The General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) Board of Directors has approved new regulations to facilitate the residency of foreign investors in Egypt, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the investment climate and attract more foreign direct investment into the country.
Under the new regulations, a serious investor who is actively implementing their investment project is now entitled to a renewable five-year continuous residency, valid for the entire duration of the project.
Details of the New Residency Regulations
Counselor Mohamed Abdel Wahab, CEO of GAFI, stated that these regulations are a direct application of the Investment Law, granting residency based on:
the purpose of the company,
paid-in capital,
number of employees,
and the business activity location.
He added that these regulations are designed to offer greater incentives for serious investments, and to encourage foreign investors to invest in specific sectors, activities, and regions prioritized by the Egyptian state for economic development and job creation.
Residency Eligibility Criteria – Based on a Points System
The new system assigns a weighted score to several qualifying conditions for granting residency to foreign investors:
Purpose of the company – 20%
Paid-in capital – 30%
Number of employees – 30%
Location of business activity – 20%
Investors accumulating sufficient points are eligible for a 5-year renewable residency throughout the lifespan of the project.
Priority Sectors for Residency Facilitation
The system gives priority to investors operating in the following key sectors:
Renewable energy
Heavy industries
Pre-university education
Healthcare
Petroleum
Water desalination
Other targeted sectors aligned with national development goals
This policy marks a significant step in integrating residency incentives with Egypt’s investment strategy, reinforcing confidence among foreign investors and promoting sustainable economic growth.
