Unofficial English Translation by the Philippine Embassy in Cairo

After studying the constitution, Law 159 of 1981 promulgating Joint Stock, Stock Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies Law and its amendments, Law 12 of 2003 promulgating Labor Law and its amendments, Law 72 of 2017 issuing Investment Law and its executive regulations, international conventions ratified by Egypt, bilateral agreements signed by Egypt, Ministerial Resolution No. 305 of 2015 on the conditions and procedures of providing work permits to foreigners, Ministerial Decree No. 150 of 2016 on the formation of Special Committee for Exemption of foreign workers set percentage against Egyptian workers and based on our view while keeping work interest; he declared as follows:

 

Article 1

Foreigners may not engage in work unless they obtain license from the concerned Ministry, its manpower directorates, or offices established by the Ministry in other entities for the same purpose, and that they are allowed to enter and reside in the country for the purpose of work.

 

Article 2

The following categories are excluded from obtaining work permit:

 

1. Those, who are exempted according to a clear provision of international convention, of which the Arab Republic of Egypt is a member, within the limits of such convention.

2. Administrative staff, who work for Embassies and Consulates of Arab and foreign countries, Organizations and Agencies affiliated with Regional and International Organizations in the Arab Republic of Egypt, and who arrive in the country based on decisions issued by their countries’ concerned authority.

3. Foreign anchors working in the Arab Republic of Egypt.

4. Foreign clerics, who practice their work with no pay.

5. Foreign workers aboard Egyptian ships at the high seas away from the territorial waters.

6. Foreign Workers at Commonwealth World War Graves Committee

7. Members and experts working for institutes, centers and missions handling architectural research and ancient Egyptian antiquities.

8. Foreign investors, who obtain “investor residence” to perform their duty in the country in accordance with the provisions of the law regulating the same.

 

Article 3

Whoever employs a foreigner, who is exempted from obtaining work permit, should notify the concerned directorate, in whose jurisdiction the establishment headquarter is located, within seven days with effect from the date the foreigner practices his work. The same is required when his service is terminated.

 

Article 4

The foreigner, who performs work that is not finished in one or a couple of days, is obliged to pay a fee estimated at (%10) of his wage (eight thousand Egyptian pounds minimum and fifty thousand Egyptian pounds maximum). The fee multiplies according to the number of work he performs. He may not start his work before obtaining a written approval by the concerned Ministry.

 

Article 5

The number of foreign workers in any establishment, including branches, may not exceed (%10) of the total number of Egyptian insured workers at the establishment. The Exceptions Committee, which is formed by the Ministry for this purpose, may approve exceptional cases after obtaining consent by the concerned Minister.

 

Article 6

For granting foreigners with work permit, the following terms and conditions are taken into consideration:

 

1. The foreigner should have not be less than three years experience that suits the job.

2. The foreigner should obtain license, according to the laws and regulations put in force by the country in favour of professions, which require special license to practice.

3. The foreigner should not eliminate the national manpower.

4. The country's economy and establishment actually need the expertise.

5. The establishments, that are authorized to employ foreign technical workers, are obliged to assign at least (2) Egyptians, whose qualifications are similar to the qualifications of the foreign technicians in order to serve as assistants, provided that the foreigner is committed to train them and prepare annual reports on their progress. These reports should be attached to the request for renewal of license.

6. Preference should go to foreigners, who are born and permanently reside in the country.

 

Article 7

The license is issued for a period of one year or less, after paying due fee. Few months, exceeding a year, are counted full year. The license fee is estimated as follows:

 

First: Five thousand Egyptian pounds when the license is approved for the first year. The fee is increased by one thousand Egyptian pounds for each subsequent year until the third year.

 

Second: Ten thousand Egyptian pounds if the license is renewed for a fourth year. The fee is increased by one thousand pounds for each subsequent year until the sixth year.

 

Third: Fifteen thousand Egyptian pounds in the event that the license is renewed for a seventh year. The fee is increased by one thousand pounds for each subsequent year until the tenth year.

 

Fourth: Twenty thousand Egyptian pounds when the license is renewed for the eleventh year. Two thousand pounds will be added for each following year, with a maximum of fifty thousand pounds.

 

Fifth: Eight thousand Egyptian pounds for the first year in the event that the establishment is excluded to pay the %10 prescribed for foreign workers, after approving the same by the Special Committee for Exceptions. There is fee increase of two thousand pounds for each subsequent year, with a maximum of fifty thousand pounds.

