happen to be a really talented professional who is looking at the Cradle of Civilization as your next job opportunity? Egypt has been able to make a major step towards new foreign talent policy with the official transition of the New Labor Law (No. 14 of 2025) on September 1 st.

Categories of primary visa / permit (2025 reforms)

The legal environment of the foreign professionals has also been simplified through the New Labor Law (No. 14 of 2025) to suit the current working trends.

Work Residency Permit: It is the final “Skilled Job Visa. It is a permanent residence card that will be attached to your employment agreement and granted by the ministry of interior.
Ministry of Labour Approval: Your employer will need to seek this compulsory authorization, which will require him to explain why he prefers to hire an expatriate instead of a local employee.
Entry Work Visa: It is a temporary, non-renewable one-month visa.5 It enables you to enter Egypt in a legal manner to finish the last physical part of your application, which includes biometric registration.
Business Visa: This is used when one wants to hold a meeting in a short period of time, but it can also be used as a legal gray area to fill the period of time when your main Work Residency Permit is being internally approved.
Small Enterprise Facilitation (2025 Decree 194): A huge victory in 2025! This order provides a quick-track status change to employees in small businesses or stores, and avoids part of the normal red tape.

Application Road map Map

The process of obtaining an Egyptian work permit is a joint venture between you and your sponsoring company.

Obtaining a Job Offer and Justification of an Employer

Your employer needs to demonstrate a “needed expertise” of yours. According to the Workforce Quota (10% Rule), the general rule is to hire one foreigner out of every nine Egyptians, to obtain an exemption or permission.7 The position you are doing must be a specialty and under the category of skilled.

Legalization and Security Clearance Documenting

This happens to be the most protracted stage. You will have to submit a Certificate of Experience (at least 3 years in your field) and also your degrees. All of the documents, will be Legalized and translated into Arabic at the Egyptian Embassy of your home country.8 At the same time, the State Security Clearance, a background check obligatory in your home country, is initiated by your employer.

Medical and HIV Testing

When you are already in Egypt, you need to visit the Central Laboratory of the Ministry of Health in Cairo.It is important to note that international test results on HIV are not accepted in Egypt; you will have to take a test in the country.

Final Submission/ Biometric Enrollment

The last application is made to the ministry of labour (MOL). Once accepted, you will go to the Immigration Department (usually in Abbaseya) to undergo Biometric Enrollment, which involves taking of fingerprints and a photo to be used on your final residency card.

FAQs

Will I be able to work pending the processing of my permit?
Yes. With an application that has been submitted, you can tend to work legally awaiting the issuance of the final card, although you will be allowed to work legally after obtaining a receipt that indicates that your application has been received.
Does Egypt appreciate remote work?
Yes! The 2025 law is the first time to formally acknowledge non-traditional employment, remote and flexible work arrangements.
What will become of me in the event of a change of occupation?
Your permit is employer specific. To switch jobs, you have to get a new Ministry of Labour Approval and change your sponsorship.

Final Thoughts

The labor reforms in Egypt have enabled the Silicon Pyramids, which were once restricted to international talent, to be available to everyone worldwide. With your Legalization and Arabic translation done before traveling you can make sure you have your future in this booming market with its 10% Quota policy, by keeping up with the rules.

Disclosure

This paper is informative and educative in nature. It is also recommended that the reader should not make any determination without consulting a reliable source, like the ministry of labour in Egypt or with an accredited legal expert.