Egypt has introduced a Citizenship‑by‑Investment (CBI) program that allows foreign investors to obtain Egyptian nationality through a limited set of financial contributions. The passport is not a “tier‑A” travel document—visa‑free access is modest—but it can serve as a secondary (plan B) passport, especially since Egypt permits dual citizenship.
Investment pathways
| Option | Minimum contribution | Key conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Real‑estate | US $300,000 | Must be purchased in a government‑approved development. The property can be located anywhere in Egypt, but it must be held for 5 years. If sold earlier, the investor must make a non‑refundable contribution of US $250,000 to the government. |
| Company incorporation / business investment | US $350,000 | Either create a new Egyptian company or invest in an existing one. Ongoing obligations include corporate tax filings, accounting, and maintaining the business. |
| Donation | US $250,000 | One‑time, non‑refundable contribution to a designated government fund. Payments can be split into installments. |
| Bank deposit | US $500,000 | Fixed‑term deposit in an Egyptian bank; funds must be transferred from abroad and will be converted to Egyptian pounds upon arrival. |
All contributions must originate from foreign accounts and be transferred to Egypt before the application is processed.
Eligibility and documentation
- Age: Applicants must be adults; children under 21 can be included in the primary applicant’s file. The spouse may obtain citizenship after a 2‑year residence period.
- Source of funds: Proof of legitimate origin (bank statements, audit reports, etc.) is required.
- Financial capacity: Evidence that the applicant possesses sufficient assets to cover the chosen investment.
- Criminal record: Clean criminal history is mandatory; minor infractions (e.g., traffic violations) typically do not affect eligibility, whereas serious financial crimes can lead to rejection.
- Medical fitness: A standard health certificate is required.
Process overview
- Fund transfer – Move the required amount from an overseas account to an Egyptian account; the money is automatically converted to local currency.
- Application submission – Provide personal identification, source‑of‑funds documentation, criminal‑record check, and medical report.
- Due diligence – Egyptian authorities conduct background checks on the applicant and any dependents.
- Approval and issuance – Upon successful review, citizenship is granted. Real‑estate investors must retain the property for the stipulated period to avoid the additional contribution.
Practical considerations
- Cost comparison – The US $250,000 donation is the cheapest route, cheaper than Turkey’s program but more expensive than some Caribbean options.
- Dual citizenship – Egypt allows holding another nationality, making the program suitable as a backup passport rather than a primary travel document.
- Investment risk – Real‑estate and business options involve ongoing management, market exposure, and compliance obligations, whereas donation and bank‑deposit routes are one‑time, non‑refundable payments.
- Holding period – Real‑estate investors face a five‑year lock‑in; early sale triggers the additional US $250,000 contribution.
Overall, Egypt’s CBI scheme offers a relatively low‑cost entry point for investors seeking a secondary passport, with flexibility across real‑estate, business, charitable, and banking channels, subject to standard due‑diligence and residency requirements.
