Foreign nationals living in Egypt are facing a significant increase in the cost of renewing their residency permits, following a government decision that came into effect on September 21. The cost for renewing all types of residencies has more than tripled, marking a sharp rise that affects many expatriates and asylum seekers across the country.
According to lawyer Ahmed Maawad, who specializes in cases related to foreign nationals, the fee increases apply to both permanent and temporary residencies, including those for tourism, education, and work. The new fees were posted at the Passports and Immigration General Administration in Abbaseya, Cairo, where foreigners go to renew their residency permits.
Previously, the cost of renewing a residency permit was around $50. However, with the new increase, foreign nationals now have to pay approximately $150. Refugees and asylum seekers are exempt from this hike, confirmed by a source at the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Impact on Foreign Nationals in Egypt
Egypt is home to about nine million foreign nationals from 133 different countries. While only around 672,000 of these individuals are officially registered as refugees, many others came to Egypt seeking safety from conflict and instability in their home countries. These foreign nationals hold short-term residencies that require regular renewal, meaning they are significantly affected by the recent fee hike.
Waleed Hashed, a Yemeni expatriate living in Cairo, shared his experience of going to renew his tourist residency and finding that the fee had risen from less than $40 to over $145. This increase is especially hard for large families, like many in the Yemeni community, who now face much higher costs for maintaining legal residency in Egypt.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that residency renewal fees must be paid in US dollars or the equivalent in Egyptian pounds, according to a new government rule introduced in August 2023. This decision was part of a broader effort by the Egyptian government to address the country's economic crisis by increasing foreign currency liquidity. The same decision also introduced a $1,000 settlement fine for undocumented foreign nationals.
Special Cases and Exemptions
Certain foreign nationals are exempt from the fee hike. For instance, Sudanese nationals, whose numbers in Egypt have surged due to the war in Sudan, are required to pay only $25 for residency renewals. Palestinians from Gaza who entered Egypt after the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip began are also exempt from these fees, though this is largely due to Egypt’s stance against the permanent displacement of Palestinians.
However, Palestinians residing in Egypt since 1948 who hold special refugee passports are subject to the new fees. Kamal al-Khatib, a prominent member of the Palestinian community in North Sinai, shared that the cost of renewing residency for Palestinians has risen dramatically. The new fees are $145 for a one-year residency, $370 for three years, and $600 for five years, compared to previous rates of $40, $60, and $80.
Financial Burden on Families
The new fees pose a significant financial burden on foreign families living in Egypt. For instance, a family of five would now have to pay $600 per person for a five-year residency, totaling $3,000 or approximately LE150,000. Many expatriates are struggling with these increased costs, especially given that some exemptions, such as age-related waivers for children and the elderly, may no longer apply.
Despite understanding the economic pressures that led to the fee increase, representatives of expatriate communities, such as Iman Rageh from the Yemeni community, have voiced concerns about the impact on families with multiple children. The decision could make it difficult for some families to afford to maintain their legal residency in Egypt, particularly those relying on tourism residencies that need to be renewed every six months.
As Egypt continues to navigate its economic challenges, foreign nationals living in the country are facing new financial realities that could reshape their future in the nation.
