Egypt Citizenship by Investment: The Ultimate Guide for 2026

The Egypt Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program is a government initiative that allows foreign investors and their families to gain Egyptian citizenship through approved avenues of economic investment. It is designed to attract foreign capital into Egypt and stimulate the local economy. 

Benefits of the Egyptian CBI Program include US E-2 Visa Eligibility, access to the developing markets of Africa and the Middle East, and investment flexibility due to the options available.  

Citizenship granted by this program confers full nationality and the right to obtain an Egyptian passport. Most of the process can be completed outside of Egypt, making this an ideal option for investors looking to enter or expand their presence in Africa and the Middle East. 

This article will explain what Egyptian CBI is, how it can benefit you, who the program is for, and the relevant documents and processes required.  

Key Takeaways 

• Starting Investment: Minimum of $250,000 for the donation option. 
• Processing Time: Typically ranges from 6 to 12 months. 
• Dual Citizenship: Fully permitted under Egyptian law for CBI participants. 
• Family Inclusion: Includes spouse and dependent children under 21. 
• No Residency Required: Investors do not need to live in Egypt to maintain their status. 

Egypt Citizenship by Investment is a program that enables individuals to acquire citizenship in Egypt by making a significant investment in the country’s economy. There are several investment pathways available, such as donation, real estate, business, and bank deposit, starting at $250,000.  

This program is ideal for investors who would like to establish a presence in Africa and the Middle East, as Egypt is a transcontinental nation. The program also has no physical presence requirements, which means most of the processes can be completed remotely.  

The program is based on Parliamentary Law No. 190 of 2019, and it is administered by the Citizenship by Investment Department (CIU) under the authority of the Egyptian Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Interior.  

Egypt’s CBI program allows foreign investors to acquire citizenship for themselves, their family, and their descendants. It provides full citizenship, which confers the right to live and work in Egypt. 

• Strategic Access: Egypt is a transcontinental nation bridging Africa and the Middle East. This enables its citizens to access huge, developing markets for business ventures. 
• No Presence Requirements: There are no physical presence requirements, meaning investors have no minimum stay required to maintain their citizenship. 
• Investment Flexibility: The program offers multiple avenues, including real estate. Individuals have more choice in the direction of their investment while still qualifying for CBI. 
• Confidentiality: The whole process is confidential. Applications are only publicly disclosed in the official Gazette upon the granting of citizenship. 
• US E-2 Visa Eligibility: As an Egyptian citizen, you become eligible to apply for the United States E-2 Investor Visa, allowing you to live and operate a business in the US. 

To be eligible for the Egypt Citizenship by Investment Program, the main applicant must meet the following criteria: 

• Age: Minimum of 18 years old. 
• Background: Must have a clean criminal record (Police Clearance Certificate) from their home country and Egypt. 
• Health: Must pass a medical examination to prove they do not have contagious diseases. 
• Source of Funds: Must provide clear documentation showing the legal origin of the investment capital. 
• Compliance: All funds must be transferred from abroad into the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) in US Dollars.  

Additionally, Egypt CBI applicants holding Israeli or Iranian nationality are not eligible. All other nationalities are assessed case-by-case, subject to security clearance. Stateless individuals are generally not eligible, as valid nationality documentation is required for the program. 

There are four primary routes to qualify for Egyptian citizenship by investment: 

01/ Donation Option ($250,000) 

The most straightforward route involves a non-refundable contribution to the State’s Public Treasury. While non-refundable, it offers the least administrative difficulties. The government allows this sum to be paid in installments over a period of one year, though citizenship is typically finalized once the full amount is settled. 

02/ Real Estate Investment Option ($300,000) 

Investors can purchase residential or commercial properties or land plots. To qualify, the property must be registered or belong to a state-owned developer. 

• Holding Period: The property must be held for at least five years. 
• Resale: After five years, the investor can sell the property without affecting their citizenship status. 

03/ Business Investment Option ($350,000 + $100,000 Donation) 

This involves establishing a new company or investing in an existing Egyptian business. The investor must hold at least a 40% stake in the project and prove job creation. In addition to the $350,000 investment, a $100,000 non-refundable donation to the state is required. The investment must be held for a period of at least five years. 

This option is often chosen by those seeking an active operational presence in the Egyptian market. Given the country’s strategic location, those looking to do business in the Middle East can also benefit greatly from an Egyptian presence. 

Important note: If the investor withdraws their investment before the five-year holding period is complete, they must donate an additional $250,000 to maintain their citizenship.  

Unlike residency-by-investment programs that rely on flexible or market-driven real estate purchases, Egypt’s CBI is structured around clearly defined capital contribution options, each with specific minimum thresholds, holding periods, and compliance requirements.  

Beyond the primary investment, applicants should budget for the following: 

• Administrative/Government Fee: $10,000 (standard for all options). 
• Passport & Biometric Fees: Minor administrative costs for issuance. 
• Legal & Translation Fees: Costs for notarizing and translating documents into Arabic.

Most of the application processes can be conducted remotely through authorized legal representatives. However, a limited physical presence in Egypt is required at specific procedural stages that include biometrics, medical checks, and final Egypt passport issuance. 

01/ Documentation 

The following documentation is required for Egypt Citizenship by Investment:  

Important Note: All documents issued abroad must be legal, apostilled, and translated into Arabic by a certified translator. Notarization alone is not accepted. 

02/ Due Diligence Stages and Timeframes  

The CIU conducts a pre-screening to check eligibility. After the screening, you should gather all the required documents in your home country, then have them apostilled and translated. Once the $10,000 fee is paid to the CBE, a formal background check is performed by security agencies, usually taking 3 to 6 months.  

03/ Temporary Residence Permit Stage  

Upon receiving Approval in Principle, the applicant is granted a 6-month temporary residence permit. This is designed to allow the investor to enter Egypt (if they wish) to finalize the investment and biometrics.  

A two-business-day visit to Egypt may be required at this stage of the process to complete the following:  

Your Egypt immigration lawyer should then register your application on the Ministry of Interior GAFI citizenship platform. Our lawyers can take the administrative strain away from you and handle legal steps like this for you. 

04/ Gazette Approval and Legal Finalization 

Once the investment is confirmed, the Prime Minister issues a decree granting citizenship. This is then published in the Official Gazette, which serves as the legal proof of your new status. 

05/ Biometrics and Passport Issuance  

The final step involves visiting an Egyptian embassy or the Ministry of Interior in Cairo to provide biometrics and collect your Egyptian passport.  

06/ Final Citizenship 

Citizenship is granted without any minimum residency requirement due to your investment. No ongoing stay obligation is imposed after citizenship is granted. Your Egyptian passport and National ID are issued upon final approval. 

Egyptian citizenship can be revoked if the investor fails to maintain the investment for the required period (for example, selling the real estate before the five-year window has closed) without substituting it with another qualifying investment. Providing false information during the due diligence phase also carries the risk of immediate revocation. 

The Egypt Citizenship by Investment program is best suited for: 

• Business owners: Targeting African and Middle Eastern markets. 
• Investors: Seeking a “Plan B” passport with no residency requirements. 
• Families: looking for an affordable route to include many dependents under one investment.