 

The concerned department may submit a request to us to reduce the fee in some needy cases, provided that the request states reasons and excuses.

 

Article 8

The license fee is paid in the name of the foreigner through electronic collection mechanisms on the institutional code of the Ministry or its manpower directorates, as the case may be.

 

Article 9

Without prejudicing provisions of the international conventions signed by Egypt, regarding the implementation of the minimum fees and principle of reciprocity, the license card is issued by the concerned Ministry or its Directorates, as the case may be, or by one of the offices established for this purpose in other entities. The card is handed over to the requester as soon as approval is granted by the concerned Security Authorities after paying an amount of two hundred pounds.

 

A replacement of a “lost” or “damaged” license card may be obtained from the authority that issued the same; based on a request placed by the foreigner, accompanied by the damaged card or loss evidence, after paying an amount of “four hundred pounds.”

 

Article 10

Foreigners, who are indicated in international conventions, in which Egypt is a member, are exempted from paying foreigners’ work permit fees mentioned in article 7, provided that fee exemption condition is clearly stated in the provisions of the convention.

 

Article 11

A foreigner, who has worked in the country without obtaining license, may apply to reconcile his situation at the concerned Ministry. In case of approval, the foreigner has to pay a fee of fifteen thousand Egyptian pounds for each year, to be calculated from the date of his entry into the country. Months, exceeding a year, are counted a year.

 

The concerned department may submit a request to us to reduce the fees in some necessary cases, provided that the request is accompanied by excuses and reasons.

 

Article 12

An application for renewal of work permit should be submitted; using the form prepared for that purpose, to the authority that issued the same. In case of renewing the permit for a fourth or more years, the application must be submitted to the concerned department at the Ministry’s headquarter.

 

Article 13

A foreigner's work permit may be abolished by the concerned Minister in the following cases:

 

1. The foreigner is convicted of a crime or honour or trust or public code of conduct misdemeanor.

2. If it is proved that the foreigner has obtained the license based on incorrect data.

3. If the license is used for a profession or at a work entity other than the one, where he is licensed to work.

4. The concerned security authorities object the issuance of work permit due to reasons affecting the country's economic or social interests.

 

Article 14

The Establishments that employ foreign workers must comply with the following:

 

First: Maintain a data record of the following:

 

(A) Foreigner’s name in both Arabic and English, surname, date of birth, passport number, nationality and religion.

(b) Foreigner’s profession and qualifications, type of work, entry date into the country and wage.

(c) Work permit number and date.

(D) Name of the Egyptian assistants, who are assigned to work with the foreign expert in order to gain experience.

 

Second: Notify the concerned directorate of the foreigner’s termination of contract when it comes to an end, or upon leaving the job, and provide evidence of handing over the license card.

 

Third: To provide the Ministry’s relevant department with a detailed statement of the foreign workers, including the number of foreign workers in the establishment and all the information mentioned in the “first” clause of this article.

 

Fourth: Provide the concerned directorate with the following data on the first week of January and July of each year:

 

(a) Statement in favour of foreigners, who work in the establishment, indicating name, nationality, occupation, work permit number and date and name of the Egyptian assistants.

(b) Statement of the number and profession of Egyptian workers in the establishment, attaching form (2) Insurance, or any other official document issued by the authority concerned with social insurance; indicating the number of Egyptian ensured workers.

 

Article 15

The concerned department has to prepare databases for foreign workers in the country, provided that they include particularly the following data:

 

(a) Foreigner’s name in both Arabic and English, surname, date of birth, passport number, nationality and religion.

(b) Name of the establishment, foreigner’s profession and qualifications, type of work he performs, the date he entered into the country and his wage.

(c) Work permit number, date of issuance and expiry.

(d) Name of the Egyptian assistants, who are assigned to work with the foreign expert to gain experience.

(E) Number of Egyptian ensured workers in the establishment that employ foreign workers.

 

Article 16

Foreigners are prohibited to work in the following professions, businesses and trades:

 

1. Tour Guiding

2. Export and import business

3. Custom clearance

 

Article 17

Any previous text or decree that contradicts the provisions of this decree shall be repealed.

 

Article 18

The decree will be published in the Egyptian Gazette and come into force the day following release.